Research nurse, Center for Alzheimer Research and Treatment
: Job Details :

Job Description: Staff Nurse - 40 hour Variable Day - BWH Center for Alzheimer Research and Treatment Excellent Care to Patients and Families The Best Staff In the Safest Environment Nursing at Brigham and Women's Hospital is known for their excellent clinical practice and for keeping patients and their families at the center of all they do. We understand that great care is shaped by relationships with patients and their families. That's why we're committed to knowing our patients on a deeper level — not just as patients, but as individuals — to ensure that they, and their families, feel known and cared for.At BWH, we proudly work together with a spirit of inquiry and a deep commitment to providing the highest quality, evidence-informed and theory-guided care in an inclusive environment. We work each day to achieve our vision — to provide excellent care to patients and families, with the best staff, in the safest environment.Just as we have been able to reinvent health care, we have also transformed health care careers. Whether measured in terms of lives saved, awards earned, or the personal satisfaction of stretching your talents - a career with BWH is unlike any other in the health care field. Here you'll find a workplace where collaboration and teamwork are the norm, not the exception - physicians, nurses, technicians, staff, and management form a close-knit bond, based on mutual respect and devotion to our patients. If you want an enormously fulfilling career, there's no better place to be.The Center for Alzheimer Research and Treatment (CART), and Alzheimer Prevention Program, at Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH) is a $100+ million-dollar research enterprise, internationally recognized leader in Alzheimer's disease clinical research, with funding from the NIH, industry, and philanthropic sources. There are usually about 12 active protocols (mostly clinical (drug) trials and some observational studies), all of which require initial and follow-up medical assessments and many of which require study drug administration by infusion. These duties are delegated to the CART nurses, who are supported by the CART study physicians and principal investigators. As such, the CART nurses are critical members of a multi-disciplinary clinical research team that is working to deliver cutting-edge experimental treatments to older adults with or at risk for Alzheimer's disease. Though there are differences between a clinical trial environment such as CART and that found in clinical units, we are looking for a nurse who can help us prioritize the safety and experience of research participants while adhering to study protocols and regulatory requirements, and to join us on our mission to find more effective treatments for Alzheimer's Disease.At the Brigham, we place great value on being a diverse and inclusive community. Brigham Health and the Department of Nursing are dedicated to diversity, equity and inclusion as we aim to reflect the diversity of the patients in our local community. We have a dedicated focus on equity. Thus, we believe in equal access to quality care, employment and advancement opportunities encompassing the full spectrum or human diversity: race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, national origin and all the other forms of human presence and expression that make us better able to provide innovative and cutting-edge healthcare and research.The Registered Nurse is a professional nurse registered in Massachusetts who is responsible and accountable for planning and providing patient care for assigned patients in accordance with Nursing Standards of Care as set forth in the Nursing Department's Clinical Practice Manual. The Registered Nurse demonstrates initiative, knowledge and clinical skills in caring for the patient with complex needs. The Registered Nurse demonstrates the ability to effectively manage patients by assuming full responsibility for the assessment, plan, implementation and evaluation of patient care and is directly responsible to a designated nurse manager, or supervisor.Principal DutiesClinical Practice Organization of Patient Care Accountable for assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating a plan of care for a specific patient assignment. Sets priorities when organizing care for patients with varying acuity. Maintain continuity through clear and concise (verbal and written) communication. Demonstrates appropriate knowledge of growth and development of the adult and geriatric patient. In areas, such as the NICU and Obstetrics the principals of growth and development are applicable to the neonate. Quality of Care Documents patient care in a manner that is clear, complete, concise and in compliance with nursing documentation standards. Develops a comprehensive plan of care based on data from an initial assessment of patient and family, information from other members of the health care team, intra-agency referral and previous medical records. Develops a comprehensive educational plan for the patient and family, utilizing appropriate resources and documents according to the department's documentation standards. Develops a comprehensive discharge plan utilizing appropriate resources and referrals including community resources. Evaluates the effectiveness of the plan of care, and documents progress in meeting stated goals. Revises plan of care as needed to achieve desired outcomes. Participates actively in the unit-based and organizational quality management and/or quality improvement programs. Provides a safe environment for patients, staff, family and visitors. Administers medication safely according to established policies and procedures. Performs nursing procedures safely and efficiently. Uses equipment safely and efficiently. Demonstrates awareness of potential/actual risks of infection and modes of transmission. Utilizes universal precautions in nursing practice. Coordination/Collaboration Interacts with patients, families, and colleagues in a professional manner. Collaborates with other discipline(s). Develops, utilizes and evaluates unit-specific standards of care. Upholds the A.N.A. code of ethics and acts as a role model to other staff members. Participates in determining and implementing goals and objectives for the unit. Participates in determining goals and objectives in the periodic review and evaluation. Serves on unit-based and organizational committees and disseminates information to peers. Education Assumes responsibility for personal and professional growth through identification of own learning needs. Shares knowledge and experience with colleagues. Participates in unit-based and organizational educational programs. Seeks and accepts guidance for additional learning needs. Research Utilizes nursing research findings in clinical practice. Contributes to nursing and/or medical research endeavors by supporting investigators. Budget Utilizes time and materials in an effective and economical manner. Provides suggestions which support the delivery of cost-effective health care. Assesses patient's acuity accurately when making decisions regarding staffing, transfers and assignments. Demonstrates awareness of the need to manage within established budgetary boundaries. Personnel Participates in the orientation of new staff members, students and others as appropriate. Provides input into the clinical evaluation of other staff, as appropriate. Assumes responsibility for the unit in the absence of leadership personnel. Adheres to hospital and nursing policies and aids in their interpretation to others. Recommends change in policies and procedures through appropriate channels. Participates in the cooperative effort and peer support required for the smooth running of the unit, e.g., flexibility in relation to patient assignments, shift assignment, or work schedule. Responsibilities Delivering patient-centered care at the Center for Alzheimer Research and Treatment (CART). Creating a therapeutic environment in which research participants and families of participants with impaired memory and limited comprehension, feel safe and cared for. Administering investigational drugs and the related monitoring of participants taking part in CART's research protocols. Establishing a therapeutic relationship with participants and families and providing the needed support to facilitate understanding of the disease process and the clinical trial, including information relative to study medication, study goals, and objectives. Collaborating with investigators on IRB-approved protocols to ensure the safe and precise conduct of each study. Utilizing a high degree of detail to properly time and execute all required elements of the clinical trial including medication administration, sample collection, and handling. Administering study drugs via infusion and to a lesser extent other modalities (ex: intramuscular injection, intranasal administration), independently obtaining intravenous access, operating infusion pumps, performing phlebotomy, and monitoring participants for safety and side effects. Utilizing study-specific data collection tools, completing clinical research assessments (ex: Columbia-suicide severity rating scale) and study-related observations, and administering treatments. Engaging family members and others interacting with study participants to assess changes in medical conditions and medications. Documenting adverse events and severe adverse events and following up with the sponsor and participants' clinical team as necessary. Reviewing medical records to verify participant eligibility before the Screening Visit. Registering participants in sponsor IXRS systems, pending EPIC orders for drug assignment, and liaising with BWH research pharmacy (IDS). Working collaboratively to provide excellent care to study participants and families in the safest environment. Other duties as assigned by the supervising physician or leadership team. Qualifications Education: Graduate of an approved school of nursing with current registration in Massachusetts. Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing is required for newly licensed nurses. Experience: Minimum of 1 year of recent (within the past year) clinical nursing experience with Neurology or Geriatric patients is required. Experience with clinical research, clinical trials, and human participants is required. Expertise and direct experience for a minimum of 1 year with independent IV insertion, phlebotomy, administration of IV medications, and other related procedures is required. Expert knowledge of pumps and related equipment is required. Experience with telephone or video-based and/or in-person clinical assessment techniques is required. This is the safe, effective, and appropriate disposition of health-related problems and includes: assessing the severity of symptoms, communicating urgent participant needs to the LIP, referral to the appropriate setting or level of care, documenting interventions, and an individualized plan of care using a research electronic data capturing system, education of participants and families on their disease process and interventions to promote health and well-being, preliminary interpretation of data, providing home health advice and follow-up, ability to make triage decisions quickly and calmly in emergencies, and assuring continuity of care. A strong understanding of Alzheimer's disease, including the impact on patients and families as well as related treatments and interventions, is preferred. High level of proficiency with various computer applications and databases including, but not limited to, Microsoft Office Suite, EPIC, MS Teams, data management applications, and electronic documentation is strongly preferred. Other: Completion of Collaborative IRB Training Initiative (CITI) training and recertification required - Training may be completed after hire. Ability to multi-task, prioritize effectively, and remain organized and detail-oriented while completing tasks is required for success in this role. Membership in professional organizations is recommended and nursing certification in Ambulatory Care or an Ambulatory Specialty area is preferred. Able to work weekend rotation per the MNA contract. Skills/Abilities/Competencies RequiredThe RN must show evidence of the basic analytic thinking necessary to care for a group of patients. Must demonstrate observational skills and the ability to set priorities. Must be able to function under stress with good interpersonal and communication skills. Must demonstrate effective skills in applying hospital standards in area of service, teamwork, communication, respect for others, and time/priority management.Supervisory ResponsibilityFunctionally responsible for the supervision of other RNs, technical and support personnel.Working ConditionsWorks in a variety of patient care environments where there may be exposure to communicable diseases and hazardous materials such as chemotherapeutic agents, radioisotopes, and radiation. Work entails walking and lifting.Lifting, Pushing and Pulling Policy Statement (effective 3/7/2011): The Department of Nursing has adopted the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)-recommended maximum weight limit of 35 lbs. for lifting, and a reasonably comparable standard for pushing and pulling, as part of the physical requirements for this position.Brigham And Women's Hospital, I CARE StandardsThe I CARE Standards guide me in my interactions with patients, family members, visitors, colleagues, and neighbors in my workplace and surrounding community to optimize the Brigham experience and help fulfill my role in our mission of providing seamless, high-quality patient and family-centered care.C. I will Communicate my commitmen...