Job Title: Research Nurse
Location: Cooperman Barnabas Medical Ctr
Department Name: Cancer Ctr-Research
Req #: 0000240443
Status: Hourly
Shift: Day
Pay Range: $45.00 - $60.00 per hour
Pay Transparency:
The above reflects the anticipated hourly wage range for this position if hired to work in New Jersey.
The compensation offered to the candidate selected for the position will depend on several factors, including the candidate's educational background, skills and professional experience.
Job Overview
The Oncology Research Nurse Coordinator is a highly skilled Registered Nurse who plays a pivotal role in the execution and management of oncology clinical trials. This role blends clinical expertise with research precision—serving as the bridge between patients, physicians, and the multidisciplinary research team.
From protocol activation through patient enrollment and ongoing study management, the Nurse Coordinator ensures that all clinical trials are conducted safely, ethically, and in full compliance with regulatory standards. This position is essential in advancing cancer care through innovation while delivering compassionate, patient-centered support.
Qualifications
- Graduate of an accredited school of nursing with an active RN license in the State of New Jersey
- Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing (BSN) preferred
- Minimum 1 year of oncology experience required
- 3–5 years of oncology research experience preferred
- Current BLS (Basic Life Support) certification required
- ONS Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN) or Advanced OCN (AOCN) preferred
Schedule Requirements
- onsite and patient facing
- work within the standard Cancer Center hours of 7:30 am to 5:30 pm
- preference for candidates who can work 25-30 hours/week
Key Responsibilities
Clinical Trial Start-Up & Protocol Activation
- Collaborate with Protocol Activation teams to initiate and activate clinical trials using study start-up workflows
- Prepare and review study tools including binders, eligibility checklists, flow sheets, and patient materials
- Ensure all regulatory approvals (IRB, SRB), data collection plans, and financial clearances are in place prior to activation
- Analyze protocols to identify potential operational or clinical barriers and proactively resolve them with investigators
- Translate protocols into actionable clinical workflows, including treatment plans and study calendars
- Provide protocol-specific education to interdisciplinary teams
Patient Enrollment & Study Accrual
- Partner with research and clinical teams to identify and pre-screen eligible patients for clinical trials
- Review medical records to confirm eligibility and collect required source documentation
- Conduct and document the informed consent process in compliance with IRB, GCP, and institutional standards
- Register enrolled patients and maintain accurate documentation within clinical trial systems (e.g., OnCore)
Clinical Care & Coordination
- Serve as the primary liaison between patients and the research team throughout the study lifecycle
- Coordinate all protocol-related care including appointments, diagnostics, treatments, and follow-ups
- Deliver high-quality oncology nursing care aligned with protocol requirements and best practices
- Monitor patient status, assess symptoms, and triage concerns in collaboration with the care team
- Ensure accurate and timely documentation of all patient interactions and protocol visits
- Reconcile medications and communicate patient status transitions (on/off study or treatment)
Study Management & Compliance
- Monitor protocol adherence and timelines; identify and escalate deviations or challenges
- Accurately assess and grade adverse events using NCI criteria and protocol guidelines
- Complete and submit Serious Adverse Event (SAE) reports in accordance with regulatory requirements
- Support specimen collection and processing per protocol requirements
- Assist with monitoring visits, audits, and sponsor communications
- Contribute to Case Report Form (CRF) completion and resolution of data queries
- Maintain research records for all screened and enrolled patients
Collaboration, Education & Professional Development
- Foster strong collaboration across clinical, research, and academic teams to ensure seamless care delivery
- Provide education and coaching to staff on protocol requirements and toxicity grading
- Participate in training programs, disease-specific meetings, and quality initiatives
- Support onboarding, training, and mentorship of new staff
- Maintain ongoing professional development and required continuing education
Regulatory & Compliance Responsibilities
- Ensure adherence to all institutional, state, and federal regulations governing clinical research
- Maintain compliance with IRB-approved protocols, FDA guidelines, and organizational policies
- Complete all required annual trainings and competency requirements
Other Duties:
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Benefits and Perks:
At RWJBarnabas Health, our employees are at the heart of everything we do. Driven by our Total Wellbeing promise, our market-competitive offerings include comprehensive benefits and resources to support our employees’ physical, emotional, financial, personal, career, and community wellbeing. These benefits and resources include, but are not limited to:
- Paid Time Off including Vacation, Holidays, and Sick Time
- Retirement Plans
- Medical and Prescription Drug Insurance
- Dental and Vision Insurance
- Disability and Life Insurance
- Paid Parental Leave
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Student Loan Planning Support
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- Wellness Programs
- Voluntary Benefits (e.g., Pet Insurance)
- Community and Volunteer Opportunities
- Discounts Through our Partners such as NJ Devils, NJ PAC, and Verizon
- ….and more!
Choosing RWJBarnabas Health!
RWJBarnabas Health is the premier health care destination providing patient-centered, high-quality academic medicine in a compassionate and equitable manner, while delivering a best-in-class work experience to every member of the team. We honor and appreciate the privilege of creating and sustaining healthier communities, one person and one community at a time. As the leading academic health system in New Jersey, we advance innovative strategies in high-quality patient care, education, and research to address both the clinical and social determinants of health.
RWJBarnabas Health aims to truly make a unique impact in local communities throughout New Jersey. From vastly improving the health of local residents to creating educational and career opportunities, this combination greatly benefits the state. We understand the growing and evolving needs of residents in New Jersey—whether that be enhancing the coordination for treating complex health conditions or improving community health through local programs and education.
