Detailed job description and main responsibilities

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

To act as a key worker contact for patients with head, neck or thyroid cancers, their families/carers and other professionals.

Support patients, carers and staff during situations arising in the clinical area, e.g., breaking bad news or following an unexpected event.

Act as a resource of specialised knowledge and clinical expertise to ensure care delivery to patients is appropriate, optimum and evidence based.

Demonstrates clinical expertise by role modelling patient centered practice to others.

Teach, advise and assess patients and carers with regard to head, neck and thyroid cancers, helping patients to make an informed treatment choice.

Use highly developed communication skills to deliver a high-quality service within a complex and challenging environment across both primary and secondary care.

Provides leadership that facilitates professional decision making and effective multi-disciplinary team working.

Participates in the monitoring and audit of standards of care within the defined policies, procedures and guidelines for the management of head, neck and thyroid cancers.

Utilise, and ensure others utilise, information and IT systems to secure accurate and timely patient, workforce and data available.

Responsible for identifying and assessing complex clinical and non-clinical issues implementing resolutions and monitoring/auditing outcomes.

Acts a resource for staff, advising on national, local and Trust policy and procedures/guidelines relevant to the specialty.

Supports junior nursing colleagues to develop management and leadership skills through appropriate delegation and supervision.

Contributes to the formulation of protocols/policies and clinical guidelines in liaison with the head and neck, and thyroid cancer clinicians.

Provide cross cover for the other Nurse Specialist(s) within the Head & Neck Multi-disciplinary Team. 

Promote a culture that supports patient self-management.

Clinical duties

Attend the Head & Neck and Thyroid 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.

6.     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.

Leadership and Management.

Provide specialist, expert clinical knowledge to colleagues, patients and carers both within and outside the organisation.

Carry out line management of more junior staff (e.g. Clinical Nurse Specialist or Cancer Care Coordinator).  This will be following discussion with the postholder.

3.     Evaluate service delivery; identify areas for improvement to promote excellence in patient care and initiate change. Involve patients, patient representatives and the public in service development as appropriate.

4.     Provide written evidence of service development and performance.

5.     Engage in the work carried out by GM Cancer Alliance and build effective, professional relationships across Acute and Community settings.

6.     Provide and receive clinical supervision and mentorship to facilitate reflective practice.

7.     Attend and participate in the CNS and Chief Nurse Forum.

Education and Development

1.     Participate in annual appraisal and accept personal responsibility for professional growth and development. Maintain a professional portfolio for the purpose of Revalidation.

2.     Provide specialist education and training, as required, to all relevant health professionals regarding the care of patients with altered airways (tracheostomy and laryngectomy).

3.     Ensure compliance with Trust essential training.

4.     Identify training needs of colleagues and develop educational programmes in collaboration with nursing colleagues e.g., ward teaching, dissemination of best practice through presentation at conferences and study days.

5.     Provide specialist input on relevant post registration courses.

6.     Use relevant educational opportunities, including attending national and international conferences, to ensure provision of the highest standards of evidence-based patient care. Provide written and verbal feedback to colleagues.

Together with other professional colleagues develop information and resource packs for patients and their carers.

Research and Audit

1.     Ensure that clinical practice is evidence based best practice and disseminate information to staff.

Identify opportunities for nursing research and to participate in clinical audit to improve effectiveness of patient care.

Evaluate service delivery; identify areas for improvement and initiate change.

Professional

Accountable for own actions in accordance with NMC Code of Professional Conduct. Will contribute towards corporate objectives, acting within local, The Christie Trust and statutory guidelines and policies at all times.

Maintain responsibility for professional registration and practice through continuing personal development.

Maintain appropriate competencies.

Maintain personal standards of conduct and behaviour consistent with Trust

values and regulations set within the relevant professional bodies thus acting as a role model presenting a professional image at all times

Liaise and collaborate with relevant organisations such as pharmaceutical industry and its partners.

Be aware of the policies, procedures and philosophies of the Trust, understanding health and safety requirements and ensure that all duties and responsibilities are carried out within these guidelines.

Raise quality issues and report related risks within the trust to address poor standards and incidents.

Support equality and value diversity

This job description is an outline of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role and is not intended as an exhaustive list. The job will change over time to reflect the changing needs of the Trust and its services, as well as personal development needs of the post holder