Haematology Clinical Nurse Specialist

Job overview

To support the provision of Level 2b Haematology services ensuring a co-ordinated, comprehensive and holistic service for patients with a Haematological diagnosis.

The Haematology Nurse Specialist will be an integral member of the multiprofessional team providing specialist nursing support for staff, patients and their carers.

To support the Haematology multiprofessional team in the implementation of novel SACT regimens the introduction and implementation of new commercial and non commercial clinical trials.

To be named keyworker for patients with a Haematological malignancy throughout the disease trajectory.

To undertake Nurse-led follow clinics with Consultant oversight

To provide close liaison with the hospitals where referrals are received from, also units treating patients requiring intensive treatment including Car T cell therapy, Stem Cell and Bone Marrow Transplantation.

To facilitate the links between the hospitals in the Trust and community, to provide a coordinated system of referral that will ensure that continuity of care takes place.

They will work together with the Lead Haematology Nurse and MHDC team to deliver an excellent patient focused service for patients.

Main duties of the job

Facilitate the delivery of Systemic Anticancer therapy (SACT) including supporting and training junior staff to ensure safe delivery of complex drug regimens

Keyworker to patients with Haematological malignancy to provide personalised care throughout their cancer journey

Undertake Nurse Led  Telephone follow up clinics with MDT support and Consultant supervision

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Responsibilities and key result areas to include:

Vision, Strategy and Business development

• To work in conjunction with other members of the specialist multi-professional team to provide expert clinical care to patients and carers with a diagnosis of a Haematological malignancy.
• To ensure the provision of specialist/expert knowledge and research based practice to all patients requiring specialist haematology care.
• To act as a specialist resource to other members of the multi-professional team involved in the planning, co-ordinating and delivery of care to patients with a Haematological malignancy and their carers.
• The post holder will be in regular contact with the following groups to facilitate the care of patients with a Haematological malignancy.
• Multi-professional team including (acute and primary care team)
• Specialist Palliative care services
• Social services
• Local and National support groups
• Governance, Quality and Performance

1              To ensure a high standard of care based on the assessment, development, implementation and evaluation of programmes of care, identifying priorities and realistic goals involving patients, their carers and the multi-professional team.

2              To be knowledgeable of the treatment regimens and side effects of treatments related to haematology conditions. To adopt a problem solving approach in managing the potential complications of treatments.

3              To Support the medical team in Bone Marrow and lumber puncture investigations. Participate in the safe administration of Intrathecal Chemotherapy providing the ‘Nurse Checking’ role in conjunction with National and Trust Policies, in the designated areas for adult patients.

4              If competent and requested to: carry out practical clinic tasks, providing all care and supervision required to provide Blood transfusions and other intravenous treatments to these patients.

5              To provide coordination of care for patients with neutropenia, establishing links with other areas of the Trust involved in their care.

6              To organise workload, ensuring it reflects the core components of the Nurse Specialist role allowing time for patient contact, management of the service, education of patients and staff and participation in local and network groups.

7              To be a point of contact for the patient as the keyworker, to work in collaboration with the patient, MDT members and other appropriate services to provide access to services and information, promoting continuity along the treatment pathway.

8              To ensure safe administration and storage of Systemic Anti Cancer Therapy (SACT).To supervise and teach junior staff as required

• 9              Assist junior staff in completion and assessment of UKONS SACT passport Ensure all relevant investigations are carried out prior to administration of chemotherapy treatment and to complete all relevant documentation.  Co-ordinate patients’ treatment as a result of pre-treatment investigations.

10           To co-ordinate the service for patients, facilitating effective communication within the multi-professional team to ensure care is delivered as per agreed care pathway.  This will include:

Liaison with Consultants regarding MDT outcomes and planning ;

• Attendance and close liaison with all clinics to ensure timely referral of all newly diagnosed patients and their families;
• ensure patients with disease recurrence are fast-tracked to relevant specialist team for intervention
• establishment of non-urgent/urgent contact advice service for patients and carers.

11           To support the Lead Haematology Nurse in the provision of protocols and guidelines for the care of haematology patients, ensuring that all nursing colleagues are aware of them and are able to work within their parameters.

12           To receive and provide patients and their families with highly distressing, sensitive and complex information, using developed empathy, reassurance and counselling skills. Be in attendance and support patients when given diagnosis or ‘bad news’

13           To act as a resource person in specific skills/care for patients, carers and other members of the multi-professional team.

14           To promote professional development by the use of research evidence-based practice.

15           To maintain accurate documentation and collation of data as indicated/required by the multi-professional team.

16           To undertake specific projects as requested by the Nursing Services Manager or MDT Lead Clinician.

• 17           To establish and undertake Nurse led follow up clinics, creating SOP and MDT processes to ensure safe patient management . 18           Implement PIFU( patient initiated follow up ) into practice  alongside Haematology MDT team Communication and Partnership Working

1              To practice as a professional at all times demonstrating a responsible attitude to promote team working and confidence in all specialties Haematology.

2              To support the Trust nursing strategy as it relates to the role of the Clinical Nurse Specialist. To be aware of, and adhere to, Trust policies and be conversant with emergency procedures and to attend required update sessions.

3              To accept professional responsibility and accountability for managing workload effectively.4              To work closely with the Nursing Service Manager and MDT Lead Clinician to ensure the service is developed in line with corporate strategy.

5              Develop the Haematology nursing service to reflect up to date  national guidance:

6              To assist with the implementation and evaluation of areas of practice development. Also liaising and arrange training for the implementation of novel treatments when they are licensed for use.

7              To be actively involved with clinical audit, monitoring of clinical outcomes and use of quality life indicators. Assist Haematology Support worker in completion of eHNA (Electronic Holistic Needs Assessment) and creation and implementation of care plans.

8              To develop in collaboration with colleagues from the multi-professional team, specific information for patients and carers. .Liaising with Blood cancer charities, Macmillan and local services .

9              To actively participate in professional forums representing the Haematology service, feeding back to appropriate personnel. To attend RM Partner meetings and Local Cancer board as required.

10           Be aware as a changing and developing organisation that will require a flexible response to any future restructuring of services to best meet the needs of patient care. This may result in the future in some cross-site working.

11           Be a visible and approachable resource for patients and staff for clinical and personal issues.

1              To identify educational needs of health professionals caring for patients with Haematological cancers and participate in formal and informal education programmes. Support the trust in training and assessment of CVAD ( Central Venous Access Devices)

2              Work collaboratively with the research team and support the recruiting of patients into clinical trials and the subsequent delivery of SACT treatment.

3              To keep updated with developments in nursing and haematology care by regular review of the literature and attendance at relevant study as discussed and identified at joint appraisal, disseminating this information to relevant staff groups.

4              To be aware of the current clinical trials available for haematology patients and/or those at high risk of this condition

5              To participate in and contribute towards any related research programmes, which have been formally agreed within limits of time and funding.

1              The post holder must at all times follow and adhere to the NMC Code of Professional Conduct for Nurses.

2              To maximise use of available resources to benefit patient care to ensure any changes in clinical practice with resource implications are discussed in advance with the Nursing Service Manager.

3              To ensure that all duties are carried out to the highest possible standard and in accordance with quality initiatives within the area of work.

4              To have a dynamic, positive ‘can do ‘attitude to adapt and evolve the needs of the Haematology service.

5              To undertake regular individual performance review in conjunction with the Haematology Clinical Nurse Specialist and agree personal development plans in line with service objectives.