Job overview
Are you an experienced nurse having worked in Womens Health / Oncology Services, and looking to develop yourself whilst supporting patients through their cancer journey? If yes, this role could be for you!
Due to maternity leave, we have a 30hrs per week role available for 9-12 months.
The role of the cancer nurse specialist is a critical one in providing holistic support to women and their families who have a diagnosis of gynaecological cancer. The role requires the post holder to work as an autonomous practitioner alongside the team of cancer nurse specialists and with support from the gynaecology-oncologists and the medical oncology team. The post holder will provide expert advice related to specific conditions and treatment pathways to patients, relatives and the nursing team within the ward and outpatient areas and wider MDT, whilst assessing the holistic needs of the patient, planning, implementing, coordinating and evaluating evidence based care, including psychological and psychosexual needs. The post holder is required to focus on improving the patient care experience and support service development. The post holder may be required to undertake specialist nursing procedures in relation to gynaecology-oncology.
Consideration will be given to a band 6 post as a developmental opportunity for the right candidate
Discussion with the team / matron is strongly advised for any interested candidates ahead of their application.
Main duties of the job
The role requires the specialist nurse to act as a key worker for designated patient caseloads as appropriate across the patients care pathway, planning and coordinating that care as appropriate, with support from the consultants as needed. In addition, the post holder is required to contribute to the development of the workforce, through developing and delivering education and training, as well as an expectation to participate in research activity and clinical audits within the specialist area.
The specialist cancer nurse will support a caseload of patients across their care pathway, including patients undergoing treatment via medical, surgical and radiotherapy. As a tertiary gynaecological cancer centre, the post covers patients receiving treatment at Preston from across Lancashire and South Cumbria.
The specialist nurse will be required to closely liaise with key stakeholders of the MDT, from radiologists, anaesthetists, oncologists, gynaecologists, operational managers and cancer trackers.
The experience and safety of the patient is of paramount importance to the cancer nurse specialist, whilst also providing, where necessary, support for relatives/carers of the patient.
Interview Date: TBC
Working for our organisation
We have 10,000 fantastic people working hard to deliver quality services to our patients. Whatever your role, you help look after 370,000 people in our local area & give specialist care to 2.1 million people across Lancashire & Cumbria.
Working with us gives you the knowledge and sense of pride that every activity you do genuinely does make a difference to support our patients & staff, ensuring we keep thriving & delivering outstanding healthcare right across our local towns.
You’ll have access to varied development opportunities, learn new skills, meet fab people & do things you’d never have done. You’ll learn about working in a hospital, interacting with people from all different roles to build skills & enhance your career path.
You’ll make an impact, be challenged to think differently, be bold & help innovate to keep improving things. Everything we do centres around patient care which means your role is pivotal and something really to be proud of
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Holistically assess the needs of patients and their families in order to plan and coordinate, implement and evaluate evidence-based care. Providing specialist advice to patients, their families and carers and the wider multidisciplinary team
Undertake an end of treatment nurse-led follow up holistic needs clinic for all patients
Develop and undertaken nurse-led telephone follow up clinics
Ensure the CNS team is easily accessible for patients and their relatives/carers, to address any urgent needs, signposting to relevant services as required, whilst aiming to avoid admission to hospital. Ensuring the advice line is manned daily where able, or that messages are answered and acted upon within 24 hours.
Communicate effectively and professionally with colleagues, patients and their carers, in a manner that is consistent with our Values, relevant legislation, policies and procedures
Assess patients information needs and provide relevant information to meet those needs at defined points in the patient pathway
Maintain accurate clinical records relating to nursing and medical management and ensure communication is consistent with legislation, policies and procedures
Attend and actively participate in multi-professional meetings, acting as the patients advocate and representing their views and needs.
Provide specialist support and guidance to other staff within wards and departments and wider MDT.
Act as a key worker for designated patients as appropriate across areas of the pathway.
Act as a role model for the service, presenting a positive image of self, team and the organisation.
Participate in innovation and change concerned with improving the standards of care for patients including participation in research activity and clinical audits in own specialist area
Influence and develop protocols and clinical guidelines
Encourage staff to be innovative in the development of patient care using evidence based practice whilst also working to promote the service and clinical excellence by publishing and presenting innovations, audit and research locally and nationally
Take personal responsibility for life-long learning and personal development through clinical supervision, appraisal, NMC revalidation and Knowledge and Skills Framework
Actively promote the workplace as a learning environment encouraging everyone to learn from each other and from external good practice
Contributes to the development of the workforce through developing and delivering education and training.
Maintain a clinically active presence and visibility on the wards and in clinics to lead, support and to educate
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
1. Appropriate NMC Registration (Level 1 Adult Nurse)
2. Degree level qualification
3. Post registration qualification relevant to role
4. Mentorship qualification or equivalent
Desirable criteria
5. Leadership and management qualification or equivalent (e.g. ILM level 4)
6. Masters degree in relevant subject area
7. Non-medical prescriber or willingness to complete
8. Diagnostic skills training
9. Teaching qualification
Knowledge & Experience
Essential criteria
10. Clinical experience within gynaecology or oncology nursing
11. Experience of working at a senior nursing level
12. Evidence of continuous professional development appropriate to role
13. Evidence of the ability to implement changes within nursing practice
14. Knowledge of local and national health and social care policy
15. Knowledge and experience of relevant research and innovation to clinical speciality
16. Demonstrable ability to work autonomously without direct supervision
17. Able to perform clinical duties commensurate to that of the role
18. Knowledge of policies, procedures and guidelines relevant to clinical speciality
Desirable criteria
19. Experience of managing a team within a clinical area
20. Experience of delivering a nurse-led clinic/service
21. Experience in developing, policies, protocols, leaflets and guidelines
22. Demonstrable experience in managing complex patients
23. Knowledge of the PDPR and appraisal process
24. Experience of budget management
Skills and abilities
Essential criteria
25. Self-motivation and able to motivate others
26. Able to obtain and evaluate information to aid decision making
27. Able to promote team working and best practice
28. Able to lead and manage other staff, including direct reports
29. Excellent communication skills with the ability to provide and receive complex, sensitive or contentious information, where persuasive, motivational, negotiating, training, empathic or reassurance skills are required.
30. Commitment to CPD of self and development of others
31. Ability to prioritise competing tasks
32. Excellent time management skills
33. IT literate
34. Ability to lead others in change management
35. Good presentation and teaching skills
36. Experience of mentorship and ability to identify learning and development needs