Detailed job description and main responsibilities

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

·       Act as a key contact for patients with Colorectal and anal malignancies and provide support for their carers and other healthcare professionals

·       Provide advice, support and symptom management as appropriate, liaising with other relevant health care professionals

·       To work as a member of the Colorectal disease group with responsibility for the development and review of guidelines and policies

·       To be aware of change at national and local level and how it affects the service provided

·       The post holder will influence patient care through clinical practice, clinical management, leadership, education, research and audit.

Clinical duties

·       Attend Medical and Clinical Oncology Colorectal clinics at The Christie in order to meet patients and their carers and provide relevant information to support their treatment.

·       Provide psychological support and make referrals to relevant professionals if appropriate

·       Liaise with other Clinical Nurse Specialists, Cancer Pathway Coordinators, other professionals (including those from referring units), to ensure effective transfer of information across different NHS organisations and a smooth pathway of care.

·       To act as a point of contact for patients and their carers both face to face and virtually

·       Be fully conversant with treatment protocols and demonstrate knowledge of current evidence-based management of patients with Colorectal and anal malignancies. 

·       To be aware of current clinical research within the colorectal disease group

·       Use advanced communication skills in a variety of settings. This will include discussions around patient care and treatment plans with patients, carers, relatives and members of the multi-disciplinary team

·       Provide emotional support to patients, their families and staff during difficult situations e.g. breaking bad news or following an unexpected event.

·       Work independently, managing own case load of patients

·       Undertake a telephone/ virtual clinic solely dedicated to patients with colorectal and anal malignancies. To answer, triage and advise accordingly communicating with the wider colorectal team.

·       Accurately document patient care in accordance with Trust policies and standard

·       Carry out clinical duties to ensure the patient pathway runs effectively and efficiently

·       Act in accordance with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) Code and other supporting documentation

Professional/Clinical Leadership

·       To provide specialist, expert knowledge to patients, carers and colleagues both within and outside the trust

·       Act as a specialist resource for the ward team who provide care for patients with colorectal and anal malignancies

·       Evaluate service delivery; identify areas for improvement to promote excellence in patient care and initiate change and clinical development when appropriate.

·       Provide written evidence of service development and performance

·       To build effective professional relationships with GMCCN and across acute and community settings

·       Participation in the development and implementation of policies, procedures and guidelines at local and network level.

·       To line manage junior members of the team, associate CNS and cancer care coordinator

·       Receive clinical supervision to facilitate reflective practice

·       Attend and participate in the CNS forum

·       Act as a role model always presenting a professional image

Education and Development

·       Participate in annual appraisal and accept personal responsibility for professional growth and development.  Maintain a professional portfolio

·       Ensure own compliance with regard to mandatory training, non-medical prescribing and revalidation requirements

·       Identify learning needs and plan, implement and evaluate programs of education to meet identified needs

·       Contribute to educational programmes in collaboration with Advanced practitioners and CNS colleagues.  This could include teaching colleagues, dissemination of best practice through presentations, and participation in patient education days

·       Attend relevant educational meetings and conferences to keep up to date with current best practice. Provide feedback to colleagues

·    In collaboration with other colleagues, develop information and resources for patients and their carers

Research and audit

·       In collaboration with colleagues, undertake clinical and organisational audit in order to improve practice

·       Disseminate change in evidence-based practice to colleagues at The Christie and the wider network

·       Evaluate service delivery; identify areas for improvement, and initiate change as appropriate

·       Contribute to the writing of protocols relevant to the colorectal and anal disease group

·       To promote nursing research and evidenced based practice relevant to the specialty

This job description is intended to reflect the main duties and responsibilities of the post holder but is indicative only. It may be reviewed in consultation with the post holder as circumstances change and develop.