Clinical Nurse Specialist - Fibroscan/Liver Surveillance

Job summary

Primary liver cancer is the 8th most common cause of cancer death in the UK accounting for 3% of cancer related mortality. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a type of primary liver cancer and presents in patients with cirrhosis. The dominant risk factors include cirrhosis caused by alcohol or viral hepatitis, and metabolic or fatty liver disease. There is a strong link with deprivation including homelessness, drug addiction, and obesity. Whilst HCC incidence is increasing in the UK survival remains poor.

The NHS Long Term plansets out stretching targets ambitions and commitments to improve cancer outcomes and services in England over the next ten years with an ambition that by 2028 75% of cancers will be diagnosed at stage I or II. Liver cancer is a specific focus of the shift towards early diagnosis required nationally to achieve this goal.

The primary purpose of this exciting new role is to deliver liver health checks in primary and secondary care including surgeries, hospital clinics, the mobile outreach van, and static clinics within drug services. Additional responsibilities will include co-ordination of care for patients engaged in hepatology surveillance pathways.The successful candidate will be trained to undertake fibroscans (non-invasive diagnostic test). The practitioner will co-ordinate onward referral to specialist clinics and will work closely with the lead clinician, peer support workers and administrative staff to retain patients in surveillance pathways.

Main duties of the job

JOB SUMMARY

This is a new role to support the delivery of the Fibroscan community pathway within the primary care setting, provided by the Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust.

The successful candidate will work collaboratively with the established Fibroscan team to extend service provision to areas throughout the East Midlands, such as Lincolnshire and Derbyshire.

The successful candidate will liaise and work within GP practices, health centres and at different hospitals across the East Midlands with the goal of setting up specialist diagnostic services in that area

After training, the successful post holder will be responsible for clinical interactions with patients in which screening for early liver disease will be undertaken and lifestyle intervention delivered. Throughout the duration of the role training in both underlying principles of chronic liver disease and practical skills will be offered.

Good interpersonal skills are essential; both with patients as it will often be their first interaction with the Hepatology team and with other healthcare professionals as part of setting up new pathways for different hubs.

The successful candidate must ensure the diagnostic devices assigned to them are stored safely as this role will involve frequent travelling

About us

With over 19,000 staff, we are one of the biggest employers in the city with a central role in supporting the health and wellbeing of our local population. We play a leading role in research, education and innovation.

Come and join our wonderful team at NUH. We are big believers in diversity and welcome new ideas to help develop our team in order to deliver world class healthcare to the vast patient populations we serve. With endless personal development opportunities available, at NUH we will endeavour to turn your job into a career!

We particularly welcome applications from people who identify as Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic, or Disabled, as we are striving to be better represented at NUH.