Clinical Research Nurse Jobs in Tennessee
Clinical Research Nurse jobs in Tennessee are in steady and active demand, concentrated in academic medical centers, pharmaceutical research organizations, and healthcare systems running oncology, cardiology, and neurology trials, with openings at every level from entry-level coordinator nurses through senior principal investigators. Nashville, Memphis, and Knoxville lead hiring activity, anchored by employers like Vanderbilt University Medical Center, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, and HCA Healthcare. The most consistent openings center on oncology trial coordination, Phase I and II study management, and patient safety monitoring. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Discover Vanderbilt Health : With eight hospitals and over 180 clinics, we are the region’s largest comprehensive academic health system. Vanderbilt Health has a long tradition of providing world-class care to the people of the Mid-South, living out our mission of moving medicine forward through preeminent programs in patient care, education and research. Here you’ll find a spirit of collaboration and a supportive community where your expertise is valued, your knowledge expanded and your uniqueness celebrated. We are committed to fostering an environment where talented, compassionate people are united in bringing the most advanced care to our neighbors throughout the region.
Organization:
Neurology Admin 20Job Summary:
Responsible for coordinating the approval processes and conduct of research protocols, such that the integrity and quality of the clinical/translational research is maintained and the research is conducted in accordance within all policies, under occasional guidance..
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Proficiently prepares and processes new IRB research proposals, amendments, continuing review applications and adverse event reports according to institutional and departmental policies and procedures and federal regulations
- Accurately and compliantly prepares and maintains documents required to be maintained internally and available for regulatory authorities and/or the sponsor prior to, during and after the conduct of a clinical/translational trial. Participates in periodic site visits from sponsor, regulatory authorities and others to review research, source documentation and research procedures
- Identifies and procures equipment and supplies needed to fulfill project requirements (locally and across multiple sites, if required)
- Participates in the determination of eligible candidates for study participation, assuring participants fulfill eligibility requirements. Strives to ensure studies are completed in a timely manner through implementing effective screening and recruitment strategies and completing required documentation. Assesses and evaluates potential participants pertinent medical and historical information to ensure only appropriate subjects are enrolled in clinical/translational trials and remain eligible for continued participation
- Records data from source documentation and/or participant interaction onto case report forms (either paper or electronic) with awareness and attention to the requirements for accuracy, completeness and timeliness. Attends to query resolution in a timely manner. Assures research information is collected and stored in a manner that is compliant with regulations/policies and good clinical practice. Participates in site visits from sponsor, regulatory authorities and others to review research, source documentation, critical documents and research procedures
- Performs packaging and ships study specimens (blood, urine, etc.) to the sponsor or laboratory in accordance with sponsor and shipping guidelines and regulations, maintaining appropriate documentation
- With direction, develops and manages study budgets, monitoring efficient invoicing and taking appropriate action to maintain clinical trial billing compliance, providing reports investigators, department administration and funding agencies
- Serves as an advocate for human subjects by establishing and maintaining communication with Investigators, research staff, Sponsors, participants and representatives of professional organizations, participant advocates, and the public responsible for, or concerned about, protections for human participants of research and through ongoing monitoring of trial processes and participants
- Participates in the ongoing informed consent process, ensuring that human subjects, their families, and other health care providers clearly understand what is expected of and from them in the course of participating in a clinical/translational trial
- Participates in research related programs, such as the Clinical/translational Research Staff Council and its activities by submitting issues or suggesting solutions, and reviewing Council information, by attending meetings open to research staff and by sharing information with other research personnel The responsibilities listed are a general overview of the position and additional duties may be assigned.
TECHNICAL CAPABILITIES
- Clinical Research (Novice): Can research problems that span several areas of the department. Develops and writes basic trial protocols. Knows what information is available in the company. Designs data collection forms. Has developed networking skills which assist in researching issues.
- Study Design & Conduct (Novice): Applies qualitative and quantitative research methods to perform preparatory, regulatory, and analytic tasking within the life cycle of a study.
- Project Coordination (Novice): Reviews specific project related documents for completeness and accuracy and ensures project status reports are received, when due, from project managers for all approved projects. Provides administrative and logistics support for various project meetings, training, workshops and facilitated sessions. Coordinates and tracks all work requests to ensure on time project delivery. Keeps project plans updated and ensures key milestones and dependencies are understood. Responsible for record keeping for project meetings such as issues logs, gap analysis sheets, meeting minutes, making copies, team event planning and execution, team travel, on-boarding activities for contractors or consultants, set up and maintenance of project repositories.
- Communication (Novice): Clearly, effectively and respectfully communicates to employees or customers.
Our Academic Enterprise is one of the nation’s longest serving and most prestigious academic medical centers. Through its historic bond with Vanderbilt University and integral role in the School of Medicine, Vanderbilt Health cultivates distinguished research and educational programs to advance a clinical enterprise that provides compassionate and personalized care and support for millions of patients and family members each year.
World-leading academic departments and comprehensive centers of excellence pursue scientific discoveries and transformational educational and clinical advances across the entire spectrum of health and disease.
Aligning with Vanderbilt Health’s Strategic Directions , the Office of Research provides shared research resources, administrative expertise and professional guidance to enable the trans-disciplinary environment and highly collaborative culture that advances discovery and training for all the research faculty, trainees, students and staff.
Core Accountabilities:
Organizational Impact: Executes job responsibilities with the understanding of how output would affect and impact other areas related to own job area/team with occasional guidance. Problem Solving/ Complexity of work: Analyzes moderately complex problems using technical experience and judgment. Breadth of Knowledge: Has expanded knowledge gained through experience within a professional area. Team Interaction: Provides informal guidance and support to team members.Core Capabilities :
Supporting Colleagues:- Develops Self and Others: Invests time, energy, and enthusiasm in developing self/others to help improve performance e and gain knowledge in new areas.- Builds and Maintains Relationships: Maintains regular contact with key colleagues and stakeholders using formal and informal opportunities to expand and strengthen relationships.- Communicates Effectively: Recognizes group interactions and modifies one's own communication style to suit different situations and audiences. Delivering Excellent Services:- Serves Others with Compassion: Seeks to understand current and future needs of relevant stakeholders and customizes services to better address them.- Solves Complex Problems: Approaches problems from different angles; Identifies new possibilities to interpret opportunities and develop concrete solutions.- Offers Meaningful Advice and Support: Provides ongoing support and coaching in a constructive manner to increase employees' effectiveness. Ensuring High Quality: - Performs Excellent Work: Engages regularly in formal and informal dialogue about quality; directly addresses quality issues promptly.- Ensures Continuous Improvement: Applies various learning experiences by looking beyond symptoms to uncover underlying causes of problems and identifies ways to resolve them. - Fulfills Safety and Regulatory Requirements: Understands all aspects of providing a safe environment and performs routine safety checks to prevent safety hazards from occurring. Managing Resources Effectively: - Demonstrates Accountability: Demonstrates a sense of ownership, focusing on and driving critical issues to closure.- Stewards Organizational Resources: Applies understanding of the departmental work to effectively manage resources for a department/area.- Makes Data Driven Decisions: Demonstrates strong understanding of the information or data to identify and elevate opportunities. Fostering Innovation:- Generates New Ideas: Proactively identifies new ideas/opportunities from multiple sources or methods to improve processes beyond conventional approaches.- Applies Technology: Demonstrates an enthusiasm for learning new technologies, tools, and procedures to address short-term challenges.- Adapts to Change: Views difficult situations and/or problems as opportunities for improvement; actively embraces change instead of emphasizing negative elements.Position Qualifications:
Responsibilities:
Certifications :
Work Experience :
Relevant Work ExperienceExperience Level :
1 yearEducation :
Bachelor'sThis role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact within Vanderbilt Health, supported by a comprehensive benefits package which may include health, disability, retirement and/or wellness offerings to enhance your well-being and professional growth.
Vanderbilt Health is committed to fostering an environment where everyone has the chance to thrive and is committed to the principles of equal opportunity. EOE/Vets/Disabled.
See All 27 Clinical Research Nurse Jobs in Tennessee
Find roles in Tennessee that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Clinical Research Nurse JobsClinical Research Nurse Jobs by City in Tennessee
Where Tennessee roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Clinical Research Nurse Job Market in Tennessee
A snapshot from current Tennessee openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring



Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services
What Tennessee Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in clinical research nurse jobs across Tennessee.
- Active registered nurse license recognized by the Tennessee Board of Nursing
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from an accredited program
- Certified Clinical Research Professional or Certified Clinical Research Coordinator credential preferred
- At least one year of clinical experience in a hospital or research setting
- Working knowledge of Good Clinical Practice guidelines and FDA regulations
- Proficiency with electronic data capture systems and clinical trial management platforms
Clinical Research Nurse Jobs in Tennessee: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a clinical research nurse in Tennessee?
You become a clinical research nurse in Tennessee by first earning an active registered nurse license through the Tennessee Board of Nursing, which requires passing the NCLEX-RN exam and meeting the board's education requirements. From there, most employers expect at least some clinical nursing experience before moving into research. Adding a credential such as the Certified Clinical Research Coordinator designation through the Association of Clinical Research Professionals strengthens your candidacy considerably.
Which companies hire clinical research nurses in Tennessee?
Employers hiring clinical research nurses in Tennessee right now include St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Science 37, and GI ALLIANCE, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Tennessee's concentration of academic medical centers and contract research organizations means hiring activity stays relatively consistent year-round rather than spiking with seasonal patterns.
Which Tennessee cities have the most clinical research nurse jobs?
Nashville, Memphis, and Hendersonville have the most clinical research nurse openings in Tennessee. Nashville dominates because of Vanderbilt University Medical Center and a dense network of HCA Healthcare facilities running multi-site trials, while Memphis benefits from St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and regional oncology programs, and Knoxville draws activity from the University of Tennessee Medical Center and several contract research organizations operating out of the eastern part of the state.
Are there remote clinical research nurse jobs in Tennessee?
Yes, but they're rare. Clinical research nursing is fundamentally a patient-facing role, so the large majority of positions require on-site presence for subject visits, specimen collection, and protocol assessments. About 10% of clinical research nurse openings tied to Tennessee are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, and those positions are typically limited to study coordination tasks, data review, or remote patient monitoring components of decentralized trials.
How can I get hired as a clinical research nurse in Tennessee with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying for a clinical research coordinator or research assistant nurse role at one of Tennessee's large academic medical systems, where Vanderbilt University Medical Center and UTHSC run structured research nursing onboarding programs that accept candidates with general RN experience and no prior trial background. Nurses transitioning from oncology, cardiology, or critical care units carry directly transferable skills and tend to move into research roles more easily. Earning the Certified Clinical Research Coordinator credential before applying, even without experience, signals seriousness and improves your standing in competitive applicant pools.
Where can I find and apply to clinical research nurse jobs in Tennessee?
You can find and apply to clinical research nurse jobs in Tennessee on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings across the state. Find a role that fits and apply directly.
See All 27 Clinical Research Nurse Jobs in Tennessee
Find roles in Tennessee that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Clinical Research Nurse Jobs