Colorectal & peritoneal oncology clinical nurse specialist

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced, innovative and enthusiastic nurse to join our busy colorectal and peritoneal oncology team.

The Colorectal Nurse Specialist is an important member of the multidisciplinary team, providing information and support to all patients and their carers diagnosed with colorectal cancer requiring complex surgery as well as providing ongoing care throughout their cancer journey. The CNS will also care for patients with anal, appendix, sarcoma and neuroendocrine tumours. You will join the existing team of Nurse Specialists and be a key member in encouraging the delivery of high-quality care and ensuring national cancer standards are met.

We would welcome applications from highly motivated and dynamic nurses who have worked at a senior level within the specialty and oncology. Being able to work autonomously and as part of a team using excellent communication skills is essential.

In return we can offer you a supportive, stimulating working environment within a team committed to providing high quality patient care and continuing professional development.

Main duties of the job

You will provide specialist support and advice to patients acting as their Keyworker. You will oversee and co-ordinate care and personalise the patient pathway to deliver a supportive nursing service for patients and their families undergoing in-patient and out-patient treatment at The Christie. You will be responsible for delivering specialist cancer care across organisational, professional, and geographical boundaries both autonomously and as part of a highly valued member of the colorectal surgical oncology team. You will assist in the development of the service to improve patient care pathways. Support the more junior members of the CNS team in their development. Support the lead CNS with tasks and cover more senior tasks when the lead CNS is on leave.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

CLINICAL 1.    Perform a comprehensive Key Worker role for patients during their care pathway at the Christie Hospital. This involves the assessment of patient nursing needs, plan, implement and evaluate care delivery according to changing health care needs to ensure continuity of effective patient care and improve patient satisfaction.  2.    Liaise with other Clinical Nurse Specialists, Cancer Pathway Coordinators, and other professionals, as well as those from referring units, to ensure effective transfer of information across different NHS organisations.  Facilitate the hand­over and continuity of the Key Worker's role between the referring and treatment organisations to maintain consistency of care.

• Maintain advanced clinical skills in assessment, and knowledge of diagnosis and treatment options for the patient with the ability to undertake any relevant clinical skills.
• Collect, collate, evaluate and report information, maintaining accurate patient records in line with clinical governance and risk management. 5.    Use advanced communication skills in a variety of settings, including discussions around patient care and treatment plans with patients, carers, relatives and members of the multi-disciplinary team. 6.    Involve patients/carers in the planning and delivery of care and development of services to enhance the patient/carer experience. 7.    Apply evidence based research to practice. 8.    Act always in accordance with the NMC code of conduct and guiding documents       MANAGERIAL 1.    Manage an agreed case load negotiated with the CNS team working closely with the MDT                       co-ordinator’s. 2.    Manage all results and documentation for patient cohort group reporting any discrepancies to the senior clinical nurse specialist and/or lead consultant. 3.    Help foster a supportive working environment and maintenance of staff morale, promoting a culture in which all staff feel valued and able to reach their potential. 4.    Act as a role model to new staff and pre and post registered nurses. 5.    Work with surgical matron to ensure clinical standards of care are achieved and participate in audit of clinical care. 6.    To contribute to the production of an annual report circulating it widely and appropriately and to actively participate in the preparation for the Cancer Peer Review process. 7.    Support in leading junior members of the clinical nurse specialist team and support the surgical matron in evaluating service delivery initiating and implementing change, and in promoting an awareness of professional accountability. 8.    Participation in the development and implementation of policies, procedures and guidelines at local and network level. 9.    Actively participate in Clinical Risk Assessments and ensure correct documentation of Clinical Incidents in accordance with Hospital Policy.
• Ensure effective and efficient use of physical and financial resources. 11.    Be aware of responsibilities with regard to Health and Safety At Work Act. Maintain and develop an environment and culture that improves health, safety and security.

EDUCATION & DEVELOPMENT 1.    Identify learning needs, plan implement and evaluate programmes of education to meet identified need at local and national level. 2.    Participate in the education of pre and post- registered health care professionals/medical staff. 3.    Ensure own compliance with regard to mandatory training and revalidation requirements. 4.    Address specific health targets related to own area of practice; e.g. NICE, Improving Outcomes guidance and Department of Health Guidelines. 5.    Receives clinical supervision as part of own professional development. 6.    Maintain up to date skills, knowledge and awareness of professional issues. 7.    Participate in planned programmes of appraisal. 8.    Provide specialist, expert clinical knowledge to clinical colleagues, patients and carers/relatives both within and outside the Trust. RESEARCH & AUDIT 1.    Identify need for, and undertake, research, clinical audit, benchmarking, in collaboration with the team, in order to improve effectiveness of patient care. 2.    Disseminate research and audit findings through presentation to professional groups and publication. 3.    Contribute to the writing of protocols relevant to own clinical speciality. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: 1.    Develop teaching and presentation skills and apply the principles in the clinical setting. 2.    Contribute to the improvement and development of the CPOC service. 3.    Contribute to improving quality. 4.    Promote equality and value diversity.