Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust

CT Colonography Nurse co-ordinator

This job is now closed

Job summary

The post holder will work alongside the referring and GI Radiology teams to lead the pre-assessment and co-ordination of care for patients referred for CT colonography. The role will be the main clinical contact for patients from the point of referral to GSTT Radiology department for a CT colonography until their test is performed. They will lead and manage the service, liaising with the patient, referrer and the radiology team regarding individual patient issues relating to bowel preparation and attending for the appointment. They will undertake assessment of patient needs, ensuring the patient has all the information required to attend for their appointment, fully prepared (physically and psychologically) and has consented to undergo the CT colonography test within the timeframe of the pathway on which they were referred.

Main duties of the job

The GI Cancer Services Improvement Team have evidenced that patients being urgently referred for suspected GI cancer can experience delays in their pathway due to the complex requirements of undergoing diagnostic investigations to confirm or exclude cancer. These predominately relate to patients having to undertake bowel preparation at home prior to their test, but also relate to the patient attending for the test in a timely manner under the 2 week wait 'Straight to test' pathway which is now a standard pathway for patients with suspected cancer lower GI cancer. The 2 most common investigations that patients undergo on this pathway are CT colonography (known as CT enema at GSTT) and colonoscopy. This role is intended to help patients manage the issues that arise as a result of having a test to exclude cancer and having to take bowel preparation at home. The role will also help to guide and co-ordinate their care prior to arrival at hospital for their test and will assist in the compliance of the cancer waiting time targets for colorectal cancer at GSTT.

About us

Guy's & St Thomas NHS Foundation Trust

Guy's and St Thomas' is one of the largest hospital trusts in the country, with a staff of 13,650, a turnover of over £1.3 billion and two million patient contacts a yearThe Trust comprises two of London's oldest and best known teaching hospitals. The hospitals have a long history, dating back almost 900 years, and have been at the forefront of medical progress and innovation since they were founded. Both hospitals have built on these traditions and continue to have a reputation for excellence and innovation.

We are part of King's Health Partners Academic Health Sciences Centre (AHSC), a pioneering collaboration between one of the world's leading research-led universities and three of London's most successful NHS Foundation Trusts. Our AHSC is one of only five in the UK. It consists of King's College London, and Guy's and St Thomas', King's College Hospital and South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trusts. King's Health Partners includes seven hospitals and over 150 community based services, is responsible for seeing 2 million patients each year, has 25,000 employees and 19,500 students, and a £2 billion annual turnover. Itbrings togetherthe best of basic and translational research, clinical excellence and world-class teaching to deliver groundbreaking advances in physical and mental healthcare. See www.kingshealthpartners.org

Date posted

26 July 2024

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£42,471 to £50,364 a year per annum inc HCA

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

196-NM11899

Job locations

St Thomas Hospital

Westminster Bridge Road

London

SE1 7EH

Job description

Job responsibilities

PRINCIPLE RESPONSIBLITIES

CLINICAL

1. Responsible for the effective coordination of care for patients referred for CTC for suspected colorectal cancer, from the time of referral for the CTC until the completion of their investigation.

2. Fully understands the nature of the procedures the patients are being referred for and is familiar with the content of the patient information leaflets for CTC and different regimes for bowel preparation

3. Sends out the appropriate bowel prep to the patient in accordance with the EPIC referral and the GSTT Bowel preparation PGD, following assessment and confirmation of the patient risks (see checklist).

4. To pre-asses all patients referred to GSTT Radiology department for CT colonography to ensure the following:

a. the patient fully understand the reasons for referral for the CTC

b. the patient fully understands the timeline of the pathway on which they have been referred (ie 2ww for suspected cancer) and has committed to the appointment date & time

c. the patient knows where to attend for the CTC and has transport planned (own or hospital).

d. the patient fully understands what the procedure involves.

e. the patient has received the bowel preparation and fully understands the bowel preparation instructions.

f. Answers all the patients questions and concerns relating to the procedure

5. Liaises and communicates with the Colorectal Straight to Test TAC or Radiology team if patient concerns are raised that need escalating

6. Leads feedback on the standard of service delivery.

7. Communicate effectively with all members of the multi-disciplinary team and colleagues.

8. As necessary respond to clinical incidents, and where appropriate compile an incident report.

9. Ensure compliance with best practice and NICE guidance in relation to patient pathways.

10. Promote patient participation in decision making and enable their informed choice of appointments in line with trust booking policy.

11. Create a physical and psychological environment conducive to the provision of high quality care.

12. Liaise with the health advocacy service to book advocates as appropriate to the patients needs.

13. Recognise and respect the cultural and spiritual needs of others.

RADIOLOGY SPECIFIC

1. Attendance and completion of a IRMER training course (in-house)

2. A clear understanding of the radiation doses involved in CTC and the IRMER

regulations for radiation based examinations are essential.

3. The post holder will need to understand sufficiently to be able to check with

the patient at pre assessment that they are not pregnant and advise on

abstaining from unprotected sexual intercourse within the IRMER guidelines

prior to the procedure.