Early Onset Colorectal Cancer Clinical Nurse Specialist

Job responsibilities

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Act as a key contact for patients with Colorectal and anal malignancies and provide support for their carers and other healthcare professionals

Provide advice, support and symptom management as appropriate, liaising with other relevant health care professionals

To work as a member of the Colorectal disease group with responsibility for the development and review of guidelines and policies

To be aware of change at national and local level and how it affects the service provided

The post holder will influence patient care through clinical practice, clinical management, leadership, education, research and audit.

Clinical duties

Attend Medical and Clinical Oncology Colorectal clinics at The Christie in order to meet patients and their carers and provide relevant information to support their treatment.

Provide psychological support and make referrals to relevant professionals if appropriate

Liaise with other Clinical Nurse Specialists, Cancer Pathway Coordinators, other professionals (including those from referring units), to ensure effective transfer of information across different NHS organisations and a smooth pathway of care.

To act as a point of contact for patients and their carers both face to face and virtually

Be fully conversant with treatment protocols and demonstrate knowledge of current evidence-based management of patients with Colorectal and anal malignancies.

To be aware of current clinical research within the colorectal disease group

Use advanced communication skills in a variety of settings. This will include discussions around patient care and treatment plans with patients, carers, relatives and members of the multi-disciplinary team

Provide emotional support to patients, their families and staff during difficult situations e.g. breaking bad news or following an unexpected event.

Work independently, managing own case load of patients

Undertake a telephone/ virtual clinic solely dedicated to patients with colorectal and anal malignancies. To answer, triage and advise accordingly communicating with the wider colorectal team.

Accurately document patient care in accordance with Trust policies and standard

Carry out clinical duties to ensure the patient pathway runs effectively and efficiently

Act in accordance with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) Code and other supporting documentation

Professional/Clinical Leadership

To provide specialist, expert knowledge to patients, carers and colleagues both within and outside the trust

Act as a specialist resource for the ward team who provide care for patients with colorectal and anal malignancies

Evaluate service delivery; identify areas for improvement to promote excellence in patient care and initiate change and clinical development when appropriate.

Provide written evidence of service development and performance

To build effective professional relationships with GMCCN and across acute and community settings

Participation in the development and implementation of policies, procedures and guidelines at local and network level.

To line manage junior members of the team, associate CNS and cancer care coordinator

Receive clinical supervision to facilitate reflective practice

Attend and participate in the CNS forum

Act as a role model always presenting a professional image

Education and Development

Participate in annual appraisal and accept personal responsibility for professional growth and development. Maintain a professional portfolio

Ensure own compliance with regard to mandatory training, non-medical prescribing and revalidation requirements

Identify learning needs and plan, implement and evaluate programs of education to meet identified needs

Contribute to educational programmes in collaboration with Advanced practitioners and CNS colleagues. This could include teaching colleagues, dissemination of best practice through presentations, and participation in patient education days

Attend relevant educational meetings and conferences to keep up to date with current best practice. Provide feedback to colleagues

In collaboration with other colleagues, develop information and resources for patients and their carers

Research and audit

In collaboration with colleagues, undertake clinical and organisational audit in order to improve practice

Disseminate change in evidence-based practice to colleagues at The Christie and the wider network

Evaluate service delivery; identify areas for improvement, and initiate change as appropriate

Contribute to the writing of protocols relevant to the colorectal and anal disease group

To promote nursing research and evidenced based practice relevant to the specialty

This job description is intended to reflect the main duties and responsibilities of the post holder but is indicative only. It may be reviewed in consultation with the post holder as circumstances change and develop.

Qualifications

Essential

• oRegistered general nurse (RGN)
• oDegree or diploma in nursing studies
• oPost registration qualification in oncology/equivalent experience

Desirable

• oPalliative care certificate
• oCounselling qualification
• oAdvanced communication skills
• oPost registration in oncology
• oNMP qualification or working towards.

Experience

Essential

• oPost registration experience
• oColorectal experience
• oOncology experience
• oEvidence of participation in service development and implementation of change
• oDemonstratable evidence of working at senior level

Desirable

• oExperience of independent practice
• oExperience of caring for patients with enhanced care needs and also at end of life
• oExperience of anal cancer treatments
• oExperience of leadership and project management

Skills

Essential

• oEnhanced communication skills
• oAble to work autonomously as well as part of a team
• oAware of own limitations
• oAbility to develop effective interpersonal relationships with colleagues across health and social care setting
• oAbility to organise and prioritise workload
• oAbility to analyse data and provide reports and disseminate findings to the wider team
• oCompetent in Microsoft word and PowerPoint

Desirable

• oEvidence of effective team working across professional and organisational boundaries

Knowledge

Essential

• oKnowledge of professional and NHS issues and policies
• oEvidence of continuing professional development
• oKnowledge of current management pathways relating to Colorectal cancer

Desirable

• oKnowledge of current anal cancer treatment pathways

Values

Essential

• Ability to demonstrate the organisational values and behaviours

Other

Essential

• oAble to demonstrate flexibility in working hours
• oAbility to respond appropriately to emergency or critical situations

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).