Research Nurse Specialist

Discover Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Located in Nashville, Tennessee, and operating at a global crossroads of teaching, discovery, and patient care, VUMC is a community of individuals who come to work each day with the simple aim of changing the world. It is a place where your expertise will be valued, your knowledge expanded, and your abilities challenged. Vanderbilt Health is committed to an environment where everyone has the chance to thrive and where your uniqueness is sought and celebrated.

It is a place where employees know they are part of something that is bigger than themselves, take exceptional pride in their work and never settle for what was good enough yesterday. Vanderbilt's mission is to advance health and wellness through preeminent programs in patient care, education, and research.

VMAC

The Vanderbilt Memory and Alzheimer's Center seeks qualified applicants for a Research Nurse Specialist 2 (RNS
2) position. The RNS-II will be part of a portfolio of clinical research studies focused on cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease in aging adults. The Vanderbilt Memory and Alzheimer's Center houses an interdisciplinary team of scientists and clinicians engaged in ground‑breaking science to discover the root cause of Alzheimer’s disease. The Center, which includes doctoral‑level experts in nursing, neuropsychology, neurology, neuroscience, genetics, cardiology, and radiology, is highly collaborative in nature.

This position will work Monday‑Friday, traditional daytime business hours, but flexibility is key to be successful in this role. Because this role will be very participant‑visit heavy, you will largely work on site at the VUMC Crystal Terrace location in Nashville. There may be limited opportunities to work remotely, but this is not guaranteed.

At the Vanderbilt Memory and Alzheimer’s Center, we are at the forefront of advancing knowledge in Alzheimer’s disease prevention, early diagnosis, and treatment. Through our research, we aim to pave the way for a new era of understanding and managing Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.

• This position is primarily participant‑facing working closely with research participants and their loved ones.
• Key responsibilities include consenting participants and their loved ones, facilitating biospecimen collection (including completing blood draws and supporting lumbar punctures), completing visit protocols (including clinical interviews for dementia diagnosis), providing visit feedback to participants and their loved ones, and managing follow‑up for any adverse events or incidentals.
• This position requires managing excellent participant relationships to enhance retention over the longitudinal follow‑up period. Serving as a trusted resource and advocate for the participant and their family is an essential responsibility.
• This position is responsible for assuring that the integrity and quality of the clinical research study is maintained and conducted in accordance with appropriate regulations, guidelines, policies, and procedures.

• Possesses knowledge and understanding of policies, procedures, and regulations governing human subject’s research and incorporates them into the conduct of research and care of participants.
• Proficiently prepares and processes new research proposals, amendments, continuing review applications and adverse events.
• Perform administrative duties for trials, including but not limited to: procuring equipment, preparing documentation, and packaging and shipping medications.
• Utilize nursing skills to perform procedures, deliver individualized care, and abide by research protocols. If problems arise, identify and implement solutions, assuring goals are met.
• Performs the procedures required of each study protocol, understanding standard of care versus research. Continually assess the need for additional protections for research participants.
• Recruit and identify the eligibility of candidates, regularly assessing them to ensure continued eligibility for participation. Troubleshoot trial recruitment…