Advanced Clinical Practitioner

Job overview

The post holder will work alongside clinical oncology and medical oncology consultants, prescribing SACT (Systemic Anti-Cancer Therapy) treatments and reviewing radiotherapy patients. They will provide specialist information, support, and co-ordination of care for these patients, in both outpatient and inpatient settings.

We welcome applications from those from a nursing  background with an advanced clinical practice masters. Oncology  or head neck experience is desirable but not essential as training can be provided.  The right candidate would be expected to work within the 4 pillars of advanced practice: clinical practice, leadership and management, education and research.

The post holder will be motivated and eager to improve the quality of patient care and the patient experience and have skills in clinical audit, quality improvement and service innovation. The post demands excellent oral and written communication skills; good interpersonal skills are paramount together with the confidence to engage and work in a matrix environment, with a range of colleagues at all levels and from all professional groups. Flexibility in working is also essential.

The post holder will be managed by the lead nurse in network services and the head and neck consultant team.

Main duties of the job

• Have a highly visible clinical presence.
• Be working towards being an expert practitioner and role model in the field of oncology and head & neck cancer
• In the outpatient and inpatient settings: Participate in the direct clinical management of patients: history taking, physical examination, requesting diagnostic investigations (blood tests/radiology), review and systematic interpretation of information to formulate differential diagnoses and a clinical management plan.
• Assess patients’ suitability for SACT (chemotherapy and immunotherapy)
• Consent patients for treatment and procedures, as per hospital policy
• Prescribe drugs, including chemotherapy and immunotherapy, within the capacity of non-medical prescribing, adhering to Trust policy and existing frameworks
• Monitor patients receiving SACT and radiotherapy, including side effects and adverse events, ensuring appropriate management and symptom control.
• Make appropriate changes to SACT regimens, in consultation with the medical team
• Prescribe blood products adhering to Trust policy and blood product training following appropriate training and sign-off
• Perform clinical procedures appropriate to role, following a period of training and sign-off e.g., fibreoptic nasendoscopy
• Have a good knowledge and understanding of the management and nursing care of the altered airway (i.e., tracheostomy, laryngectomy

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Clinical

• Have a highly visible clinical presence.
• Be an expert practitioner and role model in the field of Oncology and Head & Neck nursing.
• Have an understanding of prior treatment, particularly Head and Neck surgery, that patients may have had before attending The Christie
• Have a good knowledge and understanding of the management and nursing care of the altered airway ie tracheostomy and laryngectomy
• In the outpatient setting participate in the direct clinical management of patients from first presentation at the hospital, until discharge or death. Includes history taking, systematic physical examination, and formulating clinical management plans.
• Order first line diagnostic investigations eg biochemistry, haematology and radiology
• Review and interpret all information available utilizing 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.
• Prescribe drugs, including chemotherapy and immunotherapy, within the capacity of non-medical prescribing, adhering to Trust policy and existing frameworks
• Assess patients’ suitability for chemotherapy and immunotherapy through history taking and by performing relevant safety investigations.
• Monitor patients receiving systemic anti-cancer therapy, making appropriate changes to the regime, in consultation with the medical team
• Request and prescribe blood products adhering to Trust policy and Blood product training following appropriate training and sign-off
• Perform clinical procedures appropriate to role, following a period of training and sign-off e.g.fibreoptic nasendoscopy
• Respond as appropriate to referred Hotline queries regarding oncology treatment and symptoms
• Refer outpatients to appropriate primary and secondary care settings
• Support the multi-professional team during and after an emergency event
• Be an efficient communicator with patients, relatives and members of the multidisciplinary team. Work with team members on issues relating to patient information.
• Educate patients and their carers on issues surrounding health promotion and illness prevention. Promote and facilitate changes to lifestyle where appropriate.
• Ensure patients receive appropriate information and support in relation to their illness and treatment. Refer to other professionals as appropriate.
• To consent patients for treatment and procedures as per hospital policy
• Prepare accurate and concise verbal and written reports
• Plan and manage own workload/ caseload in a flexible manner, ensuring that service provision meets the needs of patients.
• Liaise with the other members of the multi-professional team and facilitate excellent and effective communication to provide a patient focused service.
• Participate in innovative and research based practice with the intention of combining medical and nursing duties to promote excellence in patient care.
• Assess patients’ adverse events to treatments to enable appropriate management and symptom control.
• Perform tasks and reviews as part of a clinical trial and maintain ICH/GCP competence.

Professional

• To actively seek to contribute to the growing knowledge base of oncology nursing practice through publications and participation in conferences.
• To promote the role of the ACP within the Trust and externally
• To demonstrate an up to date knowledge of oncology/ acute care nursing practice and responsibility for one’s own professional development.
• To maintain a portfolio to fulfil requirements of the NMC in maintaining skills and expertise to undertake role including revalidation requirements.
• Maintain safe practice and development through regular peer review of evidence based practice with medical Consultant supervisor and nursing mentor.
• Liaise and collaborate with multi-professional disciplines and outside agencies.
• 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 within these guidelines.
• Participate in clinical supervision as required
• Support equality and value diversity.

Management and Leadership

• Be involved in peer review of own practice and that of others.
• Participate in clinical audit in respect to evaluating service effectiveness and future developments within the role.
• To develop clinical protocols, standards and guidelines in own area.
• Contribute to wider issues in the trust, such as committee membership, clinical progression and policy development.
• To actively contribute to the process of clinical risk management.
• Act as a role model in developing advanced nursing roles at local, regional and national level.
• To inspire others and encourage them to seek advice and solutions to problems.
• To contribute to the achievement of local and national targets relevant to role e.g. supporting patient access to care.
• Lead change/ policy implementation as required
• Act as line manager to other health professionals, notably Clinical Nurse Specialists

Research, Education and Development

• To provide clinical and professional support and advice to all staff.
• Develop and deliver specific and relevant teaching programs for all disciplines.
• Support, supervise and assess clinical competencies of nursing staff and other members of the multidisciplinary team.
• Maintain accurate records and provide necessary data for statistical analysis.
• Implement research findings appropriate to practice.
• Initiate new and support existing research projects.
• To raise quality issues and report related risks within the trust to address poor standards and incidents.
• To inform and influence Clinical Governance issues.