A new and exciting opportunity has arisen for a motivated nurse to join the Clinical Network Services Division. The post will involve offering specialist nursing input to patients with Early (Adjuvant) Breast Cancer. Together with the established Breast CNS and multi-disciplinary team, the CNS will aim to deliver a world class patient experience.

The CNS will work within the busy and dynamic Adjuvant Breast Cancer nursing team. The majority of patients will be receiving treatment to control their cancer and require support to cope with the side effects of treatment in addition to managing the impact of a cancer diagnosis on all other aspects of their life. Sign posting patients to appropriate services, providing advice, support and symptom management is a fundamental aspect of the CNS role.

The successful candidate will be highly motivated and driven to improve patient care and experience. The candidate must have exceptional communication and interpersonal skills. They will also have well-developed clinical and professional leadership skills to encourage and promote best outcomes for patients, their relatives and carers. The ability to work autonomously is paramount for this post together with confidence to engage and work with a range of colleagues at all levels and from all professional groups.

Main duties of the job

The successful candidate will be required to collaborate with all members of the Multidisciplinary Team, both internally and externally including referring hospitals, GPs, District Nurses and Specialist Nurses across the Network to ensure there is a smooth transition for patients and carers from hospital to the community and vice versa.

They will need to demonstrate initiative and vision in moving the service forward as well as developing standards and protocols for the management of this patient group.

Other responsibilities are outlined in the Job Description

About us

The Christie is one of Europe's leading cancer centres, treating over 60,000 patients a year. We are based in Manchester and serve a population of 3.2 million across Greater Manchester & Cheshire, but as a national specialist around 15% patients are referred to us from other parts of the country. We provide radiotherapy through one of the largest radiotherapy departments in the world chemotherapy on site and through 14 other hospitals highly specialist surgery for complex and rare cancer and a wide range of support and diagnostic services. We are also an international leader in research, with world first breakthroughs for over 100 years. We run one of the largest early clinical trial units in Europe with over 300 trials every year. Cancer research in Manchester, most of which is undertaken on the Christie site, has been officially ranked the best in the UK.

Job description

Job responsibilities

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Outline of Functions

• To act as a key contact for breast cancer patients, carers and other professionals
• To provide advice, support and symptom management for patients, carers and other professionals
• To work as a member of the breast Disease Group with responsibility for the development and review of protocols / guidelines which promote innovative clinical nursing practice and integration of patient care
• To be aware of change at national and local level and how it affects the service provides
• To undertake clinical and organisational audit, promoting the importance and value of undertaking such initiatives through multi professional collaboration.

Clinical duties

To accept referrals at the point of diagnosis and assess individual need, implement clinical practice and evaluate its effectiveness, referring appropriately to services in the acute and community setting. 2. Work collaboratively with the MDT to encourage and facilitate cohesive working across the service.

Take a key role on coordinating pathways for patients

Act as a knowledgeable expert who understands the process and stages of Breast cancer pathways.

Work with the clinical team to formulate clinical decisions and treatment plans for patients

To attend breast clinics across the network and liaise closely with the patients, nurses and doctors attending these

To provide continuity of care across the group, particularly with regard to integrating chemotherapy and radiotherapy. To provide information about side effects of treatment and make entries in the hospital notes as appropriate

To communicate effectively and support / counsel patients and carers prior to, during and after treatment

To be aware of all breast cancer patients admitted as inpatients and liase with nursing and junior medical staff involved in their care

To attend the weekly relevant meetings, and contribute to discussions about individual patients. To attend other professional and clinical meetings as appropriate

In collaboration with the breast Nurse Clinician to act as a point of contact for patients and their carers in the community

To be fully conversant with treatment protocols

Prescribe licenced drugs within the capacity of non-medical prescribing, adhering to trust policy and existing frameworks

To be aware of research protocols in force and liaise with the Research Nurses about patients potentially eligible for trial entry.

To implement Trust Policies and Procedures

To act always in accordance with the NMC Code of Conduct and Guiding Documents

Take a key role in service development as part of the wider team.

PATIENT CARE

• Develop a relationship that recognises the person (patient, family, carer) as an individual.
• Give information at an appropriate level of understanding to ensure the patient is fully informed along all stages of the patient pathway.
• Develop and update patient specific information.
• Co-ordinate the patient journey ensuring appointments and information is communicated to the patient in a timely fashion.
• Act as a patient advocate with clear feedback systems in place to the MDT and referring hospitals.
• Communicate highly complex, sensitive or contentious information to patients and carers. Assess on a regular basis whether more support or advice is needed and offered where appropriate.
• Provide an important point of contact for the patient and those around them both during and after completion of treatment, ensuring continuation of care.

Managerial/Clinical Leadership.

• To provide specialist, expert clinical knowledge to clinical colleagues, patients and carers/relatives both within and outside the Trust.
• Demonstrate initiative and vision to continue to develop the service.
• Be a key participant in promoting and facilitating excellent standards of compassionate care for patients
• Evaluate service delivery identify areas for improvement and initiate change.

• To build effective professional relationships with the GMCCN and across Acute and Community settings
• To write an annual report for the service which is circulated appropriately
• Initiate and support clinical developments / projects to promote excellence in patient care
• Provide and receive clinical supervision and mentorship to facilitate reflective practice
• Promote patient and public involvement activities in the specialist area, leading to service improvement
• To be aware of and understand trust policies and procedures

Education and Development.

• To participate in annual appraisal and accept personal responsibilities for professional growth and development
• To identify training needs of non-specialist Christie and Network colleagues and develop educational programmes in collaboration with breast colleagues
• To provide specialist input on relevant post registration courses
• Together with other professional colleagues develop information and resource packs for patients and their carers
• Maintain a professional portfolio
• Maintain essential training and keep up to date
• contribute to educational programmes within the trust and other associated centres

Research and Audit

• To ensure that clinical practice is based on evidence and current best practice and to disseminate information to staff
• To identify areas of breast nursing practice that need to be researched and to participate where appropriate in nursing and multi disciplinary research, clinical audit, and benchmarking, in order to improve effectiveness of patient care
• Disseminate best practice through presentation at regional, national and international oncology conferences. Provide written and verbal feedback to colleagues
• Contribute to the writing of protocols relevant to Breast specialty.

PERSONAL

• Work in a collaborative manner with the Lead nurse.
• Plan and manage own workload of the service in a flexible manner ensuring that service provision meets the needs of patients.
• Demonstrate a pleasant and approachable manner and help create and promote good working relationships. Show professional and courteous manner whilst practicing excellent communication skills at all levels.
• Show respect for members of the team and endorse the Team philosophy of giving mutual support. -
• Be aware of own limitations, maintain confidentiality and adherence to NMC professional code of conduct.
• Cooperate in own performance review by indicating learning goals and support needs.
• Actively seek mentorship/supervision to enable reflection and development within role.
• Exercise effective leadership using sound organisation skills and judgement, upholding equality and diversity of colleagues and patients/families.
• Be able to identify areas of required learning and development and seek advice and support when required.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• RGN
• Evidence of Level 6 (Degree level) study in relevant subject.Nursing studies.
• Teaching / Mentorship qualification
• Completion of Non-medical prescribing course or working towards within 6 months in post.

Desirable

• Counselling Certificate
• Advanced communication skills certificate
• Management/leadership course.
• Post registration qualification in oncology

Experience

Essential

• Minimum of 5 years experience post registration with 2 years at a senior level
• Experience in Breast Oncology/Breast Surgery
• Participation in service development and implementation of change

Desirable

• Nursing leadership
• Project management
• Experience of influencing change

Knowledge

Essential

• Knowledge of professional and NHS issues, and policies relating to Breast speciality
• Evidence of continuing professional development.

Desirable

• Knowledge of clinical audit processes

Other

Essential

• Demonstrates flexibility in working hours.
• Evidence of continued professional development

Desirable

• Car owner

Skills

Essential

• Advanced communication skills
• Leadership skills
• Able to analyse data and provide written reports.
• Able to work autonomously
• Able to present information to professional groups.
• Ability to develop effective interpersonal relationships with colleagues across health and social care setting.
• Strong organisational/prioritising skills

Desirable

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

413-75597-CNS-AK