Job summaryThe Cancer Team at The Princess Alexandra Hospital are looking to appoint a Band 6 Associate GI Cancer Clinical Nurse Specialist.
This is a unique opportunity for any nurse with extensive experience within GI medicine or cancer care who wishes to expand their clinical skills and knowledge to help support and develop an expanding service which is fully patient centred. The role will cover both upper and lower GI specialities, spending dedicated time with each on a rotational basis and providing cross cover and support when needed.
The nurse will be a highly visible presence across the specialities and wards, working to ensure the highest standards of care and continuously improving experiences for patients, families and carers. The post holder will be responsible for a caseload of patients and will act as a key worker for patients with complex needs. They will be responsible for proactive management of these patients, under the direct supervision of the Cancer Clinical Nurse Specialists, and the cancer nursing leadership team.
The patient experience will be a priority for you with a strong emphasis on compassion and dignity. You will be supported by an experienced and committed management team.
Main duties of the jobThe post holder will work under the direction of the GI cancer Clinical Nurse Specialists and cancer leadership team to deliver a supporting nursing service for patients and their families undergoing treatment and investigation for GI Cancer within The Princess Alexandra Trust.
The Associate GI Cancer Clinical Nurse Specialist will be required, under the supervision of the GI Cancer CNSs:
- To provide specialist, high quality, nursing care and support for patients and their carers with a GI cancer diagnosis
- To develop and maintain a caseload of patients and act as the nominated Key Worker from diagnosis, or during the cancer pathway.
- To deliver evidence based individualised patient care according to patients changing health care needs, through holistic needs assessment (HNA).
- To work autonomously and seek collaborative relationships with others across and within professional boundaries.
- To contribute to the development of patient pathways and the nursing service.
- To provide expert knowledge and advice in own specialist area, ensuring maintenance of clinical excellence underpinned by evidence-based practice.
- To act as a visible role model and expert practitioner.
About usThe Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust (PAHT) is proud to care for the communities of West Essex, delivering safe, compassionate, and high-quality services. We are part of the Neighbourhood Wave; a national programme thats changing how care is delivered by focusing on prevention, early support, and more joined-up services across health, social care, and the voluntary sector.
This means were working more closely with local partners to bring care closer to home and support people to live healthier, more independent lives.
Were a supportive and inclusive organisation that values its people. We offer development opportunities, flexible working, and a strong focus on wellbeing. As a Disability Confident and equal opportunities employer, we welcome applicants from all backgrounds and experiences.
Join us and help shape the future of care in West Essex.
Job responsibilities- To develop and maintain a caseload of patients and act as the nominated Key Worker from diagnosis, or during the cancer pathway.
- To ensure robust handover processes are in place between Key Workers when care is transferred between organisations.
- To be responsible for ensuring patients are aware of how to contact the CNS team and recording this relationship in the medical records.
- To work as part of the multidisciplinary team, recognising the value of this way of working and contributing to the process involved in team decision-making.
- To provide nursing advice, education and support to patients with actual or suspected cancer and their families, throughout the course of their illness from pre-diagnosis onwards.
- To assess, plan, implement and evaluate programmes of care in collaboration with the multidisciplinary team, actively seeking evidence based practice that will support clinical outcomes as appropriate.
- To undertake assessment of physical, psychological, social, emotional and spiritual issues at key points in the pathway using a Holistic Needs Assessment tool and develop appropriate management plans and advice.
- To sustain a high quality service with the wider multidisciplinary team within the Trust, oncology teams, referring hospitals, tertiary centres and primary care to ensure co-ordinated care is provided.
- To work alongside the Multidisciplinary Team Co-ordinator to facilitate the patient journey.
- To attend and participate in the cancer Multidisciplinary team meetings
- To act as the patient’s advocate, respecting privacy, confidentiality and cultural diversity and promote this approach to care in other members of staff.
- To have a high profile within clinical areas and work in partnership with nursing and other multidisciplinary staff to ensure that care, treatment and service needs are met, ensuring a standard approach to the delivery of excellent nursing and supportive care.
- To take a lead role in promoting a healthy lifestyle for patients and their families, in line with national strategy requirements.
- Deal appropriately with highly distressing information/news and support patients, relatives and staff through the bereavement process
- Interpret, analyse and respond to test results whilst ensuring patient’s safety
- Arrange appropriate follow up appointments, referral to other disciplines and letters to GPs as necessary
Person SpecificationQualificationsEssential- NMC registered
- Evidence of post-registration study
- BSc in Nursing or related subject, or actively working towards
Desirable- Mentorship/teaching qualification
ExperienceEssential- Extensive post-registration experience
Desirable- Experience within Cancer Services
- Experience conducting audits
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. 
