Job summary
Wrightington Wigan & Leigh NHS Foundation Trust Teaching Hospital (WWL) in conjunction with Greater Manchester Cancer is implementing the national NHS England Best Practice Timed Pathways programme for Skin cancer.
The Faster Diagnosis Standard aims to ensure people are told they have cancer, or that cancer is excluded, within a maximum of 28 days from referral.
We are looking for an experienced Specialist Nurse with awareness of cancer pathways to contribute to the implementation and further development of this innovative diagnostic service for the communities we serve. This is an exciting opportunity for someone wanting to be a part of a team of that will help to revolutionise the pathway for the diagnosis of skin cancer.
The Dermatology Pathway Nurse will work closely with the Cancer Performance Team, the Clinical team and will see patients both face to face and via the newly established Teledermatology Service.
This new post will initially be funded via Greater Manchester Cancer for 12 months and the data collected during this time will be used to support a business case for permanent funding, therefore this role will be offered on a 12-month fixed term or secondment basis in the first instance.
Please secure your approval from your current manager before applying for this post.
Evidence of qualifications will be requested at interview and during compliance checks.
Main duties of the job
The Dermatology Pathway Nurse will respond to the GP urgent referral service for patients with symptoms which could indicate cancer.
The Dermatology Pathway Nurse will provide rapid triage of the patient to reach a definitive diagnosis, advice to the patient on management of their condition, signposting to appropriate support services and rapid onward treatment should cancer be diagnosed.
. Responsibilities of the role include:
1. Responsibility for ensuring the delivery of high-quality patient care.
2. Practising autonomously and being self-directed, including leading on providing excellent patient care in line with rapid diagnosis and being a clinical champion to cascade best clinical practice.
3. Working alongside key clinical colleagues assessing patients and directing them to the appropriate pathway, in line with developed protocols.
4. Participation in the implementation of audit, quality and risk management initiatives and support the evaluation of the Dermatology Pathway Nurse service.
5. Representing the Trust and the speciality at both internal and external meetings related to the Dermatology service as appropriate.
6. Participation in the delivery of health promotion and screening advice, given opportunistically to patients as appropriate.
About us
Choose Well - Choose WWL
Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals, NHS Foundation Trust are the proud providers of acute hospital and community services to the people of the Wigan Borough and surrounding areas. At WWL, we value our staff believing that 'happy staff, makes for happy patients'. We have a recognised track record in staff engagement, and living our values 'the WWL Way'.
WWL are committed to placing the patient at the heart of everything we do, and in the provision of safe, effective care that acknowledges and ensures dignity. With this in mind we are seeking to recruit people who share our values and beliefs.
On-Call
Please note that senior positions (AFC band 8A or above) may be expected to participate in an on-call rota, if the role is predominantly operational.
Job description
Job responsibilities
1. Accept referrals directly into the service as appropriate.
2. With the key medical staff, help lead, organise, develop and deliver a service to expedite skin cancer diagnoses.
3. Enhance the quality of care provided to patients presenting with potential symptoms of skin cancer by early recognition, rapid onward referral to diagnostic services as appropriate.
4. Order appropriate clinical investigations as required within the required timeframe (may require the completion of IRMER training).
5. Attend any Clinical/ MDT meetings and contribute to the discussions and feedback patient assessment / care planning and management decisions as appropriate.
6. Participate in the decision-making process with the medical and multidisciplinary team to ensure appropriateness of referral to the Dermatology service.
7. Review and interpret all information available utilising a systematic process of reasoning to expedite a working and differential diagnosis with key medical staff.
8. Lead, organise, develop and deliver a clinical service on a day-to-day basis ensuring appropriate onwards referrals to other clinical teams if required.
9. Ensure that the consultation environment is conducive to a professional patient assessment, positively reflecting the reputation of the service and that it provides the patient maximum privacy and dignity.
10. Collect, collate, evaluate and report information, maintaining accurate patient records.
11. Ensure effective contribution to clinical decisions regarding changes to patient care interventions.
12. Maintain a high clinical profile and facilitate application of theory to practice, whilst carrying out clinical duties in accordance with National, Network, Trust and local standards and policies, in order to improve the quality of care.
13. Establish and maintain effective communication with patients and carers/relatives, other professionals and agencies across health and social services, ensuring that legible and timely written verbal and electronic reports are available.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
14. Registered Nurse with current NMC registration
15. Degree / diploma in nursing studies (or equivalent nursing qualification and experience)
16. Evidence of continuous professional development (CPD)
Desirable
17. Qualification in non -medical prescribing or willingness to undertake
18. Clinical Assessment and diagnostics qualification or willingness to undertake
Experience
Essential
19. Evidence of assessing patients in the clinical environment
20. Experience of cancer pathways
Desirable
21. Experience in the use of clinical IT systems
22. Experience of multi-professional working
Skills
Essential
23. Effective communication skills in verbal, written and presentations
24. Effective organisation and negotiation skills when triaging referrals
25. Ability to undertake training to request diagnostic tests
26. Ability to work autominously
Desirable
27. Demonstrate an ability to support and influence change
28. Ability to cope with emotional issues presented in the course of work and support others
Knowledge
Essential
29. Demonstrates evidence-based specialist clinical knowledge with relevant post registration experience, at Band 6 or above, in Dermatology, Cancer or relevant speciality
Additional
Essential
30. Ability to travel between sites as required)
31. Speak English to an appropriate standard relevant to their role, with confidence and accuracy, using correct sentence structures and vocabulary, and without hesitation