Job overview
We are looking for a highly motivated, flexible and enthusiastic individual to recruit into a band 6 Clinical Nurse Specialist role for Paediatric Oncology. This is a fixed term position for 12 months, with the potential for extension in the future.
We are seeking an applicant to join our existing team to effectively co-ordinate and deliver an expert nursing service to oncology patients and rheumatology patients. Assessing patients, planning and implementing care, providing specialist advice; maintaining associated records; and provide specialist education and training to other staff and students.
The successful applicant will provide care to children and young people, working collaboratively with the multidisciplinary team to meet the objectives of the NICE Improving Outcomes Guidance for Children and Young People with Cancer.
Main duties of the job
We are seeking a skilled and compassionate Clinical Nurse Specialist to provide expert nursing care to children and young people diagnosed with cancer and rheumatological conditions. The successful candidate will be responsible for delivering specialist care, managing complex treatment regimens, and collaborating with the multidisciplinary team to ensure the highest standard of care for patients. The role involves providing individualized care, offering education and support to patients and their families, and contributing to the development and maintenance of nursing policies and standards. You will also lead the care of children and young people in sensitive and challenging situations, such as delivering difficult news and managing emergencies. In addition, the postholder will provide ongoing education and training to staff, ensure high-quality care delivery, and advocate for patient needs. As part of a Level 1 Pediatric Shared Care Oncology unit, you will play a key role in administering chemotherapy and other treatments, with future opportunities to expand into enhanced care services. A deep understanding of pediatric oncology and rheumatology, alongside excellent clinical and leadership skills, is essential for this role.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Specialist Nursing Care and Support
* Provide expert nursing care to children and young people being investigated, diagnosed, and treated for cancer, ensuring a compassionate and individualized approach.
* Collaborate closely with the multi-disciplinary team to deliver comprehensive care to children and their families, particularly in complex and sensitive situations.
Clinical Practice and Expertise
* Utilize in-depth knowledge and experience in paediatrics oncology to demonstrate high-level clinical skills in the assessment, management, and treatment of oncology patients.
* Develop and maintain nursing policies, standards, and best practices in paediatrics oncology to ensure the highest level of care and clinical outcomes.
Leadership in Patient Care
* Lead and coordinate care for children and young people with cancer, ensuring timely interventions and holistic support.
* Take a leadership role in managing challenging situations, including delivering bad news and responding appropriately to emergency or unforeseen circumstances.
Education and Training
* Provide ongoing education and training to members of the multi-disciplinary team, enhancing knowledge and skills in pediatric oncology care.
* Offer guidance and expertise on cancer treatment protocols, symptom management, and best practices.
Family and Caregiver Support
* Provide vital emotional and psychological support to children, young people, and their families, helping them navigate the challenges of cancer treatment and care.
* Educate parents and caregivers on treatment regimens, symptom management, and coping strategies, ensuring they are well-prepared to care for their child at home.
Day Care and Chemotherapy Administration
* Administer chemotherapy treatments, including bolus chemotherapy and febrile neutropenia care, in a Level 1 Pediatric Shared Care Oncology unit.
* As the unit develops into an enhanced POSCU, assume responsibilities for administering infusional day case chemotherapy and related treatments.
Advocacy and Patient Safety
* Advocate for patients' needs and ensure that their voice is represented in care decisions.
* Focus on the safety and well-being of patients, ensuring that the highest standards of care and safety are upheld in all aspects of the treatment process.
Continual Professional Development
* Stay current with advancements in paediatric oncology care, ensuring that personal and professional knowledge remains up-to-date.
* Participate in ongoing staff development and contribute to the professional growth of the oncology nursing team.
Person specification
Qualifications and experience
Essential criteria
* NMC registration RN/ RSCN Child
* Post holder must have at least one year of post registration experience in paediatric care
* Evidence of continual professional development
* Paediatric oncology experience either POSCU or PTC or community care
Desirable criteria
* Recognised teaching or mentoring course
* External post registration paediatric oncology course or equivalent
* External cytotoxic training course or completion of SACT passport
Skills
Essential criteria
* Excellent verbal, written, communication and interpersonal skills
* Self-directive with excellent time management and organisational skills to support lone working
* Proven ability to work well under pressure
* Clear understanding of safe guarding procedures
* Experience of audit, research, and evidence-based care.
* Competent in the administration of chemotherapy
* Extended clinical skills and knowledge eg: care of central venous access devices
Desirable criteria
* Advanced assessment skills
Personal qualities
Essential criteria
* Approachable, enthusiastic, flexible, assertive, adaptable and supportive.
* Positive attitude to change management and willing to embrace change.
* Ability to form professional relationships with colleagues, patients and families to support an excellent standard of care.
* Committed to staff and personal professional development
SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN AND ADULTS
To comply with the Trust's Safeguarding Children and Adults policies, procedures and protocols. All individual members of staff (paid or unpaid) have a duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults This will require you to:
* Ensure you are familiar with and comply with the London Child Protection Procedures and protocols for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young people.
* Ensure you are familiar and comply with the London Multi Agency Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults Pan London Procedures.
* Ensure you are familiar and comply with local protocols and systems for information sharing.
* Know the appropriate contact numbers and required reporting lines.
* Participate in required training and supervision.
* Comply with required professional boundaries and codes of conduct
Whittington Health is committed to safeguarding all children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Your application form -
1. Provide only business email address for your referees - we are unable to request references from yahoo, Hotmail, Gmail accounts.
2. Make sure you to include all evidence of where you meet the essential requirement on the jobs description as this forms the base of our shortlisting criteria.
Our processes -
1. Closing dates are given as a guide; we are within our right to close adverts early so please ensure you submit your application as soon as possible to avoid delay.
2. If you do not hear from us up to 3 weeks after the closing date of the job unfortunately this means you have not been successfully shortlisted for interview. If your require feedback on your application please contact the appointing manager detailed in the body of the advert.
3. Please check your emails regularly as all correspondence from us will be via trac.systems - occasionally these emails will go into your Junk folder.
4. Employment at Whittington Health is offered subject to successful completion of a 6 month probationary period for all staff with the exception of GMC Registered Doctors.
Other important information -
* Applications from job seekers who require sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. Before submitting your application and to avoid disappointment please check that you are eligible under the UKVI points based system.
* Applications are welcome from people wishing to job share or work flexible patterns. We are committed to equal opportunities.
* In submitting an application form, you authorise Whittington Health NHS Trust to confirm any previous NHS service details via the Inter Authority Transfer (IAT) process should you be appointed to the post.
If you are offered a role with one of the NLPSS partner trusts, as part of pre-employment checks your identity and right to work documentation will be verified remotely (in most circumstances), using a certified identity verification service provider TrustID. You will be asked to capture an image of the relevant documents as well as a "selfie" using your smartphone/tablet (if available) for facial matching. TrustID will also perform a digital address check using Trunarrative and Equifax, which is a soft check and does not leave a footprint on your credit rating. For more information, visit www.trustid.co.uk
Please note that during the recruitment process your Identity Documentation (i.e. passport, driving licence, visa, etc.) will be scanned using a device which recognises UV, Infrared and Machine Readable Zone security features of the documents provided.
We would welcome applications from individuals who are from underrepresented groups in the organisation
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Documents to download
* Job description CNS Band 6 (PDF, 304.4KB)
* Whittington Probationary Policy (PDF, 298.0KB)
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