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 (DCI) is seeking an Oncology Clinical Research Nurse Coordinator (CRNC) to join the Cancer Control & Population Science (CCPS) Clinical Research Program. In this unique role, you will support innovative oncology clinical trials focused on supportive care, survivorship, and navigation interventions that improve the lives of patients and families across the cancer continuum.

As a Clinical Research Nurse Coordinator, you will serve as the nurse navigator for clinical trials involving oncology nurse navigation interventions. You will work with diverse oncology populations participating in NIH-funded, industry-sponsored, and investigator-initiated research studies with complex multidisciplinary protocols. As part of Duke Cancer Institute's shared research infrastructure, you will collaborate closely with investigators, study teams, and clinical partners to ensure the consistent delivery of patient navigation services and successful implementation of clinical research studies.

This position combines the rewarding aspects of oncology nursing, patient navigation, and clinical research. You will work directly with patients and families to identify barriers to care, provide education and support, facilitate informed decision-making, and coordinate services across multidisciplinary teams following the study-specific protocols while contributing to research that advances supportive care and survivorship outcomes.

Minimum Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited BSN program, Associate Degree in Nursing program, or Nursing Diploma program
• Current Registered Nurse (RN) licensure in North Carolina or compact state licensure
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required
• Minimum of twelve months of clinical nursing experience
• Ability to utilize Microsoft Office products, web-based applications, and electronic clinical research systems
• Ability to maintain compliance with required hospital, unit, research, and nursing competency requirements

Preferred Qualifications

• Oncology nursing experience
• Clinical research experience
• Nurse navigation experience
• Experience working within multidisciplinary oncology care teams
• Knowledge of clinical trial operations, informed consent procedures, and regulatory requirements
• Experience supporting NIH-funded, investigator-initiated, or industry-sponsored clinical studies
• Familiarity with Electronic Data Capture (EDC) systems and clinical research documentation

Other Requirements

• Maintain active RN licensure and compliance with North Carolina Board of Nursing requirements
• Maintain all Duke-required clinical research, institutional, and nursing certifications and training
• Ability to work effectively with diverse patient populations experiencing complex medical, psychosocial, and health-related social needs
• Ability to communicate professionally and effectively with patients, caregivers, investigators, sponsors, and multidisciplinary clinical teams

Be Bold.

Coordinate Complex Oncology Clinical Trials

• Coordinate multiple oncology clinical trials and research studies supporting the Duke Cancer Institute's Supportive Care and Survivorship Center and related oncology research programs.
• Recruit, screen, consent, enroll, schedule, and manage study participants throughout the research lifecycle.
• Coordinate study visits, maintain regulatory documentation, manage enrollment records, report adverse events, and ensure compliance with protocol requirements, institutional policies, and applicable regulations.
• Evaluate study recruitment and retention performance and develop strategies to improve participant engagement and study success.

Provide Oncology Nurse Navigation and Care Coordination

• Deliver comprehensive oncology nurse navigation services for patients enrolled in clinical trials involving nurse-led navigation interventions.
• Assess clinical, psychosocial, educational, and supportive care needs of oncology patients and caregivers.
• Identify barriers to care, facilitate access to treatment and supportive services, and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to improve care coordination and continuity.
• Provide education, advocacy, symptom management support, treatment adherence guidance, and assistance with informed decision-making throughout the cancer continuum.

Manage Study Data and Research Compliance

• Utilize Electronic Data Capture (EDC) systems to ensure accurate and timely study data entry.
• Identify and resolve data quality issues, missing documentation, and compliance concerns.
• Maintain data integrity, confidentiality, security, and regulatory readiness across assigned studies.
• Assist with audits, monitoring visits, and study quality assurance activities.

Serve as a Collaborative Research and Clinical Resource

• Act as the primary liaison between investigators, sponsors, study teams, and participants for assigned clinical trials.
• Participate actively in program meetings, committees, working groups, and research initiatives.
• Serve as a resource for colleagues regarding oncology nurse navigation, clinical trial operations, patient-centered care, and research best practices.
• Support consistent implementation of nurse navigation interventions across multiple research protocols.

Promote Ethical Conduct of Research

• Educate patients and research staff regarding the distinction between clinical care and research participation.
• Ensure informed consent processes are conducted ethically and in accordance with regulatory requirements.
• Maintain compliance with Good Clinical Practice (GCP), institutional policies, study protocols, and research regulations.
• Support a culture of ethical research conduct, patient safety, and participant advocacy.

Choose Duke.

At the Duke Cancer Institute, discovery and compassion come together to transform cancer care. As one of the nation's leading cancer centers, DCI brings together world-class researchers, clinicians, and healthcare professionals dedicated to advancing cancer prevention, treatment, survivorship, and supportive care through innovative research and patient-centered care.

This position offers a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of oncology nursing, patient navigation, and clinical research. You will help shape the future of supportive cancer care by contributing to nurse-led navigation interventions and multidisciplinary research initiatives designed to improve patient outcomes and reduce barriers to care.