Associate Clinical Nurse Specialist

Job overview

The post holder will be working along side the Band 7 CNS team, supporting patients referred in to the London Sarcoma Service. Taking part in multidisciplinary meetings (MDT), where there is an opportunity to learn about sarcomas from the discussions with radiologists, histopathologists, oncologists and surgeons. Supporting patients and their families from referral, to diagnostics, to diagnosis and though to treatment, and follow up.

Main duties of the job

Assisting in MDT's, presenting, and being an advocate for the patient.

Helping in the CNS run Telephone Biopsy Clinic, where patients are informed of the MDT's decision to proceed to perform a needle biopsy, and where a clinical assessment is undertaken, and explanation of the procedure.

Completing Holistic Needs Assessments for patients (HNA).

Visiting patient son the ward undertaking surgery.

providing a good line of communication to patients and families, via telephone, email or text.

Communicating with other professionals, both in the hospital and out side of the Trust.

Ensuring investigations are carried out as per the MDT.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please see attached Job description

To develop knowledge and skills to become a source of expertise on the management of sarcoma patients for primary and secondary health care professionals.

The post holder will become a clinical expert in the field of sarcoma and develop the skills necessary to lead in practice development and innovation, with specific regard to the development of autonomous nursing practice and nurse led services.

Work collaboratively and autonomously with authority, developing expert knowledge and skills to help design and deliver services across organisational, professional and geographical boundaries.

The role will include substantive direct patient care, role modelling, supervision, and education and facilitation of others to equip nurses for role expansion.

To be professionally and legally responsible and accountable for all aspects of own work including the management of patient care. To ensure a high standard of clinical care for the patients working within a competency framework for Advanced Practice.

To develop high levels of clinical skill including administration of medications e.g. Denosumab.

To communicate with and provide specialist advice and training to health care professionals on the management of sarcoma patients to ensure a co-ordinated and seamless service.

To share clinical responsibility for a designated caseload, and to organise this effectively and efficiently with regard to clinical priorities and use of time.

Deal with complex and sensitive information and be able to communicate this information in a kind and caring, sensitive manner to patients and their family. This will require skills of explanation, motivation and persuasion to overcome physical, emotional, mental and cultural barriers.

Be able to demonstrate empathetic interpersonal and communication skills when dealing with patients and carers throughout the patient pathway.

Maintain and promote effective communication with all members of the multi-disciplinary team and other wards and departments. Actively work towards improving communication through role modelling within members of the multi-disciplinary team.

To liaise with members of the Primary Care Trust when relevant.

Act as an advocate for the patient and their family enabling them to express their needs effectively when dealing with the multi-disciplinary team.

To maintain accurate, comprehensive, timely and up-to-date documentation in line with departmental and professional standards, including communication of assessment and investigation results to appropriate disciplines in the form of reports and letters.

To provide spontaneous and planned advice, teaching and instruction to patients, relatives, carers and other professionals from the multidisciplinary team to ensure a consistent approach to patient care. To refer on to a more experienced colleague if the post holder is unable to provide such support and advice.

Become a resource to all members of multi-professional teams across the region in the acute and primary care settings giving advice and guidance on the management of sarcoma ensuring a seamless, high-quality service.