Job summary
The post holder will provide expertise in their area of clinical practice, professional leadership and education in the field of Acute Oncology. This includes the ability to take a history, assess and examine as necessary, synthesise information and use clinical reasoning to diagnose and formulate a shared management/personalised care/support plan. The aim of the post is to ensure quality standards for AOS is delivered consistently throughout the trust and in line with South East London Accountable Cancer Network (SEL ACN) guidance and operational policy.
The post holder will ensure that patients presenting with metastatic malignancy of unknown origin (MUO) have access to rapid expert oncology input to avoid unnecessary, inappropriate investigations; are discussed in an MUO MDT; and receive rapid treatment for their disease and/or symptom control decisions.
The post holder will be expected to monitor the impact of the Acute Oncology Service, using a number of key metrics including length of stay; and work with the Lead Acute Oncology Clinician to ensure the Acute Oncology Service meets Peer Review Quality Standards and SELCAN guidance/safety measures and is of a demonstrably high standard; and will influence patient care through expert clinical practice, management, leadership, education research, audit and professional activities.
Main duties of the job
- Provide early input in to coordination of care ensuring patients access right care at the right time and deliver high quality AOS specialist nursing care:
- Support the provision of the telephone triage advice for patients and health professionals with complications of their systemic anti-cancer treatment and provide high quality advice to support self-care or prevent serious consequences by directing care (early recognition, better access to treatment, early discharge)
- Continually review and audit pathways of care to ensure that neutropenic sepsis door - to -needle time is adhered to throughout the trust; patients are flagged up and rapid referral to appropriate specialty
- Work as part of the ambulatory clinic for all patients requiring review post ED attendance or on demand presentation of symptomatic patients to avoid ED admission
- Review patients as a part of the oncology daily ward round and ensure delivery of the appropriate care plan (ensure appropriate investigations are requested and reviewed or unnecessary Investigations are avoided; timely referral to palliative care team)
- Act as a resource for colleagues within the Trust, those from other hospital Trusts
- AOS service will offer direct access for community colleagues, providing advice on investigation and treatment pathways for new and suspected cancer diagnosis.
About us
King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of the UK's largest and busiest teaching Trusts with a turnover of c£1 billion, 1.5 million patient contacts a year and around 14,000 staff based across 5 main sites in South East London. The Trust provides a full range of local hospital services across its different sites, and specialist services from King's College Hospital (KCH) sites at Denmark Hill in Camberwell and at the Princess Royal University Hospital (PRUH) site in Bromley.
King's is committed to delivering Sustainable Healthcare for All via our Green Plan. In line with national Greener NHS ambitions, we have set net zero carbon targets of 2040 for our NHS Carbon Footprint and 2045 for our NHS Carbon Footprint Plus. Everyone's contribution is required in order to meet the goals set out in our Green Plan and we encourage all staff to work responsibly, minimising their contributions to the Trust's carbon emissions, waste and pollution wherever possible.
The trust-wide strategy Strong Roots, Global Reachis our Vision to be BOLD, Brilliant people, Outstanding care, Leaders in Research, Innovation and Education, Diversity, Equality and Inclusion at the heart of everything we do. By being person-centred, digitally-enabled, and focused on sustainability, we can take Team King's to another level.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical Responsibilities
- Work within the scope of their role, agreed and documented by their employer.
- Work within and across multi-professional teams and draw on the expertise of all members (including health and social care) to support and meet the persons needs and best interests to optimise the integration of their care.
- Establish and maintain effective communication to ensure collaborative working with other professionals and agencies (e.g. members of the MDT, CNS, specialist palliative care, hospice, community palliative care teams, primary care, AHP, cancer centre, social services ) to ensure seamless, streamlined patient care.
- Manage and escalate medical emergencies appropriately.
- Identify and act appropriately on red flags.
- Assess, diagnose and collaboratively agree a way forward, including shared decision making and personalised care and support planning.
- Manage medical complexity.
- Complete episodes of care which may include referral for further assessment, treatment and care appropriately.
- Work with people and where appropriate, carers, to access appropriate treatment, diagnostics, care and support within the context of individuals preferences, priorities and needs.
- Provide continuity of care in collaboration with the person, considering all of their physical, mental and psychosocial challenges.
- Use interactions with each person to facilitate and enable changes in behaviour that can have a positive impact on the persons health and wellbeing.
Leadership, Education and Training
- Provide leadership and vision to ensure a high quality coordinated service. This will include supporting the further development of Acute Oncology services within the hospital and community to expedite diagnosis and where possible reduce length of stay.
- Be responsible for development and implementation of policies, procedures and guidelines for the AOS, in conjunction with the Clinical lead for AOS and Lead Nurse for Cancer.
- Be the senior practitioner leading and line managing any additional AOS nursing staff, ensuring managerial responsibilities are fulfilled and discharged.
- Use knowledge of national practice to develop ACP and MDT practice within the AOS service.
- Ensuring the Acute Oncology Service communication links, pathways and methods of referral between primary, secondary and tertiary care and specialist services including palliative care is readily available to staff.
- To lead on the promotion of the AOS across the trust, into primary, secondary and tertiary care working with the trusts communication departments and cancer information centres and local contacts.
- Evaluate service delivery against agreed key performance targets, National Quality Measures, identify areas for improvement and initiate change.
- Work with the lead clinician to support preparation of Cancer Peer Review and implementation of agreed action plans.
- Implement new initiatives where possible to run a cost effective, timely service.
- Attend appropriate SEL ACN AOS specific delivery groups, projects and initiatives.
- To be core member of the local CUP MDM; work closely with GSTT CUP MDM (via tele link or in person if required).
- Link with DH AOS delivery group and meet regularly
- Proactively participate in the prevention and investigation of complaints and take constructive action to change practice when necessary.
- To proactively manage risk and be familiar with risk management processes and escalation procedures.
- Take a lead role in monitoring and reviewing of the competency based training programmes and the completion of assessment skills for all staff who require these skills and knowledge.
- Support the AOS/CUP team and oncology cancer CNSs workforce
- Deliver on going AOS teaching at the trust doctors induction; ED and acute assessment units medical and nursing staff
- Participate in the cancer nurses training programme delivering AOS specific training for ward nurses; chemotherapy team and community nursing team
- Provide expert advice and education to nurses, medical staff and AHPs with particular focus on delivery of AOS in challenged areas or when concerns arises.
- Lead on developing and participating in programmes of care aimed at empowering patients/carers to manage complications of treatment or disease.
- Disseminate expert knowledge and support nursing and medical staff by providing placement experience, giving insight into specialist role.
Clinical Governance, Quality and Evaluation of Patient Experience
- Work with Head of Nursing Cancer on clinical governance and quality assurance across the trust for all aspects of Acute Oncology nursing services. Link up with wider Cancer Management Team.
- Lead on development of a programme of ongoing audits and patient evaluation surveys for the Acute Oncology Service, in line with service objectives, Trust key performance indicators, ACN, Acute Oncology Group audits and the Cancer peer review process.
- Present findings and recommendation from audits results to relevant governance committees as requested on regular basis.
- Collect, collate and report activity data. Produce and present regular formal reports to key stakeholders, professional groups, SEL ACN Acute Oncology Group.
- Actively engage service users through the facilitation of user groups and open days in the planning and delivery of care and development of services.
- Promote peoples equality, diversity and rights.
- Undertake regular audits of his/her prescribing practice; nurse led activities
- Maintaining accurate patient records and effective ways of communication outside the organisation
People Management and Performance
- Lead, coach and manage the performance of the team in line with good people management practices. Ensuring excellence is recognised and underperformance is addressed.
- Participate in regular performance appraisal meetings and ensure each member of the team has a clear set of objectives and development plans.
- Ensure the team is compliance with all statutory, mandatory training together with any professional training requirements, ensuring they are up to date and fully compliant.
- Manage team absences including sickness in line with Trust policy ensuring the appropriate return to work meetings occur, e-roster is updated and productivity is at keep to the highest possible level.
- Identify and fill any vacancies that arise within the team in line with the Trusts recruitment policy and process.
- Identify talent and support the internal talent management process in order attract and retain and succession plan for your people.
- Review skills mix at regular intervals in order to identify any potential opportunities to maximise resource utilisation / allocation, ensuring job descriptions are kept up to date.
- Ensure overall wellbeing of the team is maintained. Continuously support in improving the morale of the team and implementing a culture of zero-tolerance for bullying and harassment.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical Responsibilities
- Work within the scope of their role, agreed and documented by their employer.
- Work within and across multi-professional teams and draw on the expertise of all members (including health and social care) to support and meet the persons needs and best interests to optimise the integration of their care.
- Establish and maintain effective communication to ensure collaborative working with other professionals and agencies (e.g. members of the MDT, CNS, specialist palliative care, hospice, community palliative care teams, primary care, AHP, cancer centre, social services ) to ensure seamless, streamlined patient care.
- Manage and escalate medical emergencies appropriately.
- Identify and act appropriately on red flags.
- Assess, diagnose and collaboratively agree a way forward, including shared decision making and personalised care and support planning.
- Manage medical complexity.
- Complete episodes of care which may include referral for further assessment, treatment and care appropriately.
- Work with people and where appropriate, carers, to access appropriate treatment, diagnostics, care and support within the context of individuals preferences, priorities and needs.
- Provide continuity of care in collaboration with the person, considering all of their physical, mental and psychosocial challenges.
- Use interactions with each person to facilitate and enable changes in behaviour that can have a positive impact on the persons health and wellbeing.
Leadership, Education and Training
- Provide leadership and vision to ensure a high quality coordinated service. This will include supporting the further development of Acute Oncology services within the hospital and community to expedite diagnosis and where possible reduce length of stay.
- Be responsible for development and implementation of policies, procedures and guidelines for the AOS, in conjunction with the Clinical lead for AOS and Lead Nurse for Cancer.
- Be the senior practitioner leading and line managing any additional AOS nursing staff, ensuring managerial responsibilities are fulfilled and discharged.
- Use knowledge of national practice to develop ACP and MDT practice within the AOS service.
- Ensuring the Acute Oncology Service communication links, pathways and methods of referral between primary, secondary and tertiary care and specialist services including palliative care is readily available to staff.
- To lead on the promotion of the AOS across the trust, into primary, secondary and tertiary care working with the trusts communication departments and cancer information centres and local contacts.
- Evaluate service delivery against agreed key performance targets, National Quality Measures, identify areas for improvement and initiate change.
- Work with the lead clinician to support preparation of Cancer Peer Review and implementation of agreed action plans.
- Implement new initiatives where possible to run a cost effective, timely service.
- Attend appropriate SEL ACN AOS specific delivery groups, projects and initiatives.
- To be core member of the local CUP MDM; work closely with GSTT CUP MDM (via tele link or in person if required).
- Link with DH AOS delivery group and meet regularly
- Proactively participate in the prevention and investigation of complaints and take constructive action to change practice when necessary.
- To proactively manage risk and be familiar with risk management processes and escalation procedures.
- Take a lead role in monitoring and reviewing of the competency based training programmes and the completion of assessment skills for all staff who require these skills and knowledge.
- Support the AOS/CUP team and oncology cancer CNSs workforce
- Deliver on going AOS teaching at the trust doctors induction; ED and acute assessment units medical and nursing staff
- Participate in the cancer nurses training programme delivering AOS specific training for ward nurses; chemotherapy team and community nursing team
- Provide expert advice and education to nurses, medical staff and AHPs with particular focus on delivery of AOS in challenged areas or when concerns arises.
- Lead on developing and participating in programmes of care aimed at empowering patients/carers to manage complications of treatment or disease.
- Disseminate expert knowledge and support nursing and medical staff by providing placement experience, giving insight into specialist role.
Clinical Governance, Quality and Evaluation of Patient Experience
- Work with Head of Nursing Cancer on clinical governance and quality assurance across the trust for all aspects of Acute Oncology nursing services. Link up with wider Cancer Management Team.
- Lead on development of a programme of ongoing audits and patient evaluation surveys for the Acute Oncology Service, in line with service objectives, Trust key performance indicators, ACN, Acute Oncology Group audits and the Cancer peer review process.
- Present findings and recommendation from audits results to relevant governance committees as requested on regular basis.
- Collect, collate and report activity data. Produce and present regular formal reports to key stakeholders, professional groups, SEL ACN Acute Oncology Group.
- Actively engage service users through the facilitation of user groups and open days in the planning and delivery of care and development of services.
- Promote peoples equality, diversity and rights.
- Undertake regular audits of his/her prescribing practice; nurse led activities
- Maintaining accurate patient records and effective ways of communication outside the organisation
People Management and Performance
- Lead, coach and manage the performance of the team in line with good people management practices. Ensuring excellence is recognised and underperformance is addressed.
- Participate in regular performance appraisal meetings and ensure each member of the team has a clear set of objectives and development plans.
- Ensure the team is compliance with all statutory, mandatory training together with any professional training requirements, ensuring they are up to date and fully compliant.
- Manage team absences including sickness in line with Trust policy ensuring the appropriate return to work meetings occur, e-roster is updated and productivity is at keep to the highest possible level.
- Identify and fill any vacancies that arise within the team in line with the Trusts recruitment policy and process.
- Identify talent and support the internal talent management process in order attract and retain and succession plan for your people.
- Review skills mix at regular intervals in order to identify any potential opportunities to maximise resource utilisation / allocation, ensuring job descriptions are kept up to date.
- Ensure overall wellbeing of the team is maintained. Continuously support in improving the morale of the team and implementing a culture of zero-tolerance for bullying and harassment.
Person Specification
Essential and desirable
Essential
- Registered health professional and MSc qualification
- Post registration qualification in cancer care/ acute care
- Advanced Physical Assessment Skills
- Non-Medical Prescribing
- Demonstrable clinical knowledge and expertise in speciality
- Ability to develop effective interpersonal relationships with colleagues across health and social care setting
Desirable
- Chemotherapy training qualifications
- Acute Clinical Practice
Person Specification
Essential and desirable
Essential
- Registered health professional and MSc qualification
- Post registration qualification in cancer care/ acute care
- Advanced Physical Assessment Skills
- Non-Medical Prescribing
- Demonstrable clinical knowledge and expertise in speciality
- Ability to develop effective interpersonal relationships with colleagues across health and social care setting
Desirable
- Chemotherapy training qualifications
- Acute Clinical Practice
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details
Employer name
King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Cross site: Denmark Hill and Princess Royal Hospitals
Denmark Hill
London
SE5 9RS
Employer's website
https://www.kch.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)
