Job summary
An exciting opportunity is awaiting you if you are a highly motivated, enthusiastic nurse with excellent communication skills.

We want you to join our team in our chemotherapy unit. You will have the opportunity to be part of this service. Millbrook Suite consist of an outpatient consulting suites together with a day care unit.

The 12 chaired day unit cares for patients with a range of cancers who are receiving systemic anti-cancer therapies. We are looking for someone who wants to increase their Oncology/Haematology experience and wants to work within this rewarding environment. If you have cannulation, phlebotomy, or central lines skills it will be an advantage, but if not, then you should have enthusiasm and dexterity to develop these skills.

The ability to communicate effectively with all members of the multidisciplinary team is essential. Oncology / Haematology experience is desirable but not essential. You will be supported in this post by the Unit Manager and team.

As a part of the countywide service delivering anti-cancer treatments you may be required to travel between sites on occasions.

In return we will offer you excellent learning and developmental opportunities; we will support your personal growth through regular personal development planning and our educational strategy.

Main duties of the job

• Assess patients for SACT (systemic anti-cancer therapies) to ensure their physical condition and blood parameters are satisfactory to safely receive treatment according to treatment protocols/regimes.
• Administer SACT safely in accordance with Trust guidelines.
• Provide information regarding treatment and side effects to ensure each patient is prepared for their specific treatment and informed consent is gained.
• Liaise with other appropriate health care professionals within both hospital and community settings regarding individual patient care to ensure seamless transfer of care between disciplines (or ensure patients needs are being adequately met).
• Recognise and provide the psychological and emotional support needed by individuals whilst undergoing treatment and refer on to other professionals sensitively.
• Assess patients with difficult venous access and make recommendations, with senior nurse support for alternative access to ensure patients receive treatment safely and with minimum risk.
• Provide follow-up care/maintenance of central venous lines for patients and advise other health care professionals involved as appropriate, to ensure the patients line is safely and adequately cared for in accordance with Trust policy.
• Administer other intravenous therapies i.e., Blood products, bisphosphonates, to patients according to protocols/regimes to ensure therapies are delivered safely and with minimum risk.

About us
Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust is a large acute and specialised hospital trust that provides a range of local acute services to the residents of Worcestershire and more specialised services to a larger population in Herefordshire and beyond.

The Trust operates hospital-based services from three sites in Kidderminster, Redditch and Worcester

Our workforce is more than 7,000 strong, and our caring staff are recognised as providing good and outstanding patient-centred care. You could be one of them.

We are committed to recruiting the best people to work with us. Our values, which we ask all staff to demonstrate, underpin our everyday work and remain firmly at the heart of all we do.

Being open and honest
Ensuring people feel cared for
Showing respect to everyone

We are committed to developing a culture of continuous improvement by embedding the principles of our Improvement System.

We are proud to have achieved Timewise accreditation - this means we are committed to embedding flexible working within our organisation as a flex positive employer.

DBS Checks and Costs
Any applicants who are offered posts requiring a DBS check as part of their employment check will have the cost of this check (at the current rate) deducted from their salary. Please see link in Supporting Information section for more details on DBS checks and costs.

Job responsibilities
Job Purpose:To manage and provide care for patients undergoing systemic anti-cancer therapies and supportive treatments.

Key Duties:

Clinical responsibilities

• Assess patients for SACT to ensure their physical condition and blood parameters are satisfactory to safely receive treatment according to treatment protocols/regimes and escalate any concerns to the co-ordinator.
• Administer and dispose of intravenous and chemotherapy safely in accordance with Trust and National Guidelines.
• Provide information regarding treatment and side effects to ensure each patient is prepared for their specific treatment and elicit informed consent.
• Provide one to one and telephone advice to patients and their families regarding treatment side effects and management of side effects to ensure each patient receives care which is specific and appropriate to their needs.
• Use good communication skills to enhance and augment patients understanding and adapt information to their specific needs as they progress through treatment.
• Liaise with other appropriate health care professionals within both hospital and community settings regarding individual patient care to ensure seamless transfer of care between disciplines (or ensure patients needs are being adequately met).
• Recognise and provide the psychological and emotional support needed by individuals and their families whilst undergoing treatment and refer on to other professionals sensitively and appropriately to adequately meet patients needs.
• Assess patients with difficult venous access and make recommendations, with senior nurse support for alternative access to ensure patients receive treatment safely and with minimum risk.
• Ensure safe administration of chemotherapy/SACT regimens according to trust protocols.
• Provide follow-up care / maintenance of central venous lines for patients and advise other health care professionals involved as appropriate, to ensure the patients line is safely and adequately cared for in accordance with Trust policy.
• Administer other intravenous therapies i.e. Blood, bisphosphonates, to patients according to protocols/regimes to ensure therapies are delivered safely and with minimum risk
• Monitor and instigate care with senior nurse support to address / prevent reactions to and complications of treatment including administration of prophylactic agents.
• Discuss with senior nursing and medical teams developments and changes which affect patients both directly and indirectly.

Operational Responsibilities

• Establish and maintain effective communication and foster good working relationships with all multidisciplinary teams, both internal and external.
• Make use of electronic internal / external mail and Internet systems as appropriate and necessary.
• Escalate any concerns or complaints or incidents that affect users of the unit in accordance with complaints, risk management, or human resources procedures.
• Bring to the attention of the Senior Sister/Charge Nurse/ Co-ordinator any factors which may adversely affect patient care or service provision.
• Report all serious incidents to the appropriate Manager / Director within 24 hours; these include Never Events and serious falls and complete datix incident forms in accordance with trust policy.

Knowledge Skills & Experience (Also See Person Specification)

• Be knowledgeable about the specific care requirements of patients within the unit.
• Be knowledgeable about current infection control procedures and policies and ensure all staff and visitors adhere to these at all times.
• Be knowledgeable about the risks of infection and take responsibility for minimising cross infection within the clinical environment, assist in giving information and placing patients appropriately (isolating active infective patients for treatment).
• Ensure that patient care is evidence based.
• Assess and escalate potential problems or issues to ensure a safe, effective environment for staff, patients, and visitors.

Person Specification
Personal Qualities
Essential

• Articulate
• High professional standards
• Able to remain calm under pressure
• Aware of own strengths and weaknesses
• Flexible and adaptable
• Highly motivated
• Committed to quality improvement
• Good time management

Experience
Desirable

• Post-registration experience at Band 5
• Experience with oncology or haematology

Knowledge & Skills
Essential

• Excellent verbal and non-verbal communication skills
• Ability to develop effective interpersonal relationships with colleagues across health and social care settings
• Good IT skills

Qualifications
Essential

• Registered Nurse on part 1 of the professional register

Desirable

• Teaching and Assessing Qualification
• 1st level degree or working towards or equivalent
• Competent in venepuncture and cannulation
• Competent in IV therapy
• Competent in performing ECG

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.