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Detailed job description and main responsibilities

PHYSICAL SKILLS

• The Lead Cancer Nurse will be required to have developed physical skills through practice e.g. venepuncture/cannulation and will be expected to demonstrate competence in administration of cytotoxic drugs and train and assess others in this skill.

·       The Lead Cancer Nurse  will use physical examination skills and history taking skills as part of her assessment process of patients.

·       Following successful completion of the nationally accredited NMP training, the post holder will undertake non-medical prescribing (NMP) for patients being clinically managed in the post holder’s area of specialism.

·       It is the post holders responsibility as a non-medical prescriber to work within the boundaries of the NMP policy at DCHFT and to the NMC’s Standards of proficiency for nurse and midwife prescribers

·       Where clinically appropriate and following the necessary, approved training, the post holder will initiate and participate in end of life care discussions with patients and their families, including DNACPR discussions. Complete documentation to support DNACPR discussions, including the DNACPR form in line with the DCH resuscitation policy and the pan Dorset DNACPR policy. Ensure the DNACPR policy is adhered to at all times.

·       Where clinically appropriate and within the boundaries described in the post holder’s personal non-medical radiology protocol, the post holder will request radiology investigations. All requested investigations results will be followed up by the post holder or a plan made for the patients oncologist to review the report in a timely manner.

·  IRMER training will be undertaken regularly in line with trust policy to support non- medical requesting of radiology investigations

RESPONSIBILITY FOR PATIENTS

The Lead Cancer Nurse

·       is accountable for the delivery of the nursing service within the designated areas, developing and monitoring quality standards in respect of patient care thus ensuring continuous improvement

·       is responsible for creating pathways for patients that improve and enhance their experience, including that patients are treated with respect at all times, ensuring privacy and dignity is protected by setting and monitoring standards

·       will ensure that the highest standards of prevention and control of infection are set and monitored in every ward and department within the designated areas aligned to the high impact changes and Health and Social Care Act 2008.

·       Will maintain knowledge and skills in relation to all relevant areas of nursing, including the extended roles of physical examination, radiology requesting and non-medical prescribing.

RESPONSIBILTIY FOR POLICY AND SERVICE DEVELOPMENT

The Lead Cancer Nurse 

·       is responsible for ensuring there are safe systems of care within the designated areas

·       is required to follow Trust policies, implement policies for own work area and propose changing to working procedures /policies which may impact on other Directorates

·       is responsible for service development of areas of responsibility in line with Trust and government initiatives and that nursing staff in the designated areas implement all relevant policies

RESPONSIBILITY FOR FINANCIAL AND PHYSICAL RESOURCES

The Lead Cancer Nurse

• will have delegated responsibility for the ward and outpatient area budgets
• will be required to produce business cases for new nursing staff, services, procedures and equipment
• will ensure that they and staff know the procedures for handling patient valuables
• is responsible for ensuring a working system to deliver the Trust and Divisional Health and Safety policy

RESPONSIBILITY FOR STAFF

• Line manage the sisters in charge of the Fortuneswell Unit, specified cancer clinical nurse specialists, oncology social workers, cancer support workers and PA to cancer leads.
• Ensure sisters have systems in place and implemented to manage work planning and allocation, clinical supervision, appraisal, training and development, grievance and discipline, sickness absence, individual staff performance, recruitment and selection and any other system commensurate with the post
• Leading the professional development of nurses, developing extended roles, including organising procedures/tests, nurse led discharge and where appropriate nurse prescribing.