Clinical Nurse Specialist

The opportunity has arisen for two motivated nurse to join the Network Services Division, to cover maternity leave for 12 months. The posts will involve offering specialist nursing input to patients with Gynaecological Cancer. Together with the established Gynaecological and multi-disciplinary team, the CNS’s will aim to deliver a world class patient experience. The CNS’s will work within the busy and dynamic Gynaecology nursing team.

Many patients will be receiving treatment to control their cancer and often have supportive and palliative needs. Sign posting patients to appropriate services, providing advice, support and symptom management is a fundamental aspect of the CNS role. The successful candidates will be highly motivated and driven to improve patient care and experience. The candidates must have exceptional communication and interpersonal skills.

They will also have well-developed clinical and professional leadership skills to encourage and promote best outcomes for patients, their relatives and carers. The ability to work autonomously is paramount for this post together with confidence to engage and work with a range of colleagues at all levels and from all professional groups.

The successful candidates will be required to collaborate with all members of the Multidisciplinary Team, both internally and externally including referring hospitals, GPs, District Nurses and Specialist Nurses across the Network to ensure there is a smooth transition for patients and carers from hospital to the community and vice versa.

They will need to demonstrate initiative and vision in moving the service forward as well as developing standards and protocols for the management of this patient group.

Other responsibilities are outlined in the Job Description.

The Christie is one of Europe’s leading cancer centres, treating over 60,000 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 15% patients are referred to us from other parts of the country.

We provide radiotherapy through one of the largest radiotherapy departments in the world; chemotherapy on site and through 14 other hospitals; highly specialist surgery for complex and rare cancer; and a wide range of support and diagnostic services. We are also an international leader in research, with world first breakthroughs for over 100 years.

We run one of the largest early clinical trial units in Europe with over 300 trials every year. Cancer research in Manchester, most of which is undertaken on the Christie site, has been officially ranked the best in the UK.

To act as Key Worker for Gynaecological cancer patients, carers and other professionals during the patient pathway at the Christie for non-surgical treatments, from first referral through to end of life or discharge from follow-up

To work independently and collaboratively providing assessment, advice, support and symptom/side-effect management for patients, carers and other professionals.

To work as a member of the Gynaecological Disease Group with responsibility for the development and review of protocols / guidelines which promote innovative clinical nursing practice and integration of patient care.

To be aware of change at national and local level and how it affects the service provided

To undertake clinical and organisational audit, promoting the importance and value of undertaking such initiatives through multi professional collaboration.

Demonstrates the agreed Christie set of values and is accountable for own attitude and behaviour.

Clinical duties

• To accept referrals, undertake a Holistic Needs Assessment and formulate the ongoing personalised care plan. Referring appropriately to services in the acute and community setting.
• To attend appropriate Gynaecological clinics and liaise closely with the patients, nurses and doctors attending these. To provide continuity of care across the group, particularly with regard to integrating radiotherapy and chemotherapy. To provide information about side effects of treatment and ensure clear and concise documentation is completed.
• To be fully conversant with treatment protocols.
• To communicate effectively and support / counsel patients and carers prior to, during and after treatment.
• Work in a collaborative manner with the rest of the team to work towards all patients having End of Treatment Summaries and Long-Term Care Plans.
• When appropriate have conversations with patients about their Preferred Priorities of Care and Advanced Care Planning, document and communicate with the other professionals involved.
• Assess out-patients, both face-to-face and via phone, in multi-disciplinary and nurse led clinics, formulating appropriate clinical decisions and management plans through history taking and physical examination.
• Provide specialist assessment, support and information around…