Skin Cancer Clinical Nurse Specialist - Plastic Surgery

NHSGGC is one of the largest healthcare systems in the United Kingdom, employing approximately 40,000 staff across clinical and non-clinical professions and roles. We deliver acute hospital, primary, community and mental health services to a population of over 1.15 million people, and to a wider population of 2.2 million when regional and national services are included.

We are looking for a passionate, dynamic, ambitious registered nurse to join our skin cancer team. The successful applicant will attain the knowledge and skills to diagnose and treat various types of skin cancer in the secondary care setting. Fully funded training at master’s degree level will be provided. Courses may include Clinical Assessment, bespoke Skin Cancer Module, and Research; training length will depend on previous education.

A primary degree is essential.

You will work as part of a highly collaborative team spanning plastic surgery, dermatology, oncology, pathology and radiology to provide high quality care to skin cancer patients, in addition to working closely with local and West of Scotland regional skin cancer MDTs.

Key attributes include attention to detail, excellent time management, and the ability to make decisions that direct patient care. The ability to work autonomously and as part of a team is vital.

Training will be provided on skin cancer and pre-skin cancer lesion recognition, screening for local, regional and metastatic skin cancer, requesting imaging including CT and ultrasound, pathology interpretation, cryotherapy, dermoscopy and minor surgical planning.

Essential to the role is confidence to act as the skin cancer patient’s advocate, respecting patient confidentiality, whilst working in partnership with the Skin Cancer Surveillance Clinical Nurse Specialists.

SSCNS support patients in clinics across GGC as well as Ayrshire and Lanarkshire; therefore a driving licence is essential. You must have a live NMC UK pin to be considered for this post.

All other roles will be assessed for sponsorship eligibility in line with current Home Office requirements. NHSGGC can only issue a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) where these are met.

• Location:
  
  Glasgow Royal Infirmary
• Permanent contract
• Full-time: 36 hours per week
• Shift pattern:
  Monday to Friday (08:00 to 16:00)

• The CNS leads and manages its own nurse-led clinics at various hospital sites within the West of Scotland. They will perform advanced and autonomous physical examinations to assess skin cancer patients, diagnose new skin cancers and metastatic disease, and plan and initiate medical and nursing care to achieve patient-centred outcomes.
• Refer patients to Consultants and the relevant MDT for further management planning, as appropriate.
• Discuss treatment options in depth with patients, with sensitivity, knowledge and expertise.
• Anticipate skin cancer patients’ emotional and physical care needs and refer to appropriate services to ensure holistic care.
• Refer skin cancer patients to the appropriate local or regional skin cancer MDT. Review medical history and anticipate treatment options from other specialties such as oncology. Provide clinical advice to the MDT on care within the plastic surgery specialty, acting as patient advocate, and contribute to care pathway development, implementation and monitoring. Public speaking may be required due to regional MDT composition.
• Maintain a full driving license as clinics may be located beyond hospital sites.
• Practice within the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) framework and National Legislation to ensure patient interests and wellbeing are met.
• Work within NHS, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and HSE legislation, policy, guidelines and procedures.
• Create academic links with Higher Education Institutions and contribute to pre- and post-registration teaching within the specialty.
• Evaluate practice using a range of research methods.

• First Level Registered Nurse with a minimum of 5 years post-registration experience.
• 5 years’ experience in the area of specialty with appropriate post-registration qualifications or…