Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Communications

• Communicate complex and sensitive information, which requires negotiation, agreement and cooperation, to multidisciplinary personnel, patients, doctors, the public and mental health coordinators. Demonstrate assertiveness in delivering action plans.
• Initiate and perform the breaking of unwelcome news to bereaved families particularly following emergency situations. Provide after death advice and support regarding issuing of death certificates and property and pastoral attendance.
• Communicate operational issues and clinical information within the Hospital@Night team and support members of the team.
• Hold a designated bleep continuously (excluding meal breaks) throughout the shift and respond to calls from all staff within the caseload. Respond to emergency calls via switchboard for clinical emergencies. Attend departmental and organisational meetings
• Ensures patients and their families are treated with dignity and respect and information is conveyed to   them in a timely and understandable manner.
• Supports patients and staff in the handling of complaints and works to ensure early and satisfactory resolution of concerns.
• Where possible, take all reasonable action to address problems, concerns and complaints as near to ‘source’ as possible, but also understands when to escalate.

Responsibility for Patient Care

• To be an expert practitioner and role model in the field of oncology nursing.
• To use advanced clinical assessment skills in the management of patients.
• Review and interpret all information available utilising a systematic process of reasoning to make a working and differential diagnosis.
• Develop and record a treatment plan consistent with the outcome of assessment and most probable diagnosis.
• Order first line diagnostic investigations.
• Part of the primary responder team for acutely unwell patients
• To accept referrals from other health care professionals and can refer patients directly to other specialties.
• To be a member of the cardiac arrest/emergency team as an ALS provider.
• Communicate complex clinical and supporting information/findings to patients and significant others according to individual situations.
• Liaise with the multi-disciplinary team with respect to the management of oncology patients
• Coordinate and plan management of patients requiring clinical interventions throughout the Trust
• Provide clinical and educational support for staff trust wide, in relation to the assessment and management of oncology patients.
• Update patients’ medical records by documenting personally generated observations regarding changes in patient condition and implementation of treatment.

Management

• Contribute towards performance and clinical audits and influence change in policies.
• Provide advice and legal documentation to medical staff via site manager for the sectioning of patients under the Mental Health Act.
• Respond to requests for out hour’s pharmacy.
• To have a highly visible presence
• To be aware of the policies, procedures, and philosophies of the Trust, understanding health and safety requirements and ensure that all duties and responsibilities are carried out

Education and Training

• Identify one’s own professional development needs and set own personal development objectives.
• Support the teaching and training of post registration nurses in developing their own practice and apply their skills and knowledge for improving the quality of patient care e.g., IV cannulation, diagnostic investigations.
• Provide clinical governance risk assessments in respect of patient safety, equipment and staffing levels and environment. Report by recording clinical incidents according to the Trust reporting process.
• Assist with the training and development of newly appointed nurses and nursing students.