Job overview
A unique opportunity has arisen to join our friendly and dynamic team on Smithers ward. This is a great opening for an individual who wants to develop their clinical and managerial skills with the support of our ward-based practice educator.
Smithers ward is a friendly 23-bed oncology ward caring for patient with a wide range of cancers throughout their treatment pathway. On the ward we specialize in SACT administration, surgical treatments, symptom management and palliative care. There are also many more opportunities to develop skills in different areas.
Our unit offers a welcoming environment for patients, their relatives, and staff, ensuring high quality care is maintained. We are committed to supporting staff and patients throughout their journey. The ward offers flexible working and various learning opportunities to support both professional and personal development.
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.
4. To assume personal accountability for nursing care delivered to a patient in accordance with the NMC code of conduct. There is an expectation for post holders:
1. To promote a safe clinical environment for all patients, visitors and staff.
2. To participate in Trust initiatives around infection control and care quality indicators.
3. To assist with any local or trust initiatives to ensure the continuous improvement of the quality of services and safeguarding of high standards of care.
4. To be aware of all hospital policies and procedures and collaborate with other health care professionals to ensure that these are observed.
5. To help foster a supportive working environment and maintain staff morale
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:
5. Counterchecking patients’ vital signs, blood results, patient body surface area, chemotherapy prescription and consent before administration of treatment.
6. Educating patients on their treatment such as indications and side effects.
7. Ensuring necessary medication and follow up appointments are obtained.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. As a specialist cancer nurse, to assess the educational and informational needs of the patient and family. This includes producing and using appropriate materials to ensure optimum understanding of nursing care and the likely outcome.
11. To provide skilled care and expertise in venepuncture and/or cannulation.
12. To assess patients for a suitable central venous access device.
13. To provide education to patients on the care and management of central venous access devices and to adopt a problem solving approach to managing complications with all vascular access devices.
Person specification
Education/Qualifications
Essential criteria
14. NMC Registration
15. Evidence of ongoing professional development
Desirable criteria
16. Qualification in oncology or speciality Diploma or Degree level study (or equivalent) Recognised teaching qualification
Experience
Essential criteria
17. Experience in intravenous drug administration
18. 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
19. Experience in chemotherapy administration
20. Experience in Clinical Management
21. Evidence of relevant teaching experience
22. Knowledge and understanding of clinical trials management
Skills Abilities/knowledge
Desirable criteria
23. Experience in oncology or area of specialty
24. Venepuncture and/or cannulation skills
25. 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.
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.