Overview
We are delighted to offer an opportunity for an ambitious and motivated colorectal clinical nurse specialist to focus on patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer. The successful applicant will be the key professional supporting a caseload of patients and their families throughout the colorectal cancer journey – from diagnosis to surgery and subsequent treatments.
Responsibilities
* Work cross-site to support patients diagnosed with or suspected of having colorectal cancer.
* Request appropriate investigations in line with current guidelines.
* Develop the service to become more streamlined and efficient within a modern NHS.
* Collaborate with management, finance and IT to ensure clinics are set up efficiently and in line with other services.
* Formulate written information to provide to patient groups.
* Refer patients to onward services when appropriate, providing comprehensive information to other health professionals.
* Refer patients with confirmed Lynch syndrome to the genetics service outside the Trust.
* Prepare clinical information for multidisciplinary team (MDT) and work with the MDT coordinator to ensure relevant patients are discussed.
* Attend weekly colorectal MDT meetings, presenting patients when required and regularly contributing to the discussion.
* Record clinic activity so that trends in annual activity can be analysed.
* Utilise advanced communication skills to manage episodes of care in a timely and reassuring manner.
* Conduct nurse-led clinics, including developing written protocols based on national standards, arranging investigations, reviewing results, diagnosing and referring back to a medical team as appropriate.
* Demonstrate specialist skills and knowledge through expert evidence‑based nursing practice.
* Maintain a high profile in the clinical area, acting as a role model for other health care professionals.
* Develop written protocols and operational policy to support autonomous practice of a specialist nurse conducting nurse-led clinics.
* Develop a deep understanding and broad knowledge of colorectal cancer and apply it to patient assessment.
* Participate in advanced communication skills while listening to and speaking with patients and their significant others.
* Utilise other MDT members when appropriate to facilitate comprehensive holistic assessment and care.
* Provide professional clinical leadership and expertise to other nursing staff.
* Conduct periodic audits for reporting as required nationally and within the Trust.
* Promote patient/carer independence through the provision of relevant teaching and support.
* Participate in and organise study days/education programmes.
* Develop resources and teaching packs for patients and/or staff.
* Proactively involve patients and the public to comment on the service and influence relevant changes.
* Ensure the provision of appropriate written information is available to patients and staff.
* Participate in the Trust's ongoing educational programmes.
* Liaise with other charities, organisations and agencies dedicated to colorectal cancer, LARS and Lynch syndrome.
* Promote bowel cancer awareness by participating in campaigns.
* Utilise up-to-date research findings in patient care and disseminate this knowledge to the multidisciplinary team.
* Participate in relevant research studies and audit findings, disseminating results to clinical practice to develop best practice.
* Identify opportunities for nursing research within own specialist area and carry out appropriate research.
* Regularly audit service, incorporating views of patients, carers and professionals to develop service improvements.
* Attend relevant departmental and Directorate and network meetings regarding clinical governance and contribute to the agenda.
* Liaise with team members to ensure efficient use of resources, human, financial and time.
* Ensure a safe and acceptable environment for clients/patients.
* Act as a patient/staff advocate, applying ethical, legal and professional knowledge and skills.
* Demonstrate continuous evaluation and reflection of own practice and make changes where appropriate.
* Participate in the established reflective practice meetings with the colorectal nursing team.
* Takes personal responsibility for life‑long learning and professional development through clinical supervision, appraisal and Trust standards.
* Be accountable for own training and development needs, including compliance with mandatory and statutory training requirements.
* Actively engage and identify opportunities for personal learning and development, including accredited training as appropriate.
* Ensure compliance with best practice and NICE guidance in relation to patient pathways, supporting junior colleagues in achieving compliance.
* Promote patient participation in decision making and enable informed choice of appointments following Trust booking policy.
* Undertake other duties as required by the line manager or Trust.
* Participate in annual review of the role and job description, and modify as required to meet the evolving nature of the post.
* Work collaboratively with all members of the multidisciplinary team and other health care professionals, recognising unique contributions and making appropriate referrals.
* Recognise own limitations and seek advice and support on referrals.
* Act as a resource within the Trust and participate in Trust-wide professional groups as appropriate.
* Represent the Trust locally and nationally, participating in and speaking at conferences.
* Act as a resource to primary care teams, attending meetings organised by the PCT.
* Provide specialist advice and support related to purchasing and commissioning of resources/services.
* Assist senior management with issues relating to the specialty.
* Act as a specialist resource for patient management.
Education & Leadership
* Registered Nurse Qualification.
* Degree‑level education.
* Post‑registration education in relevant specialty.
* Teaching qualification.
* Working towards a master’s degree.
Research, Audit & Quality
* Utilise up-to-date research findings in patient care and disseminate to MDT.
* Participate in relevant research studies and audit findings.
* Identify and carry out nursing research appropriate to the specialty.
* Regularly audit service, incorporating patient, carer and professional feedback.
* Attend clinical governance meetings and contribute to the agenda.
Management
* Liaise with team members to ensure efficient use of resources.
* Ensure a safe environment for clients/patients.
* Act as a patient/staff advocate with ethical, legal and professional knowledge.
* Promote compliance with best practice and NICE guidance.
Personal Development
* Continue evaluation and reflection of own practice.
* Participate in reflective practice meetings.
* Take responsibility for life‑long learning.
* Be accountable for training and development needs.
* Engage in accredited training and professional development.
Collaboration & Consultancy
* Work collaboratively with all MDT members and other health care professionals.
* Represent the Trust locally and nationally.
* Act as a resource to primary care teams.
* Provide specialist advice on purchasing and commissioning.
* Assist senior management with specialty issues.
* Act as a specialist resource for patient management.
Person Specification
* Job Title
* Trust Values
Putting patients first
Responsive to patients and staff
Open and honest
Unfailingly kind
Determined to develop
* Education and Qualifications
o Registered Nurse Qualification
o Degree level education
o Post-registration education in relevant specialty
o Teaching qualification
o Working towards a master's degree
* Experience
o Experience of working with patients with colorectal cancer
o Experience of working with other multidisciplinary members
o Autonomous working
o Delivering educational seminars to other staff
o Experience of working with electronic patient records
* Skills and Knowledge
o Demonstrate initiative
o Systematic working and documentation
o Excellent communication skills
o IT literate
o Ability to plan and prioritise own workload
o Demonstrates understanding of cancer waiting targets
o Collaborates well in a multidisciplinary team
o Demonstrates knowledge of colorectal cancer surgery
* Personal Qualities
o Flexible and adaptable in approach when required
o Works well under pressure and in stressful situations
o Approachable
o Motivated and enthusiastic
o Excellent communication skills
Key Working Relationships
* Colorectal MDT
* Colorectal consultants
* Consultant oncologist
* Specialist Palliative care Team
* Lead Nurse for Cancer
* Cancer Manager
* Cancer CNS team across both sites
* RM Partners
* MDT coordinators
* Genetics service Central Middlesex Hospital
* Physiotherapy department
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