Lead Nurse / Responsible Assessor for Targeted Lung Health

The purpose of the role is to facilitate the clinical flow of the lung screening participants that have an abnormality reported on their CT scan and support the delivery of the national optimal lung cancer pathway within Cornwall, both for screening identified patients and those referred via conventional routes. The successful candidate will act as a conduit between the external supplier's nurses, local medical teams across both primary and secondary care, and screening participants.

Working closely with key stakeholders this role will be central to the delivery and successful implementation of the screening programme and the optimal pathway. The lead nurse will have clinical oversight of patients on the screening pathway and be responsible for facilitating onward referrals as dictated by the clinical leads the role will be supported by a TLHC Coordinator.

This is a pivotal clinical leadership role the Lead Nurse/RA will contribute to the setting up of TLHC virtual MDT meetings, working closely within the Respiratory Team, responsible clinician, radiologist for the programme to facilitate a robust assurance and governance processes which meet the requirements of the national TLHC team. They will be the key point of contact between the third-party delivery partners, secondary care, screening participants and the Peninsula Cancer Alliance TLHC programme team.

Main duties of the job

The Lead Nurse/RA for the Targeted Lung Health Checks programme is a key role working with patients, clinicians, and other partners, to implement the Targeted Lung Health Checks across Kernow. It is an integral part of the overall programme governance structure with specific responsibility for the safety and operational aspects of the process to select and assess the individual cases for entry into the programme. They will continually oversee and monitor the clinical programme, the assessment and management of participants and provide day to day leadership of the clinical service. They will ensure:

Appropriate action is taken when clinical findings are identified as part of the assessment for eligibility and during any add-on investigations such as spirometry and assessing cardiovascular risk. This may include further management in primary and/or secondary care or onward referral to specialist services.

Timely management of the referrals with the navigator into the rapid access lung clinic and coordinating the clinical work up of participants in secondary care and communicating normal results to patients and GPs in a timely fashion on behalf of and under supervision of the respiratory physician.

Clinical data and information is entered into the appropriate clinical system with a focus on data completeness

Improvements and corrective actions are implemented to support governance, training and improve quality.

About us

The post holder will be expected to work with significant autonomy and to exercise advanced decision-making skills, providing expert clinical advice and support to other staff and teams within the Peninsula Cancer Alliance, partner organisations and TLHC patients.

Sustainability is integral to the Trust achieving the NHS Net Zero target. All staff are therefore actively encouraged and supported to implement new ways of working within their field of expertise.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Main Duties and Responsibilities Leadership and professional responsibilities:

Acts as clinical lead, role model and as expert resource in all aspects of targeted lung health checks in Cornwall and care across the Trust, including for more junior staff within the team.

Leads the development of standards of practice taking into consideration evidence-based practice, education, training and audit.

Leads and develops standards of care and Trust wide strategies for the delivery of the targeted lung health checks and management of patients in the pathway.

Identifies and develops policies and protocols to support staff in achieving Trust standards and goals. Working with the targeted lung health lead consultant, leads and develops policies and processes across the Trust in relation to delivery of targeted lung health checks.

Leads and supports staff in the investigation of complaints (formal and informal) and serious incidents requiring investigation.

Empowers staff at all levels to develop and implement action plans to improve care.

Represent the Trust through attendance and involvement in local and wider MDT meetings with colleagues from both primary and secondary care.

Manage patients in outpatient or virtual setting that will often be complex and unpredictable:

Present patient referred via the TLHC programme at the Lung Cancer MDT and ensure further management and referrals are made and communicated with patients and GPs.

Develop and maintain expertise in highly developed skills and appropriate competencies ensuring the highest level of precision to ensure patient safety.

Identify and implement new developments, treatments and technologies into clinical practice.

Undertake the role of Independent Nurse Prescriber within the clinical setting of Respiratory Medicine and in line with Trust policy / National guidance.

Undertake the appropriate professional portfolio of work in agreement with the Associate Chief Nursing Officer.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Registration with NMC
• Post-graduate qualification

Experience

Essential

• Experience within Cancer Services CNS role
• Experience within Respiratory Nursing

Desirable

• Experience in Lead Nurse role

Employer details

Employer name

Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust

Address

Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust

Truro

TR1 3LJ

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

156-5320377