An exciting opportunity exists to join the Colorectal Cancer Team as Band 6 - Support Nurse. We are seeking an enthusiastic, forward thinking and motivated nurse to join this busy service. The nurse will have the opportunity to gain experience and knowledge of Colorectal cancer management in secondary care and develop key CNS skills in an environment supported by an experienced nursing team.

You will work across the Trust and be supported by a team of CNSs to deliver an exceptional standard of nursing care throughout the cancer patient pathway. You will develop skills enabling you to practice at an advanced clinical level, both in your own clinical practice and as a role model to others as a Colorectal Cancer Key Worker.

Working with the Colorectal cancer CNS team, you will support Service development and improve patient experience based on emerging and best practice models of care which is responsive to patient feedback and audit findings.

You will be expected to play a supportive role in ensuring the team comply with local and national policy, clinical governance and Peer review.

You will work collaboratively with referring GPs and all members of the extended multidisciplinary team including imaging departments, medical and surgical consultants, clinical nurse specialists, research teams, acute oncology, specialist palliative care, ward nursing teams and administrative teams.

Main duties of the job

You will be expected to play a supportive role in ensuring the team comply with local and national policy, clinical governance and Peer review.

You will work collaboratively with referring GPs and all members of the extended multidisciplinary team including imaging departments, medical and surgical consultants, clinical nurse specialists, research teams, acute oncology, specialist palliative care, ward nursing teams and administrative teams.

Integral to you your role, you will support the educational needs of staff working in the colorectal and oncology departments to ensure your and your team's expertise has maximum impact.

As a band 6 you will be expected to meet the essential criteria, possess the relevant post registration experience as outlined in the person specification.

About us

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A& E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics.

You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career.

We have state-of-the art facilities placing us at the heart of cutting edge health care. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.

Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. Please ensure that you make your application as soon as possible.

All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering their first six months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required.

Please review all documents attached to this advert to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job.

Job description

Job responsibilities

To support the Colorectal cancer clinical services in supportive care for patients with Colorectal cancer, their relatives and carers throughout their pathway.

The post holder will be expected to work closely with the Lead Colorectal Cancer CNS, and the Colorectal Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT), in order to implement National Guidance.

To be part of an established, integrated cancer and palliative care service that influences care by specialist practice, encompassing advanced clinical practice, education, and evidence based learning

OBJECTIVES AND PURPOSE OF THE POST:

To provide support to the current Lead Colorectal CNS in providing expert colorectal cancer supportive care in order to implement the NICE Supportive and Palliative Care Guidance including the personalised care and living well and beyond cancer agenda. To act as a Keyworker for patients with colorectal cancer, their families/carers, providing practical, psychological and emotional support.

CLINICAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• To support patients and their family/carers at the Colorectal and Oncology clinics, when breaking bad news and discussing treatment plans.
• To support patients and their families/carers as they cope with the diagnosis,. To provide a high level of interpersonal skills and support when breaking bad news. To provide expert communication with patients in ways which empower them to make informed choices providing oral and written information on all aspects of treatment
• To act as the patients advocate in decision making in regard to treatment options, providing support and information as appropriate, at the time of breaking bad news and throughout the pathway.
• To act as the patients advocate at the MDT to ensure their wishes are known
• Undertake level 2 psychological assessment skills training in order to recognise when there is a need to refer on for more specialist inpu
• To act as a point of contact for Colorectal cancer patients, and their families/carers.
• Perform holistic need assessments to ensure patients outstanding needs are met at key points in their pathway
• To undertake training to become competent to hold nurse-led follow up clinics and implement the personalised care package
• To provide specialist nursing intervention to a defined group of patients and work as part of the multi-disciplinary team
• To provide specialist Colorectal cancer, clinical advice, and support to nurses, health care professionals, and care agencies to ensure a high quality of individualised, patient centred care
• To support and communicate information to patients/carers, nurses, and MDT members on the complexities of treatment and aftercare
• Attend the Colorectal Cancer MDT meetings and the oncology operational meeting and deputise for the Lead Colorectal CNS at other site specific meetings

COMMUNICATION RESPONSIBILITIES:

• To work collaboratively and to liaise with a wide range of professions across the East of England cancer Alliance
• To communicate effectively with community staff, Macmillan nurses, district nurses, and GPs
• To liaise with all members of the multi-disciplinary team to provide an effective and timely service to Colorectal cancer patients.

LEADERSHIP AND SERVICE DEVELOPMENT:

• The postholder will be responsible for covering the service when the Lead Colorectal CNS is on annual leave, study leave, or sick leave and to provide guidance and support to patients with a stoma in the absence of the Stoma Care Nurses
• To manage own caseload under the mentorship of the Colorectal Cancer Clinical Nurse Specialist
• To develop, implement, and work with service protocols, policies, and procedures, and to evaluate the effects
• To recognise own limitations and know when it is appropriate and desirable to ask for assistance
• To provide specialist nursing provision that is consistent and continuous, ensuring effective service delivery and cover

TRAINING RESPONSIBILITIES:

• To participate in clinical teaching sessions for medical, nursing, allied health professionals, and students in Colorectal cancer
• To encourage and facilitate research based nursing practices and teaching
• To participate in organisation and presentation of training/study days
• To be prepared to attend conferences/study days in Colorectal nursing, and to be aware of own learning needs
• To empower health and social care professionals to deliver high quality cancer and palliative care services by sharing knowledge and expertise

RESEARCH RESPONSIBILITIES:

• To facilitate and encourage research based nursing practice, critical evaluation, and to integrate theory into practice
• To participate in research and audit projects relating to Colorectal cancer care, as required
• To encourage user involvement, and in liaison with the Colorectal Cancer Clinical Nurse Specialist to identify potential areas for service development
• To collect monthly statistics on practice.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• oRGN post registration proven experience oRelevant related oncology/colorectal training. oWilling to study to degree level. oUndertake a competency programme, or a willingness to undertake. oCommunication Skills training.

Desirable

• oAppropriate degree.

Experience

Essential

• oUnderstanding experience of autonomous working. oExperience of teaching/education. oAbility to set and establish priorities. oRecent colorectal experience oNursing patients with cancer & palliative care needs

Desirable

• oExperience of managing a patient caseload. oManagement experience ie. ward management.

Knowledge

Essential

• oDemonstrate a good knowledge base of Colorectal cancer oAwareness of pain and symptom control. oAwareness of psychological issues. oAwareness of current political issues and NHS changes, and Cancer Reform Strategy. oAwareness, understanding and application of current evidence based practice.

Desirable

• oDemonstrate having used research in practice. oKnowledge of a participation in audit.

Employer details

Employer name

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Luton & Dunstable Hospital

Luton

LU4 0DZ

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

418-CAN3994-EH