Sister / Charge Nurse
Job overview
We are looking for a motivated band 6 NMC registered adult or children’s nurse to work in our fast paced but patient focused environment.
You must want to develop new skills and knowledge around specialised cancer treatments. You will be caring, interested in haematology-oncology and the ever-advancing innovations in treatment and care.
The Palatine Ward is a joint collaboration between the haematology and transplant service and the teenage and young adult (TYA) service, providing high quality care for adult patients with haematological malignancies and TYA (16-24 year old) patients with all types of cancers.We also treat paediatric patients receiving radioiodine treatment.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will work closely with the Senior Sister in managing the Palatine Ward, which is a ward caring primarily for adults with haematological malignancies and for Teenagers and Young Adults (TYAs) with solid tumours and haematological malignancies.They will work collaboratively with the Senior Sister and other staff in the department.
The post holder is responsible for providing appropriate cover in the absence of Senior Sister and providing leadership within the department.
They will be responsible for the care of patients and carers within a recognized framework in accordance with the NMC Code of Professional Conduct and the Christie Hospital NHS Foundation Trust policies and Health and Safety Legislation.
Working for our organisation
We are a 31 bedded ward - all rooms are en-suite side rooms - with specialist HEPA side rooms for isolating severely immunocompromised patients. We also have a specialist room for the treatment of patients undergoing radioiodine radiotherapy.We give established evidence-based specialist treatments including chemotherapy and immunotherapy. We are JACIE accredited and regularly carry out autologous and allogeneic stem cell transplants and provide exciting new treatments such as CAR T-cell therapy, all supported by a comprehensive and thorough training process, inclusive of UKONS certificate for the delivery of Systemic Anti-Cancer Treatment (SACT) and care of patients receiving SACT.
Our Clinical Practice Facilitator team (CPF) are here to support you for your education and development needs and you will be fully supported during your orientation program and beyond. The Christie is also very research active, so we have the opportunity to support patients on clinical trials.
We believe in team work on The Palatine Ward. We work in small teams which cover a cohort of patients, to provide 24-hour care to give therapy, provide symptom control, treat sepsis and maintain an overall holistic approach for the individuals we care for.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
CLINICAL:
Assessment of the needs of the patient and family, ensuring the provision of client centered care which focuses on the promotion of health as well as illness.
Ensure accurate documentation of patient care in accordance with hospital policies and standards.
Administering specialised treatments of chemotherapy, transplants and blood products.
Assess educational and information needs of patient and family, providing up to date information enabling them to participate in the planning of care.
Enhance care within the clinical area by using relevant research outcomes when planning and delivering nursing care.
Evaluate nursing care. Inform Senior Sister and medical staff of patient’s changing health care needs.
To maintain and promote effective liaison and discussion with other wards and departments across the Trust, referring hospitals and community services.
To refer appropriately, both within and outside the Trust.
To be a positive role model for potential post holders by demonstrating competent skills, that have been determined in accordance with the needs of the Department.
Maintain safe practice according to Trust policies and standards.
Ensure all prescribed drugs and treatments are given in accordance with Trusts Medicine Management Policy.
MANAGERIAL:
To line manage members of the Palatine ward team.
When appropriate, take charge of the Department in the absence of the Senior Sister, ensuring that standards of care and department management responsibilities are maintained.
Ensure skill mix is appropriate to clinical needs and keep Senior Sister/Modern Matrons aware of pertinent issues in the clinical area. Maintain and update the off duty for Palatine ward using the e-rostering system.
Help to foster a supportive working environment and maintenance of staff morale, promoting a culture in which staff feel valued and able to reach their potential.
Act as a preceptor/mentor to new Department staff, registered nurses, student nurses, medical staff and TNAs in training
Work with Senior Sister to ensure clinical standards of care are achieved and participate in audit of clinical care.
Be aware of responsibilities with regard to Health and Safety at Work Act. Maintain and develop an environment and culture that improves health, safety and security.
Support the Senior Sister in initiating and implementing change, and in promoting an awareness of professional accountability.
Support the Senior Sister in the recruitment and retention of new staff to the clinical area.
Actively participate in risk assessments and ensure correct completion of Incident Report Forms in accordance with Trust policy. Actively participate in the completion and delivery of local standard operating procedures.
Deal promptly with complaints and incident reporting.
Lead a team of registered nurses and health care assistants.
Manage and monitor the performance of the team in the workplace.
Actively participate in the management of staff absence and attendance, completing all necessary documentation.
Maintain personal files for all staff in the department.
Developing and updating protocols and patient information.
Develop and maintain communication with people about difficult matters and/or in difficult situations.
EDUCATION:
Maintain own awareness of current nursing practice. Use relevant educational opportunities to maintain the highest standards and up to date care offered to haematology patients and teenagers and young adults
Supervise nursing staff and disseminate knowledge and current developments. Develop oneself and others in area of practice.
Participate in planned programmes of appraisal with the Senior Sister.
Ensure own learning and development needs are met.
Highlight areas of improvement and development within the Department.
Assist in the implementation of new practices, undertaking project work to ensure that working practice is evidence based.
Ensure own Essential Training is kept up to date by completing appropriate training packages.
Participate and undertake research and audit which will influence practice
To be up to date in all IV training programs including annual updates and competent in all areas of clinical practice including assessment of critically ill patient and competent in performing ECG’s.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT:
In consultation with the Senior Sister agree learning objectives designed to meet the goals of personal and professional development and undergo appropriate programmes of study.
Gain teaching skills by undertaking a teaching and assessing course and applying the principles in the clinical setting.
At the request of the accept responsibility Senior Sister to develop managerial skills within the clinical setting.
To attend and take part in leading team meetings.
To actively seek mentorship/supervision to enable development and reflection within the role.
Contribute to improvement of services.
Contribute to improving quality through monitoring of incidents.
Promote equality and diversity.
Attending MDT’s within the trust and at other trusts.
Attend conferences and study days.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria- RGN/RSCN
- Degree or Diploma in Nursing Studies
- Key Skills for Managers, eg; Management of Attendance
- Preparation for mentorship
Experience
Essential criteria- Experience as a band 5
- Interest in oncology/haematology
- Leadership experience or similar.
- Experience in haematology or TYA
Skills
Essential criteria- Excellent communication skills
- Ability to deliver a high quality of care
- Work as a team
- Highly motivated individual and forward thinking
- Demonstrate ability to solve complex and sensitive problems
- Ability to assess risk and initiate change
- Intermediate computer skills
- Understanding of the need for evidence based practice
- Venepuncture
- Cannulation
- Experience of working with CVCs, PICCs and Ports
Knowledge
Essential criteria- Committed to own personal professional development and that of junior members of staff
- Evidence of relevant further study
- Knowledge of change management
- Knowledge of audit
- Haematology and Oncology knowledge would be an advantage but not essential.
Other
Essential criteria- Flexible working
- Be able to deliver and present information to individuals and groups
Values
Essential criteria- Ability to demonstrate the organisational values and behaviours
- Application Information - If you have not heard from us within four weeks of the closing date, I regret that on this occasion your application will have been unsuccessful.
- Sponsorship Information - We are an approved sponsoring organisation. Applications will be considered from applicants requiring sponsorship alongside all other applications. Please be aware, not all roles are eligible for sponsorship. You can review the list of eligible role and requirements on the government website.
- Pre-Employment Checks - To confirm your suitability for the role, we will carry out pre-employment checks in line with NHS Employment Check Standards. These include:
- Identity verification
- Right to work check
- Disclosure and barring service (DBS)/Criminal record check (dependent on role, payment of this will be the applicants responsibility)
- Professional registration and/or qualification check
- Occupational health assessment
- Employment history and reference validation
All applicants external to The Christie NHS Foundation Trust will be required to provide their HMRC employment history to cover the most recent three years employment. This information will used to validate employment history and references.
If you require sponsorship, we will assess your eligibility based on current government guidance. If the role is not eligible and you cannot demonstrate your right to work, your conditional offer may be withdrawn.
✅ If You're Offered the Role - you will be agreeing to The Christie NHS Foundation Trust transferring the information contained in this application to its preferred applicant management system. If you are offered a job information will also be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system.Please note, all communication regarding your application will be made via email, please ensure you check your junk/spam folders as emails are sometimes filtered there.
The Inter-Authority Transfer (IAT) process is a critical and beneficial component of ESR and will form part of the recruitment process. In the event that you are successful following interview your previous NHS employment data, if applicable will be transferred from your current / most recent employer.
- Sponsorship Information - We are an approved sponsoring organisation. Applications will be considered from applicants requiring sponsorship alongside all other applications. Please be aware, not all roles are eligible for sponsorship. You can review the list of eligible role and requirements on the government website.
- No Smoking Policy - You should be aware the Trust operates a No Smoking Policy and therefore employees are not permitted to smoke at work.
- Additional Information - We want to ensure that everyone who works at the Christie or uses our services is welcomed, valued and treated with dignity and respect. The Christie values diversity and is committed to ensuring equal opportunities for all and fair representation across the organisation at all levels. In support of these commitments, we particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and other ethnic minority people and people with disabilities for this post. Appointment will be only on merit.
We are committed to creating a balanced and diverse workforce. As such we welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. Together we will foster inclusion and tackle inequity and health inequalities in cancer care.
As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy.
The Christie NHS Foundation Trust is committed to the highest standards of ethical conduct and integrity in all our activities. We have a zero-tolerance approach to modern slavery in any of its forms, including slavery, servitude, forced or compulsory labour, and human trafficking.We are fully committed to acting ethically and with transparency in all our business dealings and relationships, and to implementing and enforcing effective systems and controls to ensure modern slavery is not taking place anywhere in our organisation or supply chains.