CRF ATIMP Lead Nurse

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced and highly motivated Lead Nurse for ATIMP Research to join the NIHR King’s Clinical Research Facility (CRF) at King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, focusing on CAR-T cell therapy and other Advanced Therapy Investigational Medicinal Products (ATIMPs).

This post plays a critical role in delivering pioneering, early-phase clinical research in one of the UK’s leading centres for cellular and gene therapy. You will work at the interface of research and advanced clinical care, supporting patients through complex, high-risk experimental treatments and contributing to national and international advancements in the field.

Main duties of the job

Clinical Leadership:

Act as a clinical lead for CAR-T trials within the CRF, managing patients undergoing leukapheresis, lymphodepletion, CAR-T infusion, and post-infusion monitoring.
Provide advanced clinical assessment and decision-making for patients with complex presentations, including potential cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and neurotoxicity (ICANS).

Research Delivery:

Work collaboratively with CRF teams, principal investigators, and sponsors to deliver high-quality CAR-T and ATIMP studies in accordance with GCP, NIHR guidance, MHRA regulations, and Trust SOPs.
Coordinate patient screening, consent, and enrolment into CAR-T trials, ensuring regulatory compliance and ethical integrity throughout.

· Lead on the development and implementation of service pathways for future advanced therapies entering the pipeline.

· Serve as an advanced therapies patient advocate—providing a single point of contact for patients navigating complex treatment and follow-up.

· Act as a consistent point of contact for patients across the full ATIMP treatment journey—from screening through follow-up.

· Manage complex visit schedules, including serial PK sampling, ECGs, imaging, and functional tests required at specific post-dose timepoints.

Working for our organisation

The Trust provides a full range of local and specialist services across its five sites. The trust-wide strategy of Strong Roots, Global Reach is our Vision to be BOLD, Brilliant people, Outstanding care, Leaders in Research, Innovation and Education, Diversity, Equality and Inclusion at the heart of everything we do. By being person-centred, digitally-enabled, and focused on sustainability, we aim to take Team King’s to another level.

We are at a pivotal point in our history and we require individuals who are ready to join a highly professional team and make a real, lasting difference to our patients and our people.

King’s is committed to delivering Sustainable Healthcare for All via our Green Plan. In line with national Greener NHS ambitions, we have set net zero carbon targets of 2040 for our NHS Carbon Footprint and 2045 for our NHS Carbon Footprint Plus. Everyone’s contribution is required in order to meet the goals set out in our Green Plan and we encourage all staff to work responsibly, minimising their contributions to the Trust’s carbon emissions, waste and pollution wherever possible.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Clinical Leadership:

• Act as the clinical lead across a broader portfolio of ATIMPs including gene therapies, stem cell products, and GMO therapies
• Represent nursing on ATIMP governance boards or committees within the Trust or partner organisations.
• Liaise with MDTs (e.g. haematology department and ward, ITU) to tailor care pathways before, during, and after therapy.
• Provide clinical leadership for out-of-hours queries related to patients undergoing ATIMP treatment
• Take a lead role in the preparation and safe administration of investigational products, including infusion-rate protocols, and blinded drug dispensing (where permitted by the protocol).
• Act as a nursing liaison with pharmacy to clarify dosing schedules, infusion rates, or preparation instructions when protocols change or ambiguities arise.

Research Delivery

• Lead on the development and implementation of service pathways for future advanced therapies entering the pipeline.
• Serve as an advanced therapies patient advocate—providing a single point of contact for patients navigating complex treatment and follow-up.
• Act as a consistent point of contact for patients across the full ATIMP treatment journey—from screening through follow-up.
• Manage complex visit schedules, including serial PK sampling, ECGs, imaging, and functional tests required at specific post-dose timepoints.

Safety and Governance

• Work with QA teams to develop and refine SOPs specifically for handling, storing, and administering ATMPs.
• Identify, document, and report protocol deviations and safety issues promptly, contributing to root cause analyses and preventative actions.
• Participate in writing or reviewing CAPAs (Corrective and Preventative Actions) with the CRF QA manager for trial-related incidents.

Person specification

Education and Qualification

Essential criteria

• Registered Nurse (NMC)
• Demonstrable leadership in research or advanced practice roles
• Understanding of CAR-T therapy, immunotherapy, or other ATIMPs
• Familiarity with GCP, MHRA guidelines, and research governance frameworks

Desirable criteria

• Master’s-level qualification in Advanced Clinical Practice

Knowledge and Experience

Essential criteria

• Experience delivering CAR-T therapy or participating in early-phase cell and gene therapy trials
• Previous experience working within a CRF or similar research-intensive environment
• Significant experience in haematology, oncology, or acute medicine

Desirable criteria

• Independent Non-Medical Prescriber (V300)

Skills and Competencies

Essential criteria

• Training in recognition and management of CRS and ICANS
• ALS or equivalent critical care certification

IMPORTANT

• Check your email account regularly as this is how we will communicate with you
• If you delete the job from any of your accounts, you may be prevented from accessing further communications
• To enquire about your application or inform us of any changes in your circumstances, please contact the named person on this advert
• Please provide email addresses for referees where possible
• Please review the documentation on our recruitment microsite, particularly the Trust’s criminal records checking policy
• All staff have a responsibility for safeguarding children and vulnerable adults and for ensuring they are aware of the specific duties relating to their role.
• Please note that the closing date is given as a guide. On occasion, we might close a vacancy early due to a high number of applications being received. You are advised to submit your application as early as possible to avoid disappointment.

King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust Annual Reports and Other Corporate Publications

King's Health Partners Academic Health Science Centre Website

King's College Hospital is part of King's Health Partners Academic Health Sciences Centre (AHSC), a pioneering collaboration between King's College London, and Guy's and St Thomas', King's College Hospital and South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trusts.