Clinical Nurse Specialist, Acute Oncology

Job summary

We have a rare and exciting opportunity for you to join our Acute Oncology Team as a Clinical Nurse Specialist. The Acute Oncology Service at University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire NHS Trust provides a 7 day service providing telephone and face-to-face assessment for patients unwell as a result of cancer or anti-cancer treatment. The team is pivotal in providing specialist advice for our cancer patients, aiming to reduce hospital admissions, promote ED avoidance and reduce length of stay.

As an acute oncology CNS, you will be expected to partake in telephone triage, nurse-led assessment of oncology inpatients and outpatients and deliver the acute oncology virtual follow up clinic.

We are looking for a confident, inspirational and forward-thinking nurse who is passionate about acute oncology. You must have extensive oncology/chemotherapy/haematology experience and be able to provide sound clinical decision-making skills.

This role will involve weekend and bank holiday working.

Successful applicants will be required to provide an immunisation and vaccination report, from either their current UK occupational health provider or their UK GP.

Main duties of the job

• Ensure timely, effective, and improved care for patients with complications of SACT (early recognition, better treatment, early nurse led discharge and reduce length of stay)
• Ensure timely, effective and improved care of patients with complications of cancer (early recognition, better treatment, rapid referral back to specialist oncology team, palliative care team etc)
• To ensure proactive delivery of preventative care to minimise the risks of the effects of chemotherapy
• Working in conjunction with the Oncologists/Haematologists/Inpatient Areas.
• The post holder will provide advice and implement patient care in an area which requires specific clinical knowledge, skills, and experience
• The post holder will work alongside other clinical colleagues in oncology, haematology, palliative care, emergency care, acute medicine, radiology, and pathology to ensure quality of care to the patients is maximised. This will include the development of clinical guidelines and education programmes.

About us

We are extremely proud of our employees across our hospital sites, with high quality patient care at the heart of everything we do.

Boasting some of the most modern facilities in Western Europe, the Trust is renowned for being at the forefront of research and innovation as part of its blossoming reputation as a worldwide leader in healthcare.

We are proud to be recognised as a Pathway to Excellence designated organisation - please click the link for further details about this prestigious award. Pathway To Excellence - University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire (uhcw.nhs.uk)

By joining our exciting journey, you will form part of a passionate, talented team and will be able to access a wide range of learning and development opportunities. There has never been a better time to join our team.

The Trust is committed to building an organisation that makes full use of the talents, skills, experience, and different perspectives available in our diverse society. We want everyone to feel they are respected, valued, can achieve their potential and receive the most appropriate and relevant care. We will create an environment where the equality and human rights principles of fairness, respect, equality, dignity and autonomy are promoted and are part of the organisation's core values.

Job responsibilities

• The post holder will provide advice to patients receiving chemotherapy, make an assessment of the patient over the telephone and put into place a plan of care/follow up or advice for the patient.
• The acute oncology team currently provide support at 2 MDTS: MSCC weekly and CUP 1st, 3rd & 5th Friday of every month. The post holder will attend and assist the MDT coordinator to ensure correct outcomes are recorded & actioned.
• You will require Advanced Health Assessment and Non-medical prescribing for oncology/haematology patients that present to the acute oncology assessment bay on ward 35 or any cancer patients seen in the trust including the Arden Cancer Centre.
• Request radiological examinations for oncology/haematology patients these include chest/abdominal x-rays and ultrasound abdominal scans.
• The Acute Oncology Team are also the Key worker for Cancer of Unknown Primary patients undergoing investigations for a malignancy of unidentified origin.
• Accountable for own actions in accordance with Code of Professional Conduct. Will contribute towards corporate objectives, acting within local, Trust and statutory guidelines and policies at all times
• Highly developed communication skills enabling maintenance of high-quality service and ensuring timely management and resolution of unexpected events and situations
• A knowledgeable team leader, supporting staff, service and policy development within a defined area/speciality
• A resource for staff, advising on national, local and Trust policy and procedures/guidelines, ensuring that clinical governance is embedded in practice.
• Responsible for identifying and assessing complex clinical and non-clinical issues, implementing resolutions and monitoring/auditing outcomes.
• Undertake highly specialised technical and/or practical skills to ensure optimum patient management including complex patient monitoring; equipment management and defined expanded clinical roles.
• Responsible for training provision of identified staff groups within defined areas.
• Utilise and ensure others utilise IT systems to secure accurate and timely patient, workforce, and resource data available.
• Regularly manage expected and unexpected clinical events requiring high but unpredictable levels of physical effort according to patient dependency/clinical need.
• Support patients, carers and staff during difficult situations arising in the clinical area, e.g breaking bad news or following an unexpected event.
• Promote and monitor adherence to Health and Safety and Trust policy designed to protect healthcare staff and service users from known hazards.

For further details please see the attached job description.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential

• oDegree in relevant subject oCurrent Professional Registration (NMC) oEvidence of CPD oTeaching and assessing qualification oLeadership qualification or completion of leadership course oAdvanced Health Assessment or working towards oNon-Medical Prescriber or working towards oSystemic Anti-Cancer course.

Desirable

• oMasters degree or working towards

Experience

Essential

• oExtensive experience in a senior role in Oncology/Chemotherapy/Haematology. oHighly developed communication skills oAbility to successfully manage people and change. oExperience of conflict management oA good understanding of HR policy

Knowledge

Essential

• oA knowledgeable clinician with the ability to apply evidence-based practice. oAn understanding of current issues relating to the NHS oA knowledge of professional policies and procedures oKnowledge of clinical governance & a commitment to clinical supervision and staff development

Skills

Essential

• oBasic understanding of IT and technology oAble to prioritise and meet deadlines effectively. oGood management of own and others time oAble to use initiative and make decisions. oAnalyses problems and implements effective and appropriate solutions. Strong leadership skills

Commitment to Trust Values and Behaviours

Essential

• oMust be able to demonstrate behaviours consistent with the Trust's values. (As detailed in UHCW's Values in Action document below) oApplicants applying for job roles with managerial responsibility will be required to demonstrate evidence of promoting equal opportunities through work experience