Job overview
The Lung Research Unit is looking for an enthusiastic Senior Assistant Practitioner to work with them for 1 year (fixed term contract).
The Senior Assistant Practitioner is an essential valued member of the team appointed to support Registered Nurses (RN) in the delivery of patient care. The role involves contact on a physical and psychological level with patients and their families.
The postholder will provide clinical support to the research nurses undertaking activities such as:
• Sending of scans to imaging companies
• Administration and data entry, arranging appointments follow up visits with patients
In addition the role will involve assisting and supporting the research nurses in clinics, undertaking assessments such as:
• Blood tests, ECG’s, observations
• Urinalysis, Height and weight
• Collecting data i.e quality of life questionnaires, liaising with patients on clinical trials.
The successful candidate will be required to work under direct and indirect supervision of senior nursing staff, assisting in the provision of routine clinical and research care for research participants.
What’s in it for you?
• Opportunities to develop your clinical and research skills.
• Continuous on-going learning with internal and external courses available.
• Flexible working arrangements available.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will carry out assigned duties under direct and indirect supervision of senior nursing staff, assisting in the provision of routine clinical and research care for research participants. They will also provide, through divisional policies, a safe environment for the treatment of patients and protection of staff.
Clinical tasks undertaken by the AP will be ratified by the nursing Radiography and Rehabilitation Advisory Committee (NRRAC) and the research nurse team leader will be responsible for ensuring competency is achieved and maintained and as such clinical tasks to be undertaken will therefore be specific to each clinical area.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
1. These responsibilities will be carried out under the guidance of the research nurse.
2. Maintain compassion, empathy, dignity, comfort, and sensitivity of patients and their relatives at all times.
3. Monitor and record patients’ vital signs (including blood pressure, pulse, temperature, oxygen saturation) and report any abnormal results to registered nursing staff.
4. Measure and record patient’s height and weight.
5. Undertake clinical tasks relevant to the specific clinical area following competency sign off. For example: ECG, urinalysis, MRSA screening swabs, recording of allergies on EPR and other clinical tasks where training/competency sign off has been deemed appropriate for HCA/AP and has been ratified through NRRAC.
6. To demonstrate a understanding of infection control issues by attending mandatory training; understand infection control policy and procedure, accept responsibility for own infection control practice and be willing to challenge others practice.
7. Direct or escort patients and their belongings between departments and clinical areas.
8. To collect patients’ medications from pharmacy.
Person specification
Education/Qualifications
Essential criteria
9. First level registration
10. Post registration oncology qualification or equivalent relevant qualification;
11. Basic computer Literacy
12. Research methods education
13. Evidence of Continuing Professional Development
Desirable criteria
14. Relevant diploma / degree
15. Competence in research orientated PC software (Access, Excel, SPSS)
Experience
Essential criteria
16. Experience as a senior staff nurse or above working in a clinical research environment
17. Experience as a senior staff nurse in oncology nursing
18. Previous experience in clinical speciality of post applied for e.g. haematology, gynaecology, palliative care
19. Personal and Leadership Management experience
Desirable criteria
20. Experience of co-ordinating IRAS submissions
The Royal Marsden values diversity and is committed to the recruitment and retention of underrepresented minority groups. We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates, LGBTQ+ candidates and candidates with disabilities.
As a Disability Confident Employer, we are working to create a workplace that enables all staff to reach their full potential. We are committed to this because we know that greater diversity and inclusion will lead to an even greater positive impact for the people we serve.
Due to the high volumes of applications we receive, we reserve the right to close any adverts before the published closing date once we have received a sufficient number of applications. We advise you to submit your application as early as possible to prevent disappointment. Please ensure your information is accurate to avoid errors with processing your application
Flu Vaccination – What We Expect of our Staff
At The Royal Marsden we have an immune compromised patient population who we must protect as much as we can against the flu virus. Each year, seasonal flu affects thousands of people in the UK. Occurring mainly in winter, it is an infectious respiratory disease capable of producing symptoms ranging from those similar to a common cold, through to very severe or even fatal disease.
The wellbeing of our staff and patients is of the upmost importance to us, and it is the expectation of The Royal Marsden that all patient-facing staff have an annual flu vaccination, provided free of charge by the Trust.
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.