The staff who work in our Unit fulfil a number of roles that ensure we are able to produce high quality, internationally competitive research, that will improve human health. Whether conducting experiments at the bench, developing scientific goals and strategy, managing our funding, or ensuring that we have enough glassware available, all our staff make a vital contribution to the work of the Unit.
In this Q&A post Irene Debiram-Beecham, writes about her role as a research nurse. Irene is part of the Fitzgerald group and is mainly involved with the development of a new device, the Cytosponge, for monitoring patients with the pre-cancerous condition Barrett’s oesophagus.
Irene Debiram-Beecham, Senior Research Sister
Q. You’re a Senior Research Sister in Professor Rebecca’s Fitzgerald’s group. Could you give us an idea of the type of work you do, and what a typical day might be like for you?
A. My main role is to make sure that patients are accurately recruited into Professor Fitzgerald’s portfolio of studies. Clinically, I help with the endoscopy/gastroscopy list, obtaining consent and collecting samples from patients for the relevant studies. I also train new staff and manage a team of research nurses and administrators, making sure that all aspects of our work is covered on a daily basis. I am the point of contact for patients, for example if they have issues with their endoscopy appointments or are not receiving results. As as a trial coordinator I am also the main point of contact for some of our multi-centre clinical studies. Hence I may have to visit sites around the UK, training staff, and making sure the data and samples required for the study are collected according to the protocol, and correctly packaged and sent to us. I am the main trainer for teaching clinicians and healthcare professionals how to administer the Cytosponge device, which is currently being tested in a clinical trial. I deal with correspondence from the Research Ethics Committee, Research and Development Department, and Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA)- ensuring that all regulatory approvals are in place before studies commence, and progress reports from the studies are sent out in time to the relevant organisations. I also make sure that all members of the research team have current research passports and honorary contracts in place, and we meet requirements of the Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Trust for being on site.
Q. What first got you interested in nursing as a career? Did you always want to work in research too?
A. I wanted to learn more about different diseases and how to care for ill patients. Research became my sole interest at least two month into my first job as a nurse, soon after completing my training. I decided at that point I was going to further my academic career, and having an inquisitive mind I secured the first research nurse post I could find. My academic interest in being a part of clinical studies that may change medical practices is exhilarating. I guess I get to be a part of both worlds helping to research new ideas, along with patient contact.
An early version of the Cytosponge device.
Q. What have been the highlights of your work with the Unit so far?
A. Being part of setting up BEST2 which is a multi-centre study in the UK has been a real highlight. It gave me the opportunity to work with different hospitals and enhanced my collaboration between centres. My experience as a trainer for administration of the Cytosponge device has given me the chance to refine the technique, and be part of the liaison team for the company who are going to commercialise the device.
Q. Have there been any particular challenges in your role?
A. Yes, dealing with a multitude of personalities and meeting the needs of patients. This was all taken in good faith, and I tried my very best to resolve issues where I could, to ensure that communications between the extended team was maintained, and helped to restore a degree of balance and good working relationships.
Q. What are your plans for the future in your role?
A. To be part of developing future projects and see these to fruition. Hopefully I will get the opportunity to do my own research in the form of a further qualification such as a PhD.
Q. Is there anything else you’d like to share about your career as a research nurse?
A. Research nursing has a good balance of both patient contact and academia and therefore ticks a lot of the goals regarding my career aspirations. It takes a lot of dedication and determination to see projects through to the final results, and there is a great sense of achievement once completed. It is even better when you can see the efforts of your work put into clinical practice.
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