Job Description

The post holder is responsible for leading on the nursing implementation and assist in the delivery of the Acute Oncology Service (AOS) in compliance with Quality Standards set in the National Cancer Quality Surveillance programme. The Post holder will also lead on Cancer of Unknown Primary (CUP) and Metastatic Spinal Cord Compression (MSCC) service.

Key responsibilities include:

Providing expertise in clinical practice, professional leadership and education in the field of Acute Oncology. They will act as a resource for colleagues within the Trust, those from other hospital Trusts and community colleagues, providing advice on investigation and treatment pathways for new and suspected cancer diagnoses, and patients presenting with side effects related from their cancer or cancer SACT

Working collaboratively alongside the Acute Oncology Advanced Clinical Practitioner (ACP) and Oncology Consultant Lead for AOS in delivering a high quality Acute Oncology Service . They will assess and monitor it regularly to ensure the Quality Standards are achieved. As part of their role the postholder will work clinically throughout the week as part of the AOS team to share experience , knowledge and expertise being a roll model to more junior staff.

Providing leadership, purpose, and vision for the Acute Oncology Nursing Team

Establishing and developing relationships with key stakeholders involved in the management of the Acute Oncology service both internally and externally.







The Acute Oncology Lead Nurse plays a pivotal role in coordinating and delivering high-quality care for patients with cancer who present acutely, either due to the disease itself or treatment-related complications. Their responsibilities span clinical leadership, service development, education, management, audit and research.



Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust is an integrated Trust and the only provider of NHS acute care in Walsall, serving a population of 284,300, providing inpatient and outpatient services at the Manor Hospital as well as a wide range of services in the community. Walsall Manor houses the full range of district general hospital services under one roof. The 170 million development was completed in 2010 and the continued upgrading of existing areas ensures the Trust now has a state-of-the-art Critical Care Unit, Neonatal Unit, Obstetric Theatre, and Integrated Assessment Unit facilities.



A new Urgent Emergency Care Centre was opened in March 2023. The two-storey development has significantly improved emergency care facilities and capacity and has provided almost 5,000 square metres of additional clinical space.



1. Expert clinical practice



As the Lead Nurse in AOS the post holder will provide direct care, advice, management, leadership and supervision of high quality patient focused services. As part of the Acute Oncology team rota act as a key point of contact for patients with acute oncology presentations. Ensure timely treatment and ongoing care, and undertake key worker role for CUP patients and their carers. Provide rapid acute oncology triage during the day of admission across a seven day service Support the junior nursing members of the Acute Oncology team by providing leadership and continued education. Develop protocols in agreement with the Consultant Lead and AOS ACP for the management of patients referred to the AOS, including MSCC. Ensure these protocols are implemented, inclusive of ED and AMU's. To ensure that AO service has nurse cover across a seven-day service. Work autonomously using advanced level of clinical assessment and clinical reasoning skills to assess the patient's physical and psychological health condition. Instigate appropriate investigations, diagnostic tests and imaging according to presentation and clinical guidelines. Provide ongoing assessment and interpretation of blood parameters, ongoing care needs - liaise with other members of the clinical team as necessary. Direct referral to fast track clinics as appropriate. Undertake physical assessment and prescribe appropriate medication and act in accordance with the NMC code of professional conduct: standards for conduct and ethics. Provide advice and counselling for patients and their carers - demonstrating proficiency at breaking bad news. Provide highly specialised advice to patients on the control of physical and psychological symptoms. Act as a resource for service development and re-design of AOS services.

2. Lead Nurse Responsibilities



Provide leadership and vision to ensure a high quality coordinated AOS Nursing service. This will include supporting the further development of Acute Oncology services within the hospital and community to expedite diagnosis and where possible reduce length of stay. Is an active member of appropriate West Midlands Expert Advisory Group/s. Takes the designated lead in AO service improvement initiatives including MSCC, CUP and Neutropenic Sepsis. Is directly involved in the care and management of patients receiving SACT and their post treatment follow up. Works collaboratively and in partnership with other members of the multidisciplinary team, making new patient referrals to cancer site specific Clinical Nurse Specialists and/or Specialist Palliative care team, raising awareness of change of treatment plans. Produce an annual report, work plan and review of the operational policy to ensure a favourable annual Cancer Quality Surveillance programme Self Assessment submission.

3 Professional leadership



Provide senior nurse leadership to the AOS team and across the Trust, developing nursing practice based upon clinical expertise and evidence and advising the Divisional Director of Nursing regarding strategy and development within services. Ensure that the AOS team consists of members who are able to work autonomously, using protocols and guidelines - that they are competent to assess patients' clinical and psychological needs. Provide senior nursing leadership to the Clinical Nurse Specialists, Nurse Practitioners, Emergency Department Nursing team, developing protocol based care to support autonomous working within all wards and departments. Network across organisational boundaries and be proactive in establishing appropriate relationships and partnerships to positively influence healthcare delivery within the Trust, and primary care. Take a lead role in developing clinical practice within the AOS team and monitor clinical effectiveness through audit and research. Actively contribute to practice by publishing and disseminating developments in AOS nursing. Present findings and information at regional and national meetings and conferences.

4. Management



Be responsible for the development and implementation of policies, procedures and guidelines for the AOS in conjunction with the Oncology Consultant Lead for AOS and AOS ACP

.



Contribute to the management of resources allocated to AOS services. To line manage junior staff within the team, to lead on their development, succession planning and career pathway to ensure high calibre senior nurses delivering high quality specialist care. Proactively participate in the prevention and investigation of complaints and take constructive action to change practice where necessary. To proactively manage risk and be familiar with risk management processes and escalation procedures. Implement and work within the Trust's Human Resources policies on all staffing matters including IPR, managing absence, capability and disciplinary issues. Proactively manage the recruitment process for direct line management posts when vacancies arise. Take a lead role in the monitoring and review of the competency based training programmes and the completion of assessment skills for all staff working within the AOS team , completion of the AOS and those who may be called upon to provide SACT information and advice.

5. Education



Plan, organise and participate in educational and teaching programmes as the Lead Nurse for the AOS. Ensure that training on AOS and referral processes for patients is in place in all of the appropriate areas. Act as a resource for nursing issues in the provision of training related to recognition and management of oncological emergencies and the use of the UKONS telephone triage tool. Facilitate new methods of learning including e-portfolio, e- learning, and simulation. Promote evidenced- based practice. Provide expert advice and education to nurses and other health care professionals across the Trust, with particular focus on delivery of the AOS service induction training and the Neutropenic Sepsis , MSCC pathway. Provide expert clinical supervision for the AOS team undertaking CPD. Act as an educational resource for all professional groups who may be involved in the diagnostic or treatment pathways of cancer patients. Provide information, advice, education and training for patients and their relatives/carers, including participation in Health and Well Being sessions for patients as part of the Walsall Living with and Beyond Cancer programme. Develop specific patient information literature and health promotion campaigns, including MSCC. Ensure own professional and personal development.

6.Service Improvement



Facilitate the introduction of new services working closely with the Divisional Director of Nursing, Care Group Managers & Service Manager. To lead on service improvement developments contributing to business plans and workforce changes/developments.

7.0 Research and Audit



The Lead Nurse will regularly audit the service of AOS and present findings to Care Group/Directorate and other appropriate forums. Actively promote and lead on nursing research within Oncology department. Produce an annual report of patient activity and the achievements of the AOS service. Contribute to audit and research by publishing articles/papers/posters each year. * To present at conferences both nationally and if relevant internationally