Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Clinical

Provide specialist support to patients and their families /carers   empowering them to participate in their treatment and rehabilitation.

Act as a primary point of contact, delivering seamless, compassionate care and providing reassurance throughout the diagnostic pathway.

Foster strong relationships with patients, families, and caregivers, addressing concerns and anxieties related to cancer diagnostics.

Advocate for patients during delays or disruptions in their diagnostic pathway, particularly for vulnerable patient groups.

Conduct specialist patient-centred discussions about diagnostic tests, results, and next steps, ensuring understanding and alleviating concerns.

Develop and maintain effective communication with patients, ensuring they are informed of any changes in their pathway.

Provide holistic care, including emotional and psychosocial support.

As a specialist nurse promote collaborative working relationships within the multidisciplinary team, with a patient centred focus.

Conduct clinical assessments, triage referrals, and prioritise diagnostic investigations.

Use specialist clinical judgment to identify potential red flags or areas of concern.

Interpret diagnostic results and ensure timely communication of findings to patients and the MDT.

Screen urgent suspected cancer referrals and assign appropriate diagnostic pathways.

Undertake comprehensive patient assessments, including history-taking and clinical examinations.

Order and monitor diagnostic tests in line with clinical guidelines.

Identify delays in the diagnostic process and implement solutions to minimise their impact and improve the referral process internally and externally for all services.

Undertake comprehensive patient assessments, including history-taking and clinical examinations, ordering diagnostic tests within clinical guidelines when required.

Assess, develop and implement specialist care pathways tailored to individual patient’s holistic needs, service improvement and needs.

Provide specialist advice to patients about diagnostic tests, results, and potential treatment options.

Engage with external agencies to coordinate care for complex specialist cases and update care pathways as and when required.

Promote shared decision-making and empower patients to take an active role in their care.

Apply up-to-date evidence and clinical guidelines to deliver specialist high-quality care using evidence based approaches, developing further pathways or protocols as required.

Support and participate in research and audits to improve patient outcomes and assess compliance with national standards.

Engage in research projects, such as clinical trials or service evaluations, to contribute to evidence-based improvements developing specialised programmes of care for skin patients.

Analyse patient outcome data to inform and refine diagnostic processes.

The post holder operates with a high level of independence and clinical autonomy making independent clinical judgements, initiating investigations and improving and leading service delivery.

Education and training

Act as a specialist resource for staff education, sharing expertise and promoting professional development.

Provide education and health promotion to staff, patients and families in the speciality of skin cancer.

Develop and implement training sessions for colleagues on diagnostic standards, pathways, and patient care.

Provide patients with clear, accessible information about their diagnosis and care options.

Contribute to the mentorship of students and new staff to the Trust.

Develop educational materials for patients, such as leaflets or digital resources, to improve understanding and self-management.

Managerial

Drive service development and pathway design, implementing action plans to address pathway delays and timely access to diagnostics, both internally and externally.

Lead discussions during MDT meetings to ensure diagnostic and clinical decisions are patient-centred.

Collaborate with other NHS providers to determine service improvements for the skin service at QVH and primary care, local dermatology services and all that refer into the skin service and the wider Macmillan team.

Collaborate with all operational teams to meet KPIs, such as the 28-day FDS target.

Actively contribute to pathway improvement projects, such as reducing waiting times or streamlining referrals.

Financial/ physical resources responsibilities

To ensure all chargeable episodes are appropriately documented.

To use resources in a cost effective and responsible manner.

Personal and Professional Development

Act in accordance with the NMC Code at all times, maintain clinical expertise and knowledge and professional revalidation.

Contribute to the achievement of corporate nursing objectives, participating in organisational and professional activities as appropriate.

Maintain strict confidentiality with regard to patient information.

Adhere to all trust policies and procedures.

Participate in the Trust’s annual appraisal system designed to identify objectives and personal development opportunities.

Participate in the Trust’s annual pay progression review (if applicable).

Ensure that all mandatory training is up to date

Engage in continuous professional development to maintain advanced clinical skills.

 General

To undertake any other reasonable duties, responsibilities or projects as requested commensurate with the post holder’s skills, knowledge and experience.