Nurse Specialist - Upper GI /Priority Upper GI Telephone Clinic

Nurse Specialist - Upper GI /Priority Upper GI Telephone Clinic

The Upper GI (UGI) Telephone Assessment Clinic (TAC) Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) functions within a field of practice that focuses on the needs of the patient and encompasses interaction with others in delivering nursing, health and social care.

The CNS promotes excellence in nursing practice through the integration of expert clinical practice, education, consultancy, acting as a resource and commitment to nursing research. The post holder will work closely with the General Surgery, Gastroenterology and Endoscopy teams across the patient pathway.

The post holder will contribute to the on-going role in the development of the service for patients with suspected or confirmed UGI cancers. This will include developing protocols; setting up; and running a Telephone Assessment Clinic for patients on the 2WW pathway requiring further investigations.

The Clinical Nurse Specialist will be an experienced practitioner within their speciality. They will be responsible for the nursing leadership within the specialty and giving support and guidance within the multidisciplinary team, contributing to the high-quality care given to patients, in accordance with clinical governance. The post holder will ensure delivery and expansion of an expert and advanced nurse-led service through effective interdisciplinary care, utilising clinical and managerial expertise, which will include a review of the effectiveness of treatment.

Main duties of the job

To possess a background in upper GI or endoscopy nursing with knowledge of upper GI conditionsTo possess excellent communication skills both verbal and writtenTo have good knowledge of the Faster Diagnosis Standards Pathway, how this works and the benefits for patients referredTriage referrals to the Priority Upper GI Pathway to ensure they are appropriate for booking into a telephone assessment clinicIndependently undertake telephone assessment clinics reviewing patient's referrals, taking a detailed clinical historyMake a clinical decision regarding investigations based on the patient's presenting symptoms and a holistic assessmentDiscuss appropriate investigations with the patient, giving the rationale for recommending these whilst taking into account the patients holistic needsProvide support to patients, their families and carers addressing any concerns and queries with empathy and compassionLiaise with the wider multi-disciplinary team / primary care regarding the care of the patient on the pathwayReview results of investigations and escalate findings accordinglyAction indications for further investigations as directed gastroenterology colleaguesWork closely with the Lead TAC CNS and wider TAC CNS team to improve delivery of the service

About us

Our people are our greatest asset. When we feel supported and happy at work, this positivity reaches those very people we are here for, the patients. Engaged employees perform at their best and our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) initiatives contribute to cultivate a culture of engagement. We have four staff networks, a corporate EDI Team and a suite of programmes and events which aim to insert the 5 aspirations:

• Improving representation at senior levels of staff with disabilities, from black, Asian, and ethnic minorities background, identify as LGBTQ+ and women, through improved recruitment and leadership development
• Widening access (anchor institution) and employability
• Improving the experience of staff with disability
• Improving the EDI literacy and confidence of trust staff through training and development
• Making equalities mainstream

Job responsibilities

Key Result Areas & Performance:

All the following are to be carried out while working in close collaboration with members of the multi-disciplinary team led by a Consultant. To demonstrate clinical expertise within the speciality and work autonomously, managing own allocated clinics independently and seeking guidance/support when necessary.

To provide expert nursing advice to patients with suspected UGI malignancies over the phone (could be expanded to Face-to-Face as the service develops).

To demonstrate specialist skills and knowledge through expert nursing practice.

To liaise with all relevant members of the multidisciplinary team in the care and support of individual patients including GPs.

To maintain a high profile in the clinical area, acting as a role model for other health care professionals.

To facilitate individualised patient care based upon the principles of evidence-based practice.

To hold a variety of nurse led clinics, including the development of written protocols based on national standards, triaging or following up suspected UGI cancer patients, arranging investigations, reviewing results, diagnosing and referring back to a medical team as appropriate.

To work in close collaboration with all members of the MDT.

To provide professional clinical leadership and expertise to other nursing staff.

To work as part of the UGI Cancer MDT ensuring that a thorough assessment of the patient has been carried out and appropriate diagnostic investigations requested.

To demonstrate the ability to develop new skills, to provide an expert high quality, nurse-led service.

To develop the service in a structured interdisciplinary way, initiating on-going change and progression in the expanding role of a Clinical Nurse Specialist

To develop interdisciplinary clinical management protocols and work within them.

Autonomously or in collaboration with the multidisciplinary team, manage the care of patients carrying out relevant interventions, within agreed clinical protocols and in line with current practice/trends.

To offer a supportive service to patients and their carers, disseminating specialist knowledge enabling individuals understand the diagnostics being requested and possible outcomes. Liaising with other healthcare professionals when necessary.

To maintain accurate and legible records of all clinical and legal documentation with regard to Statutory and Trust policies.

Be aware of, understand, and act upon the Divisional Business Plan, with particular reference to nursing care, in order to participate in the re-formulation of nursing aspects of the plan.

When required, investigate the nursing aspects of incidents/complaints and initiate corrective action.

Person Specification Qualifications and Training

• RN / RM - Part 1
• Relevant specialist course or similar
• Knowledge of conditions, management and treatment.
• Ability to manage a case load effectively ensuring investigations are requested and undertaken within the cancer pathway.
• Counselling course
• Advanced communication skills course
• Advanced assessment skills course

Experience

• Clinical experience within Upper GI Cancer/Diseases and UGI symptoms
• Evidence of clinical leadership qualities
• Ability to prioritise and organise workload
• Ability to work autonomously and as a member of a multi-professional team
• The ability to undertake telephone assessment of patients with Upper GI symptoms and triage them appropriately for investigations
• Experience of running nurse-led clinics

Knowledge

• Excellent verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills
• Knowledge/Experience of UGI cancer symptoms, UGI disease and pathology
• Knowledge of UGI diagnostic procedures including endoscopy and bowel prep procedures
• Change management
• Statistics and report writing

Personal Qualities

• Maturity and self-awareness
• Sensitivity based on knowledge
• Flexible and positive approach to work
• Enthusiasm and motivation

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.