Clinical Research Nurse

Northwestern Memorial Healthcare • Orland Park, IL

1d • $41 - $65

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. Working collaboratively with the interprofessional team and peers, the CRN supports appropriate implementation and conduct of clinical research studies throughout each protocol’s lifecycle. The role reflects Northwestern Medicine’s mission, vision, and values and follows its Code of Ethics, compliance requirements, and applicable regulatory and accreditation standards.

The CRN coordinates study logistics and visits, provides direct nursing care to study participants, supports protocol implementation, and communicates with investigators, participants, sponsors, and institutional review boards. The position also supports study documentation, data quality, staff training, and required regulatory processes. 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’s or Master’s 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 inpatient admission and discharge where applicable, diagnosis, medication administration, study-related tests, and ongoing clinical assessment under the direction of the principal investigator or supervising physician.
• Provide input on protocol implementation, including setting and systems issues, and present information at weekly meetings; monitor selected study budget aspects.
• 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 with external vendors as needed for study conduct.
• Schedule and lead in-house protocol meetings to review study procedures, staffing, and visit flow.
• Coordinate medical needs and coverage for protocol-related procedures.
• Maintain and document study-related communications with investigators or supervising physicians, participants, sponsors or sponsor representatives, and the IRB.
• Instruct participants about 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, and report it to appropriate parties according to the protocol, regulations, and applicable policies and procedures.
• Ensure the quality and completeness of source documents to support principal investigator review and approval.
• Enter accurate, complete, and timely data into case report forms using 100% source documentation verification to support principal investigator review and approval.
• Schedule, lead, and assist with study-related visits on site, remaining available during visits for corrections, questions, and other study or site needs.
• Supervise document retention, security, and destruction where applicable.
• Complete required position, protocol-specific, and Health System training.
• 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 job-related functions as assigned.

Benefits

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

What This Job Offers

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