Job overview
This interim three‑month role offers an exciting opportunity to work closely with the Lung Cancer Clinical Services team, where strong clinical experience and confidence in delivering high‑quality patient care are essential. The position is well suited to someone who can bring established skills to a busy and dynamic service, providing compassionate, informed support to individuals with lung cancer, as well as to their families and carers. It offers the chance to further develop your clinical expertise while making a meaningful difference during a pivotal time in a patient’s care journey, contributing to a responsive, patient‑centred service.
Main duties of the job
To support the Lung cancer clinical services in supportive care for patients with Lung cancers, their relatives and carers.
The postholder will be expected to work closely with the Lung Cancer Clinical Nurse Specialist, and the Respiratory Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT).
To be part of an established, integrated cancer and palliative care service that influences care by specialist practice, encompassing advanced clinical practice, education, and evidence based learning.
OBJECTIVES AND PURPOSE OF THE POST:
To support to the current Lung Cancer Clinical Nurse Specialist in providing expert cancer supportive care in order to implement NICE Lung Supportive and Palliative Care Guidance.
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
CLINICAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
To support patients, their carers, and staff as they cope with the diagnosis, recognising when there is a need to refer on for more specialist input. To provide a high level of interpersonal skills and support when breaking bad news.
To act as the patient’s advocate in decision making in regard to treatment options, providing support and information as appropriate.
To act as a point of contact for Lung cancer patients, and their families/carers.
To perform holistic assessment to ensure patient’s physical, social, psychological, and rehabilitation needs are met and refer to appropriate services when necessary.
To provide specialist nursing intervention to a defined group of patients and work as part of the multi-disciplinary team.
To provide specialist Lung cancer care, clinical advice, and support to nurses, health care professionals, and care agencies to ensure a high quality of individualised, patient centred care.
To support and communicate information to patients/carers, nurses, and MDT members on the complexities of treatment and aftercare.
To attend cancer and combined clinics, and the Lung Cancer MDT meetings.
COMMUNICATION RESPONSIBILITIES:
To work collaboratively and to liaise with a wide range of professions across the Mount Vernon Cancer Network.
To communicate effectively with community staff, Macmillan nurses, district nurses, and GPs.
To liaise with all members of the multi-disciplinary team to provide an effective and timely service to Lung cancer patients.
LEADERSHIP AND SERVICE DEVELOPMENT:
1)The postholder will be responsible for covering the service when the Lung Cancer Clinical Nurse Specialist is on annual leave, study leave, or sick leave.
2)To manage own caseload under the mentorship of the Lung Clinical Nurse Specialist.
3)To develop, implement, and work with service protocols, policies, and procedures, and to evaluate the effects.
4)To recognise own limitations and know when it is appropriate and desirable to ask for assistance.
5)To provide specialist nursing provision that is consistent and continuous, ensuring effective service delivery and cover.
TRAINING RESPONSIBILITIES:
1)To participate in clinical teaching sessions for medical and nursing staff, allied health professionals, and students in Lung cancer.
2)To encourage and facilitate research based nursing practices and teaching.
3)To participate in organisation and presentation of training/study days.
4)To be prepared to undertake professional courses in Lung cancer nursing, and to be aware of own learning needs.
5)To empower health and social care professionals to deliver high quality cancer and palliative care services by sharing knowledge and expertise.
RESEARCH RESPONSIBILITIES:
1)To facilitate and encourage research based nursing practice, critical evaluation, and to integrate theory into practice.
2)To participate in research and audit projects relating to Lung cancer care, as required.
3)To encourage user involvement, and in liaison with the Lung Cancer Clinical Nurse Specialist to identify potential areas for service development.
4)To collect monthly statistics on practice.
Person specification
Experience
Essential criteria
1. Experience of teaching/education
2. Working and supporting Lung cancer care patients/families
3. Ability to set and establish priorities
Desirable criteria
4. Management experience ie. ward management
Qualifications
Essential criteria
5. Relevant related post graduation certificate in cancer/palliative care/respiratory disease
6. RGN
Skills
Essential criteria
7. Knowledge of use of support structures
8. Develop and sustain relationships to influence health and good practice
9. Education and teaching skills
Desirable criteria
10. Counselling skills
Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.