An exciting opportunity has arisen for a highly motivated, enthusiastic, and experienced Therapy Radiographer/Registered Nurse to become part of the radiotherapy clinical review team in our Radiotherapy department at The Christie Hospital. The post is a 1.0 WTE (37.5 hour) Band 7, subject to experience and qualifications (part time working would be considered depending on the suitability for service delivery). Routine hours of service are from 8:00-20:00 Monday-Friday including bank holidays.
In establishing the role, the post holder will work alongside clinical oncologists, radiographers, nurses and the wider MDT to inaugurate a service providing streamlined patient centred care in a timely manner. The role will focus on supporting patients undergoing radiotherapy treatment using enhanced skills such as prescribing and examining patients from a range of disease sites, managing acute side effects during and after treatment as well as other less complex health conditions with support from senior Advanced Clinical Practitioners/Medical colleagues within the department.
The successful postholder would be expected to work independently to problem solve and manage acute/emergency admission patients and providing some interventions for unwell patients. The role would involve support and training of junior colleagues including support workers and Nurses/Radiographers who provide patient care within the department.
All candidates must be already registered with the HCPC/NMC.
• As an Enhanced Clinical Practitioner, take a key role in co-ordinating and promoting continuity of care, ensuring the patient knows who to access for information and advice for all radiotherapy patients.
• Acts as a co-ordinator and provide care for acutely unwell patients requiring including those who require admission within scope of practice, with support from Senior/Medical colleagues and Review team/clinical support colleagues.
• Act as a knowledgeable expert, who understands the process and stages of the patient care pathway specific to each disease site.
• Provide advice and support in symptom and treatment toxicity management.
• Work as an independent non-medical prescriber, once qualification has been achieved.
• To co-ordinate aspects of radiotherapy for patients who require further support/management provided by the Review teams during attendance.
• To support (both psychologically and emotionally), educate and provide exceptional standards of care as an independent practitioner for patients and their carers undergoing or recently completed radiotherapy treatment.
• To facilitate and promote effective routes of communication and encourage liaison between specialists involved cancer care (multi-disciplinary teams) and The Christie.
The Christie is one of Europe’s leading cancer centres, treating over 60,000 patients a year. We are based in Manchester and serve a population of 3.2 million across Greater Manchester & Cheshire, but as a national specialist around 15% patients are referred to us from other parts of the country.
We provide radiotherapy through one of the largest radiotherapy departments in the world; chemotherapy on site and through 14 other hospitals; highly specialist surgery for complex and rare cancer; and a wide range of support and diagnostic services. We are also an international leader in research, with world first breakthroughs for over 100 years.
We run one of the largest early clinical trial units in Europe with over 300 trials every year. Cancer research in Manchester, most of which is undertaken on the Christie site, has been officially ranked the best in the UK.
Clinical duties and responsibilities
• To work autonomously with other specialist disciplines. To streamline patient care and improve access for patients, both within and outside The Christie, ensuring that radiotherapy is carried in accordance to current recommended timescales.
• Plan and manage own workload and the workload of the service, in a flexible manner, ensuring that service provision meets the need of patients.
• Participate in the direct clinical management of patients. This includes history taking, systematic physical examination (once appropriate qualification is achieved) and formulation of clinical management plans and re-evaluation of implemented treatment plans as appropriate.
• Consent agreed patient groups for treatment and procedures as per Trust policy.
• Work with the clinical team to formulate clinical decisions and complex treatment plans to manage acute radiotherapy toxicity and psychosocial issues by responding to actual and potential health problems appropriately.
• For agreed patient groups, provide medications following patient group directions.
• For agreed patient groups, work as an independent non-medical prescriber
• Accept and make appropriate referrals from/to other professional colleagues.
• Facilitate the coordination and effective management of an admission.
• Prepare accurate and concise records and reports both verbal and written.
• Communicate with the patient’s referring specialist, GP and other community and hospice based services at regular intervals as appropriate.
• Practice evidence based health care and be responsible for developing, monitoring and updating clinical policies in relation to own area of practice.
• Act as an expert resource and provide advice to ward/departmental areas and the wider community.
• To maintain and develop links with local /national cancer networks and cancer service collaborative.
• To be pro-active in the development and implementation of evidence based clinical practice in line with local and national initiatives, facilitating changes in service where necessary.
• To act as an expert resource on treatment related toxicities and access to wider support.
• Participate in the extended shift system, bank holidays and weekend working.
• To undertake any other reasonable duties as necessary.
Patient Care
• Develop a relationship that recognises the person (patient/family member/carer) as an individual.
• Give information, at an appropriate level of understanding, to ensure a patient is fully informed along all stages of the patient pathway.
• Develop and update patient specific information which is age appropriate.
• Co-ordinate the patient journey ensuring appointments and information is communicated to the patient in a timely fashion.
• Act as a patient advocate with clear feedback systems in place to the MDT and referring hospitals.
• Asses on a regular basis whether more support or advice is needed and offered where appropriate.
• Provide an important point of contact for the patient and those around them both during and after completion of treatment, ensuring continuation of care.
• Works independently to provide patient care.
Supervisory and Managerial Responsibilities
• Contribute to the clinical governance process, including adverse incident reporting/investigation and the management of complaints, as appropriate.
• Supervise the requisition of stocks and equipment with care and economy.
• Attend meetings at managerial, Trust committee and local Trust partnership level, acting as advocate for area of work and profession.
• Participate in national oncology/radiotherapy advisory boards and relevant working groups as invited. Assist in the development of integrated patient pathways (e.g. NICE Guidance on Cancer Services, NHS Guidance etc.).
• Identify gaps in service provision and work with the MDT and cancer network to implement the changes required to improve service provision
Responsibilities for human resources
• Work closely with the radiotherapy review team colleagues to ensure adequate cover across clinical working day and annual leave requested in advance with appropriate approval.
• Participate in the recruitment and selection of staff.
Professional and Personal Development
• Act in accordance with the HCPC/NMC code of professional conduct: standards for conduct and ethics.
• Provide evidence of continued professional development in the form of a professional practice portfolio to meet the revalidation requirements of the HCPC/NMC.
• Be flexible in line with evolving radiotherapy service across all Christie sites.
• Ensure patient confidentiality at all times.
• Maintain patient safety and dignity.
• Comply with policies and procedures of the Trust.
• Maintain clinical competencies, sufficient to participate in the patient pathway for all disease sites.
• Participate in performance development review and evaluate own clinical practice.
• Maintain essential training records.
Teaching and Training
• Take an active role in the training of all learners in radiotherapy.
• Educate patients and their carers on issues surrounding health promotion and illness prevention.
• Promote and facilitate changes to lifestyle where appropriate.
Research and Audit
• Maintain ICH/GCP competence.
• Facilitate radiotherapy research.
• Keep up to date with current research and publications.
• Initiate and support clinical audit with respect to evaluating service effectiveness and future developments within the role, developing and managing strategies to address any shortfalls.
• Disseminate relevant research findings to colleagues and members of the health professions via presentation and publication.
Project Work
• To pursue continuing professional development and in doing so provide evidence of continued professional development in the form of a professional portfolio.
• Lead on developing and updating patient and carer information.
• Assist in the development of appropriate competencies and training for radiotherapy review colleagues and other non-medical health care professionals who may assist the review team.
• Assist in development of relevant protocols in the radiotherapy quality system
This is not an exhaustive list and additional duties may be required as requested by the Radiotherapy Service Manager, Consultant radiographer or clinical teams.
This advert closes on Friday 3 Jan 2025
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