Clinical Research Nurse

Northwestern Memorial Healthcare • Chicago, IL

4d • $41 - $67

About The Position

The Clinical Research Nurse (CRN) is a registered professional nurse who serves as a liaison between Northwestern University clinical research investigator teams and Northwestern Medical Group. The CRN collaborates with the interprofessional team and peers to support the appropriate implementation and conduct of clinical research studies throughout the lifecycle of a protocol. The role reflects Northwestern Medicine’s mission, vision, and values and follows its Code of Ethics, Corporate Compliance Program, applicable policies, and regulatory and accreditation standards.

The CRN coordinates study operations and provides direct nursing care to research participants, including clinical assessment and study-related procedures under the direction of the principal investigator or supervising physician. The position also supports protocol implementation, study visits, participant communication, documentation, data quality, regulatory submissions, and training of research staff. Travel between hospital locations where research is conducted is required.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
• Licensed as a Registered Nurse.
• Two years of experience managing all aspects of clinical research trials, with in-depth knowledge of protocol requirements and Good Clinical Practice.
• Intermediate computer and internet knowledge.
• Excellent customer service and patient care skills.
• Meticulous organizational skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication abilities.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor of Science or Master of Science in Nursing.
• Three to five years of experience in clinical research trials.
• Certification by the Association of Clinical Research Professionals or the Society of Clinical Research Associates.
• Involvement in external professional organizations, such as the Oncology Nursing Society or nursing committee cooperative groups.
• Obtain and maintain OCN certification within six months of eligibility if not already certified.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate, maintain, and coordinate logistical aspects of assigned study protocols with research staff in accordance with Good Clinical Practice, standard operating procedures, nursing practices, and sponsor requirements.
• Provide direct nursing care, including applicable inpatient admission and discharge, diagnosis, medication administration, study-related tests, and ongoing clinical assessment of participants under the direction of the principal investigator or supervising physician.
• Provide input on protocol implementation, including setting and systems issues, and changes intended to support processes in other areas of Northwestern Medicine when needed.
• Present information in an organized manner at weekly meetings and monitor budgets for selected aspects of research studies.
• Attend investigator meetings and coordinate and attend pre-study site visits, study initiation visits, and other visits by monitors or sponsor representatives when required.
• Arrange procedures and visits conducted by external vendors as needed for study conduct.
• Schedule and lead in-house protocol meetings to review study procedures, staffing, and visit flow.
• Schedule and coordinate medical needs and coverage for protocol-related procedures.
• Maintain and document study-related communications with the principal investigator or supervising physician, participants, sponsors or sponsor representatives, and the IRB.
• Instruct participants on study participation and serve as their primary contact for study-specific questions, concerns, or events.
• Ensure protocol procedures are completed according to study requirements.
• Collect and document adverse event and serious adverse event data on appropriate forms and report it to relevant parties as required by protocols, regulations, and policies.
• Ensure the quality and completeness of source documents to support principal investigator review and approval.
• Ensure accurate, complete, and timely CRF data entry using 100% source documentation verification to support principal investigator review and approval.
• Schedule, lead, and assist with study visits on site and remain available during visits to address corrections, questions, and other study or site needs.
• Supervise document retention, security, and destruction where applicable.
• Complete required role-related training, including protocol-specific training and Health System policies and procedures.
• Train other study-specific research staff in required data collection and reporting where applicable.
• Maintain research files, design forms as needed, report findings as appropriate, and assist with preparing or reviewing IRB submission materials, including protocols and consent documents, where applicable.
• Travel between hospital locations where research is conducted.
• Perform other functions related to the job as assigned.

Benefits

• Tuition reimbursement
• Loan forgiveness
• 401(k) matching
• A wide range of benefits supporting physical, emotional, and financial well-being and protection for unexpected life events

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level