Advanced Clinical Practitioner - Colorectal

Job responsibilities

Clinical duties and responsibilities

To work autonomously with other specialist disciplines. To streamline patient care and improve access for patients, both within and outside The Christie, ensuring that radiotherapy is carried in accordance to current recommended timescales.

Plan and manage own workload and the workload of the service, in a flexible manner, ensuring that service provision meets the need of patients. Participate in the direct clinical management of patients. This includes history taking, systematic physical examination and requisition of appropriate clinical investigations, formulation of clinical management plans and re-evaluation of implemented treatment plans as appropriate. Consent agreed patient groups for treatment and procedures as per Trust policy. Work with the clinical team to formulate clinical decisions and complex treatment plans to manage acute radiotherapy toxicity and psychosocial issues by responding to actual and potential health problems appropriately.

For agreed patient groups, work as an independent non-medical prescriber.

Accept and make appropriate referrals from/to other professional colleagues. Contribute to the coordination and effective management of the admission and discharge process. Prepare accurate and concise records and reports both verbal and written. Communicate with the patients referring specialist, GP and other community and hospice based services at regular intervals as appropriate. Practice evidence based health care and be responsible for developing, monitoring and updating clinical policies in relation to own area of practice. Act as an expert resource and provide advice to ward/departmental areas and the wider community. Attend and participate in all relevant MDTs and clinics ensuring relevant information relating to patient treatment and care is communicated and received. To attend relevant oncology clinics to make initial contact with this group of patients and perform acute and late toxicity assessments. To maintain and develop links with local cancer networks and cancer service collaborative.

To be pro-active in the development and implementation of evidence based clinical practice in line with local and national initiatives, facilitating changes in service where necessary.

To act as an expert resource on pre-treatment scanning, planning and treatment delivery in relation to the specific patient group.

Patient Care

Develop a relationship that recognises the person (patient/family member/carer) as an individual. Give information, at an appropriate level of understanding, to ensure a patient is fully informed along all stages of the patient pathway. Develop and update patient specific information which is age appropriate. Co-ordinate the patient journey ensuring appointments and information is communicated to the patient in a timely fashion.

Act as a patient advocate with clear feedback systems in place to the MDT and referring hospitals. Communicate highly complex, sensitive or contentious information to patients and carers. This may include diagnosis, results of scans or other investigations, management options and details of prognosis. Asses on a regular basis whether more support or advice is needed and offered where appropriate. Provide an important point of contact for the patient and those around them both during and after completion of treatment, ensuring continuation of care. Cover other appropriate disease groups as required.

Supervisory and Managerial Responsibilities.

Contribute to the clinical governance process, including adverse incident reporting/investigation and the management of complaints, as appropriate. Attend meetings at managerial, Trust committee and local Trust partnership level, acting as advocate for area of work and profession.

Participate in national oncology/radiotherapy advisory boards and relevant working groups as invited. Assist in the development of integrated patient pathways (e.g. NICE Guidance on Cancer Services, NHS Guidance etc.).

Identify gaps in service provision and work with the MDT and cancer network to implement the changes required to improve service provision. Act as a reviewer for performance management reviews of junior staff.

Responsibilities for human resources

Work closely with team to ensure relevant MDT meetings and clinics are staffed.

Active role in managing inadequate performance, including capability and poor professional standards for students or employees. Participate in any investigation processes.

Participate in the recruitment and selection of staff.

Professional and Personal Development

Act in accordance with the HCPC code of professional conduct: standards for conduct and ethics.

Provide evidence of continued professional development in the form of a professional practice portfolio to meet the revalidation requirements of the HCPC.

Be flexible in line with evolving radiotherapy service across all Christie sites. Ensure patient confidentiality at all times. Maintain patient safety and dignity. Comply with policies and procedures of the Trust. Maintain clinical competencies, sufficient to participate in the patient pathway for specific disease site. Participate in performance development review and evaluate own clinical practice. Maintain essential training records.

Teaching and Training

Take an active role in the training of all learners in radiotherapy. Educate patients and their carers on issues surrounding health promotion and illness prevention. Promote and facilitate changes to lifestyle where appropriate.

Research and Audit

Maintain ICH/GCP competence. Facilitate radiotherapy research. Keep up to date with current research and publications. Initiate and support clinical audit with respect to evaluating service effectiveness and future developments within the role, developing and managing strategies to address any shortfalls. Disseminate relevant research findings to colleagues and members of the health professions via presentation and publication.

Project Work

To pursue continuing professional development and in doing so provide evidence of continued professional development in the form of a professional portfolio. Assist in the development of radiotherapy treatment planning and delivery of the specific disease site. Lead on developing and updating patient and carer information. Assist in the development of appropriate competencies and training for specialist radiographers and other non-medical health care professionals who may assist the review team. Assist in development of relevant protocols in the radiotherapy quality system

Qualifications

Essential

• BSc in Therapeutic Radiography or DCR(T)
• HCPC Registration
• Willingness and ability to work towards - oPost grad qualification oNon medical prescribing qualification. oConsent skills.
• Portfolio with evidence of post graduate level study.

Desirable

• Further post-graduate qualification in MSc or Post Graduate Diploma.
• NMP qualification

Experience

Essential

• Extensive clinical experience with current and continuous service at lead Senior level.
• Evidence of expertise in Cancer Care for specified site.
• Evidence of change management
• Evidence of an understanding of advanced techniques
• Evidence of active role in the setting and maintenance of quality standards.
• Experience of on-the-job teaching to other qualified staff.
• Evidence of relevant CPD

Desirable

• Clinical experience gained in more than one department.
• Evidence of participation in research and/or radiotherapy development work.
• Experience of working within radiotherapy pre-treatment.
• Radiotherapy planning experience.

Skills

Essential

• Organised but flexible approach to work.
• Ability to disseminate information through different media.
• Ability to communicate effectively with all grades of staff, patients, carers and general public.
• Ability to problem solve and to make sound decisions independently and particularly under pressure in the clinical environment.
• High standard of communication skills.
• Ability to motivate others.
• Able to show initiative and innovation in order to develop the service for the future.
• Computer literacy.
• Ability to work as a self-motivated autonomous practitioner

Desirable

• Good presentation skills.
• Evidence of research skills-e.g. critical analysis of current literature, awareness of translational research and evidenced based practice

Knowledge

Essential

• Awareness of contemporary issues surrounding Oncology of specialist site.
• Knowledge of developing technologies and techniques which may impact on the specialist service.
• Demonstrate an understanding of advanced techniques.
• Detailed knowledge of Anatomy, Oncology, Radiobiology and Physics.
• Knowledge and application of Ionising radiation medical exposure regulations (IRMER) and other relevant policies and regulations local and national.
• Ability to pass on knowledge to staff and student radiographers to ensure continuing education in advanced radiotherapy practice.
• Masters level knowledge, training and experience of radiotherapy.

Desirable

• Knowledge of current Health service and Oncology specific legislation and DoH plans.
• Awareness of current trials (chemotherapy and radiotherapy) ongoing for this disease group in both the radical and palliative setting.

Values

Essential

• Ability to demonstrate the organisational values and behaviours

Other

Essential

• Enthusiastic, well motivated with a commitment to providing a high standard of service and evidenced based practice.
• Ability to co-ordinate work to meet the demands of the established and developing service.
• Attention to detail and accuracy in data collection.

Desirable

• Flexibility in working hours

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).