Specialist Nurse – Malignancy of unknown origin

Job summary

Macmillan Cancer Support are financially supporting a two year pilot for a dedicated Malignancy of Unknown Origin (MUO) service within South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. The post will be jointly hosted with the Rapid Diagnostic Centre Non-Specific Symptoms (RDC NSS) and colleagues within the Acute Oncology Service (AOS).

The post is to provide a weekday service to establish a pathway and develop a holistic approach to the clinical management for MUO patients. The role presents a development opportunity for a capable, curious and proactive specialist nurse, with an interest in leading change to improve patient experience.

Patients with incidental findings of MUO can present in a multitude of ways so you will be working closely with RDC NSS and AOS teams. However, working collaboratively with other colleagues across primary and secondary care to identify patients, confirm diagnosis and ensure fast and effective referral to the appropriate pathway for onward care and management is essential. The service will work within the 28 day Faster Diagnosis Standard.

Main duties of the job

The post will be split, with a minimum of two days in RDC NSS on the Friarage Hospital site and two days at the James Cook University Hospital site, hosted by AOS. Line management and clinical leadership will be provided by the RDC Advanced Clinical Practitioner. The MUO Specialist Nurse, and patients, will be supported by a dedicated band 4 Cancer Care Coordinator. Service Improvement support can also be provided within the RDC team.

Patient diagnosis and diagnostic investigations will be supported within the infrastructure of the RDC NSS MDT. The MDT is constituted by immediate RDC team plus medical support from acute physicians, general surgeon, radiologist and GP hospitalist.

The aim of the pilot is to assess the service and demonstrate an improvement in MUO patient outcomes and experience. You will therefore require a good working knowledge of cancer pathways and an understanding of the specific complex needs and expectations of this group of patients.

You will have a first level registration with the NMC and be able to evidence the ability to work at a level 7. Clinical skills, advanced communications and non-medical prescribing are pre-requisites for this post. You will be committed to the development of the service and be able to demonstrate evidence of ongoing professional and academic development.

Currently the role is required Monday - Friday 8:30am-4.30pm. This may change in the future as the service develops.

About us

Leadership and Improvement Training

South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust offers leadership and improvement training to all new staff to the Trust; this training programme has been designed to support our leaders in developing their understanding of leadership and management skills. You will be expected to attend the leadership development programme, and the Quality Improvement Programme that the Trust delivers. This programme aims to

Explore leadership within the NHS

Promote Trust Values and Behaviours

Develop your Leadership effectiveness and skills

Practitioner level in quality improvement, equipping you with the skills to champion, lead and complete quality improvement within your role

After you complete this four and a half days of training you will be able to explore further leadership and improvement training opportunities, we offer further in-house courses dependent upon your role and bitesize programmes and leadership apprenticeships at level 3,5 and 7.

Employer details

Employer name

South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Friarage Hospital

Bullamoor Road

Northallerton

DL6 1JG

Employer's website

https://www.southtees.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

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Employer details

Employer name

South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Friarage Hospital

Bullamoor Road

Northallerton

DL6 1JG

Employer's website

https://www.southtees.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

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