Associate Clinical Nurse Specialist The Christie NHS Foundation Trust

Overview

The Associate Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) will provide specialist nursing input for patients with upper gastrointestinal (UGI) cancer. Working alongside the established UGI team and multidisciplinary staff, the CNS aims to enhance the patient experience, manage patient case load and provide supportive and palliative care. The role will involve sign posting patients to appropriate services, delivering advice, support and symptom management.

Responsibilities

• Act as a key contact for patients with UGI, carers and other healthcare professionals.
• Provide advice, support and symptom management for patients, carers and other professionals.
• Stay up to date with current best practice in treatment and management of UGI cancer.
• Undertake clinical and organisational audit to improve practice.
• Accept referrals and undertake a holistic assessment of patient needs.
• In collaboration with UGI CNS colleagues, act as a point of contact for patients and their carers.
• Attend medical and clinical oncology UGI clinics at The Christie and provide information about treatment, offer psychological support and assist with the general running of clinics.
• Be fully conversant with treatment protocols, current research protocols and liaise with UGI Research Nurses as appropriate.
• Ensure accurate documentation of patient care in accordance with hospital policies and standards.
• Be aware of UGI patients admitted as inpatients and liaise where necessary with the multidisciplinary team (MDT) involved in their care.
• Attend and contribute to MDT meetings and other meetings as appropriate.
• Ensure compliance with NMC Code guiding documents.
• Carry out duties as directed to ensure clinics run effectively and timely, improving the patient experience.

Professional / Clinical Leadership

• Act as a role model and expert resource to patients, carers and colleagues.
• Act as a specialist resource for the ward team caring for patients with UGI cancer.
• Evaluate service delivery, identify areas for improvement and initiate change.
• Involve patients and the public in service development as appropriate.
• Provide written evidence of service development and performance.
• Initiate and support clinical developments and projects to promote excellence in patient care.
• Receive clinical supervision and mentorship to facilitate reflective practice.
• Attend and participate in the CNS Forum.

Education and Development

• Participate in annual appraisal and accept personal responsibility for professional growth and development. Maintain a professional portfolio.
• Ensure compliance with Trust essential training.
• Contribute to educational programmes in collaboration with CNS colleagues (e.g., ward teaching, dissemination of best practice through presentation at conferences, Trust UGI patient education days).
• Attend educational meetings and conferences to keep up to date with current best practice and maintain CPD.
• Together with other professional colleagues, develop information and resources for patients and their carers.

Research & Audit

• Ensure clinical practice is evidence based, disseminating findings to colleagues and the greater network.
• Identify opportunities for nursing research and, when appropriate, participate in research, clinical audit and benchmarking to improve patient care.
• Evaluate service delivery, identify areas for improvement and initiate change.

Qualifications

• Oncology nursing experience and a strong motivation to improve patient care.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills.
• Well developed clinical and professional leadership skills with the ability to encourage and promote best outcomes for patients, their relatives and carers.
• Ability to work autonomously and confidently engage with colleagues at all levels and from all professional groups.