Job summary
The Lead Cancer Nurse:
will be expected to communicate highly complex, sensitive information to patients, relatives and staff at all levels throughout the organization and external agencies
will be required to overcome communication barriers with patients, staff and the general public who are displaying emotional crisis, which may on occasion include vulnerability, verbal and physical aggression, learning difficulties and language barriers
will be required to give presentations to small and large groups from a variety of occupational groups, including presentation of changes to working practice that may appear contentious
will be expected to effect change in working practice, use negotiation skills to engage staff in changing practice and negotiate resources for services
will be expected to work and liaise closely within the Division in delivering service needs.
will work closely with cancer teams within the trust, the Dorset cancer Partnership, cancer teams
at other Dorset acute trusts, Wessex cancer Alliance (including Wessex Lead Cancer Nurse forum).
Main duties of the job
The post holder will provide expert, professional leadership to nursing staff responsible for the delivery of cancer care at DCH, including the clinical nurse specialists, cancer support workers, staff working on SACT delivery and acute oncology services at DCH. The post holder is the designated Lead Cancer Nurse for the Trust. The post holder will represent cancer nursing for DCH at regional and national meetings where necessary, ensuring the patient is central to any workstreams or developments.The lead cancer nurse will take responsibility for implementation of the regional and national cancer strategies, including issues relating to workforce, education & training, cancer performance targets, quality, risk, personalised care, inclusion and deprivation and personalised medicine (genomics).The post holder will maintain clinical expertise and credibility by working in a patient facing area of oncology or haematology for approx. 2 PA's each week. This will be negotiated and defined by the postholder and line manager, based on their specialist area of expertise. The clinical element of the role will be delivered at an advanced level and as such this post may interest advanced clinical practitioners as well as other senior nurses with extended skillset.
About us
At Dorset County Hospital (DCH) we aspire to providing outstanding care for people in ways which matter to them. Our trust strategy is focussed on three strategic goals: People, Place, and Partnership. It signals our intention to truly value our staff. Our people are our most important asset, and we want them to feel valued, welcomed, respected, they belong and matter. We recognise the link between high levels of staff satisfaction and improving patient experience and outcomes.
We are a Trust that celebrates diversity, and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Dorset County Hospital has a number of employees from overseas delivering high quality services and we recognise the value of diversity in leadership.
Job description
Job responsibilities
PHYSICAL SKILLS
- The Lead Cancer Nurse will be required to have developed physical skills through practice e.g. venepuncture/cannulation and will be expected to demonstrate competence in administration of cytotoxic drugs and train and assess others in this skill.
The Lead Cancer Nurse will use physical examination skills and history taking skills as part of her assessment process of patients.
Following successful completion of the nationally accredited NMP training, the post holder will undertake non-medical prescribing (NMP) for patients being clinically managed in the post holders area of specialism.
It is the post holders responsibility as a non-medical prescriber to work within the boundaries of the NMP policy at DCHFT and to the NMCs Standards of proficiency for nurse and midwife prescribers
Where clinically appropriate and following the necessary, approved training, the post holder will initiate and participate in end of life care discussions with patients and their families, including DNACPR discussions. Complete documentation to support DNACPR discussions, including the DNACPR form in line with the DCH resuscitation policy and the pan Dorset DNACPR policy. Ensure the DNACPR policy is adhered to at all times.
Where clinically appropriate and within the boundaries described in the post holders personal non-medical radiology protocol, the post holder will request radiology investigations. All requested investigations results will be followed up by the post holder or a plan made for the patients oncologist to review the report in a timely manner.
IRMER training will be undertaken regularly in line with trust policy to support non- medical requesting of radiology investigations
RESPONSIBILITY FOR PATIENTS
The Lead Cancer Nurse
is accountable for the delivery of the nursing service within the designated areas, developing and monitoring quality standards in respect of patient care thus ensuring continuous improvement
is responsible for creating pathways for patients that improve and enhance their experience, including that patients are treated with respect at all times, ensuring privacy and dignity is protected by setting and monitoring standards
will ensure that the highest standards of prevention and control of infection are set and monitored in every ward and department within the designated areas aligned to the high impact changes and Health and Social Care Act 2008.
Will maintain knowledge and skills in relation to all relevant areas of nursing, including the extended roles of physical examination, radiology requesting and non-medical prescribing.
RESPONSIBILTIY FOR POLICY AND SERVICE DEVELOPMENT
The Lead Cancer Nurse
is responsible for ensuring there are safe systems of care within the designated areas
is required to follow Trust policies, implement policies for own work area and propose changing to working procedures /policies which may impact on other Directorates
is responsible for service development of areas of responsibility in line with Trust and government initiatives and that nursing staff in the designated areas implement all relevant policies
RESPONSIBILITY FOR FINANCIAL AND PHYSICAL RESOURCES
The Lead Cancer Nurse
- will have delegated responsibility for the ward and outpatient area budgets
- will be required to produce business cases for new nursing staff, services, procedures and equipment
- will ensure that they and staff know the procedures for handling patient valuables
- is responsible for ensuring a working system to deliver the Trust and Divisional Health and Safety policy
RESPONSIBILITY FOR STAFF
- Line manage the sisters in charge of the Fortuneswell Unit, specified cancer clinical nurse specialists, oncology social workers, cancer support workers and PA to cancer leads.
- Ensure sisters have systems in place and implemented to manage work planning and allocation, clinical supervision, appraisal, training and development, grievance and discipline, sickness absence, individual staff performance, recruitment and selection and any other system commensurate with the post
- Leading the professional development of nurses, developing extended roles, including organising procedures/tests, nurse led discharge and where appropriate nurse prescribing.
Job description
Job responsibilities
PHYSICAL SKILLS
- The Lead Cancer Nurse will be required to have developed physical skills through practice e.g. venepuncture/cannulation and will be expected to demonstrate competence in administration of cytotoxic drugs and train and assess others in this skill.
The Lead Cancer Nurse will use physical examination skills and history taking skills as part of her assessment process of patients.
Following successful completion of the nationally accredited NMP training, the post holder will undertake non-medical prescribing (NMP) for patients being clinically managed in the post holders area of specialism.
It is the post holders responsibility as a non-medical prescriber to work within the boundaries of the NMP policy at DCHFT and to the NMCs Standards of proficiency for nurse and midwife prescribers
Where clinically appropriate and following the necessary, approved training, the post holder will initiate and participate in end of life care discussions with patients and their families, including DNACPR discussions. Complete documentation to support DNACPR discussions, including the DNACPR form in line with the DCH resuscitation policy and the pan Dorset DNACPR policy. Ensure the DNACPR policy is adhered to at all times.
Where clinically appropriate and within the boundaries described in the post holders personal non-medical radiology protocol, the post holder will request radiology investigations. All requested investigations results will be followed up by the post holder or a plan made for the patients oncologist to review the report in a timely manner.
IRMER training will be undertaken regularly in line with trust policy to support non- medical requesting of radiology investigations
RESPONSIBILITY FOR PATIENTS
The Lead Cancer Nurse
is accountable for the delivery of the nursing service within the designated areas, developing and monitoring quality standards in respect of patient care thus ensuring continuous improvement
is responsible for creating pathways for patients that improve and enhance their experience, including that patients are treated with respect at all times, ensuring privacy and dignity is protected by setting and monitoring standards
will ensure that the highest standards of prevention and control of infection are set and monitored in every ward and department within the designated areas aligned to the high impact changes and Health and Social Care Act 2008.
Will maintain knowledge and skills in relation to all relevant areas of nursing, including the extended roles of physical examination, radiology requesting and non-medical prescribing.
RESPONSIBILTIY FOR POLICY AND SERVICE DEVELOPMENT
The Lead Cancer Nurse
is responsible for ensuring there are safe systems of care within the designated areas
is required to follow Trust policies, implement policies for own work area and propose changing to working procedures /policies which may impact on other Directorates
is responsible for service development of areas of responsibility in line with Trust and government initiatives and that nursing staff in the designated areas implement all relevant policies
RESPONSIBILITY FOR FINANCIAL AND PHYSICAL RESOURCES
The Lead Cancer Nurse
- will have delegated responsibility for the ward and outpatient area budgets
- will be required to produce business cases for new nursing staff, services, procedures and equipment
- will ensure that they and staff know the procedures for handling patient valuables
- is responsible for ensuring a working system to deliver the Trust and Divisional Health and Safety policy
RESPONSIBILITY FOR STAFF
- Line manage the sisters in charge of the Fortuneswell Unit, specified cancer clinical nurse specialists, oncology social workers, cancer support workers and PA to cancer leads.
- Ensure sisters have systems in place and implemented to manage work planning and allocation, clinical supervision, appraisal, training and development, grievance and discipline, sickness absence, individual staff performance, recruitment and selection and any other system commensurate with the post
- Leading the professional development of nurses, developing extended roles, including organising procedures/tests, nurse led discharge and where appropriate nurse prescribing.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Current unrestricted registration as a Nurse
- Masters level degree or equivalent
- Teaching and assessing/mentorship qualification
- Registered Independent Prescriber
- Leadership qualification/course
Desirable
- ALS/ATLS/ETC/APLS/EPALS (as relevant to role)
- MSc Advanced Clinical Practice or equivalent qualification
Experience
Essential
- Minimum of 10 years post-registration experience
- Extensive clinical experience of cancer
- Evidence of ability to work & lead autonomously at advanced practice level
- Management of patients with complex needs
- Evidence of delivery of training
- Clinical Supervision experience
- Contribution to audit
- Ability to initiate, sustain and evaluate change within a variety of clinical situations
Desirable
- Management & Leadership experience
Skills & Knowledge
Essential
- Evidence of continuing professional development
- Advanced Clinical Practice skills
- Clinical Examination skills
- In-depth knowledge of current practice issues
- Skills in critical analysis & application of research to practice
- Ability to work across professional and organisational boundaries, to negotiate effectively and resolve complex problems
- Evidence of good written and oral communication skills including presentations
- Able to recognise and analyse complex situations and take appropriate solutions
- Ability to form good working relationships / interpersonal skills
Desirable
- Ability and initiative to develop specialist areas of interest
Special Requirements
Essential
- Flexible approach to shift patterns and service delivery
Desirable
- Ability to travel to different sites within and external to the Trust (dependent on role)
Additional Department Specific criteria
Essential
- Advanced communication course (Breaking bad news, DNAR decisions
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Current unrestricted registration as a Nurse
- Masters level degree or equivalent
- Teaching and assessing/mentorship qualification
- Registered Independent Prescriber
- Leadership qualification/course
Desirable
- ALS/ATLS/ETC/APLS/EPALS (as relevant to role)
- MSc Advanced Clinical Practice or equivalent qualification
Experience
Essential
- Minimum of 10 years post-registration experience
- Extensive clinical experience of cancer
- Evidence of ability to work & lead autonomously at advanced practice level
- Management of patients with complex needs
- Evidence of delivery of training
- Clinical Supervision experience
- Contribution to audit
- Ability to initiate, sustain and evaluate change within a variety of clinical situations
Desirable
- Management & Leadership experience
Skills & Knowledge
Essential
- Evidence of continuing professional development
- Advanced Clinical Practice skills
- Clinical Examination skills
- In-depth knowledge of current practice issues
- Skills in critical analysis & application of research to practice
- Ability to work across professional and organisational boundaries, to negotiate effectively and resolve complex problems
- Evidence of good written and oral communication skills including presentations
- Able to recognise and analyse complex situations and take appropriate solutions
- Ability to form good working relationships / interpersonal skills
Desirable
- Ability and initiative to develop specialist areas of interest
Special Requirements
Essential
- Flexible approach to shift patterns and service delivery
Desirable
- Ability to travel to different sites within and external to the Trust (dependent on role)
Additional Department Specific criteria
Essential
- Advanced communication course (Breaking bad news, DNAR decisions
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).
