Job summary
The Hepatology Surveillance Nurse, Band 6, will collaborate closely with the nurse consultant and the Band 7 nursing team to establish and implement a nurse-led liver surveillance pathway. This pathway will support patients with stable, compensated liver cirrhosis who are at risk of developing Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in the outpatient setting.
The primary purpose of the role is to deliver the HCC surveillance pathway. Key responsibilities include conducting patient assessments, investigations, reviewing blood results, and Ultrasound scans (USS), and providing lifestyle advice and signposting. The aim of the pathway is early detection of HCC and effective management of liver disease to enhance patient outcomes and provide potentially life-saving interventions.
Main duties of the job
1. To provide nurse led HCC surveillance clinics for patients with stable cirrhosis.
2. Provide advice, information and support for participants enrolled in the liver HCC surveillance pathways.
3. Be responsible for care delivery for patients undergoing liver surveillance for stable compensated cirrhosis and to meet the needs of patients.
4. Communicate test results and implement surveillance and follow-up
5. Manage patients within the liver cancer surveillance pathway in accordance with relevant society and National guidance (, NICE QS152).
6. To use specialist knowledge and advanced communication skills with patients and carers when obtaining consent for procedures and providing psychological support where necessary.
7. Acting as the patient advocate supporting them to navigate and make informed choices throughout the process.
8. Ensure timely access to surveillance for those individuals diagnosed with advanced fibrosis or viral hepatitis who are at risk of liver cancer.
9. To establish effective links with hepatology multi-disciplinary team (MDT) in order to ensure that when cancer is detected, there is timely presentation and transfer of patients to the MDT.
10. To ensure patient records are completed to include results of all diagnostic investigations, onward referrals, and clinical communication.
Please see job description for full description of main duties
About us
Wye Valley NHS Trust is a member of an NHS Foundation Group with South Warwickshire NHS FT, the George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust and Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust.
Located on the border with Wales in the shadow of the Black Mountains, we provide acute and community services across Herefordshire and into parts of Powys and run Hereford County Hospital and the community hospitals in Bromyard, Leominster and Ross-on-Wye.
We are a progressive and forward looking trust with ambitious plans to improve quality and integrate patient pathways through close collaborative working with our partners to deliver the quality of care we'd want for our family and friends.
More than 3,500 people work for the Trust - they tell us it's a great place to work, blending the busyness of a DGH with the benefits of working in a beautiful rural and unspoilt county like Herefordshire.
We can offer a great work-life balance and have a fine tradition of working with staff to help them achieve their full potential.
Russell Hardy, Trust Chairman: "The strength of the Trust is its amazing staff; a great place to work, a great place to develop your career and a great place to reach your potential."
Our values -Care, Accountability, Respect and Excellence - are at the heart of all we do. We believe in providing the right care in the right place at the right the time.
Job description
Job responsibilities
For more information about the role and responsibilities please see the attached job description and person specification.
Person Specification
Education & Qualifications
Essential
11. RGN
12. Evidence of post registration CPD / Post registration qualification in (appropriate area of speciality or professional knowledge supplemented by specialist experience and short courses).
13. Willing to undertake further study within speciality
Desirable
14. Qualification in advanced communication skills or willingness to undertake
Skills, Knowledge & Abilities
Essential
15. Knowledge of Liver disease management including relevant diagnostic investigations.
16. Ability to manage own caseload in accordance with screening targets, NHS cancer targets
17. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills in dealing with patients, relatives and colleagues
18. Computer literate, able to use databases and other relevant programmes.
Desirable
19. Understanding of Cancer Pathways relevant to liver disease surveillance and management
Experience
Essential
20. Ability to cope with emotional issues presented in the course of work and provide support for others
Desirable
21. Post registration experience with evidence of caring for hepatology patients / in cancer care with the ability to demonstrate utilisation and facilitation of evidence based practice
22. Experience of undertaking audit and the planning and implementation of research