Job Description
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Advanced Clinical Practitioner to join the Clinical Network Services Division at The Christie Hospital NHS Trust, delivering expert oncology nursing care closer to home for cancer patients referred to The Christie Hospital. Whilst the post holder will be employed by The Christie Hospital NHS Trust they will be based at Leighton Hospital although they may have some commitments at the Christie @ Withington site to support their education and career development.
The role will support the delivery of systemic treatment at the Macmillan Unit at Leighton Hospital as well as the review of follow-up and new patients. The ACP will work alongside the existing medical team to provide care for outpatients and work to the existing treatment protocols. The ACP will also support oncology in-patients at Leighton Hospital providing inpatient reviews where appropriate.
The successful candidate will be highly motivated and driven to improve patient care and experience and will have significant nursing experience within the medical and oncology setting. The successful candidate will have completed formal ACP training and have achieved a Masters in Advanced Clinical Practice, enabling them to work autonomously in the planning and delivery of care for this complex group of patients.
The Advanced Clinical Practitioner (ACP) will autonomously, or with a medical colleague, demonstrate highly developed specialist knowledge and skills in the diagnosis and management of patients. A lead specialist in a defined area of nursing care, the ACP will formulate clinical decisions and complex treatment plans to manage acute and chronic illness and will respond to actual and potential health problems appropriately. Independent nurse prescribing responsibilities support this practice. Strategic planning, education, research and audit are key components of the role. The post holder will exercise advanced clinical expertise, levels of judgement, discretion and decision making in clinical care. They will provide advanced clinical skills and advice demonstrating a sound understanding of the issues related to the identification, assessment, diagnosis, treatment and management of patients. They will monitor and lead improvements to standards of care through supervision of practice, clinical audit, evidence-based care, teaching and supporting professional colleagues and the provision of skilled professional leadership. They will contribute to clinical governance and the implementation of relevant research into practice thus aiding service development.
The oncology service at Leighton Hospital is jointly delivered by visiting Christie oncologists and the Advanced Clinical Practitioner. The clinics, which are based at Leighton Hospital, are supported by staff from the host Trust. Therefore, close working relationships are developed between the oncologists, ACP and the team at Leighton Hospital. The team collaborate effectively to ensure optimal patient care is delivered by a cohesive and supportive team.
Additional support is provided by the Service Manager and the Divisional Associate Chief Nurse who are part of the Networked Services management team based at Withington. The successful post holder will be welcomed and valued both by the Leighton team and within the Networked Services Division.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Advanced Clinical Practice
- Plan and manage own workload and the workload of the service, in a flexible manner, ensuring that service provision meets the need of patients
- Recognises and appropriately responds to limitations and gaps in knowledge seeking support where necessary. Demonstrates critical self-reflection, self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and openness to change.
1.2 Develops and undertakes advanced clinical skills in assessing and managing patients. This includes obtaining informed consent, history taking, screening, systematic physical examination, requisition and interpretation of appropriate clinical investigations and formulation of clinical management plans.
1.3 Maintain and develop expertise and competence within the field of oncology to enable collaboration with senior colleagues and medical staff, and to facilitate the management of patients.
1.4 Use evidence-based research to support clinical decisions and management plans.
1.5 Prescribe within the capacity of non-medical prescribing, adhering to Trust policy and existing frameworks including first and subsequent cycles of chemotherapy (as per Medicines Practice Operational Policy July 2010), unlicensed medication and drugs used within clinical trials as qualified Independent Non-Medical Prescriber.. Prescribe appropriate blood products as per Trust policy.
1.9 Liaise with the wider inter-professional teams regarding the management of patients under their care.
1.10 Accept referrals from other health care professionals and refer patients directly to other specialties within the appropriate primary, secondary and tertiary care settings.
1.11 Communicate highly complex and sensitive information to patients and their significant others, this may include diagnosis, results of scans or other investigations, management options and prognosis.
1.12 Work collaboratively with an appropriate range of multi-agency and multi-professional resources, developing, maintaining and evaluating links to manage risk and issues across organisations and settings.
1.13 Prepare accurate and concise records and reports, both verbal and written. Communicate with the patient’s referring specialist, GP and other community. and hospice-based services at regular intervals as appropriate.
1.14 Contribute to clinical and research governance processes, including adverse incident reporting and the investigation and the management of complaints as appropriate
1.15 Educate patients and their carers on issues surrounding health promotion and illness prevention. Promote and facilitate changes to lifestyle where appropriate.
1.16 Contribute to the coordination and effective management of the admission and discharge process as appropriate for disease group with reference to Bed Management Policy.
1.17 Perform clinical procedures safely according to defined protocols.
1.18 Develop patient specific information and ensure patients receive appropriate information, advice, and support in relation to their illness and treatment. Provide an environment that encourages patient centred involvement.
1.19 Be an active member of relevant Trust committees and groups contributing to developing/implementing local/national strategy.
1.20 Collaborate within the Cancer Network and offer clinical support to colleagues within cancer units, relating to individual patient management, health care delivery, peer review and strategic policy initiatives. Assist in the development of integrated patient pathways (e.g., NICE Guidance on Cancer Services, NHS Guidance etc).
1.21 Act as an expert resource and provide advice and support to ward/departmental areas and the wider community.
1.22 Demonstrate professionalism in terms of attitude, communication, and appearance at all times.
1.23 Perform authorities as part of a clinical trial and maintain ICH/GCP competence.
LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT
2.0 Contribute as appropriate to the development of strategies within the Division and wider Trust.
2.1 Be a visible role model for advanced clinical practice in research demonstrating a person-centered approach to service delivery and development within the Trust and externally at a National & International level.
2.2 Promote the role of advanced clinical practitioner locally, nationally and internationally.
2.3 Pro-actively initiate and develop effective relationships to empower and inspire staff members, to promote productive working and enhance patient care.
2.4 Provide professional, clinical and academic leadership and supervision to other professionals as appropriate within the scope of the role
2.5 Lead on clinical audit, including service evaluation and clinical service re-design including evaluation of own practice, demonstrating the impact of advanced practice on service function and effectiveness, (e.g. outcomes of care, experience and safety).
2.6 Critically apply advanced clinical expertise to provide consultancy across professional and service boundaries, such as the development of clinical protocols, standards and guidelines to enhance quality and promote sharing and adoption of best practice.
2.7 Demonstrate excellent leadership skills by identifying, leading and implementing change required for service improvement, risk management, governance and quality.
2.8 Contribute to local, regional and national clinical networks including specialty groups and key stakeholders.
2.9 Continually develop practice in response to changing population health and research needs; engaging in horizon scanning for future developments.
2.10 Actively seek feedback and involvement from patients, families and carers by engaging with Patient Participation and Involvement (PPI) groups in all aspects of patient care and research service delivery i.e., focus groups.
2.11 Demonstrate resilience and determination in managing situations which are complex or unpredictable.
2.12 Demonstrate receptiveness to challenge and preparedness to constructively challenge others, escalating concerns that affect individuals, families, carers, communities and colleagues safety and well-being when necessary.
2.13 Participate in innovative and research-based practice to promote excellence in patient care.
2.14 Maintain professional registration and practice through CPD and revalidation.
2.15 Maintain professional portfolio to demonstrate competency in line with the trust competency framework.
2.16 Maintain personal standards of conduct and behaviour consistent with Trust and NMC guidelines.
2.17 Recognise and acts as an advocate for patients, carers and service organisation. Lead change as required and ensure resolution of conflict.
2.18 To assume or share management responsibility for colleagues within disease group as required.
EDUCATION
3.0 Critically assess and identify own learning and development needs in line with service requirements. Negotiate an annual personal development plan that reflects the breadth of ongoing professional development across the four pillars of advanced clinical practice and undertake professional development accordingly.
3.1 Engage in self-directed learning, critically reflecting to maximise clinical skills and knowledge. Participate in the on-going advanced clinical practice training and education program both within the organisation and beyond e.g., national/ international conferences.
3.2 Promote and contribute to a culture of organisational learning to inspire future and existing staff.
3.3 Actively engage in peer review to inform own and others practice, formulating and implementing strategies to act on learning and make improvements.
3.4 Undergo regular clinical supervision with colleagues from within the organisation e.g. a named mentor from the medical team, as well as seek mentorship externally and coaching where applicable.
3.5 Identify further developmental needs for individuals and the wider team and supporting them to address these.
3.6 Act as an educator, supervisor, coach and mentor, seeking to instill and develop the confidence and skill of others
3.7 Support, supervise and assess clinical competencies of nursing staff and other members of the multidisciplinary/research teams as appropriate
3.8 Provide specialist training and education locally, nationally and internationally (eg organising/hosting/presenting at meetings, study days, conferences etc).
RESEARCH
4.0 Engage in research activity, adhering to good research practice guidance, so that evidence-based strategies are developed and applied to enhance quality, safety, productivity and value for money.
4.1 Contribute to the delivery of the Trust strategic vision for academic nursing and AHP roles.
4.2 Disseminate best practice/research findings and quality improvement projects through appropriate media. For example, via local team and/or national/international peer reviewed publications.
4.3 Evaluate and audit own and others clinical practice, selecting and applying valid, reliable methods, then acting on findings.
4.4 Critically appraise and synthesise the outcome of relevant research, evaluation and audit, using the results to underpin own practice, and to inform that of others.
4.5 Use a critical approach to identify gaps in the evidence base and its applications to practice, alerting appropriate individuals and organisations to these and how they might be addressed in a safe and pragmatic way.
4.6 Actively identify potential need for further research to strengthen evidence for best practice. This may involve acting as an educator, leader, innovator and contributor to research activity and/or applying for research funding.
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