Overview
Nottingham therapeutic apheresis service is a rapidly growing service within clinical haematology at Nottingham city hospital. The service provides stem cell harvesting, T‑Cell collection, plasma exchange, red blood cell exchange and therapeutic photopheresis, serving patients referred from Derbyshire, Lincolnshire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Staffordshire. The apheresis service works closely with the Haematology Daycase unit delivering chemotherapy, immunotherapy and blood product transfusions.
As an apheresis nurse you will work closely with the apheresis lead clinical nurse specialist to provide all aspects of clinical care for patients and stem cell donors. You will be trained to perform a wide range of apheresis procedures and participate in the 24‑hour on‑call service.
Key Responsibilities
Clinical Responsibilities
* Take responsibility for the care of a caseload of patients requiring specialist apheresis procedures under the guidance of the Apheresis Lead Clinical Nurse Specialist.
* Be a highly competent, knowledgeable and visible practitioner within the speciality, ensuring the provision of excellent, evidence‑based nursing care for patients and their families.
* Take direct referrals, in accordance with apheresis service guidelines, assess, treat and refer patients to other members of the clinical team as required.
* Work alongside all members of the team to identify new ways of working that ensure high quality of care is delivered.
* Be a visible point of contact for patients, visitors, relatives and staff, acting as a resource for information and support.
* Ensure pre‑collection patient/donor evaluation is complete for autologous and allogeneic stem cell collections.
* In conjunction with ward or referral hospitals, provide advice and support to colleagues and patients to ensure mobilisation regime is carried out as per protocol.
* Develop skills in caring for central venous catheters, venepuncture, cannulation, intravenous drugs, chemotherapy and venesection, apheresis and blood product administration in accordance with hospital guidelines.
* Participate in applying and understanding the principles of cytotoxic handling and disposal as stipulated in local departmental policies and national legislation.
* Be a role model, ensuring the dignity, rights and confidentiality of patients and team members are protected and maintained in accordance with national standards and guidelines.
* In conjunction with the MDT, ensure patient care plans are regularly reviewed and evaluated, nursing records and documentation are maintained and current, and support patients and carers during the delivery of bad news, caring for terminally ill patients and the event of death.
Managerial Responsibilities
* Take charge and lead the apheresis unit in the absence of the Apheresis Lead Clinical Nurse Specialist.
* Take an active role in influencing service development through specific research and audit projects.
* Support the Apheresis Lead Clinical Nurse Specialist in gaining JACIE and Human Tissue Authority accreditation for the department.
* Collaborate with the transplant programme director and senior nurses to ensure compliance with JACIE/HTA specifications and standards underpinning the quality of the transplant service.
* Work with the Haematology Quality Manager to maintain and update Standard Operational Procedures (SOPs) for all aspects of apheresis.
* Assist with the establishment, motivation and development of the team.
* Contribute to a positive team and working environment, promote flexible working, encourage initiative, and minimise interpersonal conflicts that may affect performance.
* Convey and present information, written or verbal, formally or informally, ensuring confidentiality is maintained at all times in line with Trust policy and procedure.
* Maintain and support the unit with accurate incident reporting, ensuring appropriate action is taken where required.
* Apply the Directorate and Trust clinical governance strategies to the clinical area.
* Support the Apheresis Lead Clinical Nurse Specialist with an annual audit plan to develop and implement new processes within apheresis.
* Become competent at handling and investigating incidents using Datix, receiving appropriate training.
* Improve and maintain standards in nursing care by working with ward managers using benchmarking and audit tools.
On‑Call Service
* Work autonomously and accountably, prescribing emergency nursing care during out‑of‑hours/on‑call. Provide emergency apheresis procedures including plasma exchange, red blood exchange and out‑of‑hours stem cell harvesting.
Audit and Research
* As part of the quality management team, review current standards of care delivery through audit projects, undertake research projects where required and encourage team members to be involved.
* Encourage and facilitate evidence‑based practice in all aspects of care delivery.
Professional Development
* Take an active role in self‑development by reviewing performance, identifying development needs and taking appropriate action to meet those needs and lead on apheresis team objectives.
* Create a positive learning environment within clinical settings to encourage and facilitate individual and shared learning and professional development.
* Attend relevant training or apheresis study days, chemotherapy and haematology study days.
* Support the Clinical Nurse Specialist by implementing change in response to clinical, organisational and national demands in agreement with relevant parties.
Working Conditions
* Work within unpleasant clinical conditions (exposure to body fluids).
* Concentrate in intense and sometimes noisy environments.
* Cope with potentially violent and threatening situations.
* Fulfil Trust health and safety policies and procedures when performing risk‑associated procedures, including handling hazardous substances.
* Be physically able to push an apheresis machine around the hospital when lone working on‑call.
Equality and Diversity
We particularly welcome applications from people who identify as Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic, or Disabled. We are big believers in diversity and welcome new ideas to help develop our team in order to deliver world‑class healthcare.
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