Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a dedicated and enthusiastic nurse to join our Acute Oncology Service.
As an acute oncology clinical nurse specialist, you will work autonomously and as part of the team to give advice, instigate investigations and implement patient care as appropriate to manage acutely unwell oncology patients presenting to the trust as a result of cancer treatment, disease progression or symptoms of previously undiagnosed cancer. The post holder in conjunction with the Acute Oncology Consultant and Acute oncology Lead Nurse will be involved in the implementation of local and network wide management and treatment protocols and pathways. The post holder will provide expert training and education to staff in A&E and medical units within the Trust in line with the requirements of national guidance. The post holder will provide essential cross department liaison and communication to improve the patients' journey and experience, reduce length of stay and when possible, avert hospital admissions.
The team are looking for applicants with band 6/7 experience in cancer, oncology, haemato-oncology or palliative care nursing and be familiar with the management of oncological emergencies. We will offer training and support to the successful applicant both in house and externally through relevant formal education.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will be expected to work within the team as well as autonomously to prioritise and manage your caseload and time appropriately.
1. Review and assess patients daily who are attending ED and those who are admitted to inpatient wards.
2. Provide advice and support to clinical colleagues on the investigation, care, and management of patients within the remit of Acute Oncology leading to faster and better care of patients with complications of cancer e.g. early recognition, appropriate treatment, rapid referral to other specialist teams including palliative care.
3. Provide essential communication to improve patient experience and quality of care, reducing lengths of stay and avoiding unnecessary hospital admissions.
4. Liaise with the oncology teams and the wider multidisciplinary teams across the Trust and South East London Cancer Alliance (SELCA) to promote coordinated care.
5. Support ED to ensure that patients with suspected neutropenic sepsis have antibiotics within the door to needle time and audit this on a regular basis.
6. Contribute to training and education within specialist area to multidisciplinary groups.
7. Act as the key worker for the suspected cancer of unknown primary (CUP) patients and coordinate their investigations and information needs to ensure a smooth pathway.
8. Ensure the quality of the Acute Oncology service, CUP service and MSCC service through the application of audit and research evidence-based practice.
About us
Our people are our greatest asset. When we feel supported and happy at work, this positivity reaches those very people we are here for, the patients. Engaged employees perform at their best and our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) initiatives contribute to cultivate a culture of engagement. We have four staff networks, a corporate EDI Team and a suite of programmes and events which aim to insert the 5 aspirations:
* Improving representation at senior levels of staff with disabilities, from black, Asian, and ethnic minorities background, identify as LGBTQ+ and women, through improved recruitment and leadership development.
* Widening access (anchor institution) and employability.
* Improving the experience of staff with disability.
* Improving the EDI literacy and confidence of trust staff through training and development.
* Making equalities mainstream.
Date posted: 24 March 2025
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 7
Salary: £46,148 to £52,809 a year per annum plus HCAS
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 197-AO6565
Job locations: Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Stadium Road, London, SE18 4QH
Job description
In line with the Trusts Annual Business Plan, you will provide a high-quality advanced expert nursing practice and cost-effective service to patients requiring routine and emergency care, from outpatients, pre-admission through to discharge and review at home.
The Division aims to provide an environment conducive to the on-going development of all staff and advancements in the quality of the service by ensuring provision of a high standard of training, teaching and clinical care within the acute/community setting.
To provide clinical support carrying out independently or assisting with interventional/investigational procedures in which full training has been undertaken based on clinical practice standards.
The Clinical Nurse Specialist will be an advanced and experienced practitioner within Acute Oncology. They will be accountable of the implementation of Personalised Care in the cohort patients and will work with the Head of Nursing in the implementation of strategies to improve patient experience and quality of care.
As Cancer Clinical Nurse Specialist, they will demonstrate that they are working at an advanced level under the ACCEND programme.
The role of Clinical Nurse Specialist requires a high degree of personal professional autonomy and making clinical judgements. Taking sole and joint responsibility for the patient and procedure during diagnostic and therapeutic interventional procedures to ensure a successful patient-based outcome within the acute/community setting, which will require assessment, planning and implementation of treatment.
To give advice and guidance both to Consultants and other speciality professionals on interventional procedures and clinical practice.
To be responsible for the nursing leadership within the specialty and giving support and guidance within the multidisciplinary team, contributing to the high-quality care given to patients, in accordance with clinical governance. The postholder will ensure delivery and expansion of an expert and advanced nurse-led service through effective interdisciplinary care, utilising clinical and managerial expertise, which will include a review of the effectiveness of treatment.
The post holder will be part of the cross site acute oncology team. The primary base of the post will be Queen Elizabeth Hospital Woolwich, with expectation the postholder will travel to the University Hospital Lewisham site when required, including providing cover for leave.
Key Result Areas & Performance:
All the following are to be carried out while working in close collaboration with members of the multi-disciplinary team led by a Consultant. To demonstrate clinical expertise within the speciality and work autonomously, managing own allocated clinics independently and seeking guidance/support when necessary.
* To co-ordinate the specialty care within the Trust and South East London Cancer Alliance (SELCA), including outreach clinics within the region.
* To become an essential member, and point of contact and resource for the multi-disciplinary team and patients and carers.
* Carries out diagnostic/therapeutic interventions as an independent practitioner, interprets, writes reports and commences further possible treatment on the basis of the findings.
* Carries out complex therapeutic/investigational procedures under indirect supervision of the Consultant. Ensuring that they are carried out using safe practice and under agreed guidelines/protocols to ensure that the highest possible standard is obtained based on competent clinical practice.
* To demonstrate the ability to develop new skills, to provide an expert high quality, nurse-led service.
* To provide ongoing follow-up care and support (home visits / telephone support / nurse led clinics / outpatient clinics and outreach clinics).
* To develop the service in a structured interdisciplinary way, initiating on-going change and progression in the expanding role of a Clinical Nurse Specialist.
* To develop interdisciplinary clinical management protocols and work within them.
* Autonomously or in collaboration with the multidisciplinary team, manage the care of patients carrying out relevant interventions, within agreed clinical protocols and in line with current practice/trends.
* To offer a supportive service to patients and their carers, disseminating specialist knowledge enabling individuals to try and adapt to any changes to their body image and life experiences. Liaising with other healthcare professionals when necessary.
* To provide, promote and maintain a support and advice service to patients and their carers, to include provision of information giving from diagnosis through to all stages of the disease process, in liaison with relevant healthcare professionals.
* To maintain accurate and legible records of all clinical and legal documentation with regard to Statutory and Trust policies.
* To assess, develop, implement and evaluate programmes of care within the acute and community setting.
* To control patient admission via direct referral and with consultant guidance and supervision.
* Be aware of, understand, and act upon the Divisional Business Plan, with particular reference to nursing care, in order to participate in the re-formulation of nursing aspects of the plan.
* When required, investigate the nursing aspects of incidents/complaints and initiate corrective action.
Person Specification
Qualifications and Training
Essential
* MSc level learning
* RN / RM - Part 1
* Relevant specialist course or similar - cancer or oncology
* In-depth knowledge of anatomy related to cancers
* Knowledge of conditions, management and treatment of cancers
Desirable
* Knowledge of quality standards in cancer
* Advanced physical assessment
* Advanced Communication skills training
* Accredited SACT/chemotherapy course
Experience
Essential
* Senior clinical experience within their speciality
* Experience in Practice Guideline Development and audit
* Evidence of clinical leadership qualities
* Ability to work autonomously and as a member of a multi-professional team
Desirable
* Caseload management
Knowledge
Essential
* Excellent verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills
* Counselling skills
Desirable
* Quality improvement
Personal qualities
Essential
* Maturity and self-awareness
* Sensitivity based on knowledge
* Committed to collaborative working
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: Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust
Address: Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Stadium Road, London, SE18 4QH
Employer's website: https://www.lewishamandgreenwich.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)
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