Job overview
The drug development unit is a globally competitive, early clinical trials unit that conducts first in human clinical trials for patients with advanced cancer when all avenues of standard treatment have been exhausted. The unit comprises of an in-patient 9 bedded ward, day care area and outpatient clinic. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to work in all areas as part of their induction before joining the in-patient ward team.
The Staff Nurse role here is diverse and combines aspects of the traditional staff nurse duties with some research responsibilities. Care involves trial related assessments, oral and IV treatment, symptom control and supportive treatments. It is a unique opportunity to broaden your knowledge and skills whilst providing high quality care and emotional support to patients with advanced cancer.
The successful candidate will, ideally, have experience in either chemotherapy and/or clinical trials. The ability to prioritise a busy workload and work well within a multidisciplinary team is essential.
Main duties of the job
1. To coordinate and supervise a shift, communicating effectively with members of a multidisciplinary team to deliver high quality, evidence-led care to patients.
2. To exercise clinical judgment and decision making about patient needs in terms of long term goals or plans.
3. To participate fully in the day to day organization and running of clinical trials including the recruitment, education and monitoring of patients entering a clinical trial and liaison as required with trial sponsors.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
To complete the first level assessment of patients with cancer and their families to gain an understanding of their physiological, psycho-social, spiritual and cultural needs and to develop a positive, realistic and supportive attitude to ensure that these needs are met. This will include:
4. Counterchecking patients’ vital signs, blood results, patient body surface area, chemotherapy prescription and consent before administration of treatment.
5. Educating patients on their treatment such as indications and side effects.
6. Ensuring necessary medication and follow up appointments are obtained.
7. To plan, document, deliver and evaluate care plans from admission through to discharge / transfer discussing this with the patient, their family and multi-disciplinary teams and to alert the Sister/Charge Nurse of any changes. To set goals for each of the identified nursing issues and encourage / teach other nursing staff to do the same. To help the patient achieve set goals through care planning.
Person specification
Education/Qualifications
Essential criteria
8. NMC Registration
9. Evidence of ongoing professional development
10. RMH Certificate in Intravenous Drug
11. Administration or to be obtained within three months of appointment
Desirable criteria
12. Qualification in oncology or speciality
13. Diploma or Degree level study (or equivalent)
14. Recognised teaching qualification
Experience
Essential criteria
15. Experience in intravenous drug administration
16. Sufficient post registration nursing experience in oncology or speciality to be confident and competent in using the required skills to do the job
Desirable criteria
17. Experience in chemotherapy administration
18. Experience in Clinical Management
19. Evidence of relevant teaching experience
20. Knowledge and understanding of clinical trials management
Skills Abilities/knowledge
Desirable criteria
21. Experience in oncology or area of specialty
22. Venepuncture and/or cannulation skills
23. Evidence of understanding of the NHS Plan and current NHS issues
24. Computer Literacy (e.g. use of Microsoft Word and Outlook)
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
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.