Clinical Nurse, Clinical Research Unit

Job Overview

The Clinical Nurse for the Clinical Research Unit at Aga Khan University Hospital ensures safe, compliant, and competent management of the administration of Investigational Products (such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and other therapies) for participants on research trials.

Key Responsibilities

• Comply with and promote adherence to the institutional and Clinical Research Unit’s policies, SOPs, and confidentiality requirements.
• Attend, participate, and contribute in staff meetings and Unit activities, including preparing and presenting regular activity reports.
• Engage in continuing education, training, and skill development.
• Practice ICH-GCP, good documentation practices, and ensure compliance with ICH-GCP guidelines.
• Perform comprehensive patient assessment prior to, during, and after treatment, and monitor patients for reactions and adverse events. Initiate appropriate management in liaison with the nurse manager and investigator/designee.
• Assess patients to ensure their physical condition, blood parameters, etc. are satisfactory to safely receive treatment according to treatment protocols and regimens.
• Administer chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and other investigational medicinal products (oral, sub-cutaneous, intramuscular, intravenous/port-a-cath, etc.) as per study and institutional safety standards.
• Perform routine technical procedures such as vital signs monitoring, I/V cannulation, ECG, and drug administration in accordance with AKUH, N, and approved research protocols.
• Provide laboratory support services including phlebotomy and the collection/handling of required specimens (e.g., stool, urine, nasal swabs) using standard techniques per institutional practices.
• Provide information regarding treatment and side effects to patients to ensure they are prepared for their specific treatment.
• Assist with obtaining informed consent from participants as necessary.
• Observe and follow infection control guidelines while caring for central venous lines and port-a-cath devices, and advise patients on how to care for these lines in a home setting.
• Recognize and provide psychological and emotional support to patients and their families, making referrals to counselors when appropriate.
• Closely monitor patients undergoing treatments and identify reactions or complications promptly.
• Communicate any adverse reactions/complications quickly to the physician, CRC, and nurse manager, and participate in managing reactions such as Anaphylactic shock, extravasation, etc.
• Plan, organize, and engage in day-to-day clinical and related research study activities under the direction of the Principal Investigator and study team.
• Review research patients and plan daily tasks and study workflow in conjunction with other study team members (pharmacy, lab, regulatory, etc.).
• Coordinate study patient visit schedules and collaborate with the unit coordinator to schedule treatments.
• Document and maintain accurate records (such as patients' assessments and collected specimens) as part of source documentation and EHR requirements.
• Use communication skills to enhance patients' knowledge and understanding of their treatment plan and progress.
• Maintain timely records of treatment suite infusion logs, temperature monitoring logs, and crash cart checklists.
• Perform monthly crash cart checks and liaise with the nurse manager/patient services coordinator regarding near-expiry items.
• Maintain logs for infusion-related reactions within the CRU treatment suite.
• Assist in other related tasks in times of low activity in the treatment suite.
• Participate in data collection and monitoring of unit-based quality indicators.
• Assist the manager to design and deliver unit-based nursing education, implement quality improvement (QI) projects, and perform audits, spot checks, and skill checks.
• Be accountable for the judicious and efficient use of resources (i.e. accurate and timely billing of ward stock drugs and consumables).
• Ensure compliance with established health and safety guidelines to maintain a safe environment for staff and patients, reporting any accidents, incidents, hazards, or equipment defects.
• Perform any other duties as may be assigned by the supervisor.

Requirements and Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Nursing is preferred; a Diploma in Nursing will be considered only if the candidate has significant past clinical experience.
• Licensure: Must have a valid and active Nursing Council of Kenya (NCK) license.
• Certifications: Certification in Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Care Life Support (ACLS) is required.
• Experience:
  • Minimum of 3 years of work experience as a nurse in a hospital or related setting (inpatient and/or outpatient services) with demonstrated clinical competency in direct patient care.
  • Proven experience in oncology and chemotherapy administration.
  • Excellent knowledge of nursing practice, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
  • Prior experience operating basic medical equipment (e.g., infusion pumps, ECG machines, etc.).
  • Versatility to work across clinical nursing care, patient services support, lab/bio-specimen processing, and data management.
  • Proficiency in computers and office software (MS Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Key Competencies

• Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong organizational capabilities with the ability to handle multiple studies and tasks simultaneously.
• Highly self-motivated with the ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team.
• Ability to handle stressful situations and meet deadlines effectively.
• Strong customer service, attention to detail, and empathy in patient care.
• Cultural sensitivity and strong support skills.