Senior Oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist

Job overview

We are looking for an experienced registered nurse to join our team as a Band 7 Senior Oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist.

You will join our Clinical Nurse Specialist team, co-ordinating the care of patients throughout their whole life as well as supporting the clinical and research activities of the team. The post-holder will play an active part in developing the service, supporting and preparing for Peer Review, and ensuring that it is patient-centred, safe, efficient.

Main duties of the job

You will provide clinical leadership and expertise in the speciality of Oncology by providing information, support, advice and specialist knowledge to patients, their families and carers. You will act as a resource to the multi-professional team. In addition the post holder will also provide cover for the Acute Oncology Service.

You will demonstrate wide and in-depth experience of all aspects of Oncology, exercising clinical leadership and effective education within their sphere of practice.

You will also operate autonomously at an advanced level of clinical practice, providing research-based expert care and advice to all colleagues and managing a caseload effectively, making the most of available time.

To support the delivery of a high quality, safe and compassionate healthcare service, all staff are expected to act as a role model to others in all aspects of their work and consistently demonstrate NNUH’s ‘PRIDE’ values of People focused, Respect, Integrity, Dedication and Excellence and demonstrate behaviours that support and encourage an inclusive culture.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• To accept referrals from medical/nursing staff both within and external to the Trust, of newly diagnosed and existing cancer patients.
• To periodically review caseload and to discharge patients appropriately within the divisional guidelines.
• To ensure that patients are seen within the recommended time scales and targets where these are in place.
• To utilise specialist, skills, underpinned by in-depth theoretical knowledge, to facilitate the assessment, planning and implementation of individualised programmes of care for cancer patients presenting with a specialist condition and to evaluate their programmes of care.
• To undertake initial and continuing assessment of cancer patients
• To undertake clinical procedures including cannulation, venepuncture, administration of cytotoxics/biological therapies and other procedures as required.
• To respond to telephone enquiries and assess patients via telephone communication to co-ordinate admission or changes in appointment dates as warranted by the patient’s clinical condition, including the operation of an emergency telephone helpline for patients receiving Oncology treatments.
• To obtain informed consent for specific procedures in line with relevant Trust policies and protocols ensuring full explanation is given.
• To perform clinical assessment, clinical interventions and diagnostic tests as the post requires once training has been given, following and applying correct Trust protocols to ensure safe practice within the sphere of the advanced Nurse role.
• To assimilate and communicate highly complex, highly sensitive and emotive information regarding patient diagnosis and prognosis, ensuring that patients, relatives and the multidisciplinary team understand and accept the reasons for treatment (or non-treatment) plans.
• To offer and provide specialist advice through advanced listening and counselling skills.

Please see the attached job description for full details.