Clinical Nurse Specialist

Job responsibilities

CLINICAL PRACTICE To provide specialist nursing service for patients/donors in relation to clinical apheresis, using advanced expert knowledge ,clinical judgement and decision making

Ensure access to timely written and verbal information, providing advice and support allowing informed consent and decision making to occur.

Remain up to date with current protocols and practices, maintaining specialist knowledge of apheresis and cellular therapies collections.

Work collaboratively with all members of the multidisciplinary team to Coordinate and plan treatment pathways for those requiring apheresis within the trust and external referrals, working alongside other members of the cell therapy team to ensure efficient patient pathways.

Lead the day to day clinical apheresis service including the autonomous management of a designated patient case load and undertake apheresis procedures as needed

Liaise directly with Consultant Medical team in the development, implementation and evaluation of individual programmes of care and protocols

Work collaboratively with the quality and the data manager to maintain an accurate record system, collect relevant statistical information for service evaluation and change.

Develop and review policies within the clinical apheresis unit, actively participating in regulatory accreditation processes (JACIE /HTA), including the clinical audit of services and the development of annual reports and quality manuals working closely with individual leads.

Be responsible for ensuring that the relevant patient documentation required to undertake procedures is ready in a timely manner and completed as per departmental requirements.

Participate in outpatient clinics, and assist in the medical assessment of patients requiring apheresis ensuring assessment of venous access is undertaken and that timing for collection and /or mobilization are clearly outlined to the patient and all relevant teams are communicated with accordingly

Proactive review trial and commercial documentation requiring apheresis procedures to be undertaken and participation in related meetings.

2. EDUCATIONAL

To act as an expert resource within the organization in the field of apheresis and cellular collections

To participate in planned training and education sessions pertaining to apheresis and related practice for all members of the Multidisciplinary team both internal and external to the trust.

Represent the organization and department nationally and internationally as an expert within the field of cellular collections

To co-ordinate the training and assessment of all members of the clinical apheresis team and promote their professional development. Ensuring that staff orientation and support is available and undertaken.

Maintain own professional development ensuring educational and mandatory training needs are met and via the use of evidence-based practice.

To be up to date with current protocols and practices, maintaining specialist knowledge of their field of professional practice.

3. LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT

Manage a clinical apheresis nursing team with the collaboration of the Lead Nurse for Stem cell Therapy providing professional visible leadership and acting as a role model

To work within given budget restrictions and ensuring efficient procurement of stocks and equipment

Lead where appropriate the establishment of standards for practice and care protocols. Ensure that these standards are audited and participate in the audit process.

To lead planning meetings with medical, and laboratory staff to co-ordinate the apheresis program in conjunction with the cellular therapy/donor coordinators

Provide confident management, leadership and advice to all staff within areas of responsibility.

Ensure all teams have objectives and key performance indicators in place, and mechanisms to provide evidence of compliance and performance.

Responsibility for human resource management, recruitment, application of human resource policies as required.

4. RESEARCH

Maintain a sound knowledge base of relevant current related research.

Assist in the application and evaluation of current research findings in order to provide quality evidence based practice.

Develop research interests within the specialist field of practice.

Participate as required/requested in research and audit initiated by other members of the multidisciplinary team

Review apheresis related research applications in relation to standard practice

5. PROFESSIONAL & PERSONAL

Show professional and courteous manner whilst practicing excellent communication skills at all levels

Exercise leadership by example using, clearly defined and fair relationships with staff, sound organization and judgement.

Being aware of ones own limitations, maintain confidentiality and adherence to NMC Professional Code of Conduct

Co-operate in own performance review by indicating learning goals and support needs.

Actively seek mentorship / supervision to enable reflection and development within the role and provide supervision to colleagues.

Qualifications

Essential

• RGN
• Degree in Nursing/ Health related subject or equivalent experience

Desirable

• Oncology/haematology or transplant related courses
• Non-medical prescribing
• Working towards a masters in a health related subject

Experience

Essential

• oFive years relevant post registration experience in Haematology/ transplantation.
• o2 years Apheresis experience

Desirable

• Experience of clinical trials or research
• Experience working as autonomous practitioner
• Evidence of Audit
• Teaching and presenting

Skills

Essential

• oApheresis
• oExcellent communication and interpersonal skills
• oIT skills
• oLeadership
• oDecision making
• oManagement

Knowledge

Essential

• oCellular therapies processes and stem cell transplantation
• oSound clinical knowledge base in stem cell and bone marrow transplantation and haemato-oncology

Desirable

• oTherapeutic apheresis

Other

Essential

• Acceptance of some flexibility in working hours.
• Attend Clinics and MDT meetings

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).