Clinical Nurse Consultant

Position Overview

The Christie Psycho-oncology Team is dedicated to excellence in patient care and is seeking a Registered Mental Health Nurse (RMN) to become a vital member of our multidisciplinary team, which comprises psychiatrists, mental health nurses, a clinical psychologist, counselors, and dedicated administrative personnel.

This role is offered as a fixed-term contract, with a commitment of hours per week for a duration of 12 months. Our operational hours are Monday to Friday, from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, excluding public holidays. The team provides comprehensive care to both inpatient and outpatient oncology patients, working collaboratively to ensure the highest standards of service delivery. This position is crucial for the ongoing development of our services.

The ideal candidate will possess a strong passion for patient care, exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, and a commitment to personal growth and service enhancement. Regular supervision and robust support will be available to assist you in navigating the complexities of this role, which may involve challenging and emotionally taxing situations.

As a recognized organization with 'Good' status from the CQC, you will be part of a supportive environment that encourages the continuous development of your clinical expertise.

Key Responsibilities

In this role, you will manage your own patient caseload, supported by the wider Psycho-Oncology team, which includes psychiatrists, psychological specialist nurses, a psychologist, and counselors. You will also be responsible for overseeing the management and coordination of the team's operations. Regular supervision and access to professional development courses will be provided. Collaborating with the clinical lead and the rest of the team, you will have the opportunity to contribute to service development, education, and mental health advocacy.

About The Christie

The Christie is one of Europe's foremost cancer treatment centers, serving over 60,000 patients annually. We are a national specialist, providing a wide range of services including radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and highly specialized surgical interventions for complex and rare cancers. Our organization is also a leader in cancer research, with a history of groundbreaking discoveries spanning over a century. We conduct numerous clinical trials each year, contributing significantly to advancements in cancer treatment.

Clinical Duties

Responsibilities Include:

1. Conduct thorough assessments of patients' mental health and psychological requirements, planning, implementing, and evaluating care delivery to ensure continuity of effective patient care.

2. Utilize advanced clinical skills in psychological and mental health assessment, diagnosis, and interactions to enhance the patient experience.

3. Provide guidance to nursing colleagues regarding the management of patients with specific mental health needs.

4. Collect, collate, evaluate, and report information, maintaining accurate patient records in accordance with clinical governance and risk management protocols.

5. Involve patients and their families in the planning and delivery of care and service development to enhance the overall experience.

6. Collaborate with other professionals and agencies to ensure comprehensive patient care.

7. Employ advanced communication skills across various settings.

8. Monitor health, safety, and security for yourself and others, promoting best practices in the clinical environment.

9. Advocate for patient and public involvement initiatives in the specialist area, leading to service improvements.

Managerial Responsibilities

1. Ensure the effective and efficient use of resources in collaboration with finance and service management.

2. Lead the development of protocols relevant to the Psychological Nurse Specialist role.

3. Contribute to and coordinate the development and implementation of policies, procedures, and guidelines within the organization, aligning with national standards.

4. Organize daily work schedules and staff rotas to ensure appropriate skill mix and deployment based on patient needs.

5. Address health and safety issues, ensuring relevant risk assessments are conducted.

6. Report and document all incidents and complaints according to established policies, investigating promptly and compassionately.

7. Ensure adherence to existing policies and procedures while implementing new ones as necessary.

8. Report to the Clinical Lead on clinical matters and staff development.

Professional Development

1. Identify areas for improvement within the department and undertake relevant projects.

2. Stay informed about issues affecting the organization and ensure the team is well-informed.

3. Provide clinical supervision to healthcare professional colleagues.

4. Maintain awareness of divisional objectives and the organization's corporate plan.

5. Foster a pleasant and approachable demeanor to promote positive working relationships.

6. Exhibit professionalism and courtesy while practicing excellent communication skills at all levels.

7. Respect team members and endorse a philosophy of mutual support.

8. Acknowledge personal limitations, maintain confidentiality, and adhere to the NMC Professional Code of Conduct.

9. Engage in performance reviews to identify learning goals and support needs.

10. Actively seek mentorship and supervision for reflection and development within the role.

11. Demonstrate effective leadership through sound organizational skills and judgment, upholding equality and diversity.

Education and Training

1. Provide specialist clinical knowledge to colleagues, patients, and their families.

2. Identify learning needs and develop educational programs to address them.

3. Participate in the education of healthcare professionals.

4. Educate staff on managing medically ill patients with psychiatric disorders.

5. Maintain up-to-date skills and knowledge, ensuring compliance with mandatory training.

Research and Quality Improvement

1. Identify and undertake research and clinical audits to enhance patient care effectiveness.

2. Contribute to relevant research projects in Psycho-Oncology.

3. Share research findings through presentations and publications.

4. Evaluate service delivery, identifying areas for improvement and initiating change.

Qualifications and Experience

Essential Qualifications:

• Registered Mental Health Nurse (RMN)
• Degree in Nursing or a related field
• NMC Registration

Desirable Qualifications:

• Master's Degree
• Experience in delivering psychological therapy
• Experience in non-medical prescribing

Essential Experience:

• Post-registration experience in acute care for adult psychiatric nursing, including risk assessments
• Experience working at a senior clinical level
• Experience in liaison psychiatry or a relevant clinical specialty involving serious physical illness

Desirable Experience:

• Experience in an oncology setting
• Experience working within a complex care team
• Experience in resource management and effective resource utilization
• Participation in service development and change implementation

Essential Skills:

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to analyze data and produce written reports
• Capacity to work autonomously
• Evidence of effective teamwork across professional and organizational boundaries
• Experience in teaching and supervising others
• Leadership skills
• Intermediate IT skills

Desirable Skills:

• Evidence of involvement in quality improvement initiatives

Essential Knowledge:

• Specialist knowledge of the Mental Health Act and Mental Capacity Act
• Understanding of professional and NHS policies related to the specialist area
• Evidence-based knowledge in the relevant clinical specialty
• Commitment to continuing professional development
• Awareness of current trends in nursing and their application to practice

Desirable Knowledge:

• Knowledge of Psycho-Oncology