Summary

This Research Nurse position is within the Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine Research enterprise. The successful candidate will have completed training and certification as a research professional. Previous experience collecting clinical research data on human subjects, with a sound foundation in research methodology preferred. Proficient in MS Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, and Access). The candidate will be responsible for research-related patient care in a clinical research area. Duties will include use of advanced communication training in motivational interviewing and maintenance of therapeutic relationships with study participants. Position requires face-to-face and telephone interviewing of patients who are experiencing advanced illness; experience and degree of comfort with people at end of life is necessary. Position also will communicate with participant’s oncologist. Comfortable communicating with physicians is necessary. Responsibilities may include starting peripheral intravenous catheters, obtaining blood and other specimens for tests, processing of samples to laboratories as applicable, recording and maintaining regulatory grade data for research analysis, and maintaining patient records. Strong preference for individuals bilingual in Spanish/English. This position will require a flexible approach to completing the work, and working some after-hours and limited weekends may be required. In addition, we are looking for a candidate who can travel between Baylor College of Medicine and affiliated hospitals within Houston Texas Medical Center.

Job Duties

• Assists Clinical Research Manager with feasibility assessments.  
• Coordinates and ensures accurate protocol implementation and conduct for all assigned protocols.
• Adheres to the scope of practices as defined by the Texas Nurse Practice Act.
• Collects study specimens and check subjects’ vital signs.
• Administers study medications.
• Follows subjects' progress and advises the Principal Investigator.
• Maintains patient charts and medical records. Communicates with members of the participants medical team.
• Ensures the clinical studies are conducted in accordance with guidelines of the FDA and other regulatory agencies.
• Educates patients in significant aspects of study.
• Serves as a liaison and distributes research information to faculty, research staff, principle investigator, and others as required.

Minimum Qualifications

• Associate's Degree or Bachelor's Degree in Nursing. 
• No experience required.
• Current license as a Registered Nurse (RN) by the State of Texas Board of Nursing. Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification.

Preferred Qualifications

• Certified Clinical Research Coordinator (CCRC) or Certified Clinical Research Professional (CCRP).
• Oncology certification.