Advanced Clinical Practitioner

Job summary

The post holder will work alongside clinical oncology and medical oncology consultants, prescribing SACT (Systemic Anti-Cancer Therapy) treatments and reviewing radiotherapy patients. They will provide specialist information, support, and co-ordination of care for these patients, in both outpatient and inpatient settings.

We welcome applications from those from a nursing background with an advanced clinical practice masters. Oncology or head neck experience is desirable but not essential as training can be provided. The right candidate would be expected to work within the 4 pillars of advanced practice: clinical practice, leadership and management, education and research.

The post holder will be motivated and eager to improve the quality of patient care and the patient experience and have skills in clinical audit, quality improvement and service innovation. The post demands excellent oral and written communication skills; good interpersonal skills are paramount together with the confidence to engage and work in a matrix environment, with a range of colleagues at all levels and from all professional groups. Flexibility in working is also essential.

The post holder will be managed by the lead nurse in network services and the head and neck consultant team.

Main duties of the job

Have a highly visible clinical presence. Be working towards being an expert practitioner and role model in the field of oncology and head & neck cancer In the outpatient and inpatient settings:Participate in the direct clinical management of patients: history taking, physical examination, requesting diagnostic investigations (blood tests/radiology), review and systematic interpretation of information to formulate differential diagnoses and a clinical management plan. Assess patients' suitability for SACT (chemotherapy and immunotherapy) Consent patients for treatment and procedures, as per hospital policy Prescribe drugs, including chemotherapy and immunotherapy, within thecapacity of non-medical prescribing, adhering to Trust policy and existingframeworks Monitor patients receiving SACT and radiotherapy, including side effects and adverse events, ensuring appropriate management and symptom control. Make appropriate changes to SACT regimens, in consultation with the medical team Prescribe blood products adhering to Trust policy and blood product training following appropriate training and sign-off Perform clinical procedures appropriate to role, following a period of training and sign-off , fibreoptic nasendoscopy Have a good knowledge and understanding of the management and nursing care of the altered airway (, tracheostomy, laryngectomy

About us

The head and neck service at the Christie is a busy, dynamic and patient focussed service. The post-holder will join an established multi-disciplinary team including: consultant clinical and medical oncologists, medical physicists, radiographers, advanced clinical practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, research nurses, speech and language therapists, dietitians and health improvement advisors. . The service is committed to providing the highest quality of care, advancing practice through clinical trials, quality improvement and clinical audit. The post-holder would be integral to service development and delivering a high standard of care for this complex disease.

The Christie is one of Europe's leading cancer centres, treating over 60,000 patients a year. We are based in Manchester and serve a population of million across Greater Manchester & Cheshire, but as a national specialist around 15% patients are referred to us from other parts of the country. We provide radiotherapy and proton beam therapy through one of the largest radiotherapy departments in the world; chemotherapy on site and through 14 other hospitals; highly specialist surgery for complex and rare cancer; and a wide range of support and diagnostic services. We are also an international leader in research, with world first breakthroughs for over 100 years. We run one of the largest early clinical trial units in Europe with over 300 trials every year.

Job description

Job responsibilities

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Clinical

Have a highly visible clinical presence. Be an expert practitioner and role model in the field of Oncology and Head &Neck nursing. Have an understanding of prior treatment, particularly Head and Necksurgery, that patients may have had before attending The Christie Have a good knowledge and understanding of the management and nursingcare of the altered airway ie tracheostomy and laryngectomy In the outpatient setting participate in the direct clinical management ofpatients from first presentation at the hospital, until discharge or death.Includes history taking, systematic physical examination, and formulatingclinical management plans. Order first line diagnostic investigations eg biochemistry, haematology andradiology Review and interpret all information available utilizing a systematic process ofreasoning to make a working and differential diagnosis. Develop and record a treatment plan consistent with the outcome ofassessment and most probable diagnosis. Prescribe drugs, including chemotherapy and immunotherapy, within thecapacity of non-medical prescribing, adhering to Trust policy and existingframeworks Assess patients suitability for chemotherapy and immunotherapy throughhistory taking and by performing relevant safety investigations. Monitorpatients receiving systemic anti-cancer therapy, making appropriate changesto the regime, in consultation with the medical team Request and prescribe blood products adhering to Trust policy and Bloodproduct training following appropriate training and sign-off Perform clinical procedures appropriate to role, following a period of trainingand sign-off nasendoscopy Respond as appropriate to referred Hotline queries regarding oncologytreatment and symptoms Refer outpatients to appropriate primary and secondary care settings Support the multi-professional team during and after an emergency event Be an efficient communicator with patients, relatives and members of themultidisciplinary team. Work with team members on issues relating to patientinformation. Educate patients and their carers on issues surrounding health promotionand illness prevention. Promote and facilitate changes to lifestyle whereappropriate. Ensure patients receive appropriate information and support in relation totheir illness and treatment. Refer to other professionals as appropriate. To consent patients for treatment and procedures as per hospital policy Prepare accurate and concise verbal and written reports Plan and manage own workload/ caseload in a flexible manner, ensuring thatservice provision meets the needs of patients. Liaise with the other members of the multi-professional team and facilitateexcellent and effective communication to provide a patient focused service. Participate in innovative and research based practice with the intention ofcombining medical and nursing duties to promote excellence in patient care. Assess patients adverse events to treatments to enable appropriatemanagement and symptom control. Perform tasks and reviews as part of a clinical trial and maintain ICH/GCPcompetence.

Professional

To actively seek to contribute to the growing knowledge base of oncologynursing practice through publications and participation in conferences. To promote the role of the ACP within the Trust and externally To demonstrate an up to date knowledge of oncology/ acute care nursingpractice and responsibility for ones own professional development. To maintain a portfolio to fulfil requirements of the NMC in maintaining skills and expertise to undertake role including revalidation requirements. Maintain safe practice and development through regular peer review ofevidence based practice with medical Consultant supervisor and nursingmentor. Liaise and collaborate with multi-professional disciplines and outsideagencies. To be aware of the policies, procedures and philosophies of the Trust,understanding health and safety requirements and ensure that all duties andresponsibilities are carried out within these guidelines. Participate in clinical supervision as required Support equality and value diversity.

Management and Leadership

Be involved in peer review of own practice and that of others. Participate in clinical audit in respect to evaluating service effectiveness andfuture developments within the role. To develop clinical protocols, standards and guidelines in own area. Contribute to wider issues in the trust, such as committee membership,clinical progression and policy development. To actively contribute to the process of clinical risk management. Act as a role model in developing advanced nursing roles at local, regionaland national level. To inspire others and encourage them to seek advice and solutions to problems. To contribute to the achievement of local and national targets relevant to supporting patient access to care. Lead change/ policy implementation as required Act as line manager to other health professionals, notably Clinical NurseSpecialists

Research, Education and Development

To provide clinical and professional support and advice to all staff. Develop and deliver specific and relevant teaching programs for alldisciplines. Support, supervise and assess clinical competencies of nursing staff andother members of the multidisciplinary team. Maintain accurate records and provide necessary data for statistical analysis. Implement research findings appropriate to practice. Initiate new and support existing research projects. To raise quality issues and report related risks within the trust to addresspoor standards and incidents. To inform and influence Clinical Governance issues. Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

First degree Registered ACP- Nurse Teaching/ Mentorship experience Independent Non-Medical Prescribing Qualification.

Desirable

Mentorship Course. Advanced Life Support Course.

Experience

Essential

Evidence of recent study at level 6 or 7 Experience of working autonomously and as part of a team. Ability to work across professional boundaries experience of working in a multidisciplinary team Experience in oncology nursing.

Desirable

Experience in undertaking audit and management of change in practice related to audit results Experience of assessing and managing acute medical problems. Experience in nursing head & neck cancer or ear, nose and throat patients would be an advantage

Skills

Essential

Excellent communication skills: interpersonal, written and verbal. Confidence to adapt to an evolving and changing service. Ability to assess and manage patient risk effectively and safely Good time management, organisational skills and ability to prioritise a busy/ unpredictable workload. Well developed IT skills/ word processing/ data collection/ internet skills. Committed to professional

Desirable

Leadership and Management skills. Being an innovative and motivated individual. Ability to think strategically in relation to long-term service development. Presentation skills. Evidence of being a reflective practitioner.

Knowledge

Essential

Understanding of evidence based practice. Working knowledge of clinical governance. Ability to use research findings in clinical practice. Knowledge of national standards and policy that inform best practice (for example: NICE/ Department of Health guidelines). Appreciate the accountability associated with advanced clinical roles.

Desirable

Evidence of involvement with research and audit. Experience of policy and procedure writing. Understanding of the NHS long term plan

Values

Essential

Working as a team Strong work ethic Flexible Ability to demonstrate the organisational values and behaviours

Desirable

Evidence of involvement with research and audit. Experience of policy and procedure writing. Understanding of the NHS long term plan

Other

Essential

Committed and flexible with shift patterns and availability.

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