Nurse Director - Inpatient Clinical Research

Company: Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Location: Boston
Posted on: March 30, 2026

Job Description:

Job Description The Inpatient Clinical Research Director of Nursing is responsible for the overall leadership, management, and coordination of inpatient clinical research nursing. This role ensures the delivery of high-quality patient care by developing and implementing nursing policies, procedures, and best practices. The Director leads and mentors a diverse team of nursing professionals, fostering their professional growth and maintaining a supportive work environment. Collaborating extensively with interdisciplinary teams and other departments, the Director optimizes patient outcomes and enhances service delivery. This position plays a critical role in strategic planning, promotes a culture of continuous improvement, and ensures compliance with regulatory standards. Located in Boston and the surrounding communities, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is a leader in life changing breakthroughs in cancer research and patient care. We are united in our mission of conquering cancer, HIV/AIDS, and related diseases. We strive to create an inclusive, diverse, and equitable environment where we provide compassionate and comprehensive care to patients of all backgrounds, and design programs to promote public health particularly among high-risk and underserved populations. We conduct groundbreaking research that advances treatment, we educate tomorrow's physician/researchers, and we work with amazing partners, including other Harvard Medical School-affiliated hospitals. Leadership and Team Management: Effective leadership in nursing involves creating a positive work environment through direction and supervision, while implementing strategies to boost staff morale and retention. Regular performance evaluations and constructive feedback that help set clear expectations and goals, addressing staff concerns promptly to maintain team cohesion. Recruitment efforts focus on attracting top talent, promoting diversity, and ensuring adequate staffing levels to meet patient care needs, while managing workloads to prevent burnout. Collaborative Care Coordination: Building strong relationships with healthcare professionals such as physicians and pharmacists to support integrated patient care. Leading interdisciplinary meetings and serving as a liaison between nursing staff and other departments that fosters open communication and collaboration, ensuring comprehensive care plans and positive patient outcomes. Change Management, Innovation, Quality Improvement: Lead initiatives to implement new programs and technologies that enhances patient care and operational efficiency, with staff engagement being key to successful change processes. Utilizing data analysis to identify areas for improvement, by engaging in quality assurance programs to ensure adherence to evidence-based practices and regulatory requirements. Budget management and resource allocation are optimized to maintain quality without compromising efficiency. Promote a Culture of Patient-Centered Care: Promoting patient-centered care involves initiatives to improve satisfaction and experience, advocating for patient rights, and fostering open communication among staff. Recognizing and rewarding excellence in nursing practice by encouraging a culture of safety and excellence, ensuring ethical considerations are prioritized in care delivery. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Leadership skills in nursing include mentoring and developing staff and leaders, team building, and conflict resolution. Strong collaboration and communication skills are essential for building relationships across disciplines and conveying information effectively. Organizational skills involve aligning nursing services with strategic goals, managing priorities, and navigating dynamic environments. Leadership and People Management Skills: Exceptional leadership involves mentoring and developing nursing staff, fostering team building, motivation, and a positive workplace culture, while effectively resolving conflicts and facilitating difficult conversations. Collaboration and Communication Skills: Strong interpersonal skills enable building relationships across disciplines, with effective communication ensuring clear and compassionate information delivery to staff, patients, and families, and proficiency in facilitating meetings and discussions. Organizational and Strategic Skills: Aligning nursing services with organizational goals requires managing multiple priorities, projects, and deadlines efficiently in a dynamic environment. Minimum Job Qualifications Education: Bachelor’s and Master’s degree required, one of which must be in Nursing. Advanced degrees in Nursing Administration, Healthcare Management, or related field are preferred. Experience Required Registered nurse with 3-5 years’ experience in health care, with progressive administrative experience. Oncology experience preferred. 5 years of clinical research experience preferred. License/Certification/Registration Required Licensed as a Registered Nurse in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and or New Hampshire as applicable. Leadership, Oncology, or Research Nursing certification (required within 2 years of employment) preferred. At Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, we work every day to create an innovative, caring, and inclusive environment where every patient, family, and staff member feels they belong. As relentless as we are in our mission to reduce the burden of cancer for all, we are committed to having faculty and staff who offer multifaceted experiences. Cancer knows no boundaries and when it comes to hiring the most dedicated and compassionate professionals, neither do we. If working in this kind of organization inspires you, we encourage you to apply. Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is an equal opportunity employer and affirms the right of every qualified applicant to receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, national origin, sexual orientation, genetic information, disability, age, ancestry, military service, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law. EEO Poster. Pay Transparency Statement The hiring range is based on market pay structures, with individual salaries determined by factors such as business needs, market conditions, internal equity, and based on the candidate’s relevant experience, skills and qualifications. For union positions, the pay range is determined by the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). $180,000.00 - $230,200.00

Keywords: Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Waltham , Nurse Director - Inpatient Clinical Research, Healthcare , Boston, Massachusetts