Acute Oncology Team Leader - Patient Flow

Job responsibilities

MANAGEMENT AND OPERATIONAL

A motivated and dynamic leader, striving for improvement in care and practice, and acting as positive role model to all staff.

Demonstrate christie behaviours and values maintains a high visibility within the clinical areas, providing support and advice to all staff.

Provide management support for the Patient Flow Team and Hotline Team

Liaise closely with all ward managers/nursing teams and matrons across all inpatient and out patient settings to ensure accurate up to date knowledge of patient placements is achieved.

Work closely with the infection prevention and control team to reduce patient risk of infection and ensure appropriate use of isolation and early identification of potential infection risks. Also liaise closely with domestic supervisors to organise deep clean team daily time table in line with trust needs.

Liaise closely with critical care team to understand needs and prioritise care of acutely unwell patients across the trust.

- Provide 24/7 telephone helpline service to enable patients to access expert advice and management with the side effects of their disease or treatments

• Utilise the UKONS 24 hour triage tool to safely manage patients

Be the first point of call for acute oncology management service escalation policy to ensure safe waiting times for calls to the hotline.

Work closely with the discharge team and community services to facilitate effective fast track and rapid discharge in line with palliative care Trust and National goals and initiatives.

Liaise with consultant colleagues from all clinical specialities, to advise and escalate where necessary, of the site bed position to allow a strategy for overcoming shortfalls in capacity and demand.

Foster and demonstrate creativity, energy and inspiration into ward teams toward efficient patient flows and pathways.

Assess, plan and implement clinical care and maintain associated patient records.

Be aware of Health and Safety issues and ensure relevant risk assessments are undertaken.

Report and record all accidents and complaints according to the agreed policy, investigating speedily and compassionately

Ensure all trust policies and procedures are adhered to and new ones implemented as necessary

Ensure each designated staff member participates in a personal development plan and act to maximise the potential of others

Assist in nursing recruitment process when required

Take a progressive approach to the management of short and long-term sickness/absence in collaboration with the Department manager/Senior Nursing team

• Continuously review the service and implement change to the service to support ongoing improvements in bed management reflecting capacity and demand issues as well as all aspects of patient flow to ensure best possible patient experience from begging to end of their patient journey.

Participate and lead, where appropriate, the daily meetings, gathering appropriate concise information.

Ensure the patient flow team communicate the bed status clearly and to Trust manages both verbally and in report form

Ensure effective communication between patients, their families and the healthcare team in order to maintain continuity in care and that appropriate and consistent information is conveyed to patients and their families.

Ensure the Hotline team communicate effectively and timely with Acute Oncology Management teams at local hospitals

Maintain links with specialist nurses, GPs and nursing teams in the community to ensure continuity of care

Be innovative in approach to move the service forward in line with Trust and National frameworks including inpatient and primary care initiatives to improve inpatient capacity challenges.

Liaise with consultant colleagues from all clinical specialities, to advise and escalate where necessary

Liaise with other hospitals and trusts to understand pressures and appropriately support patients on and off site through effective clinical judgement, assessment and communication to appropriately repatriate and transfer patients.

• Work as a professional role model, providing leadership at all times and work as the patient advocate when necessary
• Initiate the escalation plan when the hospital is at or nearing capacity.

Be fully aware of the patient flow responsibilities within the major incident plan and its specific role within the Trust wide plan.

To co-ordinate and where necessary take responsibility for care of patients in the transfer lounge

Communicate with patients and/or cares regarding their care management dealing with highly sensitive information requiring empathy and reassurance

Be aware of possible barriers to understanding and use exceptional communication skills and specialist knowledge to overcome this

Clinically assess patient provided information and provide appropriate safe advice on a range of clinical issues

Recognise and escalate appropriately patients who are critically ill

Make clinical judgements from caller information, evaluating multiple options and courses of action to find the most appropriate route for the patient

Work collaboratively with community services and the patient flow team to overcome capacity issues with patient safety at the forefront of decision making

Liaise within clinicians and arrange prescriptions and treatment plans for patients in the community to avoid urgent admission or onsite assessment

TRAINING & EDUCATION

Complete appropriate clinical skills and mandatory training as directed by management

Supervise clinical staff and disseminate knowledge and current developments. Ensure all staff have an appropriate level of training and are offered relevant support

Present at training days and conference

Supervise and appraise nominated staff by establishing performance objectives and facilitating individual development opportunities through personal development plans.

Participate and undertake research and audit which will influence practice

To be up to date in all IV training programs including annual updates and competent in all areas of clinical practice including medicines management, moving and handling, assessment of critically ill patient and competent in performing ECGs

Attend all mandatory study days

Maintain awareness and competency within the role against national and regional initiatives and subsequently implement these initiatives into practice.

Take responsibility for training and education of the team and ensure equal opportunities for develop

Maintain professional accountability

PROFESSIONAL LEADERSHIP

Maintain a high-profile visible presence within wards and department areas whilst ensuring the highest standards are maintained

Work as a professional role model and patient advocate which reflects the Trusts values and behaviours

Contribute to local resolution of any informal or formal complaints and carry out any follow-up action as required

Provide leadership to promote the patient flow and operational agenda

Participate in professional forums where appropriate

Communication and Relationship skills

Act as a resource giving advice and support to nursing staff regarding emergency admissions and associated issues

Provide and receive highly sensitive confidential information concerning patients requiring empathy, persuasion and reassurance.

Deals with complex facts or situations requiring analysis, interpretation and comparison of a range of options

Liaise closely with the medical team and other members of the MDT in respect of patient care promoting the highest standard of care

To develop and maintain a professional interest in all aspects of nursing and associated research

To highlight areas of improvement/development within the department and undertake relevant projects

Foster and demonstrate creativity, energy and inspiration into ward teams toward efficient patient flows and pathways.

Planning and organisational skills

Plan and organise complex activities or programmes requiring formulation, adjustment and involving multiagency

Provide highly specialised advice on trust status

Responsibility for financial and physical resources . hold delegated budget authority for patient flow

Responsibility for human resources. Day to day management of staffing levels for your team and when necessary, the division

Deal with and support the team through highly distressing or emotional circumstances e.g giving unwelcome news or challenging decision making

PERSONAL

Show professional and courteous manner whilst practicing excellent communication skills at all levels

Undertake relevant projects

Represent the team at trust wide forums

Keep abreast of issues influencing the Trust both internally and externally

Participate in policy writing for the department and trust

Be fully aware of the divisional objectives and the Trusts corporate plan

To show respect for members of the team and endorse the departments philosophy of giving mutual support.

Being aware of ones own limitations, maintain confidentiality and adherence to NMC Professional Code of Conduct

Cooperate in own performance review by indicating learning goals and support needs.

Maintain confidentiality with regard to patient information both at work and outside working hours

Report and record all accidents and complaints according to the agreed policy

Qualifications

Essential

• RGN Level 1
• Degree or Diploma in Nursing Studies
• Post Registration Certificate in Cancer or equivalent experience

Desirable

• Teaching and Assessing certificate or equivalent
• Management Course Non-medical prescribing

Experience

Essential

• Oncology or emergency care experience

Desirable

• Managerial Experience
• Patient Flow Experience
• Triage Experience
• Performance Management Experience

Skills

Essential

• Excellent communication skills
• Excellent assessment skills
• Computer Literacy
• Ability to deliver a high quality of care
• Good medicines management skills

Desirable

• Leadership skills
• Venepuncture and cannulation skills
• Excellent IV skills

Knowledge

Essential

• Understanding of need for evidence based practice
• Committed to own personal development and that of colleagues

Desirable

• SACT knowledge
• Understanding of UKONs triage tool

Values

Essential

• Ability to demonstrate the organisational values and behaviours.

Personal Attributes

Essential

• Ability to work well in a team.
• Ability to work on own initiative
• Ability to organise and prioritise own workload.

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).