PRIMARY DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY 1. Clinical2. Education3. Research and Audit4. Service Improvement5. Leadership Clinical Manages his/her own caseload of patients whilst working as part of the Multidisciplinary team Communicates highly sensitive and emotive condition related information to patients, relatives. E.g. terminal illness, bereavement Assess new patients in the clinical area a, identifying their psychological, physiological, emotional spiritual and cultural needs in relation to their disease and proposed treatment, providing a pathway of nursing care for the patient Act as patient advocate when relevant and be able to educate on all the treatment options to enable a patient to make an informed choice, negotiating with the medical team to agree a pathway of care Provide continuity of care throughout the patient journey and liaising across specialised areas Contribute to the development of specialised programmes of care and provide specialised advice, written and oral information to patients, relatives. Provide clinical advice and support to health care professionals within and across organisational boundaries To formulate individualised patient treatment care programmes in conjunction with the medical/nursing team considering o Each patient is placed in the correct treatment protocol o Investigations and treatments are organized as needed Act as a role model To provide support for distressed patients / carers and bereaved relatives and identifying patients at risk and referring to appropriate agencies Initiates changes in management of care Participate in case conferences in relation to future management or discharge arrangements Maintain accurate patient records and ensure all relevant information is documented in medical and nursing notes In collaboration with multidisciplinary team members assess the needs of patients, families and carers, and provide specialist advice. Assist with the development of a specialised nursing service provision Responsible for the effective management of patients referred urgently by GP for suspected colorectal cancer. Undertakes complex assessments of patients prior to Straight to Test. Decide on the appropriate next step for the patient based on symptom assessment and discussion with Consultant. Utilizes clinical decision making skills to ensure Straight to Test patients receive a holistic service and are optimized prior to attending for a test within the remit of the Straight to Test Service. Refers patient when required to the appropriate health care professional prior to investigation. Communicate with patients in order to properly prepare patients for their procedures and draw together feedback on the standard of service delivery. Promote patient participation in decision-making and enable their informed choice of appointments in line with trust booking policy. Communicate effectively with all members of the multi-disciplinary team and colleagues in primary care including the referring GP. Ensure that GPs are informed of the proposed diagnostic tests and an outcome of the telephone assessment. Education Assists in developing in-house specialist educational and training programmes Provides clinical supervision, support and mentorship to other staff as required Assist in training health and non-health care professionals in related specialty Assist in the development and provision of specialist education and training programmes to patients and carers Maintain own professional development Maintain and update evidence based knowledge and skills. Leadership and Management Contributes to the planning and development of specialist service. Manages own caseload, and coordinates patient journey across divisions and organisational boundaries Works in close collaboration with Lead Nurse / Consultants across boundaries to ensure service meets patients need. Undertakes complex assessments and review/follow up of patients and carers Contributes to the development of specialist protocols and policies for specialist area of care Work with patients and users to develop services Be a member of relevant professional association and attend regional/national meetings and conferences Research and Audit Contributes to clinical audit and development of knowledge within specialist field of practice Undertakes evidence based practice and ensures dissemination of relevant research and best practice