Job Description

This is an exciting opportunity to join an established paediatric oncology clinical nurse specialist team providing key worker and expert practitioner care to children, young people and families with cancer, with a focus on patients with a diagnosis of leukaemia, myelodysplastic sydromes (MDS), aplastic anaemia, haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) and other rare diseases associated with a predisposition for a blood cancer.



We are looking for an experienced nurse with significant knowledge in paediatric oncology who is able to work autonomously and as part of a dynamic multi-disciplinary team. A professional, highly motivated person who is able to advocate for the child within the family, and the family within the health, education and social care system is encouraged to apply.



Named key worker and expert practitioner to lead, co-ordinate and deliver specialist clinical nursing care, advice and support effectively to children, young people, and their families with cancer, predominantly focusing on patients with a diagnosis of leukaemia, myelodysplastic sydromes (MDS), aplastic anaemia, haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) and other rare diseases associated with a predisposition for a blood cancer.



To act as a specialist resource for all professional staff within the Trust, both in the hospital and within the community.



To promote good practice in the treatment and care of children and young people with cancer and support transition to appropriate services.



Deliver education and training of parents/carers and other professionals.



To contribute to research and audit to support the development of paediatric cancer and the service.



To contribute toward the development of strong networks with local, regional and national voluntary and statutory bodies, promoting individually tailored high quality care.



Sponsorship - We are an approved sponsoring organisation. Applications will be considered from applicants requiring sponsorship alongside all other applications. Please be aware, not all roles are eligible for sponsorship. You can review the list of eligible role and requirements on the government website.



Clinical Provide clinical leadership and specialist nursing support and advice to children and families with a cancer diagnosis across hospital and community setting.



Manage a case load to ensure all children have a named specialist nurse and benefit from key worker elements of the role.



Perform comprehensive assessment of the nursing needs. Plan, implement and evaluate care delivery according to changing health care needs.



Have wide and extensive expertise in provision of all aspects of Paediatric Oncology Care; this includes central venous access devices, chemotherapy, interpreting blood results, palliative care.



Order and interpret investigations/results and take appropriate action.



Prescribe and adjust doses for patients on oral maintenance chemotherapy.



Actively participate in the development of care pathway, patient information and treatment protocols which reflect and endorse latest research findings.



Promote the availability of psychosocial support and advice for families, utilising a counselling framework recognising the need to refer on to other services where appropriate.



Actively partake in the development of clinical care pathways, patient information and treatment protocols which reflect and endorse latest research findings and good clinical practice.



Participate in the coordination of transitional care at necessary timepoints.



Aim to minimise length of hospital stay and prevent hospital admission by close liaison with Advanced clinical practitioners (ACPs), Emergency departments (ED) and wards (including outlying wards/shared care centres).



Lead in the development of evidence based clinical nursing practice in line with current research and guidelines .



Co-ordinate, plan, review and evaluate individual health care plans for children with health needs arising from their oncology condition, contributing to wider health reviews including continuing care assessments and reviews that also support the education, health and care plan process.



Maintain an active caseload of all children with oncology conditions across the commissioned footprint and develop pathways that optimise care and well-being.



Support and contribute to the development of care pathways based on clinical priorities that aim to facilitate safe discharge at the earliest opportunity, developing clinical guidelines and protocols as required.



Prior to discharge, support full risk assessments in the home following significant admission or complex social/care needs.



Develop the service to, as a minimum, meet pertinent professional and national standards.



Communication



Effectively liaise and communicate with colleagues within the hospital, community and other care settings, ensuring a team approach to care. Act as a key resource of specialist support to colleagues within the team and across primary, secondary, tertiary settings, professional networks, voluntary and statutory agencies. Facilitate staff development, expanding knowledge, skills and practice.



Establish and maintain effective communication with patients and their families/carers.



Liaise with a wide spectrum of professionals and organisations, to promote positive working relationships. Establish and maintain clear lines of communication with secondary and primary care sectors to facilitate optimum planning of care of the child/young person (CYP) with oncology nursing needs.



To liaise effectively with specialist nurses/other units where the care of the child is complex.



To effectively liaise and support school-based nurses in the management of CYP with cancer.



Refers to and takes referrals from other disciplines.



Make recommendations regarding type and level of care to others involved in the child's care.



Ensure that all patient records are accurate and detailed.



Refer to other allied health professionals as required.



Provide telephone support/advice for children and families.



Develop and utilise IT skills to complete patient records, letters, reports.



Education and Training



Deliver training, education and information to primary health care team, shared care hospitals, schools, and other agencies.



Develop information packages for training.



Update personal education/training by attending and participating in relevant study days and conferences.



Professional development



Participate in and practice an appropriate model of clinical supervision and reflective practice to meet personal needs.



Network and develop professional links nationally.



Demonstrate personal development (for example, competencies, PDR, mandatory training, NMC registration) maintaining requirements of professional registration developing more specialist knowledge and skills.



Research



Actively participate in research and clinical audit related to area of practice.



Contribute to research-based nursing practice, standard, procedures, and policies.



Assist in the dissemination of research findings



Quality assurance within clinical governance framework



Ensure accurate data collection is maintained.



Evaluate effectiveness of care both in hospital and community.



Coordinate investigation of users views of the service and ensure that any deficiencies are identified and acted upon.



Contribute to development and implementation of clinical pathways for all aspects of specialism.



Participate in monitoring of clinical standards against national standards.



Assess any risks in the service and contribute to mitigating such risks.



Contribute to resolving incidents or complaints involving patient caseload.