Job overview
An exciting opportunity has arisen to recruit an enthusiastic, motivated, experienced chemotherapy nurse to join our management team on the Chemotherapy Village as a Deputy Sister or Deputy Charge Nurse. This is for a 12 Months Secondment.
The candidate will need to be competent in the administration of SACT with in depth SACT drugs knowledge and have experience working in an outpatient chemotherapy unit.
We are looking for committed individuals with excellent organisational and interpersonal skills to work on our fast-paced unit. We also work at a satellite service based at Queen Mary's Hospital at Sidcup, staff would be expected to work at both sites as required.
The successful applicant must be competent in the administration of chemotherapy and have experience at Band 6 level.
The successful candidate will be expected to work four long days ( hours) for four days a week at present, we are currently closed weekends but work bank holidays. Current working days are Monday to Friday. Opening hours are 08:00-18:00pm Guy’s site and 08:30-18:30pm Queen Mary’s Hospital.
Successful candidates will be asked to complete a 5-10 minute presentation. The topic/title will be given if requested for interview. PowerPoint style presentation is required.
Main duties of the job
Main duties of the job involves day to day administration of SACT and supportive therapies including intravenous, sub-cutaneous and oral handouts. The role includes working with junior members of staff, as well as supervising the completion of other areas SACT competencies. The Deputy Sister/Charge Nurse role will involve management time to support the Sister team with tasks such as audits, sickness management, appraisals, reports, role modelling on the unit and supporting junior colleagues.
The new state of the art Cancer Centre at Guy’s Hospital is a hub for South East London, providing specialist cancer services, training, development and research. This will also help us to improve both cancer treatments and outcomes for our patients. By having our patients come to single site for both their cancer diagnosis and their ongoing cancer treatment, the center assists us in providing a seamless stream of care.
We are passionate about constantly improving our service and delivering high quality care to our patients and strive to build upon our already 'excellent' rated service. We have a significant focus on patient feedback and involvement and with a current satisfaction rate of above 97% are proud to be at the forefront of developing new and dynamic approaches to oncology and haematology care.
Working for our organisation
Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust comprises five of the UK’s best known hospitals – Guy’s, St Thomas’, Evelina London Children’s Hospital, Royal Brompton and Harefield – as well as community services in Lambeth and Southwark, all with a long history of high quality care, clinical excellence, research and innovation.
We are among the UK’s busiest, most successful foundation trusts. We provide specialist care for patients including heart and lung, cancer and renal services as well as a full range of local hospital and community services for people in Lambeth and Southwark.
We have a long tradition of clinical and scientific achievement and – as part of King’s Health Partners – we are one of England’s eight academic health sciences centres, bringing together world-class clinical services, teaching and research. We have one of the National Institute for Health Research’s biomedical research centres, established with King’s College London in 2007, as well as dedicated clinical research facilities.
We have around 25,500 staff, making us one of the largest NHS Trusts in the country and one of the biggest employers locally. We aim to reflect the diversity of the communities we serve and continue to develop new and existing partnerships with local people, patients, neighbouring NHS organisations, local authorities and charitable bodies and GPs.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Clinical Leadership and Managerial
1. Provide strong clinical leadership skills, supporting, energising, inspiring and empowering others in pursuit of a shared vision to ensure the effective management of the ward/department.
2. To assist and support the Sister/Charge Nurse in the establishment of an efficient working environment, making the most effective and efficient use of staff, supplies and services.
3. In co-ordinating the day-to-day management of the clinical area, delegates duties and care appropriately, whilst maintaining overall responsibility.
4. Ensures that staffing and skill mix is maintained, at all times, to a level that does not compromise patient safety.
5. Responsible for the assessment and subsequent ordering of bank and agency staff within the clinical area including being an authorised signatory for temporary staff
6. To be involved in the development, assessment and implementation of guidelines, protocols and pathways.
7. To deputise for the Sister/Charge Nurse in their absence.
8. To attend and participate in monthly departmental meetings and ward rounds in the absence of the Sister/Charge Nurse. To help to promote new ideas and methods for the delivery of care and assist in their implementation through liaison and co-operation with the multidisciplinary team.
9. To participate in the development of care pathways to promote uniformity of care.
10. To apply the Directorate and corporate Clinical Governance strategies to the clinical area.
11. Deal with complaints in a calm and courteous manner, ensuring that wherever possible complaints are dealt with efficiently and satisfactorily and resolved locally.
12. Support the Sister/Charge Nurse implement local initiatives within the area.
13. When required to be involved with managing local projects within the area.
14. Understand and participate in the procedure for ordering supplies as required with the agreed budget and to ensure the appropriate use of resources.
15. Responsible for maintaining stock control controlled drugs.
16. Authorisation to sign Bank and Agency staff time-sheets.
Clinical and Patient Care
17. Assesses patients, plans, implements care, provides specialist advice and maintains associated records.
18. Working autonomously to manage a caseload of patients. Acting as a lead assuming responsibility and accountability for assessing implementing and evaluating the nursing care for the designated clinical area.
19. Ensure that nursing care delivered within the ward is compliant with legal, professional and organisational standards.
20. Responsible for the correct administration of prescribed medication including transfusion of blood
21. Responsible for the correct administration of blood products.
22. To provide leadership, support and guidance to staff in monitoring the planning delivery and evaluation of individualised care.
23. Responsible for the correct administration of prescribed medication including transfusion of blood and blood products.
24. Ensure safe and effective care for complex patients requiring advance clinical skills.
25. Be responsible for assessing and recognising emergencies in the speciality. To interpret information and take appropriate action and to lead others to do the same.
26. Act as an advocate for patients within the department, to ensure a patient orientated approach to the delivery of care and to meet standards within the NHS Plan and other relevant guidelines.
27. Ensure that patients’ receive high quality clinical care and a good patient experience, having regard for their customs, religious beliefs and doctrines.
28. Recognise and avoid situations that may be detrimental to the health and wellbeing of the individuals.
29. Is wholly accountable for his / her practice in line with the NMC code of professional conduct and takes every reasonable opportunity to sustain and improve his / her knowledge and professional competence.
30. Responsible, for maintaining a safe environment for patients, visitors and other staff within the clinical environment.
31. Ensure that sensitive patient records are stored appropriately.
32. Ensures the cultural and spiritual needs of patients are recognised and accommodated within resources available.
33. Initiate investigation at clinical level in relation to risk incidents and report in accordance with directorate policy a risk management.
34. Participate in case conferences in relation to the management of patients, ensuring the coordination of ongoing care.
35. Overseeing appropriate discharge arrangements with voluntary and statutory agencies to ensure continuity of care from the hospital to the community, inpatient admission or continuing care setting.
36. Ensure staff take precautions to minimise the risk of cross infection in relation to the safe disposal of body fluids (including blood).
37. A key member of the multidisciplinary team in supporting patients and their carers during the delivery of bad news such as caring for the terminally ill patients and the event of death.
38. Assess educational and information needs for patients and families, and devise plans to ensure need are met.
39. To supervise the assessments and interventions of junior staff in relation to patient care.
40. Ensuring patients and their carers have a level of knowledge about their illness and their care commensurate with their individual needs.
41. Completes patient documentation fully, ensuring that all entries are accurate and legible and that information systems are maintained by all members of the team.
42. Understand and be able to order tests using the Trust EPR system.
People Management, Training and Education
43. Assist the Sister/Charge Nurse in any grievance, disciplinary, performance or sickness issues as appropriate and in accordance with Trust procedures.
44. Assist in the recruitment and retention of nursing staff.
45. Ensure and support the Sister/Charge Nurse manager in the delivery of the IPR programme.
46. Assist the Sister/Charge Nurse in developing a culture that is challenging, stimulating, rewarding and supportive.
47. Actively participating in the selection, training, and supervision of the NVQ Clinical Support Workers and ensure that all staff are aware of the assessment process.
48. Assess the need for and plan and implement suitable staff development programmes for nursing staff in conjunction with the Sister/Charge Nurse within the clinical area to ensure the effective care of all patients.
49. Assist the Sister/Charge nurse to ensure that all students and newly appointed staff have identified mentors/preceptors.
50. To act as mentor/assessor to unqualified staff and to provide education, advice and support to a team of nurses.
51. Ensuring within mentorship that student nurses and post-registration students allocated to the area are given appropriate teaching, support and guidance, in accordance with clinical area/personal objectives and that all documentation is complete.
52. Contribute and assist the Sister/Charge Nurse to foster a learning environment within the clinical area.
53. To participate in education on a national and international level by attending, presenting at, and/or assisting in the coordination of study days/seminars/conferences etc.
54. Be aware of the local equipment training programme for staff in relation to the Clinical Negligence Scheme for Trusts and maintain training records.
Person specification
Qualifications/ Education
Essential criteria
55. RN1/ RN2/ RN12 or RN Child Registered Nurse on the NMC register.
56. Evidence of ongoing professional development in relevant area of speciality
57. Mentorship/Teaching Qualification (SSSAP)
58. Qualification for SACT Administration (Systemic Anti-Cancer Therapies).
Desirable criteria
59. Leadership or Management qualification or equivalent experience
60. Recruitment and selection course
Skills
Essential criteria
61. Ability to organise and plan own time and that of junior staff and learners.
62. Good communication skills and an ability to deal with sensitive information/challenging situations.
Experience
Essential criteria
63. Proven experience of managing a unit; including management of rotas, competencies, resources and staff.
64. Experience of teaching/assessing/ supervising others in a clinical setting.
65. Demonstrates an understanding of audit and research based nursing practice.
Desirable criteria
66. Experience of clinical supervision
67. Experience of supporting recruitment campaigns and undertaking interviews.
Values and behaviours
Essential criteria
68. Trust values and behaviours
Guy’s and St Thomas’ celebrates, respects and values the diversity of its staff and patients. We review our policies, procedures and practices to ensure that all employees, patients and carers are treated equitable according to their needs. We are actively committed to ensuring that no one who applies for a job, works or study’s at the Trust, or accesses our services is discriminated against on the grounds of race, ethnicity, nationality, disability, religion or belief, age, gender identity, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity/paternity, or marital/civil partnership.