Specialist Practitioner - Head and Neck / Sarcoma
We are looking for a knowledgeable, dedicated, and forward-thinking individual for this exciting role in Paediatric Proton Beam Therapy. The role will include taking a key role in co-ordinating the patient pathway, ensuring continuity of care; managing transition of care between local treatment centre, RMCH, and The Christie. You will be a knowledgeable expert in the process and stages of the paediatric patient care pathway and provide advice and support to the child and family pre, during and post treatment
Applicants will be working as part of a national service which offers PBT and radiotherapy to patients across the UK.
This is initially a fixed term position for 6 months due to team flexible working requests, it is likely to become a permanent position after a 6 month review.
Main duties of the job
* Plan and manage own workload and the workload of the service, in a flexible manner, ensuring that service provision meets the need of patients.
* Work with the clinical team to formulate clinical decisions and complex treatment plans to manage acute radiotherapy toxicity and psychosocial issues by responding to actual and potential health problems appropriately.
* Oversee and coordinate the referral and treatment pathway for patients referred for proton beam therapy (PBT) including managing the referral and treatment pathway for patients who require general anaesthetic.
* Accept and make appropriate referrals from/to other professional colleagues.
* Contribute to the coordination and effective management of the admission and discharge process.
* Liaise with RMCH to co-ordinate treatment during inpatient admissions for chemotherapy and acute episode of illness.
* Act as an expert resource and provide advice to ward/departmental areas and the wider community.
* Attend and participate in all relevant MDT's and clinics ensuring relevant information relating to patient treatment and care is communicated and received.
* Act as a patient advocate with clear feedback systems in place to the MDT and referring hospitals.
About us
The Christie is one of Europe's leading cancer centres, treating over 60,000 patients a year. We are based in Manchester and serve a population of 3.2 million across Greater Manchester & Cheshire, but as a national specialist around 15% patients are referred to us from other parts of the country. We provide radiotherapy through one of the largest radiotherapy departments in the world; chemotherapy on site and through 14 other hospitals; highly specialist surgery for complex and rare cancer; and a wide range of support and diagnostic services. We are also an international leader in research, with world first breakthroughs for over 100 years. We run one of the largest early clinical trial units in Europe with over 300 trials every year. Cancer research in Manchester, most of which is undertaken on the Christie site, has been officially ranked the best in the UK.
Job responsibilities
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Work with the clinical team to formulate clinical decisions and complex treatment plans to manage acute radiotherapy toxicity and psychosocial issues by responding to actual and potential health problems appropriately. Triage of patient cases referred for PBT to ensure suitability of referral in line with commissioning guidance Oversee and coordinate the referral and treatment pathway for patients referred for radiotherapy and PBT. Manage the referral and treatment pathway for patients who require general anaesthetic alongside PBT Lead ODP Serve as the named key worker for paediatric proton therapy patients at the point of eligibility at the paediatric radiation oncology MDT meeting. Manage the transition of care of paediatric patients between care settings. Act as a knowledgeable expert who understands the process and stages of the paediatric radiation oncology pathway. Ensure efficient use of available capacity and promote an integrated team approach across the service. Contribute to the development of national paediatric radiation oncology pathways through the clinical site groups. Lead on developing and updating patient and carer information Assist in the development of relevant protocols within the radiotherapy quality system. Accept and make appropriate referrals from/to other professional colleagues. Communicate with the patients referring specialist, GP and other community and hospice based services at regular intervals as appropriate. Contribute to the clinical governance process, including adverse incident reporting/investigation and the management of complaints, as appropriate. Attend meetings at managerial, Trust committee and local Trust partnership level, acting as advocate for area of work and profession.
Participate in national oncology/radiotherapy advisory boards and relevant working groups as invited. Assist in the development of integrated patient pathways (e.g. NICE Guidance on Cancer Services, NHS Guidance etc.).
Identify gaps in service provision and work with the MDT and cancer network to implement the changes required to improve service provision.
CLINICAL DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES
Participate in the direct clinical management of patients Work with the clinical team to formulate clinical decisions and complex treatment plans to manage acute radiotherapy toxicity and psychosocial issues by responding to actual and potential health problems appropriately Contribute to the coordination and effective management of the admission and discharge process.
PATIENT CARE
Develop a relationship that recognises the person (patient/family member/carer) as an individual. Give information, at an appropriate level of understanding, to ensure a patient is fully informed along all stages of the patient pathway. Develop and update patient specific information which is age appropriate. Co-ordinate the patient journey ensuring appointments and information is communicated to the patient in a timely fashion.
Act as a patient advocate with clear feedback systems in place to the MDT and referring hospitals. Communicate highly complex, sensitive information to patients and carers. Assess on a regular basis whether more support or advice is needed and offered where appropriate. Provide an important point of contact for the patient and those around them both during and after completion of treatment, ensuring continuation of care. To identify vulnerable children and children of vulnerable adults and work with Trust named nurse for safeguarding.
Cover other appropriate disease groups as required.
TRAINING AND EDUCATION
To develop and maintain competencies relevant to professional title and role Be present and involved in training days and conferences. Participate in the education of pre/post registration students. Contribute to educational programmes within the Trust and referring/associated centres. Educate patients and their carers on issues surrounding health promotion and illness prevention.
RESEARCH AND AUDIT
Facilitate relevant paediatric radiation oncology research and audit maintaining relevant competencies to record and contribute to research and trials Keep up to date with current research and publications. Initiate and support clinical audit with respect to evaluating service effectiveness and future developments within the role, developing and managing strategies to address any shortfalls. Disseminate relevant research findings to colleagues and members of the health professions via presentation and publication.
Person Specification
Qualifications
* RSCN/RN Child, degree in nursing studies equivalent or DCR(T) or BSc (Hons) Therapeutic Radiographer State Registered Therapeutic Radiographer.
* NMC or HCPC state Registration
* Evidence of post graduate study/ education in area relevant to role
* Post registration certificate in cancer or equivalent (nursing)
* Membership of relevant national bodies e.g. CCLG/PONF
* Advanced communication skills certificate
* Management/leadership course
* MSc or equivalent in related education area
Experience
* Expert experience of Paediatric oncology nursing or therapeutic radiotherapy procedures and pathways
* Evidence of participation in audit, research and-or radiotherapy development work.
* Expert understanding of paediatric oncology treatment regimes and pathways
* Experience of working in Paediatric radiation oncology
* Experience of research and audit procedures
Skills
* Ability to work effectively as part of an MDT
* Ability to work autonomously
* Ability to deliver a high quality of care
* Teaching skills
* Ability to produce high level research/audit papers for publication to professional journals and meetings
* Non medical prescribing
Knowledge
* Committed to own personal professional development and that of all nursing team
* Knowledge of safeguarding children
* Knowledge of relevant paediatric oncology supportive care teams, pathways and processes
* Knowledge in paediatric and TYA health issues and policy
* Knowledge of clinical audit process
* Knowledge of psychosocial support mechanisms, processes, and pathways
Values
* Ability to demonstrate the organisational values and behaviours
Other
* Flexibility in working hours
* Ability to travel to other Christie sites when requested.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
£47,810 to £54,710 a yearPer annum, Pro rata
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