Detailed job description and main responsibilities

·       The post holder will be responsible for ensuring the safe delivery and implementation of chemotherapy in relation to the standards set out by National, regional and Trust guidance.

·       To be the Trust nominated lead nurse for cytotoxic chemotherapy issues.

·       The post holder will be responsible for the planning and organisation of a chemotherapy service and to strategically advise Trust wide where chemotherapy is delivered.

·       Responsible for cytotoxic policy development and implementation.

·       Provide leadership and support to the Chemotherapy service.

• To provide clinical leadership and knowledge in developing chemotherapy service in close collaboration with chemotherapy ward manager and operational service lead.
• To promote and develop cross boundary speciality specific care pathways in conjunction with the multidisciplinary team
• To participate in developing and providing education and programmes in the management of problems for patients and carers within the chemotherapy unit.
• To provide mentorship assessing staff SACT competence.
• To undertake Nurse-led chemotherapy preassessment clinics, PICC line insertion procedures and toxicity follow-up clinics.  
• Maintain responsibility and participate in the safe administration of cytotoxic chemotherapy as per Trust policies
• Provide support and advice to staff, patients, and carers regarding the management of malignant conditions, including novel and conventional modalities
• To act as a lead specialist resource for patients or carers providing information on agencies/organisations who are able to offer support 
• Undertake additional training as required to meet the needs of the patients and register any skills acquired as a result of enhanced practice
• Demonstrate advanced empathetic interpersonal and communication skills in dealing with patients and carers throughout the cancer pathway.
• Demonstrate advanced practice in holistic assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of Chemotherapy care.  This will necessitate high levels of autonomy and advocacy and include receiving direct referrals and ensuring the delivery of appropriate care for a caseload of patients.
• Demonstrate advanced knowledge, skills and innovative practice in relevant specialist area. 
• Provide expert nursing advice and support to other health professionals responsible for the care of chemotherapy patients.
• Provide enhanced Clinical Assessment and ability to prescribe medications, within scope of professional practice, to facilitate the smooth running of Nurse led clinics.
• Lead effective communication with the multi-professional team and Chemotherapy navigator regarding patient pathways on booking system.
• Deliver specific programmes of education, and training to health care professionals.

• In collaboration with the  Oncologist’s, Chemotherapy ward manager, Operational lead, ACP’s team and service leads develop standards of care and deliver patient pathways that reflect cancer national guidance.
• To be pro-active in seeking to improve the service, working with Chemotherapy ward manager to continuously improve waiting times and assessment  to treatment.
• Report incidents and near misses promptly and appropriately and take effective action to minimise future risk.

Principal Duties & Responsibilities

• Manage the care of patients Chemotherapy care, including the assessment, examination, education, treatment and review of the patients in accordance with agreed guidelines, within the Chemotherapy unit / nurse led  clinic 
• Ensure provision of information is available to support informed consent and enable patient to make informed choices on treatment and clinical management options.
• Ensure provision of information and support is available at key stages of the Chemotherapy pathway ensuring timely and appropriate onward referral to living with and beyond cancer programmes, to include signposting to national and local support groups, benefits advice agencies and psychological services as necessary.
• Undertake regular review and revision of all patient information relevant to the Chemotherapy site to ensure that it is up-to-date, and evidence based.
• Where necessary, liaise with other lead Chemotherapy CNS’s and ACP’s to ensure effective patient clinical management.
• Attend local and Specialist Cancer MDT’S share information whilst acting as patient advocate, and share information and promote effective communication with patients, carers and across the multi-professional team. 
• To provide advice and keyworker support for patients and carers throughout their pathway.
• To access and liaise with the other members of the multi-disciplinary team (MDT) for advice where necessary to be able to address patient information and support needs. 
• Co-ordinate with other care providers to ensure patients investigations, MDT discussions are undertaken in a timely manner.
• To co-ordinate care between hospitals where required, outside of Walsall to ensure that referrals and appointments.
• To liaise with the patient GP where required to ensure adequate support for the patient within the community.

• Develop and run clinical nurse specialist led clinics for patient assessment, treatment reviews and holistic assessment of patients care needs.    
• Act as a resource for all disciplines within acute and primary care seeking advice regarding the management of patients care and treatment.
• Ensure professional development and education reflects and aligns to Nationally agreed Education and competency frameworks. 
• Have high-level communication skills and contribute to wider development of practice by publicising and disseminating work through presentations at conferences and publication.
• Attend professional forums and disseminate information within the Trust.

Service Development 

• To provide clinical leadership and knowledge in developing chemotherapy service in close collaboration with chemotherapy ward manager and operational service lead
• Ensure a culture of continuous quality improvement through the use of audit, patient feedback and reflection on practice by self and other members of the team.
• Attend relevant cancer advisory groups and relevant national forums to ensure appropriate Health Care Professionals within the Trust are informed of key external influences that may impact the development and delivery of local services.
• In collaboration with wider team contribute to service improvement and development of Chemotherapy service.
• Develop strategies to seek feedback on user issues through co-ordinating patient experience.
• Develop robust clinical patient pathways.
• Participate in Quality surveillance programme– Cancer peer review

 Leadership/ Management

• Oversees and monitoring management of budget and best use of resource allocation and/or cost improvement plans
• Leads the development of policies for Chemotherapy Services.
• Line management responsibility for Chemotherapy Ward Manager and Specialist Cancer Nurses within the service.
• Implement and work within the Trust’s Human Resources policies on all staffing matters including IPR, managing absence, capability and disciplinary issues.
• Act as a visible positive role model, creating a supportive ethos to empower staff to contribute to the delivery of high-quality person-centred care.
• Participate in individual personal appraisal to ensure personal, departmental, and corporate objectives are met.
• Maintain patient records to ensure that relevant information is documented
• Support Chemotherapy unit team to ensure the best patient experience
• Organise time effectively to ensure effective management of workload, prioritising work as necessary.

• Attend Trust, Cancer steering group, Cancer Alliance and Expert Advisory group meetings as required and appropriate. 

 Governance, Audit and Research

• Critically appraise and synthesise the outcomes of relevant research, evaluations and audits and apply the information when seeking to improve practice
• Support chemotherapy services within the Division of Surgery governance framework by ensuring any areas of clinical risk are reported appropriately and communicated to the relevant healthcare professionals accordingly.

Develop and review chemotherapy specific protocols and guidelines relevant to practice and ensure these are accessible to staff in clinical areas.