Research Nurse

Celebrating six decades of Making Cancer History, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center is located in Houston on the sprawling campus of the Texas Medical Center. It is one of the world's most respected centers devoted exclusively to cancer patient care, research, education and prevention.

M. D. Anderson was created by the Texas Legislature in 1941 as a component of The University of Texas System, and the faculty numbers 947 - both M.D.s and Ph.D.s. M. D. Anderson is one of the nation's original three Comprehensive Cancer Centers designated by the National Cancer Act of 1971 and is one of 39 such centers today.

M. D. Anderson ranks among the nation's top two cancer hospitals in U.S. News & World Reports 'America's Best Hospitals' survey since its inception 13 years ago.

FUNCTION:
The function of this position is to provide basic assessment for protocol eligibility, clinical data design and management, patient and staff education, coordination of specific protocol treatment.

SCOPE:
Responsible for implementing basic clinical protocol management within the institution.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
'Assessment: Screens patients for protocol eligibility and participation in clinical trials that may require the analysis of patient data and charts using visual acuity to determine eligibility. These duties may require frequent bending and stooping to access patient data and charts that may weigh up to ten pounds. Specific duties may include:
-assessing in-patients and/or out-patients for protocol eligibility.
-identifying patient and family education needs regarding treatment and follow-up on specific clinical trials
-identifying nursing staff in-service needs regarding administration and monitoring of patients on specific clinical trials
-administer protocol survey to patients

'Intervention: Participates in the coordination and monitoring of patient treatment in clinical trials. Specific duties may include:
-scheduling tests before, during, and after treatment
-administering investigational and non-investigational medications as required by the protocol
-obtaining pharmacology and other required laboratory specimens for research purposes
-monitoring patient responses during treatment on clinical trial and performing general follow-up as required by protocol
-teaching patient and family about administration and side effects of medication
-in-servicing nursing and technical staff on the management of patients in specific clinical trials
-executing primary research design including double and single blind studies.
-collects blood samples for the protocol project. This will require veni-puncture skills with a steady hand and arm posture and follow accepted institutional procedures for collection of specimens.
-maintain records in endoscopy database as required by primary investigator.

'Evaluation: monitors, and in collaboration with the physician, evaluates patient response to protocol treatment. Specific duties may include:
-determining tumor response to protocol treatment
-grading of toxicities as defined in specific protocols.
This may involve dealing with hazardous chemicals that will require the wearing of personal safety protection equipment.
-reporting toxicities and adverse drug reactions to protocol sponsor and Institutional Review Board (IRB) - entering required research data into the Protocol Data Management System (PDMS) or case report form
-assisting the physician in the evaluation of data collected from specific clinical trials

'Clinical/Research: designing research instrument and data analysis and performing other related duties as required.

EDUCATION:
Required: Graduation from an accredited school of professional nursing.
Preferred: Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing.

EXPERIENCE:
Two years registered nurse experience is required. Oncology registered nurse experience is preferred. Previous research nurse experience strongly desired.

CERTIFICATION:
Current Texas license to practice professional nursing
Current Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification or Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) certification