Acute Oncology Nurse Advisor

Job responsibilities

CLINICAL RESPONSIBILITIES 1.1 Provide 24/7 telephone helpline service to enable patients to access expertadvice and management with the side effects of their treatments.1.2 Communicate with patients and/or their carers regarding their caremanagement dealing with highly sensitive information requiring sympathyand reassurance and where there are often barriers to understanding.1.3 Assess patient provided information and provide appropriate and safeadvice on a range of clinical issues.1.4 Make clinical judgements from caller information, evaluating alternativecourses of action.1.5 Organise workload to ensure all calls are answered in a timely manner.1.6 Ensure that all computerised records are accurate and kept up to date.1.7 Liaise with the multi-disciplinary team with respect to the management ofthe critically ill patient.1.8 Ensure effective communication between patients, their families and the healthcare team in order to maintain continuity of care and that appropriate and consistent information is conveyed to patients and their families.1.9 Ensure effective and timely communications with the Acute Oncology. Management teams at local hospitals is maintained.1.10 Maintain links with specialist nurses and with GPs and nursing teams in thecommunity to ensure continuity of care. MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION 2.1 To deputise for and support the Acute Oncology Team Leader in managingthe service.2.2 Provide management support for junior members of the team.2.3 Assess, plan and implement clinical care and maintain associated patientrecords.2.4 Be aware of Health and Safety issues and ensure relevant risk assessmentsare undertaken.2.5 Report and record all accidents and complaints according to the agreedpolicy, investigating speedily and compassionately.2.6 Ensure all trust policies and procedures are adhered to and new onesimplemented as necessary.2.7 Regularly liaise and report to Department Manager/Senior Nursing team onunit affairs and staff development.2.8 Ensure each designated staff member participates in a personal developmentplan and act to maximise the potential of others.2.9 Assist in nursing recruitment process when required.2.10 Take a progressive approach to the management of short and long term sickness/absence in collaboration with the Department manager/SeniorNursing team.2.11 Assist in reviewing the service and implement change to the service tosupport ongoing improvements in the acute oncology management servicereflecting local and national initiative.2.12 Participate and lead, where appropriate, team meetings and coordinateshifts, gathering appropriate concise information.2.13 Work as a professional role model, providing leadership at all timesand work as the patient advocate when necessary, which reflects the Trustsvalues and behaviors. OPERATIONAL 3.1 To liaise appropriately with colleagues regarding bed status and escalateaccordingly regarding patient wait times for admission.3.2 Escalate patient call wait times accordingly.3.3 To co-ordinate and where necessary take responsibility for the running of theshift.3.4 Work with and where necessary cross cover the Patient flow team. TRAINING & EDUCATION 4.1 Complete appropriate clinical skills and mandatory training as directed bymanagement.4.2 Participate and undertake research and audit which will influence practice.4.3 To be up to date in all IV training programs including annual updates andcompetent in all areas of clinical practice including medicines management,moving and handling, assessment of critically ill patient and basic life support.4.4 Attend all mandatory study days.4.5 Maintain awareness and competency within the role against national and regionalinitiatives and subsequently implement these initiatives into practice.4.6 Act as a link nurse as directed by management and support the team through thisrole.

PROFESSIONAL 5.1 Act as a resource giving advice and support to the multi-disciplinary team.5.2 Liaise closely with the medical team and other members of the MDT in respect ofpatient care promoting the highest standard of care.5.3 To develop and maintain a professional interest in all aspects of nursing andassociated research.5.4 To highlight areas of improvement/development within the department andundertake relevant projects.5.5 Foster and demonstrate creativity, energy and inspiration into ward teams towardefficient patient flows and pathways.5.6 Maintain awareness of current developments in relation to evidence basedpractice.5.7 Provide representation for committees and groups directly involved in patientcare and service development.5.8 Complete clinical incident reports in accordance with trust risk managementpolicy.5.9 Support development of current role by meeting with peers giving and receivingreflective feedback.5.10 Maintain awareness and comply with all trust policies and procedures. PERSONAL 6.1 Demonstrate a pleasant and approachable manner and help create and promotea good working relationship.6.2 Show professional and courteous manner whilst practicing excellentcommunication skills at all levels.6.3 To show respect for members of the team and endorse the Wards philosophy ofgiving mutual support.6.4 Being aware of ones own limitations, maintain confidentiality and adherence toNMC Professional Code of Conduct.6.5 Cooperate in own performance review by indicating learning goals and supportneeds.6.6 Actively seek mentorship / supervision to enable reflection and developmentwithin the role.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• RGN Level 1
• Degree or Diploma in Nursing Studies
• Post Registration Certificate in Oncology/Haematology or equivalent experience

Desirable

• Palliative Care Training
• Management Training
• Advanced Communication Skills Training
• UKONS acute oncology passport
• UKONS SACT passport
• Non-medical prescribing

Experience

Essential

• Previous experience in oncology/haematology or emergency care experience

Desirable

• Palliative Care Experience
• Managerial Experience
• Patient Flow Experience
• Triage Experience
• Performance Management Experience
• Experience using UKONS triage tool
• Surgical Experience
• Interventional Radiology Experience

Skills

Essential

• Excellent communication skills
• Excellent assessment skills
• Computer Literacy
• Ability to deliver a high quality of care
• Good medicines management skills
• Ability to prioritise and manage heavy workloads and complete tasks effectively

Desirable

• Leadership skills
• IV skills
• SACT administration
• Advanced life support ...