Job summary
This is a new role in Hepatology to deliver a nurse lead service for liver cancer surveillance within the department of Hepatology. This post is funded by the Cancer Alliance with the aim being to establish a robust nurse lead surveillance pathway for hepatocellular cancer at the Royal Surrey.
The clinical work is synergistic with the existing community liver health checks workstream and the work of the Hepatocellular Cancer MDT.
Primary liver cancer is the eighth most common cause of cancer death in the UK accounting for 3% of cancer related mortality (CRUK). Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) 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. There is a strong link with deprivation including homelessness, drug addiction, and obesity. Whilst HCC incidence is increasing in the UK (Burton JHEP reports 2021) survival remains poor with less than 15% 5-year survival.
The NHS Long Term plan https://www.longtermplan.nhs.uk/ sets out stretching targets ambitions and commitments to improve cancer outcomes and services in England over the next ten years with an ambition that by 2028 75% of cancers will be diagnosed at stage I or stage II. Liver cancer is a specific focus and represents 1/20 of the shift in early diagnosis required nationally to achieve this goal.
Main duties of the job
Patients who have cirrhosis or viral hepatitis are at increased risk of primary liver cancer
NICE guidance states that this patient group should have 6 monthly surveillance with
ultra sound scan.
The Royal Surrey is one of six providers commissioned to deliver a liver surveillance pathway across Surrey and Sussex Cancer Alliance (SSCA). With the rising prevalence of liver disease and risks around 18 week recovery and clinic capacity post pandemic there is an unmet need for maintaining timely surveillance and follow up (6 monthly scans and clinical review) for patients at risk of HCC. This post funded by the SSCA, for the first 2 years is required to develop a nurse lead surveillance pathway for Royal Surrey patients.
A background in clinical hepatology, oncology or research would be an advantage but induction and training will be available for the successful appointee. Whilst this post may appeal to a nurse seeking a CNS role, candidates with research and case management experience with appropriate skills will be eligible for appointment.
About us
Royal Surrey is a compassionate and collaborative acute and community Trust. Recognising that our 5000 colleagues are our greatest strength, we offer a comprehensive health and wellbeing program along with a commitment to developing and advancing your career. Our diverse and welcoming Royal Surrey family will ensure you that you feel valued from your initial interview through your entire tenure.
We are clinically led and provide joined up care by bridging the gap between hospital and community services alongside regional specialist cancer care. Our main acute hospital site is in Guildford with community hospital sites at Milford, Haslemere and Cranleigh. We provide adult community health services in homes across Guildford and Waverley.
We have received an overall Good rating from the CQC with Medical care (including older peoples care), End of Life Care and Maternity services being deemed Outstanding by the CQC.
Royal Surrey has a strong reputation and history to build on. We are proud of our achievements and we are investing in our colleagues through our commitment to supporting professional development as well as investing more than £45 million in our physical environment and new equipment in the next few years. There has never been a better time to join us.
Although it isn't the Trusts normal practice, adverts may close early, so you are encouraged to submit an application as soon as possible.
A video about the Royal Surrey - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5HsiGn9joTQ
Job description
Job responsibilities
We are looking for an experienced motivated individual who can fully engage, support to run the clinic in Gastro. You will be required to:
- To work collaboratively with patients and staff to deliver a specialist service based within the HCC team
- To deliver a high quality, individually tailored empathetic advisory support to patients/ relatives and staff.
- To work closely as part of the Gastro CNS team
Ideally you will have had experience of working within in a clinic set up and have an in depth knowledge and understanding of supporting a client through the HCC pathway. You will need to have excellent communication skills both written and verbal, have a good telephone manner.
This is a new post required to expand Hepatology services for the effective delivery of a robust HCC surveillance pathway. The Primary purpose of the role is to deliver the HCC surveillance pathway including patient assessment, investigations, review of blood, USS, and lifestyle advice and signposting, The post holder will work closely with the HCC surveillance data manager and pathway navigator to co-ordinate care for patients engaged in hepatocellular cancer surveillance pathways.
Working with existing team members, the post holder will deliver nurse lead clinics for people with stable cirrhosis and channel patients with more advanced liver disease to Consultant clinics. The nurse will be accountable for requesting and co-ordinating six monthly diagnostics for patients with cirrhosis, and will work closely with the pathway navigator to track patients through the pathway.
The Trust will be required to develop a database of patients on surveillance (in future there will be local and national patient level reporting). In the set up phase the CNS will work with the Hepatology consultants to ensure that the RSCH complies with Key Performance Indicators defined by the Cancer Alliance.
The CNS will work closely with all the Consultant Hepatologists Liver CNS team, pathway navigators, cancer services and diagnostic services to retain patients in cancer surveillance pathways. There will be significant overlap with the HCC Cancer CNS and the Liver Health checks team to ensure all liver surveillance patients are captured and retained in care pathways.
For further information please contact
Medical Matron Sreeja Sukumaran on bleep 0423 Or HCC Clinical Nurse Specialist
Job description
Job responsibilities
We are looking for an experienced motivated individual who can fully engage, support to run the clinic in Gastro. You will be required to:
- To work collaboratively with patients and staff to deliver a specialist service based within the HCC team
- To deliver a high quality, individually tailored empathetic advisory support to patients/ relatives and staff.
- To work closely as part of the Gastro CNS team
Ideally you will have had experience of working within in a clinic set up and have an in depth knowledge and understanding of supporting a client through the HCC pathway. You will need to have excellent communication skills both written and verbal, have a good telephone manner.
This is a new post required to expand Hepatology services for the effective delivery of a robust HCC surveillance pathway. The Primary purpose of the role is to deliver the HCC surveillance pathway including patient assessment, investigations, review of blood, USS, and lifestyle advice and signposting, The post holder will work closely with the HCC surveillance data manager and pathway navigator to co-ordinate care for patients engaged in hepatocellular cancer surveillance pathways.
Working with existing team members, the post holder will deliver nurse lead clinics for people with stable cirrhosis and channel patients with more advanced liver disease to Consultant clinics. The nurse will be accountable for requesting and co-ordinating six monthly diagnostics for patients with cirrhosis, and will work closely with the pathway navigator to track patients through the pathway.
The Trust will be required to develop a database of patients on surveillance (in future there will be local and national patient level reporting). In the set up phase the CNS will work with the Hepatology consultants to ensure that the RSCH complies with Key Performance Indicators defined by the Cancer Alliance.
The CNS will work closely with all the Consultant Hepatologists Liver CNS team, pathway navigators, cancer services and diagnostic services to retain patients in cancer surveillance pathways. There will be significant overlap with the HCC Cancer CNS and the Liver Health checks team to ensure all liver surveillance patients are captured and retained in care pathways.
For further information please contact
Medical Matron Sreeja Sukumaran on bleep 0423 Or HCC Clinical Nurse Specialist
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Experienced healthcare professional e.g. Registered nurse with current NMC PIN Qualifications or current research practitioner with extended scope of practice including patient facing activities
Desirable
- Mentor/Teaching/Assessing qualification
- Qualification in advanced communication skills
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Knowledge of specialist areas relevant to this post acquired through experience in clinical settings e.g., Hepatology inpatients or outpatients, drug or alcohol services, cancer care or research. State the specific knowledge
- Experience of independent practice assessing patients in a clinical area
- CPD - Evidence of post qualifying and continuing professional development
- Must understand the background to and aims of current healthcare policy/national guidance/CQC/ and appreciate the implications of this on engagement for this project
- Understanding of the importance of informed consent
- Clinical Governance and risk management
- Working in a multi-disciplinary team environment
- Ability to manage own caseload in accordance with Screening targets, NHS cancer targets and working across multiple sites
Desirable
- Knowledge of Liver disease management including relevant diagnostic investigations
- Understanding of Cancer Pathways relevant to liver disease surveillance and management
- Research and or audit experience
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Experienced healthcare professional e.g. Registered nurse with current NMC PIN Qualifications or current research practitioner with extended scope of practice including patient facing activities
Desirable
- Mentor/Teaching/Assessing qualification
- Qualification in advanced communication skills
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Knowledge of specialist areas relevant to this post acquired through experience in clinical settings e.g., Hepatology inpatients or outpatients, drug or alcohol services, cancer care or research. State the specific knowledge
- Experience of independent practice assessing patients in a clinical area
- CPD - Evidence of post qualifying and continuing professional development
- Must understand the background to and aims of current healthcare policy/national guidance/CQC/ and appreciate the implications of this on engagement for this project
- Understanding of the importance of informed consent
- Clinical Governance and risk management
- Working in a multi-disciplinary team environment
- Ability to manage own caseload in accordance with Screening targets, NHS cancer targets and working across multiple sites
Desirable
- Knowledge of Liver disease management including relevant diagnostic investigations
- Understanding of Cancer Pathways relevant to liver disease surveillance and management
- Research and or audit experience
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.
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
