Hepatology Surveillance Nurse

Job summary

This post is an new role to support and expand the delivery of the Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) surveillance program here at UHDB Trust.

Primary liver cancer is the eighth most common cause of cancer death in the UK accounting for 3% of cancer related mortality (Cancer Research, UK). Hepatocellular carcinoma is the most common type of primary liver cancer and presents in patients with cirrhosis. The dominant risk factors include cirrhosis caused by alcohol or viral hepatitis, and metabolic or fatty liver disease.

The aim of the program is early detection of HCC and effective management of liver disease to enhance patient outcomes and provide potentially life-saving interventions.

The Hepatology Surveillance Nurse will work as part of a multi professional team to deliver the HCC surveillance standards set out by NHS England (NHSE). This program will support patients with stable, compensated liver cirrhosis who are at risk of developing HCC in the outpatient setting, to ensure an efficient, co-ordinated and streamlined service is provided to the region covered by UHDB Trust.

This is a 12-month fixed term contract.

Closing date - 25/06/2025Interview date - 09/07/2025

Main duties of the job

Manage a diverse caseload of patients who are under HCC surveillance, developing the pathway to ensure an equitable service is provided.

Provide nurse led clinics for patients with compensated cirrhosis. Use assessments to identify complications of liver disease and apply health promotion advice to reduce risks of progressing to advanced (decompensated) cirrhosis

Arrange/review blood tests and ultrasound scans in line with NHSE minimum standards for HCC Surveillance and ensure results are communicated to the patients in a timely manner

Act as an advocate for the patient, supporting them to navigate and make informed choices throughout the process.

Overcome barriers to communication to ensure patients are aware of the aims and limitations of the HCC surveillance program

Manage a telephone adviceline for patients with liver cirrhosis offering support, advice and information

Liaise with the wider team to ensure that abnormal radiological findings are presented in a timely manner to the MDT

Populate and maintain a local HCC surveillance database to capture information in line with NHSE minimum standards for HCC surveillance

Utilise advanced communications skills to deliver and receive information that may cause emotional distress

Support attendance for patients with complex and chaotic lifestyles using appropriate modifications, such as, changing location/timing of scans

Participate in all aspects of the service delivery and take part in changes as they evolve

About us

As a trusted organisation at the heart of our communities, we recognise the important role we can play in supporting the public, patients, our own people and local partners in achieving the best of health for the local population and the communities in which they live by providing Exceptional Care Together

Our fundamental Values of Compassion, Openness and Excellence underpin how we intend to work as a Trust and the associated behaviours are becoming embedded in all aspects of how we work.

In return we will offer:

• Development opportunities, both professional and leadership development
• On-going support from recruitment to when you join our team and beyond.
• Staff benefits including employee assistance programme, discounted gym membership, onsite fitness classes, car schemes

Key Facts:

• We see on average 4810 OP appointments a day.
• We are the 4th busiest Trauma & Orthopaedic outpatients department in England - an average of 2077 per week.
• An average of 1115 patients are seen in A&Es across our network every day - 3rd largest in the country.
• Our hospitals admit an average of 195 emergency patients daily.
• Last year we undertook almost 33,700 planned surgical operations in our 57 operating theatres.
• We are one of only 7 Trusts nationally with more than 50 operating theatres.
• We carry out more than 140 elective procedures each working day.
• UHDB is a research active University Hospital with a large and varied portfolio of clinical trials and research opportunities for all staff

Employer details

Employer name

University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Royal Derby Hospital

Uttoxeter Road

Derby

DE22 3NE

Employer's website

https://www.uhdb.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

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Employer details

Employer name

University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Royal Derby Hospital

Uttoxeter Road

Derby

DE22 3NE

Employer's website

https://www.uhdb.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

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