Acute Oncology Advanced Nurse Practitioner

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Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a highly motivated and experienced nurse to join our innovative nurse led team supporting and managing the emergency care of cancer patients.

The post holder will be joining an excellent team providing leadership and guidance to colleagues throughout the Trust to facilitate optimal patient and pathway management.

We are looking for a dynamic and enthusiastic individual with advanced nursing skills and exemplary communication and organisational skills to help us deliver exceptional care to cancer patients. Extensive experience in the assessment and management of cancer related problems and cancer treatment toxicities are essential for the role.

You will be provided with the opportunity to utilise your expert skill set to deliver all aspects of acute oncology including inpatient advice and management, supporting the emergency department with admission avoidance, cancer same day emergency care (cSDEC), plus delivery of our award-winning brain tumour optimisation pathway.

The post holder will work in a rotation between St. Helens and Whiston Hospitals supporting inpatient and ambulatory cancer pathways. The service is currently delivered Monday to Friday, and we are working towards providing 7-day services.

This post may be offered under Annex 21 AfC Terms & Conditions, subject to experience, competency and suitability.

Interview date: 29th January 2025

Main duties of the job

The successful applicant will require advanced nursing skills, resilience and drive with a desire and ability to review and develop the services we provide. In return you will receive mentorship, and educational and academic opportunities to enable progression of your career as an advanced nursing practitioner.

You will work alongside our medical oncology teams in parallel to hospital and community teams for the management of holistic patient care.

The MWL Acute Oncology team is at the forefront of innovation. You will play a key part in delivering education to other health care professionals throughout the Trust, service development including developing protocols/policies and be involved in regional and national Acute Oncology Groups.

You will also be responsible for utilising your expert skill set in the following areas:

• Delivery of expert nurse-led acute assessment services for patients with haematology / solid tumours who are undergoing treatment in the Trust
• Safe evidence-based practice, including diagnosing and non- medical prescribing in the varied nurse led services delivered by the acute oncology team
• Education of multi-professional groups -registered and unregistered nursing staff
• Taking charge of the clinical area in the absence of a senior member of staff
• Work in collaboration with members of the multi-disciplinary team

Working for our organisation

Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust serves a population of over 600,000 with a workforce of over 9000 dedicated and skilled staff across 21 sites.

We strongly believe that the communities we serve should all have access to Five Star Patient Care.

Our Services:

Acute Care

Providing emergency and maternity services at Whiston, Southport and Ormskirk hospitals, and medical and surgical specialties across all our sites.

Primary Care

Providing primary care services at Marshalls Cross Medical Centre situated in St Helens Hospital.

Community Services

We also provide urgent care at our Urgent Treatment Centre located in St Helens town centre.

Specialist Regional Services

We provide the Mersey Regional Burns & Plastic Surgery Unit at Whiston Hospital and the Spinal Injuries Unit at Southport Hospital to more than 4 million people across the whole of Merseyside, West Lancashire, Cheshire, Isle of Man and North Wales.

Achievements:

• Rated Outstanding by CQC Inspection August 2018
• Top 100 places to work in the NHS (NHS Employers & Health Service Journal)
• National Preceptorship Accreditation (2023) for Nursing & AHP Preceptorship Programme

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• Assess, plan, implement and evaluate programmes of evidenced-based nursing care.
• Provide expert advice and clinical practice.
• Provide specialist education and training to others.
• Work collaboratively and co-operatively with clinical colleagues to develop services.
• Lead the development of clinical services within the specialist field.
• To contribute to the maintenance and development of evidence based clinical standards.
• To maintain contemporaneous nursing records in accordance with Trust and NMC guidance.
• To participate in the review of existing methods of nursing care via benchmarking and audit and the implementation of necessary changes.
• Keep up to date with developments in the care and treatment of cancer patients in order to be able to carry out duties completely and efficiently.
• To communicate effectively and work in partnership with patients, their relatives/carers, nursing colleagues and members of the multi-disciplinary team to ensure care is delivered in an accurate and efficient manner.
• Develop knowledge of the hazards to staff, patients, relatives, and the environment with regard to administration, disposal, and spillage of cytotoxic chemotherapy, taking appropriate action.
• Supervise professional work of nursing staff, including junior staff

• Maintain Professional Registration with the NMC
• Adhere to relevant Code of Practice of Professional body
• Perform comprehensive assessment of patient nursing needs, plan, implement and evaluate care delivery according to changing health care needs.
• Perform advanced clinical skills in assessment &/or diagnosis &/or treatment.
• Prescribe treatment within scope of own non-medical prescribing P formulary.
• Collect, collate, evaluate, and report information, maintaining accurate patient records.
• Involve patients and carers/relatives in the planning and delivery of care and development of services.
• Review and improvement of treatment pathway as required.
• Work collaboratively with other professionals and agencies to ensure patient needs are met, especially in relation to ongoing care needs and discharge arrangements.
• Establish and maintain effective communication with patients and carers/relatives, and professionals across health and social services.
• Contribute to the health promotion agenda with the local health economy.
• Provide specialist, expert clinical knowledge to clinical colleagues, patients, and carers/relatives.
• Undertake clinical supervision of nursing colleagues on an individual or group basis.
• Evaluate service delivery against key performance targets, National Quality Measures, identify areas for improvement and initiate change.
• Ensure the effective and efficient use of physical and financial resources; make recommendations regarding supplies and equipment

• To ensure that all patient information is confidential and is not disclosed to a third party except with permission of the patient or the nurse in charge
• To keep patient records up to date on a day-to-day basis following any interaction with patients/relatives
• To ensure all unit documentation is completed

• Identify learning needs, plan, implement and evaluate programmes of education to meet identified need.
• Participate in the education of pre and post registered nurses, medical staff, AHP’s, patient and carers and participate in curriculum development where appropriate.
• Address specific health targets e.g., NICE Guidance, Quality Surveillance, NSF related to own area of practice through education.
• Ensure own compliance and compliance of others with regard to mandatory training and NMC revalidation requirements.
• To assist with induction programmes, preceptorship, and mentorship of new staff as appropriate.
• To appropriately assist in the promotion of the learning environment.
• Participating in the supervision and assessment of Health Care Assistants, Student Nurses, Return to Practice Nurses, overseas registered Nurses, and Cadets, as appropriate.
• To take responsibility for personal study and development in accordance with ‘NMC Post Registration Education and Practice’.
• To undertake appropriate nursing role developments and fully engage in one’s own appraisal/performance review.
• To mentor registered nurses undertaking the chemotherapy course when competent to do so

• Participate in meetings pertinent to the Acute Oncology Team and Cancer services
• Establish and maintain good communication within the Acute oncology team, Division, Trust, and agencies outside the Trust
• Support the annual business planning process for the Acute Oncology Team.
• To consistently use resources efficiently.
• To be actively involved in risk management and clinic audit programmes.
• To ensure safe custody of patient’s property.
• To be responsible for ensuring all patients and their relatives/carers are kept fully informed of patient’s treatment/progress and discharge plans/after care.
• To report all accidents, hazards, incidents, and complaints in accordance with Trust policies and assist in investigation of them as required

• Support the annual business planning process for the Acute Oncology Team.
• Maintain efficiency and minimise waste
• Supervise the coding of activity in the nurse led clinics to support the generation of income associated with activity and to escalate any concerns around activity levels

• Identify need for, participate and undertake, research, clinical audit, benchmarking, and equipment trials, in order to improve effectiveness of patient care.
• Disseminate research and audit findings through presentation to professional groups and publication.
• Responsible for the development and implementation of policies, procedures, and guidelines relevant to own area of work.
• Promote patient and public involvement activities in the specialist area, leading to service improvement.
• Responsible for following trial protocols where applicable
• Involvement in audit and research within the Trust.

Person specification

Qualifications

• NMC Registration
• Educated to degree level or equivalent clinical experience
• ENB 237/N59 (oncology/chemotherapy) or SACT Passport
• Qualification in clinical examinations and diagnostics
• Qualification in non-medical prescribing
• Teaching qualification or relevant supervisory / mentorship experience

• Master’s degree or willing to work towards
• Management qualification or equivalent experience
• Advanced Life Support qualification

Knowledge & Experience

• Knowledge of clinical skills required to undertake the role
• Knowledge and awareness of the Cancer National Strategy / Cancer agencies
• Substantial Oncology/Haematology experience
• Demonstrate the ability to manage change and apply evidence-based practice to patient care
• Previous management experience of a caseload or ward.

Skills

• Excellent communication skills
• Effective record management and organisational skills
• Ability to prioritise and manage time effectively
• Teaching skills
• Management/Leadership skills
• Ability to work autonomously and as part of a Multi-Disciplinary Team
• Committed to ongoing personal development

Other

• Flexible approach to work

Thank you for considering an application to work for Mersey West Lancashire NHS Trust. You are part of an exciting and forward-thinking NHS Trust who are one of the best places to work for in England.

Given sometimes we receive a high volume of applications to work for us, please be aware, that we may close a vacancy earlier than stated should a sufficient number of applications be received from which a shortlist can be confirmed. Therefore, you are advised to apply at your earliest convenience.

The Trust may contact you during the recruitment process for your feedback on your experience. We always aim for continuous improvement in our practice.

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

We welcome all applications irrespective of people’s race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion/belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity and in particular those from under- represented groups.

As a Disability Confident Leader, we commit to offering an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the job (the essential criteria) listed in the personal specification. If you wish to apply under this Guaranteed Interview Scheme, please indicate this on the online application form.

If you are having difficulty completing an online application, or require any disability reasonable adjustments, to the application process, please contact [email protected]

We also commit to offering an interview to all armed forces veterans who meet the minimum criteria for the job (the essential criteria) listed in the personal specification. If you wish to apply under this Guaranteed Interview Scheme, please indicate this on the online application form.

The Trust operates anonymous shortlisting where no personal information about you, including your name or personal details are shared with the recruiting manager. No equality information is shared at any time during the recruitment process with the recruiting manager or other people involved in the decision-making process.

The equality monitoring information you provide is used in the following situations: to review our recruitment practices; where a job is limited to a specific person to verify their eligibility to apply; and to offer disability reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Following the recent update on UK immigration policy for those on a Health and Care Visa or Skilled Worker Visa, please click here to check your eligibility before applying for this post as we may be unable to provide sponsorship.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

If this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Please note if applicable, applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costs are deducted from salary following appointment.

If you have not already done so, you are therefore encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service to which a small annual fee of £13 per year applies.

Flexible Working

We actively support flexible working patterns throughout MWL. Changes made to the NHS Terms and Conditions of Service Handbook mean that:

• All employees have the right to request flexible working from day one of employment.
• There is no limit on the number of requests they can make.
• Employees have the right to make requests, have them considered, regardless of the reason.

At Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, we will consider requests for flexible working. We would also encourage you to also discuss flexible working options at interview stage.

Working for Team MWL

Our Staff Health and Wellbeing programme offer a variety of services.

The Trust is a non-smoking across all our sites. Failure to follow this rule could lead to disciplinary action. For more information, see the Smoke Free NHS website

You must ensure that your application, including personal statements and behaviour examples, are truthful and factually accurate. Please note plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experience of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own.

The Trust will not accept applications which are found to be AI generated.

Additional Information

Before applying, we encourage you to review the Trusts Values and Behaviours which are We are KIND, We are OPEN, We are INCLUSIVE, which can be found here.

An applicant guide to help and support you with your application and what to expect during your recruitment journey can be accessed in the supporting documents.

Good luck with your application. We hope to welcome you to Team MWL very soon.