Staff Nurse

Job summary
We are seeking an experienced band 5 staff nurse with an interest in working within cancer services delivering systemic anti-cancer therapies (SACT).

The chemotherapy day unit is a busy unit administering SACT to 50-60 patients daily with oncological and haematological malignancies. Treatments given on the unit include chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapies and hormonal therapies; we also administer supportive treatments including blood transfusions and immunoglobulins.

Main duties of the job
The main duties of the job are to care for patients receiving SACT with adjuvant, neo-adjuvant, curative and palliative intentions.

You will prepare patients for SACT through pre-assessments and educating patients on expected symptoms and side-effects, assess patients for fitness to receive treatment and administer SACT via intravenous, sub-cutaneous, intramuscular and oral routes.

Additionally, the chemotherapy day unit also holds the 24 hour chemotherapy helpline; all nursing staff are expected to rotate into the helpline and triage patients that contact us.

Previous experience in SACT is beneficial but not necessary as full training will be provided. Successful applicants will be expected to compete the UKONS SACT passport within 6 months of employment.

About us
Based in the North East of England we provide a range of hospital and community health services from our leading facilities, including the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Blaydon urgent care centre and Bensham Hospital, all within Gateshead.

Established in 2005, we were one of the first foundation trusts in the country and since then have consistently achieved the highest levels of care for patients.

We now employ around 4,800 staff and currently provide 444 hospital beds across the Gateshead region.

Our values should be the 'golden thread' which runs through everything we do - they are the core of who we are. Our five values can easily be remembered by the simple acronym ICORE; Innovation, Care, Openness, Respect, Engagement.

We have a number of staff networks including the BAME network, D-Ability network, LGBTQ+ Network and the Women's Network, to challenge us and help us to constantly improve. Our armed forces network is one of our emerging networks.

The health and wellbeing of our staff is one of our highest priorities, and we offer a range of support and initiatives as part of our 'Balance' programme balancegateshead.com to cater for our diverse workforce, so that your individual needs can be supported, allowing you a happy and healthy working experience with us.

Job responsibilities
The unit is open Monday to Friday 08.00 till 20.00, and you would be expected to stay till 20.00 at least once per week. We do not currently work weekends or night duty, however you will be expected to work some bank holiday shifts.

You will be expected to:

• Participate in assessing, planning, delivering and evaluating high quality patient care
• Work collaboratively as a part of the MDT
• Be flexible in response to the changing needs of the service
• Work both autonomously and as part of a team
• Contribute towards service improvements
• Have excellent communication skills
• Work within Trust policy and procedure
• Be willing to undertake CPD
• Act as role model, teacher and supervisor for junior staff and students, participating in mentor and preceptorship programmes
• Provide support for and depending on experience deputise for nurse in charge in their absence

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• Registered Adult Nurse

Desirable

• UKONS SACT passport or SACT qualification
• Practice assessor/supervisor

Experience
Essential

• Post-registration Experience
• Good communication skills

Desirable

• Interest in cancer
• Qualification in communication
• SACT administration
• UKONS triage experience

Skills
Essential

• Basic IT skills

Desirable

• CVAD competence
• Venepuncture/cannulation

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).