Oncology Virtual Ward is a new initiative within the Trust and we are seeking an experienced oncology nurse to manage this service supported by the wider acute oncology specialist team.
The band 7 nurse will provide follow up care/ support for the following conditions:
• toxicity from SACT
• patients commenced on high dose steroids to manage toxicity from immunotherapy
• patients commenced on new medication to manage symptoms from their cancer
• patients with low risk neutropenic sepsis.
• patients awaiting investigations for a potential CUP diagnosis.
The nurse will also aid earlier discharge from the ward by reviewing patients and referring to the virtual ward.
• Follow SOPs developed for virtual ward and those existing within the Oncology service to manage a caseload of patients.
• Support team working and collaboration within the AOS team and wider team across the Trust
• Liaise with all key members of the MDT to advise and support colleagues in the delivery of specialised patient care within the remit of the virtual ward.
• Work autonomously to deliver specialist clinical care appropriate to the needs of the patient group and based on principles that are research based
• Be a point of contact for the service
• Attend the oncology board round daily to identify inpatients suitable for virtual ward.
• Contribute to the facilitation of the planning, delivery, and evaluation of care pathways for the designated group of patients.
• Provide education and training about virtual ward where needed and appropriate.
• Contribute to training and education within specialist area to multidisciplinary groups.
• Act as a visible role model and specialist practitioner.
• Ensure the quality of the virtual ward service through the application of audit and research evidence-based practice
• Collect data to enable robust audit of the service against KPIs.
The Trust values equality and diversity in employment and in the services we provide. It is committed to promoting equality and diversity in employment and will keep under review our policies and procedures to ensure that the job related needs of all staff working in the Trust are recognised. The Trust aims to ensure that all job applicants, employees or clients are treated fairly and valued equally regardless of sex, marital status, domestic circumstances, age, race,colour, disablement, ethnic or national origin, social background or employment status, sexual orientation, religion, beliefs, HIV status, gender reassignment, political affiliation or trade union membership. Selection for training and development and promotion will be on the basis of the individual’s ability to meet the requirements for the job.
The post will incorporate the Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) role dimensions of expert clinical practice, education, leadership, management and research.
The post holder will be required to work with clinical, operational, information and administrative staff across all levels of seniority within the acute Trust.
The postholder will be based at the Royal Free Hospital and manage a virtual ward of patients who will either be referred from the acute oncology team, emergency department or whom are being discharged from the inpatient oncology ward but who need support/ virtual monitoring at home.
The postholder will:
• Follow SOPs developed for virtual ward and those existing within the Oncology service to manage a caseload of patients. This will initially be 6 patients with the intention to expand.
• Support team working and collaboration within the Acute Oncology team and the wider team across the Royal Free and Barnet hospital
• Liaise with all key members of the multidisciplinary team to advise and support colleagues in the delivery of specialised patient care within the remit of the virtual ward.
• Work autonomously to deliver specialist clinical care appropriate to the needs of the patient group and based on principles that are research based and which enhance the quality of patient care.
• Work within sphere of confidence, and seek support and education to extend the band 7 CNS role with additional skills in Advanced Clinical Assessment
• Be a point of contact for the service
• Attend the oncology board round daily to identify inpatients suitable for virtual ward.
• Contribute to the facilitation of the planning, delivery, and evaluation of care pathways for the designated group of patients.
• Work closely with the acute oncology nurses to ensure that patients that have called the Oncology Helpline and are suitable for virtual ward are picked up.
• Provide education and training about virtual ward where needed and appropriate.
• Contribute to training and education within specialist area to multidisciplinary groups.
• Act as a visible role model and specialist practitioner.
• Support patients in the CUP pathway undergoing diagnostic tests as an outpatient and work alongside the lead CUP Oncology consultant and the medical oncology team
• Ensure the quality of the virtual ward service through the application of audit and research evidence-based practice
• Promote an innovative and progressive attitude to the continual improvement of patient care through reviewing the evidence base and embedding this in practice through engagement in research activities.
• Collect data to enable robust audit of the service against KPIs.
This advert closes on Wednesday 12 Feb 2025