Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for qualified, conscientious, enthusiastic and highly motivated candidate to join the Gastroenterology Service at West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospital, with cross-site cover when required.
This is an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic senior nurse to advance the care of patients with hepatopancreatobiliary cancer and benign cystic conditions. This is a mixed role and there is scope to develop the position into an entirely novel provision of care to patients.
The post holder will work closely with the Hepatology Team, Gastroenterology consultants, Cancer Team, MDT team, their immediate colleagues, and other administrative and clinical members of the Gastroenterology service.
This job will involve cross-site working when require.
This post is hours per week (5 days per week Monday- Friday).
Main duties of the job
The position is based mainly delivering care from Watford General hospital to patients both in the outpatient and acute inpatient setting.
The aim is to improve and speed up the pathway to diagnosis and provide holistic care to patients after diagnosis with input from the Gastroenterology consultants, oncology and palliative care team.
The position will involve outpatient clinics for patients with liver conditions such as liver cirrhosis and decompensated liver disease, primary biliary cholangitis, telephone/virtual clinics for pancreatic cyst management; attending two MDT meetings per week; becoming a nurse prescriber and liaising with primary care and patients directly.
Excellent communication, organisational and IT skills are required.
About us
With a new hospital planned for Watford and work underway to update theatres at St Albans City Hospital, this is an exciting time to join us.
We are building on the success of our award-winning virtual hospital and re-imaging models of care, working ever more closely with partners and making the most of advances in digital healthcare.
Staff wellbeing and development are a priority at our Trust, as is the role of innovation in improving clinical care, outcomes and patient experience.
Our vision is Excellent patient care, together and our values are to be empowered, compassionate, professional and inclusive. They capture an important balance across what we must all do as individuals and to support others.
At West Herts we offer a variety of flexible working options as we recognise the importance of a good work life balance and the ability to work flexibly.
We kindly invite you to consider submitting an application.
If you have a disability or long-term health condition and should you require support or guidance please contact
If you are a Service Leaver, Veteran, Military Reserve, Cadet Force Adult Volunteer, or partner/spouse of those serving please tick "Member of the Armed Forces Community" on the application form.
If you do not hear back within 3 weeks of your application, please assume you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Practice autonomously and be self-directed, manage own workload.
Undertake assessment of individuals using a range of different assessment methods, which may include physical examination, ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests or advanced health needs assessment.
Work with the named Lead Clinician and Lead Nurse ensuring new specialist clinical services are developed according to local needs, policies and within an agreed time frame.
Ensuring abnormal imaging is acted upon in a timely manner to progress patient care
Independent clinics for patients with pancreatic cysts, Liver cirrhosis, Primary Biliary Cholangitis - managing independent caseload at Watford General Hospital and Hemel Hempstead Hospital, possibly St Albans Hospital in the future.
Person Specification
Education and qualifications:
Essential
1. Registered Adult Nurse, Current NMC Registration
2. Evidence of current CPD
Desirable
3. Master's degree or working towards MSc in Advanced Clinical Practice
4. Registered non-medical prescriber
5. Clinical examination skills module or willingness to undertake
6. Advanced Communications Skills Training Level 2 Psychological Skills Training
Knowledge:
Essential
7. Acute medical care experience
8. Previous evidence of independent working
9. Evidence of liaison with multi-professional teams
10. Understanding of Information Governance and Confidentiality
11. Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of application of relevant National Guidance, National Service Frameworks, NICE etc.
12. Comprehensive knowledge of the NHS national targets and priorities
13. Understanding of the Trust's objectives and priorities and the ability to work across operational boundaries
Desirable
14. Cancer care knowledge
15. Knowledge of current treatment options for pancreatic and liver disease
16. Counselling experience in managing patients with chronic disease
17. Evidence of using clinical governance framework to influence care and improve outcome
18. Evidence of participation in research studies
19. Ability to work flexibly, using best practice and managing own case load
Experience:
Essential
20. Substantial post qualification experience
21. Significant demonstrable experience at Band 6 or above working with liver patients.
Desirable
22. Cancer care experience
23. Specialist nurse experience