Head and Neck Direct to Test Nurse Practitioner

Job summary

We are looking for a compassionate, dynamic and motivated nurse to join the head and neck service. To set up and develop a new triage service to help achieve the faster diagnostic standard, and ensure patients are given holistic and personalised care from initial referral to the service. The post holder will be working closely with the clinical nurse specialists, navigator and wider head and neck team, and be supervised and provided with relevant training and support.

The role offers an opportunity to develop assessment and triage skills, become an autonomous practitioner and adapt within the role as the service is developed. It is a full time position, but there is scope within the role for flexibility of working from home for the right candidate. The successful candidate will be supported to develop their own nurse led telephone clinics in conjunction with the consultants and the outpatient department. To support the Trusts in achieving compliance with Urgent Suspected Cancer (USC) and Referral to Treatment waiting time targets. To support the Head and Neck surgical care pathway in line with the Nurse Specialists Team. To actively involved in Peer Review and to ensure mandatory measures for Peer Review are met with evidence e.g., from audits or research. To be able to request and interpret investigatory results and determine next pathway stage. To provide expert nursing advice and support to other health professionals using evidence based clinical knowledge.

Main duties of the job

• To work as an autonomous, advanced practitioner and effectively deliver an expert nursing service within the specialist area.
• To be responsible for developing and delivering the patient pathway within Direct- to-Test service.

• To deliver evidenced based, clinical diagnostic protocols, including the Direct-to-test service.
• To support the Head and Neck CNS team.
• To effectively manage a caseload of patients/clients.
• To ensure that patients and their families are fully informed and supported by providing clinical and social support.
• To assist in the development of evidence based clinical nursing practice in line with current research and guidelines.
• To establish clear lines of communication within the specialty team to ensure cohesive multidisciplinary management of patients.
• To link with healthcare teams in order to increase knowledge and facilitate the care of this group of people in the community
• To actively involved in the weekly H&N MDT meeting to present patient caseload and follow up.

About us

The postholder is expected to have a clear understanding of how this post contributes to the achievement of the trust vision of:

A thriving Foundation Trust at the heart of an integrated healthcare system. One that delivers improved patient care at a community, hospital and specialist setting, supported by a unique and nationally recognised programme of research, education, and employee engagement.

We expect all our staff to share the values that are important to the Trust, being Excellent, Kind, Responsible & Respectful, and behave in a way that reflects these.

St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults and expects that all staff will share in this commitment. The Trust is clear that all staff have a responsibility to be aware of children and adult safeguarding policies and procedures and that each member of staff, clinical and non-clinical, will attend child or adult safeguarding training that is provided at an appropriate level to suit their role. The Trust has the additional expectation that all staff will be able to identify concerns and know what action to take.