Job summary
Fixed Term Temporary - 12 months at 34.5 hours

An exciting development opportunity has arisen on the Surgical Oncology Unit for a 12-month fixed term, band 6 (34.5 hours) Sisters post.

You should be a highly motivated professional with extensive surgical experience, who wishes to develop their clinical knowledge and management skills. You must be a team player who is driven to improve patient care and experience, ensuring the delivery of exceptional, high-quality care. Our patients undergo highly specialised and often complex surgery across the Colorectal, Urology, Gynecology and Plastic Surgery specialties. You will be responsible for facilitating smooth patient flow through the department whilst ensuring high standards of care throughout the day.

Applicants must have excellent demonstrable communication skills and be a visible leader supporting the management of the ward. The successful candidate will also possess excellent organisational, communication and clinical skills relevant to the post and be able to act as a positive role model. Commitment to the on-going development of the ward and multidisciplinary team working is essential.

Evidence of surgical /oncology experience is essential in this instance.

For formal enquires please contact Ward Manager Emma Dale. Lead Nurse Gaynor Lynch via The Christie Switchboard

Main duties of the job
You are an essential bridge between clinical and management roles in the department, you are also the deputy in the absence of the Ward Manager.

As a leader you will work with the wider management team to promote a positive and enjoyable working environment, promoting teamwork and healthy working relationships. With extensive surgical experience you will be able to provide advice and best practice for staff surrounding the care of complex post operative patients. This will give you the opportunity to develop your clinical skills and decision making. You are a visible leader on the ward and are approachable, fair and expect high standards of quality patient care.

With knowledge of the importance of maintaining patient flow you will be essential in working with colleagues in ensuring that patients are able to access their surgeries, alongside the surgical team and management team.

In addition to this you will have the opportunity to develop people management skills providing staff in your team with pastoral assistance, professional development reviews and performance management. You will have excellent communication skills, be open to feedback and participating in further communication, and leadership training.

You will be open to learning new skills in ward management, such as management of staffing, incident investigation, communicating and feeding back learning to the wider team and pivotal in helping lead change in the department alongside your management team.

About us
The Christie is one of Europe's leading cancer centres, looking after more than 64,000 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 25% patients are referred to us from other parts of the country.

We are the largest radiotherapy provider in the NHS with one in 20 treatments delivered at The Christie. We have up to 15 linear accelerators operating across our network of sites. We operate the largest chemotherapy unit in the UK on our main site and treatments are also provided at 13 other networked sites, and in patients homes. And as a specialist tertiary surgical centre, we focus on rare cancers, complex procedures, and multidisciplinary approaches to cancer surgery, specialising in colorectal, peritoneal, gynaecological, urological and plastic surgery.

We are also an international leader in research, with world first breakthroughs for over 100 years. We have been named by the UK's National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), as one of the best hospitals providing opportunities for patients to participate in clinical research studies, with more than 800 studies open at any time, caring for over 3,000 patients.

Job responsibilities
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
CLINICAL:

• Assessment of the needs of the patient and family, ensuring provision of client centred care which focuses on the promotion of health as well as illness.
• Ensure accurate documentation of patient care in accordance with hospital policies and standards. Develop and maintain communication with people about difficult matters and/or in difficult situations
• Assess educational and informational needs of patient and family, providing up to date information enabling them to participate in the planning of care.
• Enhance care within the clinical area by using relevant research outcomes when planning and delivering nursing care.
• Evaluate nursing care inform Ward Sister and medical staff of patients changing healthcare needs.
• To be a role model for potential postholders by demonstrating competent skills that have been determined in accordance with the needs of the ward.
• Maintain safe practice according to Hospital Policies and Standards.
• Ensure all prescribed drugs and treatments are given in accordance with Hospital Policy.
• Maintain a clean and safe environment for Surgical Oncology patients.
• Ensure that blood products are administered correctly and in accordance with Hospital Procedure and Policy.

MANAGERIAL:

• When appropriate, in rotation with other Sisters, take charge of the Ward in the absence of the Senior Sister, ensuring that standards of care and ward management are maintained.
• In the absence of the Senior Sister ensure skill mix is appropriate to clinical needs and keep Senior Nurse Managers/Modern Matrons aware of pertinent issues in the clinical area.
• Help foster a supportive working environment and maintenance of staff morale, promoting a culture in which staff feel valued and able to reach their potential.
• Act as a preceptor/mentor to new ward staff and Pre and Post Registered Nurses.
• Work with Senior Sister to ensure clinical standards of care are achieved and participate in audit of clinical care.
• Be aware of responsibilities with regard to Health and Safety At Work Act. Maintain and develop an environment and culture that improves health, safety and security.
• Supporting the Senior Sister in initiating and implementing change, and in promoting an awareness of professional accountability.
• Supporting the Senior Sister, when appropriate, in the recruitment and selection of new staff to the clinical area.
• Actively participate in Clinical Risk Assessments and ensure correct documentation of Clinical Incidents in accordance with Hospital Policy.
• Lead a team of registered nurses and health care assistants.

EDUCATION:

• Maintain own awareness of current nursing practice. Use relevant educational opportunities to maintain the highest standards and up to date care offered to the patient with cancer.
• Supervise clinical staff and disseminate knowledge and current developments. Develop oneself and others in areas of practice. Participate in planned programmes of appraisal with the Ward Sister. Liaise with the School of Nursing, participating in the teaching of basic and post basic learners and training assessments.
• Ensure own learning and development needs are met.
• Attend annual updates in: Fire safety, CPR, Moving and Handling and Radiation Protection.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT:

• In consultation with the Ward Sister agree learning objectives designed to meet the goals of personal and professional development and undergo appropriate programmes of study.
• Gain teaching skills by undertaking a teaching and assessing course and applying the principles in the clinical setting.
• At the request of the Ward Sister, to accept responsibility to develop managerial skills within the clinical setting, e.g. planning duty rotas which match needs with available expertise.
• Contribute to the improvement of services.
• Contribute to improving quality.
• Promote equality and value diversity.

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• RGN Level 1
• Degree or Diploma in Nursing Studies Post Registration Certificate in Cancer/Acute care or equivalent level of experience
• Teaching & assessing certificate or equivalent experience

Desirable

• Management Course

Experience
Essential

• Experienced in and clinically competent oncology or emergency care
• Experience of leading a clinical team successfully

Desirable

• Managerial experience

Skills
Essential

• Excellent communication skills
• Excellent IV skills
• Excellent assessment skills
• Ability to deliver a high quality of care Computer literacy
• Understanding of need for evidence based practice
• Excellent time management and prioritisation skills

Desirable

• Leadership skills

Knowledge
Essential

• Committed to own personal professional development and that of all ward staff
• Confidence in assessing oncological emergencies

Other
Essential

• Team player
• Excellent attendance record

Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applicants must have current UK professional registration.