Clinical Research Nurse Coordinator - Duke Cancer Institute

School of Medicine:

Established in 1930, Duke University School of Medicine is the youngest of the nation's top medical schools. Ranked sixth among medical schools in the nation, the School takes pride in being an inclusive community of outstanding learners, investigators, clinicians, and staff where interdisciplinary collaboration is embraced and great ideas accelerate translation of fundamental scientific discoveries to improve human health locally and around the globe. Composed of more than 2,600 faculty physicians and researchers, nearly 2,000 students, and more than 6,200 staff, the Duke University School of Medicine along with the Duke University School of Nursing, and Duke University Health System comprise Duke Health, a world-class academic medical center. The Health System encompasses Duke University Hospital, Duke Regional Hospital, Duke Raleigh Hospital, Duke Health Integrated Practice, Duke Primary Care, Duke Home Care and Hospice, Duke Health and Wellness, and multiple affiliations.

Be You.

Duke Cancer Institute is seeking a Clinical Research Nurse Coordinator to join the DCI Pancreatic Cancer Center. In this role, you will play a vital part in advancing innovative cancer research while providing exceptional care and support to patients participating in clinical trials.

As a Clinical Research Nurse Coordinator, you will serve as a clinical and research expert responsible for coordinating multiple complex oncology clinical trials, including studies involving investigational products. You will work closely with principal investigators, patients, sponsors, regulatory teams, and healthcare providers to ensure research studies are conducted safely, ethically, and in compliance with regulatory requirements. This is an excellent opportunity for a nurse who is passionate about oncology care, research, patient advocacy, and contributing to breakthroughs that improve cancer treatment and outcomes.

Minimum Requirements

• Graduate of an accredited BSN, Associate Degree in Nursing, or Nursing Diploma program.
• Current Registered Nurse (RN) license in North Carolina or compact RN licensure.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required.
• Minimum of 12 months of clinical nursing experience.
• Ability to maintain active RN status with the North Carolina Board of Nursing.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and web-based software platforms.

Preferred Qualifications

• Oncology nursing experience.
• Clinical research experience.
• Experience coordinating clinical trials or research studies.
• Familiarity with Electronic Data Capture (EDC) systems.
• Experience administering chemotherapy and providing patient education related to oncology treatments.
• Knowledge of Good Clinical Practice (GCP), FDA regulations, and human subjects research protections.

Other Requirements

• Maintain required Duke Health, hospital, and unit-specific competencies and certifications.
• Maintain all project-specific and institutional training requirements.
• Ability to interact professionally with patients, investigators, sponsors, and multidisciplinary healthcare teams.

Be Bold.

Key Responsibilities:

Lead Clinical Trial Coordination and Study Management

• Coordinate day-to-day conduct of multiple oncology clinical trials and research studies from initiation through closeout.
• Collaborate with principal investigators and study teams to assess study feasibility, develop recruitment strategies, and support successful study implementation.
• Recruit, screen, consent, enroll, and retain research participants while ensuring compliance with protocol requirements.
• Schedule and conduct participant visits, ensuring accurate documentation of all study activities.
• Participate in site initiation, monitoring, auditing, and closeout visits.
• Identify operational challenges and proactively implement solutions to improve study performance, participant enrollment, and retention.

Ensure Regulatory Compliance and Research Quality

• Maintain study compliance with institutional policies, federal regulations, sponsor requirements, and Good Clinical Practice guidelines.
• Manage study documentation, including regulatory binders, enrollment logs, delegation logs, and training records.
• Assist with the development and maintenance of Conflict of Interest (COI) documentation, Data Safety Monitoring Plans (DSMPs), and Research Data Security Plans (RDSPs).
• Document, evaluate, and promptly report adverse events and protocol deviations.
• Support external monitoring activities and coordinate responses to findings and corrective actions.

Deliver Expert Clinical Nursing Care

• Administer ambulatory medications and adult chemotherapy according to study protocols and clinical standards.
• Educate patients regarding investigational agents, treatment plans, side effects, symptom management, and study requirements.
• Perform clinical assessments, review laboratory results, and monitor patient safety throughout study participation.
• Identify and evaluate adverse events, assess patient compliance, and implement appropriate interventions in collaboration with the principal investigator.
• Serve as a clinical resource and advocate for research participants throughout their study experience.

Manage Clinical Research Data and Financial Activities

• Enter and maintain accurate information in electronic data capture systems and other required databases.
• Ensure data integrity, completeness, security, and regulatory compliance.
• Investigate and resolve data discrepancies, missing information, and documentation issues.
• Track study milestones and patient-related expenses.
• Collaborate with financial teams to support budget planning, financial reconciliation, and study closeout activities.

Foster Communication, Collaboration, and Leadership

• Serve as the primary liaison between sponsors, investigators, clinical staff, and research teams.
• Build effective working relationships across multidisciplinary teams to ensure successful study execution.
• Mentor colleagues and serve as a resource for staff members involved in clinical research activities.
• Participate in team meetings, committees, task forces, professional development activities, scientific presentations, and publications.
• Promote ethical research conduct and help research participants understand the distinction between clinical care and research participation.

Choose Duke.

At Duke Cancer Institute, you will join one of the nation's leading cancer centers dedicated to advancing innovative treatments, groundbreaking research, and world-class patient care. The Gastrointestinal Clinical Research Program provides a collaborative environment where nurses, physicians, researchers, and clinical professionals work together to bring promising new therapies to patients facing cancer diagnoses.

Duke offers an inclusive and mission-driven culture committed to excellence, discovery, and improving health outcomes. As part of our team, you will have the opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge oncology research while growing your professional expertise through continuing education, collaboration, and leadership development opportunities.