Macmillan Upper GI Cancer Nurse Specialist

Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen to work within the multidisciplinary Upper GI Team here at WWL. The post holder will ensure that patients diagnosed with an Upper GI malignancy receive the highest standard of clinical care. They will demonstrate a high level of expertise within the Upper GI service, providing specialist advice, education and support to patients, their carers/relatives and health care professionals across the whole patient pathway.

This is a part time post working 27 hours per week.

As a member of the multidisciplinary Upper GI Team, the post holder will ensure that patients diagnosed with an Upper GI malignancy receive the highest standard of clinical care.

They will demonstrate a high level of expertise within the Upper GI service, providing specialist advice, education and support to patients, their carers/relatives and health care professionals across the whole patient pathway.

Candidates are required to present original certificates for qualifications at interview stage.

Main duties of the job

The role will involve close liaison with staff at both the Christie Hospital and Salford Hospital (NCA) for patients receiving surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy treatments at those centres.

The post holder will be responsible for contributing to the on-going development of clinical practice, research and standards of care within the service, including development of policies, protocols and guidelines and contribute to service developments in collaboration with multidisciplinary colleagues, including Peer Review.

This post encompasses line management responsibility for a Band 4 Upper GI Cancer Support Worker.

About us

Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust are the proud providers of acute hospital and community services to the people of the Wigan Borough and surrounding areas. At WWL, we value our staff believing that 'happy staff, makes for happy patients'. We have a recognised track record in staff engagement, and living our values 'the WWL Way'.

WWL are committed to placing the patient at the heart of everything we do, and in the provision of safe, effective care that acknowledges and ensures dignity. With this in mind we are seeking to recruit people who share our values and beliefs.

On-Call

Please note that senior positions (AFC band 8A or above) may be expected to participate in an on-call rota, if the role is predominantly operational.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Key Results from Postholder

To work autonomously, managing a caseload of patients within the speciality whilst working as part of the multi-disciplinary team, delivering individualised and personalised direct patient care. Providing an independent review of patients on ward as well as involvement with medical ward rounds Be responsible for assessing and recognising emergencies in the specialty. To interpret information and take appropriate action and to lead others to do the same. Attending and providing input to both local MDT and Specialist MDT meetings Request additional diagnostic tests including CT and PET scans Attend medical led clinics across multiple sites to support patients when they are given their cancer diagnosis. Attend and support independent nurse led clinics and provide necessarily follow up actions including clinic letters, treatment summaries on HIS and onward referrals. Provide consultations with patients and psychological support up to level 3 and record all consultations on Somerset and HIS Provide patients with individual personalised support plans following holistic needs assessments. Co-ordinating pathways and communicating with colleagues across multiple tertiary trusts and community teams. Involve patients, carers/relatives in the planning and delivery of care and development of services to enhance patient carer experience. To provide specialist advice, support and symptom management for patients, carers and other professionals. Have responsibility for the development and review of protocols/guidelines which promote innovative clinical nursing practice and integration of patient care. To be aware of change at national and local level and how it affects the service provided To undertake clinical and organisational audit, evaluate results and promote the importance and value of undertaking such initiatives through multi professional collaboration

Planning and Organisational Duties

Using advanced clinical skills, perform comprehensive assessment of patient nursing needs; plan, implement and evaluate care delivery according to changing health care needs to ensure continuing effective patient care. Refer appropriately to services in both the acute and community setting. To attend appropriate Upper GI Clinics held across multiple sites and liaise closely with the patients, nurses and doctors attending these. To provide continuity of care across the group, particularly with regard to integrating surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. To provide information about side effects of treatment and ensure clear and concise documentation is completed. To communicate effectively and support / counsel patients and carers prior to, during and after treatment. To be aware of all Upper GI cancer patients admitted as inpatients within medical that require CNS input and liaise with nursing and junior medical staff involved in their care to improve communication with ward staff. To attend MDT meetings as appropriate and to contribute to discussions about individual patients. To attend other professional and clinical meetings as appropriate. In collaboration with the wider Upper GI Care Team, to act as a point of contact for patients and their carers in the community. To be fully conversant with treatment protocols. To be aware of current research protocols and liaises with the Upper GI and Oncology Research Nurses regarding eligibility. To implement Trust Policies and Procedures To act always in accordance with the NMC Code of Conduct and Guiding documents.

Communications and Key Working Relationships

To provide specialist, expert, clinical knowledge to clinical colleagues, patients and carers/relatives both within and outside the Trust. Become an integral part of the cancer care centre team who provide care for patients with Upper GI cancers. Evaluate service delivery; identify areas for improvement and initiate change. To build effective professional relationships with Manchester Cancer and across Acute and Community settings. To provide written evidence of service development and performance. Initiate and support clinical developments / projects to promote excellence in patient care. Provide and receive clinical supervision and mentorship to facilitate reflective practice. Promote patient and public involvement activities in the specialist area, leading to service improvement. Attend and participate in the CNS Forum and other committees and meetings at divisional and at a strategic Trust level Act as a role model presenting a professional image at all times. To take part in recruitment and selection of appropriate staff in the team To be fully aware of the divisional objectives and the Trusts corporate plan.

Responsibility for Finance

Ensures the efficient and effective use of resources in providing and delivering the service. Identifying and implementing cost improvement plans within the service. Liaises with the budget holder regarding stock control, monitoring and maintaining equipment prostheses, patient information leaflets etc

Responsibility for Human Resources

To participate in annual appraisals and accept personal responsibilities for professional growth and development. To identify training needs of non-specialist colleagues and develop educational programmes in collaboration with Upper GI colleagues. To provide specialist input and teach on relevant post registration courses. Together with other professional colleagues develop information and resource packs for patients and their carers. Maintain a professional portfolio.

Responsibility for Health & Safety

Compliance with the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 the post holder is required to fulfil a proactive role towards the management of risk in all of their actions. This entails the risk assessment of all situations, the taking of appropriate actions and reporting of all incidents, near misses and hazards, and a statutory duty of care for their own personal safety and that of others who may be affected by their acts or omissions.

Responsibility for Teaching

Acts as a role model, inspiring other staff and students with their vision and values. To participate in annual appraisal and accept personal responsibilities for professional growth and development. To identify training needs of non-specialist Christie and Network colleagues and develop educational programmes in collaboration with Upper GI colleagues. To provide specialist input and teach on relevant post registration courses. Together with other professional colleagues develop information and resource packs for patients and their carers. Maintain a professional portfolio. Demonstrates the underpinning theoretical knowledge within their clinical practice of Upper GI Care Nursing Standards, Infection Control, Health & Safety, Ethical and Legal issuers and teaching this knowledge to students assigned to the department. Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

RGN Degree in Nursing / Health related subject Post registration qualification in Oncology / Cancer Teaching and Assessing

Experience

Essential

Substantial experience post registration with significant experience at senior level Upper GI Cancer experience Participation in service development and implementation of change

Skills

Essential

Advanced communication skills Request diagnostic test, inc CT & PET scans Able to work autonomously Ability to develop effective interpersonal relationships with colleagues across health and social care setting Strong organisational / prioritising skills

Knowledge

Essential

Knowledge of professional and NHS issues and policies relating to the Upper GI specialty Evidence of continuing professional development

Additional

Essential

Demonstrate flexibility in working hours Speak English to an appropriate standard relevant to their role, with confidence and accuracy, using correct sentence structures and vocabulary, and without hesitation

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