Clinical Research Nurse 2 - Oncology

Location: Chicago, Illinois

Business Unit: Rush Medical Center

Hospital: Rush University Medical Center

Department: Cancer Center-Res Fac

Work Type: Full Time (Total FTE between 0.9 and 1.0)

Shift: Shift 1

Work Schedule: 8 Hr (8:00:00 AM - 5:00:00 PM)

Rush offers exceptional rewards and benefits learn more at our Rush benefits page ().

Pay Range: $43.60 - $69.43 per hour
Rush salaries are determined by many factors including, but not limited to, education, job-related experience and skills, as well as internal equity and industry specific market data. The pay range for each role reflects Rush's anticipated wage or salary reasonably expected to be offered for the position. Offers may vary depending on the circumstances of each case.

Summary:
The Clinical Research Nurse 2 (CRN 2) is an experienced research nurse who provides clinical care to participants and supports the conduct of clinical research studies under the direction of a Principal Investigator (PI). As part of a collaborative research team, the CRN 2 contributes to study planning, assists with participant recruitment, eligibility screening, informed consent, and ensures protocol adherence throughout the study lifecycle.

The CRN 2 role monitors participants for adverse events and clinical responses, administers study medications, and ensures high-quality, patient-centered care aligned with protocol requirements. The CRN 2 also educates clinical staff and physicians on study procedures, communicates participant status updates, and supports study implementation within clinical settings.

The CRN 2 demonstrates advanced clinical nursing knowledge, growing research expertise, and autonomy in managing protocol activities. Exemplifies the Rush mission, vision and values and acts in accordance with Rush policies and procedures.

Required Job Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) OR Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
• Experience: Four years of clinical nursing practice experience required.
• Licenses: Current State of Illinois Registered Nurse Licensure
• Certifications:
• • • Basic Life Support certification for Healthcare Professionals.
    • Relevant research certification (Certified Clinical Research Professional (CCRP), Certified Clinical Research Associate (CCRA), Certified Clinical Research Coordinator (CCRC), OR Certified IRB Professional (CIP)) obtained within 1 year of hire

Knowledge, Skills, & Ability:

• Regulatory Compliance Awareness - Demonstrate knowledge of Good Clinical Practices and/or Good Documentation Practices, human subjects protections, institutional, local, state, and federal guidelines and regulations related to clinical research
• Communication Skills - Ability to communicate complex clinical and regulatory concepts in easy-to-understand language
• Participant Engagement - Ability to build rapport with diverse participants and peers
• Judgment & Escalation - Demonstrated problem-solving, critical decision making, and professional judgment
• Time Management - Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Teamwork & Collaboration - Ability to work successfully both independently and in team settings
• Flexibility - Flexible work hours and travel may be required

Preferred Job Qualifications:

• Four years of experience in clinical research as appropriate to study population.
• Clinical specialty certification as appropriate to study population.

Responsibilities:
Relationships and Caring

• Delivers protocol-required nursing care to research participants, including monitoring of health status and documentation.
• Develops and modifies participant care plans based on protocol requirements and participant needs.
• Assesses participant status and coordinates follow-up actions with the PI or interdisciplinary team in alignment with protocol.
• Communicates study details and updates to participants, families, and interdisciplinary care team members.
• Provides in-service training to inpatient and outpatient teams on protocol requirements and participant care.
• Notifies the PI and care team of changes in participant health status; coordinates any required actions per protocol. Mentors are less experienced research nurses.

Evidence-Based Practice

• Performs complex study-specific procedures, including medication administration, clinical assessments, and sample collection, independently.
• Ensures accurate clinical documentation.
• Schedules study visits and prepares materials and source documentation for multiple protocols. Reminds participants of required tests or procedures. Prepares visit plans based on participant and study needs.
• Reviews and enters data into study systems accurately and on time; identifies inconsistencies and seeks clarification when needed.
• Coordinates specimen handling and shipping for multiple protocols; ensures compliance with sponsor and federal safety requirements.
• Reports protocol deviations and serious adverse events to the study sponsor and IRB as applicable. Investigates issues related to protocol or safety deviations; documents findings and participates in resolution planning.

System Use and Documentation

• Maintains current knowledge of multiple disease areas, associated interventions, research trends and related study protocols.
• Completes all required protocol-specific and system trainings; supports others with onboarding and study procedures.
• Shares relevant system updates with team members to support quality and compliance.
• Applies ALCOA principles to ensure high-quality documentation and data entry across systems; may assist in resolving discrepancies.
• Navigates multiple systems (including REDCap, OnCore, Epic) to manage participant data, schedule visits, and support workflow accuracy.

Critical Thinking

• Reviews patient charts and study eligibility criteria; seeks additional information to ensure accurate enrollment, if needed.
• Supports recruitment activities for assigned study participants.
• Tracks visit schedules and confirms that study procedures, labs, and documentation are completed per protocol.
• Identifies and responds to potential issues, protocol deviations or data entry errors; recommends basic solutions or adjustments.
• Maintains routine communication with PI and study team regarding visit completion and participant status, including changes in health status.
• Communicates study progress and safety issues to PI, study sponsor, and care teams as needed.
• Prepares assigned sections of study logs, reports, or summaries to support monitoring and audit readiness.
• Escalates safety or protocol concerns and recommends updates to workflows or tools.
• Captures and verifies visit-related data in CTMS to ensure billing accuracy and collaborates with regulatory or finance staff for corrections as needed.

Leadership

• Serves as a protocol resource for other staff by answering questions and explaining study workflows.
• Assists in orienting new research staff or clinical partners to study procedures, tools, or documentation.
• Identifies workflow challenges and suggests ideas for improving study procedures or documentation.
• Coordinates day-to-day study-related activities with clinical and research staff; anticipates and resolves challenges independently.
• May be responsible for budget creation and coverage analysis review
• Prepares and submits routine regulatory documents and amendments to the IRB in partnership with regulatory staff; maintains version control and submission logs.
• Other duties as assigned

Rush is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics.