FDS Cancer Clinical Nurse Specialist

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a highly motivated, enthusiastic and clinically skilled nurses to join a new Faster Diagnosis team of Cancer Clinical Nurse Specialists. This team will be instrumental in streamlining the process and improving the patient experience for patients referred into the organisation on an urgent suspected Lower GI cancer pathway.

We are looking for an experienced nurses with knowledge of colorectal cancer pathways who can work with our clinical team and support services across the Trust to develop and implement an improved service for patients with suspected Cancer.

The post holder will need to thrive in a team environment and use their own initiative to respond to changing service priorities with this patient group. It is expected that the individual will have the ability to establish close working relationships with senior colleagues, the ability to influence policy and practice and provide expert clinical and supportive care for patients. This role will provide an opportunity to lead and implement change within a new service.

Main duties of the job

This specialist nursing post will provide clinical support, expert care and clinical leadership to support patients with suspected cancer. This is a new and pivotal role within the Lower GI cancer team with a focus on the front end of the patient pathway to support faster diagnosis and improved outcomes for patients with suspected colorectal cancer.

The FDS Cancer Clinical Nurse Specialist will possess expertise in clinical risk evaluation, change management and the provision of educational support to patients, carers and colleagues across organisational and professional boundaries.

The successful candidate will be expected to demonstrate a higher level of practice in their direct care of patients and in their ability to plan and develop services. Utilising the skills of leadership and clinical expertise the post holder will deliver care which is patient centred, safe, and effective and in line with Trust values.

You will be expected to triage urgent suspected cancer GP referrals, conduct telephone assessments to determine further investigations required in collaboration with the consultant team. The role will require close working with key stakeholders to ensure patients are monitored and seen as quickly as possible, ensuring that delays are minimised and patients receive a definitive diagnosis or exclusion of cancer in line with the 28 day Faster Diagnosis Standard.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

This leadership role will encompass:

Clinical Management - management of all urgent suspected cancer referrals into the service; delivery of the nurse led triage service; determining and ordering all necessary tests at the point of triage and follow up delays; developing and running nurse led clinics; ensuring that 28 day patient pathways are closed as quickly as possible. Patient Assessment & Care - providing support and guidance to patients, their relatives and carers participating in decision making concerning their care; ensuring a patient orientated approach within the department; planning and developing services to support patient care. Multidisciplinary Collaboration - Working with consultants and healthcare teams within the Trust to develop a new and effective service; ensuring delivery of all tests and investigations fall within Trust Guidelines. GP Education - Building relationships with GP practices and providing guidance on referrals procedures to ensure all necessary information is provided to improve the quality of referrals. Leadership - development of the role in line with changing service needs; providing specialist expert clinical knowledge and advice to clinical colleagues; evaluation of service delivery to identify areas of improvement and initiate change.

Please refer to the attached document for a full Job Description and Person Specification