POSITION DESCRIPTION Position details: Title: Reports to: Reports professionally to: Date: Liver Research Nurse Associate Professor Ed Gane Senior Liver Research Co-ordinator June 2014 Purpose of position: To lead the development of research projects and be accountable for the nursing and financial elements of the projects, including being responsible for submissions to research ethics committees. To ensure that clinical research trials are conducted ethically and according to Good Clinical Research Practice To act with a degree of autonomy providing nursing care as determined by the research design/protocols. To use nursing judgement, knowledge and skills to meet the needs of patients and their families as defined by the research design To provide support and assistance to the Primary Investigator and/or research team. To carry out data collection, coding, data entry and analysis. To work autonomously and to develop effective working relationships with the research team, medical team and the sponsoring companies. Service description: The role provides clinical research nursing skills to hepatology patients participating in research studies. The research will be part of regional, national or international research trials, aiming to enhance improved outcomes for our population with liver disease. The jobholder is accountable to the Principle Investigator and has responsibilities in three key areas: Scheduling and production planning/management, project coordination and nursing care delivery. Key accountabilities: Domain One: Professional responsibilities Practices in accordance with legal, ethical, culturally safe and professional standards. Maintains and develops own clinical expertise and knowledge in research nursing practice. Applies inquiry and critical thinking to nursing research issues. Pro-actively participates in own performance development and review. Attends educational opportunities relevant to staff nurse research role and scope of practice.
Domain Two: Management of nursing care: Uses nursing knowledge and skills to coordinate patient care in accordance with research protocol / design. Provides direct nursing care for patient/clients to achieve best outcomes for research. Collaborates and communicates with multidisciplinary team to co-ordinate and negotiate care working across health care settings to achieve best health outcomes Monitors clinical outcomes/indicators and reports variance to research protocols or Good Clinical Practice guidelines. Educates and provides information to patients/clients/family/whanau to improve knowledge of disease/illness, self management, prevention of complications and promotion of recovery. Maintains accurate, consecutive documentation of all aspects of the patients/clients involvement in a research project. Domain Three: Research Co-ordination: Develops research projects and negotiates contracts in co-ordination with principle investigator and sponsoring companies. Manages ongoing research projects including patient care, data entry, communication with ethics committees and clinical trial documentation requirements Fosters inquiry, critical thinking and research skill acquisition. Domain Four: Interpersonal relationships: Works effectively within the Liver Research Team; liaising with the Senior Research Co-ordinator Collaborates and communicates with multidisciplinary team to co-ordinate care to achieve best research outcomes. Promotes effective teamwork and collaborative relationships within the multi-disciplinary team. Fosters the implementation of organisational and nursing goals and values. Promotes ADHB as a centre of excellence for nursing research practice. Domain Five: Inter-professional healthcare and quality improvement: Identifies situations of risk and takes appropriate action to ensure a safe environment for patients/clients, families/whanau and staff. Contributes to and participates in ADHB nursing and research policy development. Evaluates the effectiveness, efficiency and safety of clinical practice in the research setting. Participates in the implementation of nursing models of care appropriate to patient/client population needs. Assists in the implementation of initiatives to address differential access to healthcare services for Maori. Acts to identify and minimise organisational risk. Domain Six: Professional development and clinical competency: Practices in accordance with legal, ethical, culturally safe and professional standards Maintains and develops own clinical expertise and knowledge Participates in professional supervision as required Pro-actively participates in own performance development and review Attends educational opportunities/conferences relevant to the role and scope of practice
Relationships: External Internal Committees/Groups Collaborative trials groups Senior Research Coordinator Relevant research groups Research sponsors - Liver Other nursing groups as required Other research centres Liver Research Nurses University of Auckland Associate Professor Ed Gane Ethics committees Other NZLTU department Health and social support staff agencies Research Development Consumer advocates and Office agencies Medical staff Nursing staff Technical staff Allied health professionals Kai Atawhai / cultural support staff Person Specifications: Essential Education & Qualifications New Zealand nursing registration. Desired Post graduate certificate / diploma in specialty nursing practice. Experience / Knowledge Specialty knowledge and practice expertise to Research Nurse Grade Knowledge of quality improvement processes and principles. Knowledge of the Treaty of Waitangi and implications in nursing and research practice. Computer literacy and proficiency with reference to data collection, email and word processing skills Research experience and understanding of Good Clinical Research Practice Guidelines Previous experience in viral hepatitis/hepatology Critical Competencies: Description Quality Orientation Pays attention to detail and initiates self-checking procedures; ensures high levels of accuracy and consistent quality of data Understands Good Clinical Research Practice standards for conducting trials Organising Manages workload for multiple projects simultaneously, recognises and addresses barriers, and takes account of changing priorities.
Ability to meet deadlines which are often determined by external circumstances Analytical Ability Breaks complex information down logically to identify key aspects, causal factors and links Intermediate Computing between information from different sources, resolving any inconsistencies identified. Is able to use standard software applications (MS Office, MS Access) to undertake complex taks. Competent in preparation of letters, ethics applications, protocol summaries, treatment instructions for clinicians, information sheets for patients as well as other trial documentation, Powerpoint presentations and Excel spreadsheets. Learning Constantly strives to build clinical knowledge and research skills Acknowledges and learns from mistakes and improves outcomes Participates in appropriate training courses and attends scientific meetings where required. Organisational competencies: Description Teamwork Collaborates with fellow team members, clinicians, nurses and representatives of collaborative Trials Groups, Sponsoring Companies or Contract Research Organisations to achieve objectives. Seeks out opportunities to support others in achieving goals. Actively contributes to and accepts consensus decisions Recognises and respects individual differences. Bicultural Approach Understands the significance of the Treaty of Waitangi. Displays cultural sensitivity and a willingness to work positively with organisational strategies to improve opportunities for Maori. Self Management Sets high personal standards and strives to achieve goals Patient/client/ population focused Communication/ Interpersonal Skills Is proactive and displays initiative. Displays drive and energy and persists in overcoming obstacles Is able to manage stress levels effectively and is resilient to change Understands personal and professional limitations. Knows when to ask for help Can work to deadlines to achieve outcomes Develops positive working relationships with patients/consumer Identifies and seeks to meet their needs Treats them respectfully and as a first priority. Maintains confidentiality of patient information Expresses information effectively, both orally and in writing, adjusts language and style to the recipients and considers their frame of reference Communicates and consults effectively with patients and colleagues from diverse backgrounds
Recognises and respects individual differences Actively listens, drawing out information and checking understanding Empathises with others and considers their needs and feelings. Innovation Participates in group/unit discussions that review current practice. Planning and Monitoring Uses action plans to accomplish goals, establishes timeframes and realistically and appropriately allocates resources. Able to monitor progress and address problems to achieve outcomes. WORKING FOR ADHB EXPECTATIONS OF EMPLOYEES CITIZENSHIP All employees are expected to contribute to the innovation and improvement of Auckland District Health Board as an organisation. This means: Using resources responsibly Models ADHB values in all interactions Maintaining standards of ethical behaviour and practice Meeting ADHB s performance standards Participating in organisation development and performance improvement initiatives Helping to develop and maintain Maori capability in ADHB, including developing our understanding of the Treaty of Waitangi and ways in which it applies in our work Raising and addressing issues of concern promptly THE EMPLOYER AND EMPLOYEE RELATIONSHIP We have a shared responsibility for maintaining good employer/employee relationships. This means: Acting to ensure a safe and healthy working environment at all times Focusing our best efforts on achieving ADHB s objectives A performance agreement will be reached between the employee and their direct manager and/or professional leader containing specific expectations. CONSUMER/CUSTOMER/STAKEHOLDER COMMITMENT All employees are responsible for striving to continuously improve service quality and performance. This means: Taking the initiative to meet the needs of the consumer/customer/stakeholder Addressing our obligations under the Treaty of Waitangi Involving the consumer/customer/stakeholder in defining expectations around the nature of the services to be delivered and the timeframe Keeping the consumer/stakeholder informed of progress Following through on actions and queries Following up with the consumer/customer/stakeholder on their satisfaction with the services PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT As the business of ADHB develops, the responsibilities and functions of positions may change. All staff are expected to contribute and adapt to change by: Undertaking professional development Applying skills to a number of long and short term projects across different parts of the organisation Undertaking such development opportunities as ADHB may reasonably require