Research Nurse Specialist 2 - Rheumatology

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Organization

Rheumatology/Immunology

Job Summary

Assures the integrity and quality of clinical research trials are maintained under occasional guidance. Plans and implements recruitment procedures, manages enrollment of the trial, and ensures compliance with protocols.

The Rheumatology Research Nurse Specialist will ensure the integrity, quality, and compliance of multidisciplinary clinical trials under occasional guidance from the Clinical Investigators.

This role is responsible for planning and implementing participant recruitment strategies, managing study enrollment, and ensuring adherence to research protocols and regulatory requirements.

The RNS2 coordinates closely with IT and clinical stakeholders to design, build, validate ordering in EPIC and support the accurate and efficient execution of multidisciplinary research protocols.

The RNS2 will be critically involved in clinical documentation review, identification of adverse events, and assisting site PIs with administrative and financial maintenance of the clinical studies. The RNS2 may also assist with some clinical study visits. This position is patient-facing and will involve direct patient facing responsibilities..

DEPARTMENT SUMMARY

The Division of Rheumatology and Immunology at Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) is strongly committed to core Medical Center and Department of Medicine missions in clinical care, education and research that benefit patients with systemic autoimmune and musculoskeletal disorders.

Supporting these missions are our faculty, which consists of leading researchers, clinicians, and educators. We offer comprehensive clinical care for those with rheumatic and autoimmune diseases.

Rheumatic diseases affect the joints, muscles, and bones. Arthritis can cause pain, swelling, stiffness, deformities, and functional impairment.

Systemic autoimmune diseases can involve almost any organ system and the division has established exceptional multidisciplinary collaborations across Vanderbilt that add their expertise to our care teams.

We provide multidisciplinary care for patients with systemic autoimmune diseases in specialized centers that incorporate research within the clinical setting.

The clinical activities of the division include ambulatory care at VUMC, the Nashville Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Nashville General Hospital, and clinics in Davidson and surrounding counties. We also provide comprehensive in-patient consultation services.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• 1+ year of Oncology, Pulmonary, or Rheumatology experience
• 1+ year of research experience
• Ability to analyze, interpret, navigate, and deconstruct clinical trial protocols
• Strong attention to detail with ability to identify errors in documentation
• Extremely detail oriented
• Nursing experience
• Proficiency in leveraging technology and digital tools
• EPIC experience

Key Responsibilities

• Possesses knowledge and understanding of policies, procedures, and regulations governing human subject's research and incorporation of them in the conduct of research and care of participants.

• Proficiently prepares and processes new research proposals, amendments, continuing review applications and adverse events.

• Perform administrative duties for trials, including but not limited to: Procuring equipment, preparing documentation, and packaging and shipping medications.

• Utilize nursing skills to perform procedures, deliver individualized care, and abide by research protocols. If problems arise, identify and implement solutions, assuring goals are met.

• Performs the procedures required of each study protocol, understanding standard of care versus research. Continually assesses the need for additional protections for research participants.

• Recruit and identify the eligibility of candidates, regularly assessing them to ensure continued eligibility for participation. Troubleshoots trial recruitment strategies to ensure trials are completed in a timely manner.

• Provides education and training to appropriate personnel and participants in research specific methodology and procedures.

• Utilizes knowledge of disease processes to observe for and report adverse events to the principal investigator and all regulatory authorities as required by protocol, policies and procedures and regulations.

• The responsibilities listed are a general overview of the position and additional duties may be assigned.

Technical Capabilities

• Scientific Knowledge (Novice): Knowledge of different scientific studies including but not limited Biomedical, Applied, and Physical.

• Regulatory Compliance (Novice): Demonstrates knowledge of the appropriate rules and regulations and apply them in difficult, stressful and complex situations. Able to interpret and explain rules and regulations that are ambiguous or unclear. Directs others in interpreting rules and regulations on the job and trains others in them.

• Nursing Patient Assessment & Evaluation (Novice): Possesses sufficient fundamental proficiency to successfully demonstrate the ability to assess and evaluate patients in practical applications of moderate difficulty. Conducts primary care patient interviews and physical examinations. Demonstrates sufficient acumen to recognize problems, ask questions and to contact the patient's primary care provider and other members of the healthcare team. Has experience in gathering pertinent clinical data that aid in referral, treatment, or other primary care pathways.

• Nursing Patient Education (Novice): Possesses sufficient fundamental proficiency in providing patient education in practical applications of moderate difficulty.

• Care Planning (Novice): Demonstrates ability to anticipate resource needs, identify distinct tasks, set priorities, schedule activities, meet deadlines, and organize work within areas of direct responsibility. Competently handles multiple assignments often simultaneously by prioritizing work into manageable and measurable units. Ability to adapt to changes to patient care and area needs with minimal disruption and loss of productivity. Follows up to assure problems and issues are resolved.

• Evidence-Based Practice (Novice): Possesses sufficient fundamental proficiency to successfully search for evidence to answer clinical questions. Generally works under the direction of others while accomplishing assignments.

Our Nursing Philosophy

We believe highly skilled and specialized nursing care is essential to Vanderbilt University Medical Center’s mission of quality in patient care, education and research. We believe nursing is an applied art and science focused on helping people, families and communities reach excellent health and well-being.

As a Vanderbilt University Medical Center employee, you make a difference to our patients and their families by bringing compassion and care to those in need of hope and healing. Please see our current employee benefits offered:

• Affordable High Quality Health Plan Options
• Dental and /or vision plan
• 403 (b) retirement plan
• Paid Time off (flex PTO)
• Tuition Reimbursement and adoption assistance (maximums applied)
• Short-Long term disability

Subsidized Backup Childcare

And many more... Ask us about our current inpatient nursing supplemental Pay Program!

Achieve the Remarkable

Learn more about VUMC Nursing here.

Core Accountabilities

Organizational Impact: Executes job responsibilities with the understanding of how output would affect and impact other areas related to own job area/team with occasional guidance. Problem Solving/ Complexity of work: Analyzes moderately complex problems using technical experience and judgment. Breadth of Knowledge: Has expanded knowledge gained through experience within a professional area. Team Interaction: Provides informal guidance and support to team members.

Core Capabilities

Supporting Colleagues:- Develops Self and Others: Invests time, energy, and enthusiasm in developing self/others to help improve performance e and gain knowledge in new areas.- Builds and Maintains Relationships: Maintains regular contact with key colleagues and stakeholders using formal and informal opportunities to expand and strengthen relationships.- Communicates Effectively: Recognizes group interactions and modifies one's own communication style to suit different situations and audiences.

Delivering Excellent Services:- Serves Others with Compassion: Seeks to understand current and future needs of relevant stakeholders and customizes services to better address them.- Solves Complex Problems: Approaches problems from different angles; Identifies new possibilities to interpret opportunities and develop concrete solutions.- Offers Meaningful Advice and Support: Provides ongoing support and coaching in a constructive manner to increase employees' effectiveness.

Ensuring High Quality: - Performs Excellent Work: Engages regularly in formal and informal dialogue about quality; directly addresses quality issues promptly.- Ensures Continuous Improvement: Applies various learning experiences by looking beyond symptoms to uncover underlying causes of problems and identifies ways to resolve them. - Fulfills Safety and Regulatory Requirements: Understands all aspects of providing a safe environment and performs routine safety checks to prevent safety hazards from occ