Clinical Nurse Specialist Melanoma

Job responsibilities

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

This post has a specific focus on supporting patients undergoing non-surgical treatment of melanoma. The postholder will:

Provide specialist nursing expertise and advice to patients and carers within the field of melanoma

Act as point of contact for patients, carers and all members of the Multidisciplinary Team, providing information and education as required.

Provide emotional support from diagnosis onwards, ensuring continuity and consistency of care for patients and relatives.

Work within clearly defined protocols.

Collaborate with all members of the Multidisciplinary Team, both internally and externally including referring hospitals, GPs, District Nurses and Specialist Nurses across the region. Ensure there is a smooth transition for patients and carers from hospital to the community and vice versa.

Demonstrate initiative and vision in moving the service forward as well as developing standards and protocols for the management of this patient group.

Develop the provision of holistic needs assessments

Develop recovery packages to enable patients to live with and beyond cancer

Attend outpatient clinics ensuring that the needs of patients and carers are met in these clinics.

Initiate nurse led clinics when appropriate- either telephone or hospital based in order to support patients outside clinic appointments

Provide cross cover for the other Nurse Specialist within the melanoma Multi-disciplinary Team

Promote a culture that supports self-management.

Provide specialist education and training to other professionals within the multidisciplinary team involved in patient care.

Provide specialist education and training to ward staff about melanoma, including the care of patients on systemic anti cancer treatment

Collate and record quantitative and qualitative data to provide evidence of productivity, outcomes and quality, through audit and research

Lead on the implementation and monitoring of adherence to relevant clinical guidelines.

Actively participate in multi-professional meetings, acting as patient advocate and representing nursing views.

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Act as a role model for excellent advanced communication skills and expertise.

Demonstrate skills in conflict resolution and competent negotiation skills when dealing with difficult or challenging situations.

Lead the development of patient focussed education, including training to self-manage ongoing consequences of treatment.

1. Clinical Practice

Provide specialist nursing input for patients with melanoma explaining treatment regimens and side effects. Ensure access to written and verbal information, provide advice and support.

Be fluent with protocols and maintain specialist knowledge relating to melanoma.

Manage a caseload of patients and undergo comprehensive assessments and plan, implement and evaluate care using specialist knowledge and collaborating with all members of the Multi-disciplinary Team, whilst maintaining a high standard of record keeping.

Prescribe appropriate medication within the scope of clinical practice

Liaise directly with the melanoma Consultants in the development, implementation and evaluation of individual programmes of care and protocols.

Liaise with other skin cancer Nurse Specialists within the North West region to ensure smooth transition of care of patients between Trusts

Provide emotional support to patients and their families.

Promote patient and public experience feedback through local initiatives to drive innovation and change.

Participate in ongoing education and training of other staff within the Trust

2. Educational

Educate patients and their families regarding melanoma and related issues.

Participate in formal teaching sessions. Participate in pre and post registration nurse education. Assist in the development of nursing practice within the speciality.

Provide advice to community support services in patient care needs including information relating to Systemic anti-cancer treatment.

Maintain own professional development ensuring educational needs are met.

Attend appropriate group meetings and forums to share ideas with nurses in similar roles.

3. Leadership and Management

Act as role model and expert resource to patients, carers and staff.

Develop effective working relationships with all members of the team to ensure the delivery of an efficient resource.

Maintain accurate record system and collect relevant statistical information for service evaluation. Complete annual report to monitor the service. Participate in clinical audit as required.

Ensure effective use of stock and equipment with care and economy.

Lead where appropriate the establishment of standards for practice and care protocols.

4. Research

Develop a sound knowledge base of relevant research ensuring that quality evidence based care in the specialist service for patients with melanoma is provided.

5. Professional

Supervise, develop and support the delivery of care for this patient group, maintaining and promoting the highest standards of care.

Liaise with the melanoma Clinician and CNS Specialist to develop protocols, carry out audit and ensure patient scare is carried out to the highest possible standard

Provide clinical supervision for nurse colleagues and ensure a supervision pathway for own practice.

Agree regular objectives with line manager and submit annual report demonstrating progress against targets and undertake annual PDP.

Be aware of and comply with NMC code of practice and trust policies.

Assist in the development of the specialist nursing service within current changing trends.

6. Communication

Maintain regular contact with patients and their families, assessing any change in their care needs. Initiate appropriate referrals as needed.

Maintain effective communication with all members of the team within the hospital and external organisations.

Liaise with and act as a resource for community services regarding patient care, providing information as required.

Liaise with medical staff relating to clinical requirements pertaining to the needs of this patient group.

Participate in outpatient clinics as required and cross over for other team members as needed.

Produce clear and consistent written information which can be used by Healthcare Professionals to provide consistent advice and maximise the provision of the highest quality of patient care.

Qualifications

Essential

• RGN
• Degree in Nursing/ Health related subject or equivalent experience
• Post registration qualification in oncology
• Non medical prescribing (NMP) Qualification
• Evidence of involvement in leadership and teaching and mentoring of learners

Desirable

• Qualification in teaching and assessing
• Masters Degree
• Counselling Certificate
• Palliative Care Certificate
• Nurse non-medical prescribing

Experience

Essential

• Post registration with experience at a senior level
• Broad range of clinical experience and experience in melanoma or related area.
• Experience of working with pts undergoing SACT
• Participation in service development and implementation of change

Desirable

• Project management
• Experience of influencing change
• Experience of working within a given resource and ability to demonstrate imaginative and effective use of resources.

Skills

Essential

• Advanced communication skills
• Able to analyse data and provide written reports.
• Able to work autonomously
• Able to present information to professional groups.
• Ability to develop effective interpersonal relationships with colleagues across health and social care setting.
• Strong organisational / prioritising skills

Desirable

• Evidence of writing protocols/standards.
• Evidence of effective team working across professional and organisational boundaries.

Knowledge

Essential

• Knowledge of professional and NHS issues, and policies relating to melanoma
• Evidence of continuing professional development.

Values

Essential

• Ability to demonstrate the organisational values and behaviours

Other

Essential

• Demonstrates flexibility in working hours.
• Attend Clinics and MDT meetings across sites

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).