Lung Cancer Support Nurse

Job description

Job responsibilities

Clinical

1. To ensure a high standard of care based on the assessment, development, implementation and evaluation of programmes of care, identifying priorities and realistic goals involving patients, their carers and the multi-professional team.

2. Under the supervision and support of the Lung Cancer CNS, the post holder will be involved in implementing and evaluating nurse-led initiatives and other developments as appropriate to improve the service. This will include the provision of nurse-led follow-up clinics, information and ongoing support to patients and their families. In addition the individual will be required to participate and initiate, where appropriate, education and training for patients/carers, families and other members if the multi- professional team in aspects of lung cancer care.

3. To liaise with colleagues within primary care to:

- Provide training to multi-professional team;

- Develop support for the patient and their carers within primary care, when needed

4. To help co-ordinate the service for patients, facilitating effective communication within the multi-professional team to ensure care is delivered as per agreed care pathway. This will include:

- Attendance at the MDT meetings, providing cover for other members of the Lung Cancer Nursing Team as required.

- Close liaison with all pertinent clinics to ensure timely referral of all newly diagnosed patients and their families;

- Acting as part of the specialist nursing resource to patient/carers and members of the MDT whilst patient is receiving inpatient care;

- Ensuring patients with disease recurrence are fast-tracked to relevant specialist team for intervention;

- Assist and maintain a non-urgent/urgent contact advice service for patients and carers.

5. To Participate and suggest updates for written policies and protocols relevant to clinical procedures required by this specific patient group in conjunction with other members of the multi- professional team, updating where necessary.

6. To develop the skills needed to act as a resource person in specific skills/care for patients, carers and other members of the multi-professional team.

7. To continuously evaluate the quality of care given by rigorous auditing and evaluation of the service effecting change where necessary.

8. To promote professional development by the use of research evidence-based practice.

9. To continue to update and develop own clinical and theoretical knowledge of lung cancer and other areas of nursing and research.

10. To maintain accurate documentation and collation of data on Somerset Cancer Register.

11. To participate in specific projects as requested by the Service Manager or MDT Lead Clinician/Site Specific Group Chair.

12. To support the existing Support Group.

13. To practice as a professional at all times demonstrating a responsible attitude to promote team working and confidence in all specialities within the lung cancer service.

14. To accept professional responsibility and accountability for own patient caseload, managing workload effectively.

15. To work closely with the Lung Cancer CNS and in conjunction with the Service Manager and MDT Lead Clinician/Site Specific Group Chair to ensure the service is developed in line with corporate strategy.

16. To identify opportunities for service and practice development within respiratory, oncology, palliative care and surgical directorates.

17. To assist with the implementation and evaluation of areas of practice development.

18. To assist in the introduction and implementation of clinical supervision.

19. To be actively involved with clinical audit, monitoring of clinical outcomes and use of quality life indicators.

20. To develop in collaboration with colleagues from the multi-professional team, specific information for patients and carers.

21. To actively participate in professional forums representing the service, feeding back to appropriate personnel.

1. To identify educational needs of health professionals caring for patients with lung cancer and participate in formal and informal education programmes.

2. To keep updated with developments in nursing and lung cancer care by regular review of the literature and attendance at relevant study days as discussed and identified at joint appraisal, disseminating this information to relevant staff groups.

3. To be aware of and actively promote the current clinical trials available for lung cancer patients.

4. To participate in and contribute towards any nursing or other related research programmes, which have been formally agreed within limits of time and funding.

5. To be responsible for own professional development and maintenance of standards in negotiation with the Lung Cancer CNS, Service Manager and MDT Lead Clinician/Site Specific Group Chair.

6. To work with colleagues to promote lung cancer awareness.

1. The post holder must, at all times, follow and adhere to the NMC Code of Professional Conduct for Nurses.

2. To maximise use of available resources to benefit patient care to ensure any changes in clinical practice with resource implications are discussed in advance with the Service Manager.

3. To ensure that all duties are carried out to the highest possible standard and in accordance with quality initiatives within the area of work

To ensure that the Trusts Health and Safety Policies are understood and observed and that procedures are followed.

To ensure the appropriate use of equipment and facilities and that the working environment is maintained in good order.

To take the necessary precautions to safeguard the welfare and safety of yourself, patients, visitors, and staff, in accordance with the Health and Safety at Work Act.

To undertake appropriate health and safety training to support safe working practice, including where appropriate, its management.

To demonstrate a practical understanding of risk assessment in relation to their areas of responsibility and to ensure safe systems of work are in place.

To ensure that all incidents occurring within the department are reported in accordance with Trust procedures, investigated and corrective action taken as necessary and/or reported to senior management and specialist advisers.

To ensure that all moving and handling tasks within their area of responsibility are assessed, that there is a manual handling plan indicating safe systems of work, and that documentation is regularly maintained and updated.

To observe and monitor the application of M&H skills, ensuring safe practice.

To attend appropriate training in accordance with the M&H assessed risks within the work area.

All staff are required to respect confidentiality of all matters that they learn as a result of their employment with the NHS, including matters relating to other members of staff, patients and members of the public.

All employees are required to follow and implement the Trust's equal opportunities policy and to undergo any training and development activities to ensure that they can carry out their duties and responsibilities in terms of promoting, developing, implementing and reviewing the policy arrangements in the course of their work.

All employees have a duty for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults. Staff must be aware of the Trusts procedure for raising concerns about the welfare of anyone with whom they have contact. Staff must also ensure they receive the appropriate level of safeguarding children and vulnerable adult training depending on their role in the Trust.

It is the responsibility of all staff to ensure that they understand and follow the infection control policies, procedures and best practice applicable within the Trust. In particular:

- Observe all infection control policies and practices relevant to the post

- Act as a role model to others regarding infection control best practice

- Ensure that they keep up to date and attend all relevant training relating to infection control issues applicable to their post.

- Ensure that patients, visitors and contractors are aware of and follow infection control best practice (where applicable).

- Report non-compliance or concerns regarding infection control issues / best practice to their line manager

Person Specification

Education and qualifications

Essential

• Registered Nurse
• Educated to diploma level
• Evidence of ongoing professional development

Desirable

• Mentorship course
• Working towards degree

Knowledge and experience

Essential

• Recent experience working with respiratory or oncology patients
• Ability to demonstrate detailed clinical knowledge relating to respiratory and/or oncology nursing
• Counselling skills
• Experience of nursing lung cancer patients

Desirable

• Experience of managing or directing teams
• Ability to prepare and deliver formal and informal education programmes to professional staff

Skills and Knowledge

Essential

• Excellent communication skills
• Ability to work under pressure and able to plan, organise and priorities conflicting workloads
• Ability to work autonomously and as part of a multidisciplinary team
• IT skills with the ability to undertake accurate data entry

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).

Employer details

Employer name

James Paget University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

James Paget University Hospital

Lowestoft Road

Gorleston

NR31 6LA

Employer's website

https://www.jpaget.nhs.uk/work-for-us/ (Opens in a new tab)