Lung Cancer Support Nurse

An exciting opportunity has become available within the Lung cancer team. This posting is in collaboration with the Multi-disciplinary Team (MDT), Lead Clinician and Service Manager, and other members of the multi-professional respiratory/oncology service, to provide specialist nursing knowledge and expertise to those caring for patients with lung cancer.
You will be assisting and supporting the Lung Cancer CNS, and in collaboration with consultant medical colleagues, to develop, establish and manage a nurse-led follow-up service for patients and their carers., You will work with the Lung Cancer CNS and, as part/member of the MDT, to:
-provide a specialist nursing service to patients and their carers diagnosed with lung cancer
-develop a comprehensive specialist nursing service and provide support and participate in the development and implementation of nurse led initiatives
-to act on behalf of/act as deputy in the absence of the Lung Cancer CNS., 1. To ensure a high standard of care based on the assessment, development, implementation and evaluation of programmes of care, identifying priorities and realistic goals involving patients, their carers and the multi-professional team.
2. Under the supervision and support of the Lung Cancer CNS, the post holder will be involved in implementing and evaluating nurse-led initiatives and other developments as appropriate to improve the service. This will include the provision of nurse-led follow-up clinics, information and ongoing support to patients and their families. In addition the individual will be required to participate and initiate, where appropriate, education and training for patients/carers, families and other members if the multi- professional team in aspects of lung cancer care.
3. To liaise with colleagues within primary care to:
- Provide training to multi-professional team;
- Develop support for the patient and their carers within primary care, when needed
4. To help co-ordinate the service for patients, facilitating effective communication within the multi-professional team to ensure care is delivered as per agreed care pathway. This will include:
- Attendance at the MDT meetings, providing cover for other members of the Lung Cancer Nursing Team as required.
- Close liaison with all pertinent clinics to ensure timely referral of all newly diagnosed patients and their families;
- Acting as part of the specialist nursing resource to patient/carers and members of the MDT whilst patient is receiving inpatient care;
- Ensuring patients with disease recurrence are fast-tracked to relevant specialist team for intervention;
- Assist and maintain a non-urgent/urgent contact advice service for patients and carers.
5. To Participate and suggest updates for written policies and protocols relevant to clinical procedures required by this specific patient group in conjunction with other members of the multi- professional team, updating where necessary.
6. To develop the skills needed to act as a resource person in specific skills/care for patients, carers and other members of the multi-professional team.
7. To continuously evaluate the quality of care given by rigorous auditing and evaluation of the service effecting change where necessary.
8. To promote professional development by the use of research evidence-based practice.
9. To continue to update and develop own clinical and theoretical knowledge of lung cancer and other areas of nursing and research.
10. To maintain accurate documentation and collation of data on Somerset Cancer Register.
11. To participate in specific projects as requested by the Service Manager or MDT Lead Clinician/Site Specific Group Chair.
12. To support the existing Support Group.
13. To practice as a professional at all times demonstrating a responsible attitude to promote team working and confidence in all specialities within the lung cancer service.
14. To accept professional responsibility and accountability for own patient caseload, managing workload effectively.
15. To work closely with the Lung Cancer CNS and in conjunction with the Service Manager and MDT Lead Clinician/Site Specific Group Chair to ensure the service is developed in line with corporate strategy.
16. To identify opportunities for service and practice development within respiratory, oncology, palliative care and surgical directorates.
17. To assist with the implementation and evaluation of areas of practice development.
18. To assist in the introduction and implementation of clinical supervision.
19. To be actively involved with clinical audit, monitoring of clinical outcomes and use of quality life indicators.
20. To develop in collaboration with colleagues from the multi-professional team, specific information for patients and carers.
21. To actively participate in professional forums representing the service, feeding back to appropriate personnel., 1. To identify educational needs of health professionals caring for patients with lung cancer and participate in formal and informal education programmes.
2. To keep updated with developments in nursing and lung cancer care by regular review of the literature and attendance at relevant study days as discussed and identified at joint appraisal, disseminating this information to relevant staff groups.
3. To be aware of and actively promote the current clinical trials available for lung cancer patients.
4. To participate in and contribute towards any nursing or other related research programmes, which have been formally agreed within limits of time and funding.
5. To be responsible for own professional development and maintenance of standards in negotiation with the Lung Cancer CNS, Service Manager and MDT Lead Clinician/Site Specific Group Chair.
6. To work with colleagues to promote lung cancer awareness.

Professional
1. The post holder must, at all times, follow and adhere to the NMC Code of Professional Conduct for Nurses.
2. To maximise use of available resources to benefit patient care to ensure any changes in clinical practice with resource implications are discussed in advance with the Service Manager.
3. To ensure that all duties are carried out to the highest possible standard and in accordance with quality initiatives within the area of work

Health and Safety Responsibilities
To ensure that the Trust's Health and Safety Policies are understood and observed and that procedures are followed.
To ensure the appropriate use of equipment and facilities and that the working environment is maintained in good order.
To take the necessary precautions to safeguard the welfare and safety of yourself, patients, visitors, and staff, in accordance with the Health and Safety at Work Act.
To undertake appropriate health and safety training to support safe working practice, including where appropriate, its management.
To demonstrate a practical understanding of risk assessment in relation to their areas of responsibility and to ensure safe systems of work are in place.
To ensure that all incidents occurring within the department are reported in accordance with Trust procedures, investigated and corrective action taken as necessary and/or reported to senior management and specialist advisers.

Moving and Handling Responsibilities
To ensure that all moving and handling tasks within their area of responsibility are assessed, that there is a manual handling plan indicating safe systems of work, and that documentation is regularly maintained and updated.
To observe and monitor the application of M&H skills, ensuring safe practice.
To attend appropriate training in accordance with the M&H assessed risks within the work area., It is the responsibility of all staff to ensure that they understand and follow the infection control policies, procedures and best practice applicable within the Trust. In particular:
- Observe all infection control policies and practices relevant to the post
- Act as a role model to others regarding infection control best practice
- Ensure that they keep up to date and attend all relevant training relating to infection control issues applicable to their post.
- Ensure that patients, visitors and contractors are aware of and follow infection control best practice (where applicable).
- Report non-compliance or concerns regarding infection control issues / best practice to their line manager, The James Paget University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust recognises the requirement to promote health and reduce ill-health. The Trust is committed to the principles of improving working lives through a number of initiatives such as job share, flexible working and the development of a culture of openness and transparency. The Trust is committed to ensuring that no job applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of their age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation.

The James Paget Hospitals located directly alongside the beautiful Norfolk coastline and provides care to a population of 230,000 residents of Great Yarmouth and Waveney and we have an amazing opportunity to join the Lung Cancer Nursing team., 'Prior consideration will be given to NHS At Risk staff within East of England'

The James Paget University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust serves a population of around 250,000 people in the Great Yarmouth, Lowestoft and Waveney areas. The Trust provides an integrated hospital and community children's service.
Patient and staff experience is important to us and these are the behaviours we live by:
+ Putting patients first
+ Aiming to get it right
+ Recognising that everybody counts
+ Doing everything openly and honestly, Tier 2 Sponsorship : We are pleased to consider applicants who require Tier 2 sponsorship to work in the UK but it is unlikely that we would be able to appoint if a suitably qualified, experienced and skilled UK/Right to work candidate is available. Applying for entry clearance into the UK, must provide a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) will also be subject to this requirement.
Please check your account regularly under "My Applications" to view the progress of your applications. If you do not hear from us within 4 weeks, please assume your application has been unsuccessful.
In submitting an application form, you authorise the Trust to confirm any previous NHS service details via the Inter Authority Transfer (IAT) process.
Please note that should we experience a high level of interest in this post, the vacancy may be closed prior to the stated closing date.