Associate Upper Gastrointestinal (UGI) Clinical Nurse Specialist

Job responsibilities

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Act as a key contact for patients with UGI malignancies and provide support for their carers and other healthcare professionals
• Provide advice, support and symptom management as appropriate, liaising with other relevant health care professionals
• Demonstrate knowledge of current best practice in relation to the treatment and management of patients with UGI malignancy

Clinical duties

1. Attend medical and Clinical Oncology UGI clinics at The Christie in order to meet patients and their carers and provide relevant information to support their treatment.

2. Provide psychological support and make referrals to relevant professionals if appropriate

3. Participate in weekly review of radiotherapy/chemotherapy patients. Assessing toxicities, arranging appropriate prescriptions and alerting MDT to abnormal bloods. Completing EOT letters, arranging further follow up or admission if required.

4. Provide effective communication between patient, relatives/carer and MDT/ ward

5. Be fully conversant with treatment protocols and demonstrate knowledge of current evidence based management of patients with UGI malignancies. Liaise with UGI research nursing team accordingly

6. Accurately document patient care in accordance with Trust policies and standards

7. Liaise with appropriate team members when patients are admitted as in-patients, either at The Christie, or another Trust

8. Carry out clinical duties to ensure the patient pathway runs effectively and efficiently

9. Act in accordance with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) Code and other supporting documentation

Professional/Clinical Leadership

1. Act as a role model and expert resource to patients, carers and colleagues

2. Support the Senior UGI CNS in acting as a specialist resource for the ward team providing care for patients with UGI malignancies

3. Evaluate service delivery, identify areas for improvement and initiate change and clinical development when appropriate

4. Keep accurate documentation of service delivery and performance using tools available on CWP

5. Receive clinical supervision and mentorship, if desired, in order to facilitate reflective practice

6. Attend and participate in the CNS forum

Education and Development

1. Participate in annual appraisal and accept personal responsibility for professional growth and development. Maintain a professional portfolio

2. Ensure compliance with Trust mandatory training

3. Contribute to educational programmes in collaboration with CNS colleagues. This could include teaching colleagues, dissemination of best practice through presentations, and participation in patient education days

4. Attend relevant educational meetings in order to keep up-dated with current best practice

5. In collaboration with other colleagues, develop information and resources for patients and their carers

Research and audit

1. In collaboration with colleagues, undertake clinical and organisational audit in order to improve practice

2. Disseminate change in evidence based practice to colleagues at The Christie and the wider network

3. Evaluate service delivery; identify areas for improvement, and initiate change as appropriate

Qualifications

Essential

• Registered general nurse (RGN)
• Degree or diploma in nursing studies

Desirable

• Palliative care certificate
• Counselling qualification
• Advanced communication skills
• Post registration in oncology

Experience

Essential

• Minimum three years post registration experience
• Upper GI experience
• Oncology experience

Desirable

• Experience of independent practice
• Experience of caring for patients with enhanced care needs and also at end of life

Skills

Essential

• Enhanced communication skills
• Able to work autonomously as well as part of a team
• Aware of own limitations
• Ability to develop effective interpersonal relationships with colleagues across health and social care setting
• Ability to organise and prioritise workload

Desirable

• Evidence of effective team working across professional and organisational boundaries

Knowledge

Essential

• Knowledge of professional and NHS issues and policies
• Evidence of continuing professional development.

Desirable

• Knowledge of current management pathways relating to UGI cancer

Values

Essential

• Ability to demonstrate the organisational values and behaviours

Other

Essential

• Able to demonstrate flexibility in working hours
• Ability to respond appropriately to emergency or critical situations

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).