Colorectal Cancer Clinical Nurse Specialist

Job summary
We are delighted to be able to provide an opportunity to an ambitious and motivated colorectal clinical nurse specialist to focus on patients whom have been diagnosed with colorectal cancer.

The successful applicant will be the key professional supporting a caseload of patients and their families throughout their colorectal cancer journey and specifically at diagnosis, surgery and subsequent treatments. The CNS will often be the first professional to inform the patient of the cancer diagnosis so excellent knowledge of the disease, colorectal pathway and advanced communication skills are essential.

The role also demands excellent leadership, clinical, communication and interpersonal skills. You will be required to collaborate closely with all members of the multidisciplinary team both in and outside the Trust.

You will manage your own nurse led clinics and provide a high standard of care to all patients who attend your practice.

You will be joining a highly collaborative and well established colorectal nursing team and a proactive, solution orientated approach is essential.

Main duties of the job

• Work cross site to support patients who have been diagnosed with colorectal cancer or are suspected to have colorectal cancer.
• Requesting appropriate investigations in line with current guidelines
• Develop the service to become more streamlined and efficient in a modern NHS
• Collaborate with management, finance and IT to ensure clinics are set up efficiently and appropriately to align with other services
• Formulate written information to provide to the patient groups
• Refer patients to onward services when appropriate providing comprehensive information to other health professionals
• Refer patients with confirmed Lynch syndrome to the genetics service out of the Trust
• Prepare clinical information for MDT and work with MDT coordinator to ensure relevant patients are discussed
• Attend weekly colorectal MDT meeting presenting patients when required and regularly contributing to the discussion
• Record clinic activity so it is possible to look at trends in annual activity on current data
• Utilising advanced communication skills to manage episodes of care in a timely and reassuring manner

About us
Our Trust is one of England's top-performing and safest trusts. We operate two main acute hospital sites--Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and West Middlesex University Hospital--along with award-winning clinics across North West London.

Our nearly 7,500 staff care for a diverse population of 1.5m, providing full clinical services including maternity, A&E and children's services, plus specialist HIV and sexual health care. The CQC rates us Good in safety, effectiveness, care and responsiveness, and Outstanding in leadership and resource use.

We continually invest in our facilities, including a £30m expansion of critical care at Chelsea and an £80m Ambulatory Diagnostic Centre at West Mid.

We are delivering sustainable healthcare through our Green Plan. In line with Greener NHS ambitions, we aim for net zero carbon emissions by 2045. Achieving this requires collective effort. We encourage staff to reduce their impact on carbon, waste and pollution wherever possible. Every action counts to create a healthier, more sustainable future.

We are committed to equal opportunities and believe diversity drives innovation and excellence. We welcome applications from the global majority, veterans and underrepresented communities, valuing the perspectives they bring.

If you haven't heard from us within 3 weeks of the closing date, your application was likely unsuccessful. Employment is subject to a six-month probation. Some roles may require weekend shifts at multiple sites.

Job responsibilities

• Conduct a nurse led clinic including the development of written protocols based on national standards, arranging investigations, reviewing results, diagnosing and referring back to a medical team as appropriate.
• Demonstrate specialist skills and knowledge through expert evidence based nursing practice
• Maintain a high level profile in the clinical area, acting as a role model for other health care professionals
• Develop written protocols and operational policy to support the autonomous practice of a specialist nurse conducting nurse led clinics.
• Develop a deep understanding and broad knowledge of colorectal cancer and apply to patient assessment
• Participate in advanced communication skills while listening and talking to patients and their significant relationships.
• Utilise other members of the MDT when appropriate to facilitate comprehensive holistic assessment and care to patients
• To provide professional clinical leadership and expertise to other nursing staff.
• Conduct periodic audits for reporting as required nationally and within the Trust

Person Specification
Education/Qualifications
Essential

• Registered Nurse Qualification
• Degree level Qualification
• Course relevant to colorectal cancer

Desirable

• Masters level

Experience
Essential

• Experience of working with patients with colorectal cancer
• Experience of working with other multidisciplinary members
• Autonomous working
• Experience of working with electronic patient records

Desirable

• Delivering educational seminars to other staff

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.

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).

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).