Immunotherapy Specialist Nurse Practitioner

Job overview

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced nurse to take on this specialist nursing role. You will primarily work within the Acute Oncology Service based at the Aylesford Unit at Warwick hospital.

The post requires vision, innovation and the ability to work across professional boundaries underpinned by a desire to provide the highest standards of patient care. You will work within the day case, outpatient and in-patient settings. As an experienced haematology/oncology nurse you will be required to undertake nurse led assessments.

You will be part of a committed team of professionals and work closely with the Nurse Consultant and The Lead Acute Oncology Nurse and other Specialist Practitioners within our team.

We offer a friendly and supportive work environment, participation in clinical supervision and staff well-being and offer excellent opportunities for professional development.

You will work from Sunday to Saturday on a shift basis supporting a 24hr Acute Oncology Service. This will include out of hours, evenings and Bank Holidays. Flexible team working is essential to meet our service need.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will work primarily within the Acute Oncology Service based within the Aylesford Unit at Warwick Hospital. Also if required may run procedure clinics and perform holistic assessments.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Clinical Responsibilities

• To assist in leading a team of nurses in the delivery of a high standard of safe and effective care
• To manage specialist care for both in-patient, out-patient and day-case patients. This includes the management of patients receiving chemotherapy and those who present with complications of cancer and its treatment including oncological emergencies
• To manage a clinically unwell patient
• To support the day case treatment suite professionally on a daily basis.  Providing clinical advice and support to staff and monitoring the immunotherapy patients attending the unit.
• To undertake clinical duties including venesection, management of central venous access devices, peripheral cannulation and SACT administration.
• Work collaboratively with Oncology Consultants and as part of a wider multidisciplinary team; identify new patients and introduce yourself within an agreed time frame as a key worker and co-ordinate patient’s care
• Support with emergency review clinics in acute oncology. Provide nurse-led Immunotherapy clinics for the review and management of immunotherapy specific toxicities including follow up review clinics
• To utilise specialised nursing skills to assess the physical, psychosocial, emotional and financial well-being of patients being supported from as an Immunotherapy specialist practitioner. Consider safeguarding needs of vulnerable patients including those with a disability or cognitive impairment
• To have a visible presence within key points of entry across the Trust, supporting the acute medical physicians in the complex management of patients receiving Immunotherapy treatment
• Expert educator/ resource for all health care professionals, across the primary and secondary care interface, on all aspects pertaining to care of patients undergoing immunotherapy treatments.
• Deliver training and education within the local Trust and at regional and national forums.
• Develop local guidelines and pathways for managing Immunotherapy toxicities that align with NICE guidance and nationally agreed standards. You will work closely with all other disciplines and health professionals within the trust to facilitate robust and effective processes to manage the patient within the organisation.
• You will be actively involved in developing and auditing Immunotherapy services supported by the Acute Oncology Consultant and Nursing Oncology Leads to ensure patients receive high quality care that is safe and effective.

Based within the Acute Oncology Service the post holder will also provide specialist services to cancer patients enabling:

• Proactive delivery of preventative care to minimise the risks of the effects of systemic anti-cancer treatment.
• Timely and effective management of patients with complications of Systemic Anti-Cancer Treatment (early recognition, better treatment, early discharge)
• Timely and effective management of patients with complications of cancer (early recognition, better treatment, rapid referral to specialist oncology team and or the specialist palliative care team etc)
• Appropriate investigations of patients who might benefit from treatment for unknown primary cancers (targeted investigations, rapid triage of patients into specialist oncology or palliative care as appropriate)
• Utilise advanced communication skills to support the patient and their family. Supporting with difficult conversations around future care and appropriateness of treatment. Referring to other specialities as appropriate with the patients consent to  counsellors, psychologists or utilising third sector care services within hospice day care for complimentary or well-being support.
• Supervise and support junior staff members within the Acute Oncology Service