Deputy unit manager

Job overview

We are currently looking for a Senior Staff Nurse/ Deputy Sister to join us at University Hospitals Sussex in our day unit cancer centre - Fernhurst unit.

The Deputy Sister is a member of the multi-disciplinary team providing skilled care and specialist knowledge to cancer patients and their families / partners /friends undertaking SACT at the both sites.

The post holder will lead with clinical excellence in the management and support of staff, administrating and caring for patients on SACT. The post holder will have the ability to identify the particular needs of these patients and provide information, support and specialist expertise to enable nursing staff and the patients/carers to understand and cope with diagnosis and treatment.

The post holder will assist the Unit Manager in maintaining the effective management of staff, safety and resources in providing a high standard of patient care and smooth running of the service.

We would welcome applications from Band 5 nurses with SACT qualifications looking to extend their experience into a potential development role. This would involve working 6-12 months at a Band 5 level with a view to progressing to a Band 6 role once competencies have been agreed and achieved.

We welcome applications from those who currently hold a UK NMC registration. If you currently hold an overseas nursing qualification and require sponsorship we are not currently direct hiring Internationally Qualified Nurses.

Main duties of the job

• Management and coordination of a clinical area on the SACT unit.
• Administer SACT and IV drugs as part of nurse led SACT service.
• Provide highly complex information to patients / carers about all aspects of the cancer disease process (diagnosis, prognosis, symptom management and when treatment fails).
• Have highly developed knowledge of the drugs administered for the treatment of cancer and the potential complications and side effects of these drugs.
• During administration of treatments provide highly skilled nursing care to ensure patient safety. This includes the immediate management of acute reactions and potential complications during drug administration, for example the extravasation of chemotherapy.
• Demonstrate highly developed skills in cannulation and venepuncture skills with appropriate training
• Work cross site at Worthing Hospital in Amberley Unit or Balcombe ward when clinical demand requires

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• Work unsupervised providing nursing care as part of the multi-disciplinary team to patients on the Unit - Communicating with, and referring to other healthcare professionals as necessary.
• Deliver a high standard of individualised holistic patient care to promote and maintain all aspects of his / her physical, social, cultural and psychological well-being.
• Provide highly complex information to patients / carers about all aspects of treatment (chemotherapy, radiotherapy, venous access devices, side effects management). Using the highest level of communication and interpersonal skills and ensuring that the information is in easily understood language.
• Act as a role model and ensure effective staff supervision with clinical practice, working with staff and patients in an advisory, teaching and support capacity and maintaining professional competence, authority and credibility.