Job overview

Wrightington Wigan & Leigh NHS Foundation Trust Teaching Hospital (WWL) in conjunction with Greater Manchester Cancer is implementing the national NHS England Best Practice Timed Pathways programme for Skin cancer.

The Faster Diagnosis Standard aims to ensure people are told they have cancer, or that cancer is excluded, within a maximum of 28 days from referral.

We are looking for an experienced Specialist Nurse with awareness of cancer pathways to contribute to the implementation and further development of this innovative diagnostic service for the communities we serve. This is an exciting opportunity for someone wanting to be a part of a team of that will help to revolutionise the pathway for the diagnosis of skin cancer.

The Dermatology Pathway Nurse will work closely with the Cancer Performance Team, the Clinical team and will see patients both face to face and via the newly established Teledermatology Service.

This new post will initially be funded via Greater Manchester Cancer for 12 months and the data collected during this time will be used to support a business case for permanent funding, therefore this role will be offered on a 12-month fixed term or secondment basis in the first instance.

Please secure your approval from your current manager before applying for this post.

Evidence of qualifications will be requested at interview and during compliance checks. 

Main duties of the job

The Dermatology Pathway Nurse will respond to the GP urgent referral service for patients with symptoms which could indicate cancer.

The Dermatology Pathway Nurse will provide rapid triage of the patient to reach a definitive diagnosis, advice to the patient on management of their condition, signposting to appropriate support services and rapid onward treatment should cancer be diagnosed.

. Responsibilities of the role include:

1.    Responsibility for ensuring the delivery of high-quality patient care.

2.    Practising autonomously and being self-directed, including leading on providing excellent patient care in line with rapid diagnosis and being a clinical champion to cascade best clinical practice.

3.    Working alongside key clinical colleagues assessing patients and directing them to the appropriate pathway, in line with developed protocols.

4.    Participation in the implementation of audit, quality and risk management initiatives and support the evaluation of the Dermatology Pathway Nurse service.

5.    Representing the Trust and the speciality at both internal and external meetings related to the Dermatology service as appropriate.

6.    Participation in the delivery of health promotion and screening advice, given opportunistically to patients as appropriate.

Working for our organisation

Choose Well – Choose WWL

Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals, NHS Foundation Trust are the proud providers of acute hospital and community services to the people of the Wigan Borough and surrounding areas. At WWL, we value our staff believing that ‘happy staff, makes for happy patients’. We have a recognised track record in staff engagement, and living our values ‘the WWL Way’.

WWL are committed to placing the patient at the heart of everything we do, and in the provision of safe, effective care that acknowledges and ensures dignity. With this in mind we are seeking to recruit people who share our values and beliefs.

On-Call

Please note that senior positions (AFC band 8A or above) may be expected to participate in an on-call rota, if the role is predominantly operational.