Acute Oncology Nurse Advisor

Job summary
The Acute Oncology Management Service is looking for a compassionate, hardworking and committed registered nurse with a wealth of experience in oncology, haematology or emergency care.

The hotline service provides patients within the catchment criteria with 24-hour access to advice and support. The role of the acute oncology nurse advisor is to clinically assess those who are acutely unwell following systemic anti-cancer treatments and arrange emergency review as necessary as well as providing advice, support and reassurance to patients and loved ones throughout their cancer journey.

Experience in oncology or emergency care is required however triage experience is not, we are here to help you develop in the role. Palliative care and management experience is desirable.

Main duties of the job
To provide telephone triage assessments for calls to the acute oncology management service 24-hour hotline.

The post holder will use specialist clinical knowledge to give advice to patients/carers for patients who are experiencing problems following systemic anti-cancer treatments. They will be required to liaise with all services involved in the patient's cancer journey, within the Christie, other local hospitals in the region and in the community. In conjunction with the patient flow team and acute assessment unit they will prioritise and risk assess patients who require emergency admission utilising the UKONS triage tool and in accordance with the Trust Patient Flow Operational Policy.

About us
The Christie is one of Europe's leading cancer centres, looking after more than 64,000 patients a year. We are based in Manchester and serve a population of 3.2 million across Greater Manchester & Cheshire, but as a national specialist around 25% patients are referred to us from other parts of the country.

We are the largest radiotherapy provider in the NHS with one in 20 treatments delivered at The Christie. We have up to 15 linear accelerators operating across our network of sites. We operate the largest chemotherapy unit in the UK on our main site and treatments are also provided at 13 other networked sites, and in patients homes. And as a specialist tertiary surgical centre, we focus on rare cancers, complex procedures, and multidisciplinary approaches to cancer surgery, specialising in colorectal, peritoneal, gynaecological, urological and plastic surgery.

We are also an international leader in research, with world first breakthroughs for over 100 years. We have been named by the UK's National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), as one of the best hospitals providing opportunities for patients to participate in clinical research studies, with more than 800 studies open at any time, caring for over 3,000 patients.

Job responsibilities
CLINICAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• 1.1 Provide 24/7 telephone helpline service to enable patients to access expert advice and management with the side effects of their treatments.
• 1.2 Communicate with patients and/or their carers regarding their care management dealing with highly sensitive information requiring sympathy and reassurance and where there are often barriers to understanding.
• 1.3 Assess patient provided information and provide appropriate and safe advice on a range of clinical issues.
• 1.4 Make clinical judgements from caller information, evaluating alternative courses of action.
• 1.5 Organise workload to ensure all calls are answered in a timely manner.
• 1.6 Ensure that all computerised records are accurate and kept up to date.
• 1.7 Liaise with the multi-disciplinary team with respect to the management of the critically ill patient.
• 1.8 Ensure effective communication between patients, their families and the healthcare team in order to maintain continuity of care and that appropriate and consistent information is conveyed to patients and their families.
• 1.9 Ensure effective and timely communications with the Acute Oncology Management teams at local hospitals is maintained.
• 1.10 Maintain links with specialist nurses and with GPs and nursing teams in the community to ensure continuity of care.

MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION

• 2.1 To deputise for and support the Acute Oncology Team Leader in managing the service.
• 2.2 Provide management support for junior members of the team.
• 2.3 Assess, plan and implement clinical care and maintain associated patient records.
• 2.4 Be aware of Health and Safety issues and ensure relevant risk assessments are undertaken.
• 2.5 Report and record all accidents and complaints according to the agreed policy, investigating speedily and compassionately.
• 2.6 Ensure all trust policies and procedures are adhered to and new ones implemented as necessary.
• 2.7 Regularly liaise and report to Department Manager/Senior Nursing team on unit affairs and staff development.
• 2.8 Ensure each designated staff member participates in a personal development plan and act to maximise the potential of others.
• 2.9 Assist in nursing recruitment process when required.
• 2.10 Take a progressive approach to the management of short and long-term sickness/absence in collaboration with the Department manager/Senior Nursing team.
• 2.11 Assist in reviewing the service and implement change to the service to support ongoing improvements in the acute oncology management service reflecting local and national initiative.
• 2.12 Participate and lead, where appropriate, team meetings and co-ordinate shifts, gathering appropriate concise information.
• 2.13 Work as a professional role model, providing leadership at all times and work as the patient advocate when necessary, which reflects the Trusts values and behaviors.

OPERATIONAL

• 3.1 To liaise appropriately with colleagues regarding bed status and escalate accordingly regarding patient wait times for admission.
• 3.2 Escalate patient call wait times accordingly.
• 3.3 To co-ordinate and where necessary take responsibility for the running of the shift.
• 3.4 Work with and where necessary cross cover the Patient flow team

TRAINING & EDUCATION

• 4.1 Complete appropriate clinical skills and mandatory training as directed by management.
• 4.2 Participate and undertake research and audit which will influence practice.
• 4.3 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 basic life support.
• 4.4 Attend all mandatory study days
• 4.5 Maintain awareness and competency within the role against national and regional initiatives and subsequently implement these initiatives into practice.
• 4.6 Act as a link nurse as directed by management and support the team through this role

PROFESSIONAL

• 5.1 Act as a resource giving advice and support to the multi-disciplinary team.
• 5.2 Liaise closely with the medical team and other members of the MDT in respect of patient care promoting the highest standard of care.
• 5.3 To develop and maintain a professional interest in all aspects of nursing and associated research.
• 5.4 To highlight areas of improvement/development within the department and undertake relevant projects.
• 5.5 Foster and demonstrate creativity, energy and inspiration into ward teams toward efficient patient flows and pathways.
• 5.6 Maintain awareness of current developments in relation to evidence based practice.
• 5.7 Provide representation for committees and groups directly involved in patient care and service development.
• 5.8 Complete clinical incident reports in accordance with trust risk management policy.
• 5.9 Support development of current role by meeting with peers giving and receiving reflective feedback.

PERSONAL

• 6.1 Demonstrate a pleasant and approachable manner and help create and promote a good working relationship.
• 6.2 Show professional and courteous manner whilst practicing excellent communication skills at all levels
• 6.3 To show respect for members of the team and endorse the Wards philosophy of giving mutual support.
• 6.4 Being aware of ones own limitations, maintain confidentiality and adherence to NMC Professional Code of Conduct
• 6.5 Cooperate in own performance review by indicating learning goals and support needs.
• 6.6 Actively seek mentorship / supervision to enable reflection and development within the role.

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• RGN Level 1
• Degree or Diploma in Nursing Studies
• Post Registration Certificate in Oncology/Haematology or equivalent experience

Desirable

• Palliative Care Training
• Management Training
• Advanced Communication Skills Training
• UKONS acute oncology passport
• UKONS SACT passport
• Non-medical prescribing

Experience
Essential

• At least 2 years oncology/haematology or emergency care experience

Desirable

• Palliative Care Experience
• Managerial Experience
• Patient Flow Experience
• Triage Experience
• Performance Management Experience
• Experience using UKONS triage tool
• Surgical Experience
• Interventional Radiology Experience

Skills
Essential

• Excellent communication skills
• Excellent assessment skills
• Computer Literacy
• Ability to deliver a high quality of care
• Good medicines management skills
• Ability to prioritise and manage heavy workloads and complete tasks effectively

Desirable

• Leadership skills
• IV skills
• SACT administration
• Advanced life support

Knowledge
Essential

• Evidence of sound clinical knowledge
• Evidence of continued development
• Understanding of need for evidence based practice
• Committed to own personal development and that of colleagues

Desirable

• SACT knowledge
• Understanding of UKONs triage tool
• Surgical oncology knowledge

Values
Essential

• Ability to demonstrate the organisational values and behaviours.

Personal Attributes
Essential

• Ability to work well in a team and independently using own initiative.
• Ability to organise and prioritise own workload.
• Remain calm under pressure
• High motivated and committed.

Desirable

• Good organisation skills.
• Flexible.

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).