Job responsibilities
o Accountable for own actions in accordance with NMC Code of Professional Conduct. Will contribute towards corporate objectives, acting within local, The Christie Trust and statutory guidelines and policies at all times.o Undertake highly specialised technical and/or practical skills to ensure optimum patient management including complex patient monitoring; and defined expanded clinical roles.o Act as a resource of specialised knowledge and clinical expertise to ensure care delivery to patients is appropriate, optimum and evidence based. Demonstrates clinical expertise by role modelling patient centered practice to others.o Highly developed communication skills, enabling maintenance of high-quality service within a complex and challenging environment across both primary and secondary care.o Teach, advise and assess patients and carers with regard to lung cancer, helping patients to make an informed treatment choice.o Work autonomously with a defined patient case load, utilising advanced clinical skills for assessment, devising treatment plans including independent prescribing and continued monitoring to provide a seamless service.o Support patients, carers and staff during situations arising in the clinical area, e.g., breaking bad news or following an unexpected event.
o Provides leadership that facilitates professional decision making and effective multi-disciplinary team working.o An effective change agent with the ability to initiate clinical audit and research to monitor clinical practice and processes and follow up using a benchmarking approach to ensure compliance with best practice clinical guidelines.o Participates in the monitoring and audit of standards of care within the defined policies, procedures and guidelines for the management of lung cancer.o Utilise and ensure others utilise information and IT systems to secure accurate and timely patient, workforce and data available.o Responsible for identifying and assessing complex clinical and non-clinical issues implementing resolutions and monitoring/auditing outcomes.o A resource for staff, advising on national, local and Trust policy and procedures/guidelines, ensuring that clinical governance is embedded in practice.o Supports nursing staff to develop management and leadership skills through appropriate delegation and supervision.o Formulate protocols/policies and clinical guidelines in liaison with the lung cancer clinicians.
Outline of Functions
To act as a key contact for lung cancer patients, carers and other professionals
To provide advice, support and symptom management for patients, carers and other professionals.
To work as a member of the Lung Disease Group with responsibility for the development and review of protocols / guidelines which promote innovative clinical nursing practice and integration of patient care.
To be aware of change at national and local level and how it affects the service provided
To undertake clinical and organisational audit, promoting the importance and value of undertaking such initiatives through multi professional collaboration.
Clinical duties
1. Attend lung oncology clinics to meet patients and their relatives; providing information about treatment, being fully conversant with treatment protocols. Undertake a holistic assessment of patient needs referring appropriately to services in the acute and community setting. To communicate effectively and support / counsel patients and relatives prior to, during and after treatment, acting as a point of contact.
2. Clinical assessment of patients on anti-cancer treatments in planned nurse-led clinics as well as unplanned telephone contacts. Undertaking non-medical prescribing (within the limits of your competence) to manage treatment toxicity and symptoms.
3. Undertake IRMER training and develop skills in chest x-ray / image ordering as appropriate.
4. Ensure accurate and timely documentation of patient care on the electronic patient record in accordance with hospital policies and NMC standards.
5. Act as a specialist contact for ward staff for inpatients, providing advice and support to the patient and family.
6. Attend MDT and radiology meetings as appropriate and contribute to discussions about individual patients. Attend other professional and clinical meetings as appropriate.
7. Have an awareness of current clinical trials and liaise with the lung Research Nurses regarding eligibility.
8. Act in accordance with the NMC Code and guiding documents.
Managerial/Clinical Leadership.
1. Provide specialist, expert clinical knowledge to colleagues, patients and carers both within and outside the organisation.
2. Evaluate service delivery; identify areas for improvement to promote excellence in patient care and initiate change. Involve patients, patient representatives and the public in service development as appropriate.
3. Provide written evidence of service development and performance.
4. Engage in the work carried out by GM Cancer Alliance and build effective, professional relationships across Acute and Community settings.
5. Provide and receive clinical supervision and mentorship to facilitate reflective practice.
6. Attend and participate in the CNS and Chief Nurse Forum
7. Act as a role model presenting a professional image at all times
Education and Development
1. Participate in annual appraisal and accept personal responsibility for professional growth and development. Maintain a professional portfolio for the purpose of Revalidation.
2. Ensure compliance with Trust essential training.
3. Identify training needs of colleagues and develop educational programmes in collaboration with nursing colleagues e.g. ward teaching, dissemination of best practice through presentation at conferences, Christie lung cancer study days.
4. Provide specialist input on relevant post registration courses.
5. Use relevant educational opportunities, including attending national and international conferences, to ensure provision of the highest standards of evidence based patient care. Provide written and verbal feedback to colleagues.
6. Together with other professional colleagues develop information and resource packs for patients and their carers.
Research and Audit
1. Ensure that clinical practice is evidence based best practice and disseminate information to staff.
2. Identify opportunities for nursing research and to participate in clinical audit to improve effectiveness of patient care.
3. Evaluate service delivery; identify areas for improvement and initiate change.
4. Contribute to the writing of protocols relevant to lung specialty.
