Macmillan Head & Neck Clinical Nurse Specialist

Job summary

The Macmillan Head and Neck Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) provides expert, patient-centred care for individuals diagnosed with Head and Neck and Thyroid cancers throughout the cancer pathway. Acting as the Key Worker, the post holder delivers clinical, psychological and supportive care from diagnosis through treatment, recovery, survivorship and, where appropriate, end of life care. The CNS coordinates personalised cancer care interventions in line with NHS England priorities and national cancer standards.

Previous applicants need not apply.

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

• To work autonomously within their sphere of competence, undertaking specialist assessment, care planning, implementation and evaluation, ensuring care is safe, effective and evidence-based.
• To collaborate with all members of the multidisciplinary team, providing specialist advice and support across professional and organisational boundaries, and coordinating patient pathways to ensure seamless care throughout the patient journey.
• To undertake nurse-led clinics and specialist services, ensuring excellent standards of care through the planning, coordination, delivery and evaluation of clinical activity.
• To contribute to the delivery of personalised cancer care, including holistic needs assessments, personalised care and support planning, treatment summaries and supported self-management interventions.
• To support the development and continuous improvement of the Head and Neck Cancer Service through participation in audit, education, research, quality improvement and service development activities, ensuring care aligns with national guidance, cancer standards and Trust objectives.

About us

University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, rated as good by the Care Quality Commission, is one of the largest teaching Trusts in the UK.

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

• Act as Key Worker for patients with Head and Neck and Thyroid cancers throughout the cancer pathway.
• Provide specialist nursing assessment, advice and support to patients, carers and families.
• Develop, implement and evaluate individualised care plans.
• Undertake Holistic Needs Assessments and develop Personalised Care and Support Plans.
• Deliver treatment summaries and support patients transitioning to follow-up and survivorship care.
• Assess, monitor and manage treatment-related toxicities and complications.
• Provide specialist support to patients with tracheostomies, laryngectomies, swallowing difficulties and nutritional concerns.
• Participate in nurse-led follow-up and surveillance clinics.
• Support patients with complex symptom management and psychological needs.
• Facilitate referrals to allied health professionals, community services and support organisations as appropriate.

For further details of the role please see the attached job description.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential

• oRegistered Nurse (Level 1). oCurrent NMC Registration. oDegree in Nursing or equivalent experience. oEvidence of ongoing professional development. oTeaching/assessing qualification or willingness to undertake.

Desirable

• oPostgraduate qualification in cancer care or equivalent experience. oAdvanced Communication Skills Training. oLeadership qualification. oNon-Medical Prescribing qualification. oMaster's level study. oAdvance assessment skill qualification or willingness to undertake.

Experience

Essential

• oExperience in Head and Neck, Cancer or a related speciality. oExperience working within a multidisciplinary team. oExperience managing patients with complex care needs. oExperience providing patient education and support. oExperience undertaking clinical assessment and care planning.

Desirable

• oPrevious CNS experience. oTracheostomy and laryngectomy management experience. oExperience of quality improvement or service development. oExperience of nurse-led clinics.

Knowledge

Essential

• oHead and Neck and Thyroid cancer pathways. oPrinciples of personalised cancer care. oCurrent cancer policies and national standards. oClinical governance and risk management. oEvidence-based practice.

Desirable

• oKnowledge of Cancer Waiting Time standards. oKnowledge of national cancer audits and peer review processes. oUnderstanding of Cancer Alliance priorities.

Skills

Essential

• oExcellent communication and interpersonal skills. oAbility to work autonomously and as part of a team. oEffective organisational and time-management skills. oAbility to manage complex and sensitive situations. oIT literacy and experience using electronic patient records.

Desirable

• oPresentation and teaching skills. oProject or quality improvement experience.

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