Nurse Coordinator - SOM Oncology Program

The Bone Marrow Transplant and Cellular Therapy (BMT-CT) research team within the Clinical Research Management Office of the University of Maryland, Baltimore School of Medicine, Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center (UMGCCC) is currently recruiting for a full-time Nurse Coordinator. The Nurse Coordinator is the primary interface, along with the faculty member, for cancer patients enrolled in clinical trials. The Nurse Coordinator will assist regulatory coordinators with communicating with the Institutional Review Board (IRB) and communicating treatment modifications and amendments, confirms appropriateness of drug doses in accordance with protocols, acts as a consultant to members of the health care team, and prepares and responds to audits conducted by study sponsors.

Benefits Information
UMB offers a comprehensive benefits package that prioritizes wellness, work/life balance, and professional development, along with additional exciting perks that employees can take advantage of. This position participates in a retirement program (pension or optional retirement plan/ORP) that must be selected and is effective on your date of hire. Exempt regular staff receive a generous PAID leave package that includes over 4 weeks of vacation accrued each year, 16 paid holidays, 3 personal leave days, unlimited accrual of sick time, and comprehensive health insurance; professional learning and development programs; tuition remission for employees and their dependents at any University System of Maryland school; and flexible work schedules and teleworking options (if applicable per job).
UMB is a public university and constituent institution of the University System of Maryland. All employees are expected to work primarily physically within the State of Maryland.

• Leads the activities of one or more research studies and the nurses engaged in research or clinical trials and the provision of health care to research patients.
• Responsible for overseeing research projects, and ensuring that nurses and staff are aware of study protocols.
• Oversees day to day clinical research operations that require expertise of a Registered Nurse and leads study design, initiation, execution, and completion of clinical trials, research studies, or projects. Ensures compliance of assigned staff with study protocols and overall clinical objectives.
• Follows the clinical courses of patients enrolled in clinical research studies by obtaining results of diagnostic studies, assessing patients for complications, and recording patient data onto study forms.
• Assists principal investigators (PIs) in obtaining consent.
• Oversees patient/family education concerning clinical studies.
• Interacts with patients and families to solicit adverse event (side effect) information as well as medications taken since last visit.
• Maintains lines of communication between the institution and the study sponsor by preparing study reports and communicating with clinical study monitors.
• Monitors study activities to ensure compliance with protocols and with all relevant local, federal, and state regulatory and institutional policies.
• Confirms appropriateness of drug doses in accordance with protocols.
• Performs Institutional Review Board (IRB) and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) protocol development and ensure compliance of research operations with protocols.
• Identifies protocol or patient problems, informs investigators of problems, and resolves problems by making protocol modifications or adjustments to care plans. Develops, recommends, modifies, and implements policies and procedures and/or methods of clinical research to meet changing needs and requirements and enforces standards.
• Prepares and responds to audits conducted by study sponsors.
• Performs day-to-day operational duties such as: Assists regulatory coordinators in communicating with the IRB.
• Assists pharmacokinetic specialist (PK) in obtaining clinical samples from patients and preparing samples for processing.
• Serves as the primary liaison to other departments, outside organizations, government agencies, and sponsor to promote effective and efficient operation and use of resource. Establishes, maintains, and fosters a cooperative relationship between the members of the research team and support staff by communicating information; responding to requests; building rapport; participation in team problem-solving methods. Oversees the recruitment, performance, scheduling, and training of team members and continually reviews strengths and weaknesses of staff to maintain a well-trained, highly involved, and motivated team. Instruct and train research and nursing staff in scientific and procedural aspects of studies including standards of care, informed consent procedures, and documentation procedures.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Education: Bachelor's degree in Nursing or another discipline appropriate to position.
Experience: Five (5) years as a Registered Nurse with at least one (1) year in research specialization. Additional years of research preferred. Prior experience in oncology nursing or investigational/therapeutic clinical trials preferred. Experience in patient or project management preferred.
Certification/Licensure: Current Maryland license in good standing issued by the Maryland Board of Nursing to practice as a registered nurse or a multi-state licensure privilege to practice as a registered nurse in Maryland or appropriate federal district licensure where research is conducted.
Other: Certification from Association of Clinical Research Professionals or Society of Clinical Research Associates preferred. May require training related to occupational safety and health, environmental compliance, shipping of hazardous materials and/or ionizing radiation.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing. Ability to gather and interpret quantitative and qualitative data. Ability to operate computers and other office equipment. Skill and ability to interact with the public, health care providers, agencies, and facilities. Thorough knowledge of and compliance with confidentiality of records and communications regarding clients. Thorough knowledge of the Maryland Nurse Practice Act for Registered Nurses preferred. Thorough knowledge of the principles of aseptic technique and infection control including blood and body fluid precautions preferred. Ability to perform extensive standing and walking preferred. Thorough knowledge, skill, and ability to perform various medical and nursing procedures and to operate medical equipment preferred.