Detailed job description and main responsibilities

 Clinical

Provide high-quality specialist oncology nursing care to Head and Neck Cancer patients by delivering evidence-based, individualised patient care according to patients changing health care needs

Undertake nurse led assessment of patients’ needs within the Head and Neck speciality, co-ordinating the patients journey from point of referral at time of diagnosis and beyond, including participating in nurse led clinics

Directly deliver, coordinate and supervise patient care, ensuring that the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of care is of high standard, encompassing the Trust vision of ‘best care for everyone

Deliver, demonstrate and supervise safe and appropriate care within a challenging and changing clinical environment, using highly specialised equipment and resources

Uses advanced communication skills in all aspects of patient assessment, care and support

Provide emotional and psychological support to Head and Neck Cancer patients and their carers

Maintain visibility within the clinical area, role modelling high standards of care, evidence-based practice and effective leadership

Work alongside the Head and Neck CNS team as a key member of the multidisciplinary workforce

Work collaboratively and cohesively with the multidisciplinary team to meet the needs of patients and their families and provide high standards of care

Participate in the implementation of any clinical initiative

Work continuously to promote and support clinical training, education and development of other staff

Provide links between patients and other support networks through referrals

 Management

Work alongside the Lead Head &Neck CNS, matron, consultants and wider Head and Neck team to determine and deliver on strategic service objectives

Provide advice, support and leadership within clinical teams ensuring high standards of patient care

Act as a resource for all staff, disseminating clinical skills and knowledge both to trust staff and within the primary care setting through verbal and written communication

Act within the agreed standard operational procedures and support the development of new working practices as appropriate

Work alongside the Lead Head &Neck CNS to develop and implement action plans to achieve key performance indicators and ensure high standards of care

Escalate concerns through appropriate channels, ensuring patient safety and care standards are maintained

Take responsibility for the health and safety of patients, relatives and staff and contribute towards clinical and environmental risk assessments and risk reduction practices

Work in a manner that makes best use of available resources and aim to reduce unnecessary waste from a financial and environmental perspective

Leadership

Jointly lead on maximising the opportunities to develop a highly skilled, motivated and engaged workforce which continually strives to improve patient, relative and staff experience

Demonstrate a positive and pro-active approach to the on-going support and development of registered nurses and registered dental nurses and other staff members

Role model high standards of patient care, communication, commitment and organisation for others to follow

Maintain a creative, yet measured approach to service developments and use effective leadership skills to ensure effective change

Encourage and promote a ‘shared leadership’ model, enabling and empowering others, of all grades, to take the lead with various initiatives within Head and Neck services and the wider Trust whilst clearly demonstrating the Trust leadership values and behaviours

Actively support all agreed quality improvements within Head and Neck services and link with other teams and services as appropriate within and outside of Trust.

Collaborate with local, network and national colleagues as appropriate to maintain shared best practice within head and neck services

Actively participates in multidisciplinary meetings, acting as the patient advocate and providing clinical nurse specialist input

Actively engages with the cancer management team, Macmillan, the Southwest Cancer Alliance and other partners as appropriate to continuously raise the profile of cancer nursing and promote patient centred services for patients affected by cancer

Work collaboratively with the other Clinical Nurse Specialists within Cancer Services

 
Communication, interpersonal skills, professionalism and personal qualities

Deliver complex and contentious information to large and small groups sometimes in clinical areas where staff may be reluctant to be involved.

Demonstrate an ability to work cohesively with all members of the Head and Neck team

Communicates sensitive, confidential information to patients, taking in to account the need for empathy, reassurance and compassion

Communicate sensitively with staff members, particularly when needing to lead ‘difficult’ conversations or manage underperformance

Demonstrate politeness, courtesy and sensitivity in providing compassionate care for patients, visitors, relatives and colleagues.

Demonstrate an ability to work under pressure and to agreed timescales

Take initiative and demonstrate a progressive, creative and forward-thinking approach

Act as a good role model for others to follow to include personal appearance and adherence to Trust uniform policy

Work in a manner to promote the Trust values and core objectives

Work within the Nursing and Midwifery Council code at all times

Maintain own professional development, mandatory training and Nursing and Midwifery Council l revalidation requirements

Always seek advice and support when required and encourage others to do the same

Research and audit

Work in a manner that promotes any audits or research taking place within Head and Neck services, cancer services or the wider Trust as appropriate

Promote and demonstrate the use of evidence-based practice and related policy, procedure and guidelines

Assist in the collection and reporting of data as appropriate to maintain key performance indicators

Support with offering information to patients regarding trial eligibility

Education and training

In conjunction with the Lead Head and Neck CNS, identify personal training and development needs through the Trust appraisal process

Maintain and continually develop knowledge, competence and skills required to perform the role effectively

Undertake all mandatory training appropriate to role

Be actively involved in and support departmental education programmes

Develop the skills to supervise, mentor, support and educate less experienced and non-registered staff in the clinical practice setting

Improving safety, quality and developing practice

 
Work with staff undertaking audit and research projects. To be involved in making recommendations for changes to management practice and procedures and the implementation of those changes as appropriate.

Contribute to the Clinical Governance and Quality agenda by active participation in service initiatives, health and safety and risk management

Take joint responsibility for ensuring safe and effective infection, prevention and control measures

Develop and share own knowledge with other members of the wider team both locally and nationally

Identify own development needs, aligning these to service requirements and personal aspirations. Proactively develop and improve own practice using all available resources

Understand and contribute to the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of standard operational procedures, policies, protocols and guidelines relevant to the defined service

Openly question and challenge strategic and operational practice in a constructive way so that standards of patient care are continually evaluated and improved.

 
Physical, Mental & Emotional Effort & Working Conditions

Comply with Trust and departmental policies and procedures e.g. Health and Safety at Work Act (1974), Manual Handling, risk management, Data Protection Acts and patient confidentiality at all times

Required to utilise recognised manual handling techniques and guidelines

Will be expected to frequently manoeuvre patients / objects over 15 kg using appropriate aids

Will have exposure to, and will be required to follow policies and procedures pertaining to, infestations, bodily fluids, infection control, radiation and substances hazardous to health.

Will have regular exposure to distressing and emotionally demanding situations involving staff, patients and relatives

Will have regular exposure to patients displaying verbal and physical abuse

Will be required to concentrate for long periods of time

There will be an on-going requirement to maintain excellent standards of care whilst working under pressure in an ever-changing and challenging environment

Ensure a smart, professional image that enhances the public perception of the Trust and the professionalism of its staff