Job overview
The Cancer Services Improvement Partnership have evidenced that patients being urgently referred for suspected Upper GI cancer do not need to attend an initial outpatients consultation. If the patient is properly assessed at the point of referral they can be booked ‘Straight To Test’ e.g. endoscopy. This model will reduce the waiting time for the patient to be diagnosed and treated and will reduce the number of times the patient will need to come to the hospital thereby improving the patient experience. The revised model will also free up new outpatient appointment slots to reduce the pathway of the other source of referrals for Upper GI symptoms. This will help the Trust meet the cancer and routine waiting time targets.
This will include, but is not limited to, conducting telephone and face to face triage assessments, booking appropriate tests based on the patients’ symptoms and fitness, providing appropriate patient information and booking an outpatient appointment for those unsuitable for STT. Decision making with the results.
KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS
Including:
1. Endoscopy booking office
2. Outpatient booking team / cancer bureau
3. Matron – General Surgery and Cancer and Palliative Care
4. Upper GI Nurses
5. Waiting List Manager
6. Upper GI MDT
7. Upper GI Surgeons
8. Endoscopy Lead
Main duties of the job
9. Triage of referrals to the appropriate pathway (STT or Outpatient Appointment)
10. Pre-assessment of patient’s to the right diagnostic procedure(s) for their symptoms i.e. Endoscopy, CT – thorax, abdo, pelvis.
11. To work closely with the Upper GI Teams to provide a timely and quality service
12. Responsible for decision making with results of investigations.
13. Audit outcomes and provide statistics to the Cancer Management Teams.
14. Demonstrates advanced communication skills in all contexts – with patients, their families and carers, senior medical and nursing staff.
15. Establishes a relationship of trust with patients, their families and carers as partners in their care.
16. Ensures the rights of the patient are acknowledged and respected.
17. Demonstrates a high level of clinical knowledge and expertise in Upper GI nursing.
18. Undertakes assessment of patients on a 2WW pathway.
19. Manages nurse led telephone clinics.
20. Makes judgements involving complex facts or situations which will require analysis, interpretation and comparison of a range of options in order to reach the best decision with an individual patient.
21. Communicates the patients’ health status using appropriate terminology, format and technology to the Multidisciplinary Teams as necessary.
Working for our organisation
Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.
Our values
We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience - we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. We achieve this by using values based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and creating a culture that values differences.
Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
This will include, but is not limited to, conducting telephone and face to face triage assessments, booking appropriate tests based on the patients’ symptoms and fitness, providing appropriate patient information and booking an outpatient appointment for those unsuitable for STT. Decision making with the results.
Please see detailed Job Description attached.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
22. RGN Level 1 ENB 998/MSSP or equivalent
23. 1st level degree or working towards
24. ENB 998/MSSP or equivalent
25. Evidence of Continuing professional development
Desirable criteria
26. Experience of research and audit
27. Evidence of implementing innovative practice
28. Knowledge of appropriate standards and external bodies (CQC)
29. Experience of clinical governance and audit
Skills
Essential criteria
30. Excellent communications skills (written and verbal)
31. Ability to lead a team and work on own initiative
32. Ability to deliver high quality nursing care
33. Ability to motivate others and be a good team player
34. Ability to prioritise care associated with changing environment /patient demands
35. IT/Computer skills including MS Word Excel and Powerpoint
36. Presentation Skills
37. Able to demonstrate knowledge of endoscopy care and therapeutic treatments
Desirable criteria
38. Management/leadership course
39. Knowledge of endoscopic procedures
40. Masters Level Degree or working towards academic achievement
Experience
Desirable criteria
41. Previous Upper G.I experience
Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
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.