An exciting opportunity has arisen to join a well-established CNS team to care for patients undergoing Head and Neck and Thyroid Cancer treatments at The Christie.

The successful candidate will be an experienced nurse and be highly motivated and driven to improve patient care and experience. You will be an excellent communicator and will have the opportunity to use your clinical and professional leadership skills to encourage and promote best outcomes for patients, their relatives and carers. Excellent interpersonal skills are 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.

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

Attend Head & Neck clinics to meet patients and their relatives providing information about treatment, being fully conversant with treatment protocols. Undertake a holistic assessment of patient needs referring appropriately to services in the acute and community setting. To communicate effectively and support / counsel patients and relatives prior to, during and after treatment, acting as a point of contact

Participate in and/or advise on the management of patients with altered airways and act as a first or second (initially dependent on training and experience) responder if problems with these patients arise.

Clinical assessment of patients on anti-cancer treatments in planned nurse-led clinics as well as unplanned telephone contacts. Undertaking non-medical prescribing (within the limits of your competence) to manage treatment toxicity and symptoms.

Undertake IRMER training and develop skills in chest x-ray / image ordering as appropriate.

Ensure accurate and timely documentation of patient care on the electronic patient record in accordance with hospital policies and NMC standards.

Act as a specialist contact for ward staff for inpatients, providing advice and support to the patient and family.

Attend MDT and radiology meetings as appropriate and contribute to discussions about individual patients. Attend other professional and clinical meetings as appropriate.

Have an awareness of current clinical trials and liaise with the Research Team regarding eligibility.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• RGN/RN (NMC registered)
• Degree in Nursing/Health related subject
• Post registration qualification in oncology or equivalent experience
• Teaching and assessing qualification or equivalent experience

Desirable

• Master's degree or working towards
• Advanced communication skills training
• Level 2 Managing Psychological Distress training
• Leadership qualification or completion of leadership programme
• V300 Non-Medical Prescribing Certification or willing to work towards this Clinical assessment module

Experience

Essential

• Recent clinical experience in oncology or Head & Neck cancer at band 6 or above
• Participation in service development and implementation of change

Desirable

• Audit or research experience
• Experience of working within a given resource and ability to demonstrate imaginative and effective use of resources
• Management of patients with complex needs
• Experience of influencing change

Skills

Essential

• Excellent verbal and non-verbal communication skills
• Able to present information to professional groups
• Confidence to adapt to an evolving and changing service.
• IT Skills
• Able to use initiative and make decisions and prioritize and manage own workload
• Ability to analyse data and provide written reports.
• Ability to work autonomously
• Ability to develop effective interpersonal relationships with colleagues across health and social care setting.
• Strong organisational / prioritising skills

Desirable

• Evidence of writing protocols, standards and guidelines.
• Ability to present information to professional groups.

Knowledge

Essential

• An understanding of clinical governance and it's relevance to the role.
• Knowledge of professional and NHS issues, and policies relating to head and neck oncology specialty
• Evidence of continuing professional development.

Values

Essential

• Ability to demonstrate the organisational values and behaviours

Desirable

• Innovative and motivated

Other

Essential

• Demonstrate flexibility in working hours
• Attend Clinics and MDT meetings across sites

Employer details

Employer name

The Christie NHS FT

Address

Clinical Oncology Nursing - E00848

Manchester

M20 4BX

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

413-77907-CNS-AK