Job Summary
We are looking for an individual who has a special interest in cancer care. A dynamic, organised, flexible, reliable & compassionate person to support patients and their families/carers with an UGI cancer. This would involve patients with an oesophago‑gastric or hepatobiliary cancer from diagnosis, through treatment and at end of life.
The post holder will be an effective core member of our Upper G.I Multidisciplinary team (MDT) demonstrating the highest standard of advanced supportive care in the management of patients with an UGI cancer. They will work as an autonomous expert practitioner, making critical holistic clinical decisions through assessment, monitoring and planning, facilitating timely investigations, coordinating care & providing information to enable patients to make informed choices.
A high proportion of our patients diagnosed with an UGI cancer have a palliative diagnosis; therefore the post holder will need to be prepared for the distressing nature of this role and have mechanisms in place to manage their psychological wellbeing.
Responsibilities
* Use specialist nursing skills to assess the physical and psycho‑social needs of patients within the defined caseload.
* Perform independent assessments of patients within nurse‑led clinics and telephone clinics & manage outcomes appropriately.
* Respond to helpline calls and act appropriately using specialist knowledge & skills.
* Support patients within the community setting and avoid hospital admissions when appropriate.
* Collaborate with the MDT to develop and advise a highly specialised programme of care for patients.
* Coordinate the patient pathway to ensure timely treatment, prevent breaches within Gloucestershire and liaise with tertiary centres.
* Assist patients to develop their own care plans, empowering decision‑making during anxious or uncertain times.
* Participate in regular in‑patient ward reviews, assessing patients and implementing care as appropriate.
* Request, interpret and respond to clinical investigations appropriately.
* Communicate advanced nursing and clinical information in a clear, sensitive manner, even when it may be distressing.
* Perform procedures such as drain or suture removals, or be willing to learn them.
* Work well independently and be a supportive team member.
* Attend and contribute to weekly MDT meetings, actioning outcomes and recording cancer data.
* Support the GUTSY patient support group, participate in patient education and support their needs.
* Retrieve, analyse and interpret information from computer‑based systems in accordance with the Data Protection Act; maintain clear, accurate and contemporaneous records.
* Maintain patient dignity and confidentiality at all times.
* Be willing to work between Gloucester and Cheltenham hospital sites.
* Show flexibility with your working day and hours.
* Manage your time effectively, reassessing and reprioritising workload amid frequent interruptions.
* Support your own emotional wellbeing when frequently involved in distressing situations.
* Ensure timely communication and actions between services and tertiary centres.
* Make independent decisions regarding patient care.
* Provide support, training and advice to your team and wider nursing & medical colleagues.
* Demonstrate strong interpersonal, negotiating and influencing skills.
* Support delivery of service objectives and provide high‑standard care to achieve excellent outcomes and patient satisfaction.
* Use prioritising and time‑management skills to meet unpredictable and conflicting service needs.
Professional Development, Education and Training
* Possession of excellent communication skills and willingness to undertake Advanced Communication skills training.
* Possession of Independent & Supplementary prescriber qualification or ability to work towards it.
* Possession of recognised qualification covering Physical Examination and Clinical Reasoning or ability to work towards it.
* Possession of Non‑Medical Radiology requesting qualification or ability to work towards it.
* Commitment to personal and professional development through independent performance reviews and reflective practice.
* Maintain knowledge and understanding of research and evidence‑based practice.
* Willingness to contribute to specialist area research, audits and develop programmes or pathways within clinical governance.
Qualifications
* Registered nurse on the relevant part of the NMC register.
* Evidence of ongoing professional development and clinical experience, e.g. cancer or palliative care module.
Desirable Qualifications
* Evidence of Masters level learning or willingness to undertake.
* Non‑medical prescribing qualification.
* Advanced Communications skills course.
* Level 2 or above psychological skills training.
Knowledge
* Acts as a role model and leads by example to reinforce the Trust’s values and behaviours throughout the area of practice.
* Demonstrates ability to keep up to date with professional issues that influence clinical practice, management, education and research.
* Contributes to the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of policies/protocols/guidelines relevant to the area of practice.
Experience
* Substantial experience at Band 5 with specialist clinical skills and experience within a relevant area of practice (e.g. Upper GI, oncology, palliative care).
* Leadership and management experience (desirable).
Personal Attributes
* Enthusiastic, highly motivated and self‑aware.
* Reliable, adaptable and dependable.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and will require a submission for disclosure to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. Please see the NHS Careers website for further information.
Employer Details
Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Gloucestershire Royal Hospital
Gloucester
GL1 3NN
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