Clinical Nurse Specialist, Phase 1 Clinical Trials Research Unit

Come work as a Clinical Nurse Specialist Phase 1 Clinical Trials Research Unit with Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH)!

Vancouver Coastal Health is looking for a Clinical Nurse Specialist to join the Phase 1 Clinical Trials Research Unit at UBC Hospital. Apply today to join our team!

Reporting operationally to the Director and with professional accountability to the VCH Vice President Professional Practice the Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) Phase 1 Clinical Trials is responsible for providing leadership and direction in the delivery of nursing care and the formulation of organizational policies relevant to such care. The CNS works within the organizations leadership framework to foster facilitate and achieve the highest standards of service delivery and leads in the planning development and implementation of clinical policies and programs designed for improving patient/client care. Provides expert advice and consultation in the areas of nursing resource planning program and health system improvement research and professional development to support quality and utilization initiatives. Continuously evaluates practice and contributes to the ongoing organizational development of practice knowledge by evaluating research and developing frameworks and strategies to facilitate the implementation of best practices. Functions as clinical leader in Phase 1 Clinical Trials and advances nursing practice in the area of this specialty in the context of study protocol development implementation and compliance through the use of advanced practice and evidence based research. Supports organization research strategies and ensures integration of trial activities into clinical care pathways. Works closely with Professional Practice leaders and acts as a liaison between various hospitals and/or community programs to facilitate integration of care across the continuum and reports on professional nursing practice matters. Provides leadership and expert consultation to team members and other health care staff patients/clients and families/significant others. Works collaboratively with Program Managers Medical Directors Clinical Educators Nurse Clinicians staff nurses and other members of the interdisciplinary team to pro-actively move nursing practice forward at the regional provincial and national levels.

Phase 1 (early phase) clinical trials represent the first start of testing new treatments in humans. They often include first-in-human and dose escalation studies of new medications as well as studies of new medical devices procedures and vaccines all requiring advanced clinical judgment real-time safety monitoring and rigorous regulatory oversight. The Phase 1 Clinical Trials Research Unit is an initiative developed in partnership with VCH and Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute (VCHRI) to strengthen the early-phase clinical trials capacity within the health system. The unit operates within a growing research infrastructure committed to clinical trials excellence. Within this environment the CNS plays a central role in advancing nursing practice in the context of clinical trials. The CNS provides leadership in safety frameworks competency development and the integration of protocol requitements into clinical workflows. Beyond individual study delivery the role offers opportunities to contribute to the development of clinical trials infrastructure - strengthening nursing education models supporting interdisciplinary collaboration and ensuring that trial participation is embedded safely and effectively within the broader system.

As a Clinical Nurse Specialist with Vancouver Coastal Health you will:

• Exemplify excellence in nursing by providing advanced level nursing expertise and clinical support to a multi-disciplinary health care team.
• Develop and implement standards clinical practice guidelines and other processes and evaluation to support evidence based practice excellence in service delivery and are consistent with provincial and national guidelines. Foster evidence-based practice specifically related to trial design subject safety ethics and regulatory compliance (including REB submissions).
• Lead the design and implementation of integrated systems and processes to promote the development of competent staff support professional and clinical practice and enhance collaborative working relationships across the continuum of care.
• Lead the development of quality assurance programs within clinical area and collaborates with Operations and Practice Directors to report and recommend the implementation of research with impact to initiatives on nursing practice and job content staff allocation training and performance and budgetary planning.
• Conduct research that is focused on identifying and/or incorporating best practices and evidence based care to foster the development and implementation of strategies designed to optimize excellence in patient/client care and the health system.
• Develop implement and evaluate clinical and educational programs relating to the delivery of patient care with the speciality area.
• Provide leadership and guidance to team members using effective coaching techniques mentors staff conduct performance evaluations enable developmental opportunities participate in recruitment activities and make final hiring decisions in collaboration with leadership team.
• Provide mentorship and supervision to assist graduate and undergraduate students develop a thorough understanding and skilled use of advanced nursing practices and related competencies.
• Lead clinical research trial education for all nursing staff and supports staff orientation and competency in research methods.
• Collaborate in the development and promotion of clear guidelines performance standards and effective processes to assess competencies of staff and students and facilitate continuing development of nursing and allied health professionals in compliance with professional standards as well as codes of ethics.
• Monitor and provide input into budget to ensure the budget enables attaining clinical practice requirements and meeting professional standards while remaining in the confines of environmental and resource constraints.
• Report regularly on status of activity and deliverables to the program Director. Work collaboratively and seek input from Patient Services Manager to help prioritize work to address the immediate short-term and long-term needs of the patients and healthcare professionals across Vancouver Acute.
• Demonstrate advanced leadership in bridging clinical care and clinical trial requirements by ensuring patient-centered care aligned with study participation advocating for the safety dignity and ethical treatment of research participants and actively collaborating in the development and integration of policies and practices that support clinical trials throughout the health system.

Education & Experience

• Masters degree in Nursing; plus current practicing registration as a Registered Nurse with the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM).
• A minimum of five (5) years recent related experience working in a health care setting with a focus in research and clinical trials and in a progressive leadership role.

Knowledge & Abilities

• Effectively collaborates with multidisciplinary research and clinical teams sponsors and regulatory partners to foster trust facilitate trial operations and achieve shared research and patient care objectives promoting a culture of respect and cooperative achievement.
• Develops and maintains strong relationships with key internal and external partners to promote and enhance services provided with trauma informed culturally safe approach to equity diversity and indigenous culturally safety.
• Professionally consults to enable the successful sharing of expertise with investigators research participants caregivers patients/clients other members of the public and colleagues.
• Proficiently provides and vigilantly evaluates education/orientation on complex advanced practices and abilities to ensure skills levels are acquired or maintained by team members to meet overall practice and care standards.
• Applies advanced clinical assessment skills to identify and address participant needs and trial safety concerns supporting clinical decision-making within the research context.
• Skillfully and in consultation with academic institutions and professional bodies identifies/develops discipline specific standards for teaching and education.
• Collaboratively leads in the identification planning and implementation of ongoing activities to support research initiatives.
• Effectively leads and directs staff by providing a work environment that fosters motivation and respectful relationships and enables decision-making.
• Leads identification planning and execution of research initiatives fostering continuous quality improvement and evidence integration into both clinical and research practice.
• Exhibits advanced verbal written and technological communication and presentation skills when disseminating information/advice and/or promoting the use of research findings.
• Applies knowledge of a wide range of cross-cultural and diversity issues within a health care environment.
• Knowledge of regulatory requirements such as Tri-Council Policy Statement (TCPS2) Health Canada Division 5 or international GCP.

SHARED VALUES:
You care for everyone:
Youre compassionate empathetic and sensitive to the needs of others.
You are respectful treating people as equals and valuing others perspectives and differences.
You are appreciative of others efforts and give them praise when its due.

You are always learning:
You are open minded always receptive to different perspectives and ways of doing things.
You are curious and ask questions to find a deeper understanding.
You share your expertise and mentor others by sharing your knowledge and experience.

You strive for better results:
You are accountable and take responsibility for what you say what you do and who you engage in achieving better results.
Youre a solution finder empowered to solve the challenges we face in healthcare.
You take ownership for growth and development and personal development always seek feedback and opportunities to improve how we do things.

The hours of work including days off and work area may be subject to change consistent with operational requirements and the provision of the Collective Agreement and applicable statutes.

As per Ministry of Health policy all health care workers working in publicly-funded health care facilities are required to report their past receipt of certain vaccines or history of certain infections. Collecting these records will allow for offering of any missing vaccines and for appropriate actions to be taken in the event of any future exposure to a communicable disease or during outbreaks. For all new hires and appointments to Vancouver Coastal Health you will be asked to provide this information as part of the onboarding process.

Why Join Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH):

VCH is a world class innovator in medical care research and teaching delivering service to more than one million BC residents. At VCH we embrace thinking boldly taking smart risks and going first when we believe it will lead to the best possible outcomes for patients and their families. We invite you to join us in creating healthy lives in healthy communities by showcasing our passion for care connection to the communities we serve and our culture of teamwork that makes VCH a great place to work.

Comprehensive health benefits package including MSP extended health and dental and municipal pension plan
Grow your career with employer-paid training and leadership development opportunities
Wellness supports including counselling critical incident and innovative wellness services are available to employees and their immediate families
Award-winning recognition programs to honour staff medical staff and volunteers
Access to exclusive discount offers and deals for VCH staff

At Vancouver Coastal Health our vision of healthy lives in healthy communities inspires us and our values and pillars guide us. We support equitable practices diverse teams and inclusive environments which are vital to creating welcoming spaces where everyone can bring their whole selves to work and feel supported. We encourage applications from equity-deserving communities including Indigenous Peoples and members of racialized groups people with disabilities and people of all gender identities and expressions and sexual orientation.

Vancouver Coastal Health is proud to be recognized as one of BCs Top Employers Canadas Best Diversity Employers and Canadas Top Employers for Young People in 2025.

Only short-listed applicants will be contacted for this posting.


***Employees of VCH must apply online via the Internal Career Portal on CareerHub you are currently viewing the External Career Portal. Refer to the site for instructions on how to view internal job postings and how to apply as an employee. Current VCH employees who apply to this posting using this external site will be considered as an external candidate. Seniority will not apply.***

Thank you for your interest in Vancouver Coastal Health.