Job Description

This is a full time role, fixed term for 1 year maternity leave cover.

We are looking for a knowledgeable, dedicated, and forward-thinking individual for this exciting role in Paediatric Radiation Oncology. The role will include taking a key role in co-ordinating the patient pathway, ensuring continuity of care, managing transition of care between local treatment centre, RMCH, Alder Hey and The Christie. You will be a knowledgeable expert in the process and stages of the patient care pathway and provide advice and support in symptom and treatment toxicity management.



Applicants will be working as part of a national service which offers PBT and radiotherapy to patients across the UK.



Plan and manage own workload and the workload of the service, in a flexible manner, ensuring that service provision meets the need of patients. Work with the clinical team to formulate clinical decisions and complex treatment plans to manage acute radiotherapy toxicity and psychosocial issues by responding to actual and potential health problems appropriately. Oversee and coordinate the referral and treatment pathway for patients referred for proton beam therapy (PBT) including managing the referral and treatment pathway for patients who require general anaesthetic. Accept and make appropriate referrals from/to other professional colleagues. Contribute to the coordination and effective management of the admission and discharge process. Liaise with RMCH to co-ordinate treatment during inpatient admissions for chemotherapy and acute episode of illness Act as an expert resource and provide advice to ward/departmental areas and the wider community. Attend and participate in all relevant MDT's and clinics ensuring relevant information relating to patient treatment and care is communicated and received. Act as a patient advocate with clear feedback systems in place to the MDT and referring hospitals.

The Christie is one of Europe's leading cancer centres, treating over 60,000 patients a year. We are based in Manchester and serve a population of 3.2 million across Greater Manchester & Cheshire, but as a national specialist around 15% patients are referred to us from other parts of the country.



We provide radiotherapy through one of the largest radiotherapy departments in the world; chemotherapy on site and through 14 other hospitals; highly specialist surgery for complex and rare cancer; and a wide range of support and diagnostic services. We are also an international leader in research, with world first breakthroughs for over 100 years.



We run one of the largest early clinical trial units in Europe with over 300 trials every year. Cancer research in Manchester, most of which is undertaken on the Christie site, has been officially ranked the best in the UK.



DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES



Work with the clinical team to formulate clinical decisions and complex treatment plans to manage acute radiotherapy toxicity and psychosocial issues by responding to actual and potential health problems appropriately. Triage of patient cases referred for PBT to ensure suitability of referral in line with commissioning guidance Oversee and coordinate the referral and treatment pathway for patients referred for radiotherapy and PBT . Manage the referral and treatment pathway for patients who require general anaesthetic alongside PBT Lead ODP Serve as the named key worker for paediatric proton therapy patients at the point of eligibility at the paediatric radiation oncology MDT meeting. Manage the transition of care of paediatric patients between care settings. Act as a knowledgeable expert who understands the process and stages of the paediatric radiation oncology pathway. Ensure efficient use of available capacity and promote an integrated team approach across the service. Contribute to the development of national paediatric radiation oncology pathways through the clinical site groups. Lead on developing and updating patient and carer information Assist in the development of relevant protocols within the radiotherapy quality system. Review current paediatric protocols in the Trust and develop new protocols/policies where appropriate. Accept and make appropriate referrals from/to other professional colleagues. Communicate with the patient's referring specialist, GP and other community and hospice based services at regular intervals as appropriate. Contribute to the clinical governance process, including adverse incident reporting/investigation and the management of complaints, as appropriate. Attend meetings at managerial, Trust committee and local Trust partnership level, acting as advocate for area of work and profession. Participate in national oncology/radiotherapy advisory boards and relevant working groups as invited. Assist in the development of integrated patient pathways (e.g. NICE Guidance on Cancer Services, NHS Guidance etc.). Identify gaps in service provision and work with the MDT and cancer network to implement the changes required to improve service provision.

CLINICAL DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES



Participate in the direct clinical management of patients. This includes history taking, systematic physical examination and requisition of appropriate clinical investigations, formulation of clinical management plans and re-evaluation of implemented treatment plans as appropriate. Work with the clinical team to formulate clinical decisions and complex treatment plans to manage acute radiotherapy toxicity and psychosocial issues by responding to actual and potential health problems appropriately Contribute to the coordination and effective management of the admission and discharge process.

PATIENT CARE



Develop a relationship that recognises the person (patient/family member/carer) as an individual. Give information, at an appropriate level of understanding, to ensure a patient is fully informed along all stages of the patient pathway. Develop and update patient specific information which is age appropriate. Co-ordinate the patient journey ensuring appointments and information is communicated to the patient in a timely fashion. Act as a patient advocate with clear feedback systems in place to the MDT and referring hospitals. Communicate highly complex, sensitive or contentious information to patients and carers. This may include diagnosis, results of scans or other investigations, management options and details of prognosis. Asses on a regular basis whether more support or advice is needed and offered where appropriate. Provide an important point of contact for the patient and those around them both during and after completion of treatment, ensuring continuation of care. To identify vulnerable children and children of vulnerable adults and work with Trust named nurse for safeguarding. Cover other appropriate disease groups as required.

TRAINING AND EDUCATION



To develop and maintain competencies relevant to professional title and role Be present and involved in training days and conferences. Participate in the education of pre/post registration students. Contribute to educational programmes within the Trust and referring/associated centres. Educate patients and their carers on issues surrounding health promotion and illness prevention.

RESEARCH AND AUDIT



Facilitate relevant paediatric radiation oncology research and audit maintaining relevant competencies to record and contribute to research and trials Keep up to date with current research and publications. Initiate and support clinical audit with respect to evaluating service effectiveness and future developments within the role, developing and managing strategies to address any shortfalls. * Disseminate relevant research findings to colleagues and members of the health professions via presentation and publication.