Advanced Clinical Practitioner - Clinical Haematology

at  The Christie NHS Foundation Trust

As part of a collaborative venture between The Christie NHS Trust and MCHFT to develop clinical haematology services, The Christie is pleased to be able to offer an exciting opportunity for an experienced and fully qualified Advanced Clinical Practitioner to work within service at Leighton Hospital and take a key role in the development of the service.
Based at the Leighton Hospital site, your clinical role will be responsible for making clinical decisions based on advanced skills in the assessment, diagnosis, management and treatment of clinical haematology patients. You will be expected to play a significant part in the service development and have time allocated to this work within your job plan. You will also contribute to planning, education, research and participate in clinical audit within your own area of practice.
You will work across the outpatient and inpatient service at Leighton Hospital alongside a team of clinical haematology consultants, specialist registrar, advanced nurse practitioner and clinical nurse specialists
We are looking for an experienced and fully qualified prescribing practitioner with expert knowledge of clinical practice and multidisciplinary teamwork. You will be able to demonstrate a sound clinical knowledge base in clinical haematology and haemato-oncology and clinical governance. Although not essential, clinical practice and experience at a senior level in clinical haematology would be advantageous.
Working both autonomously and alongside medical colleagues, you will demonstrate a high level of specialist knowledge in the direct delivery of high-quality patient care. You will demonstrate excellent interpersonal and communication skills and have good teaching and presentation skills. You will also be able to work efficiently, demonstrate initiative and good time management.
A full outline of the role is provided within the job description.
A collaboration between The Christie NHS Trust and MCHFT has formed to focus on the development of the haematology service based at Leighton Hospital.
The Christie haematology service acts as a tertiary referral centre for the management of patients with haematological malignancies and bone marrow failure. Inpatient haematology and transplant services for both adults and Teenage and Young Adult (TYA) patients are provided by the 31 bedded Palatine Treatment Ward, and the 4 bedded Withington Ward. Outpatient haematology services are provided by the Haematology and Transplant Day Unit (HTDU) and the ambulatory care facility. The Christie haematology service has grown extensively over the past few years with the development of new treatments and CAR T. Services are now delivered at 2 other trusts with plans to expand services closer to home further.
The MCHFT haematology service delivers inpatient, outpatient and day-case service at Leighton Hospital. Inpatient care is provided by acute physicians with consultant haematologist input at MCHT and outpatient clinics and treatment is provided through the outpatient department and the Macmillan Cancer Care Unit (MACCU) on site.
The Directorate has a supportive and warm working culture where your contribution is valued.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Perform clinical assessments and request relevant investigations and tests for clinical haematology patients attending for treatments and review within the outpatient service.
Interpret results and act appropriately to form a management plan.
Under the supervision of registrars and consultants provides cross cover for clinical haematology across the departments including inpatient services.
Provides expert professional advice to patients/clients, carers, and staff, working in partnerships with patients, families, and other professionals to formulate robust care pathways that are ethically sound and in the interest of the patients.
Maintain and develop expertise and competence within the field of clinical haematology to enable collaboration with other advanced nurse practitioners and medical staff, and to facilitate the management of patients.
To consent patients for treatment and procedures as per hospital policy.
Is a non-medical prescriber, including first line chemotherapy.
Accept and make appropriate referrals from/to other professional colleagues. Check and interpret the same and act as clinically indicated.
Arrange or refer the patient for appropriate diagnostic tests and investigations, e.g., radiology, interpret these and act as indicated.
Communicate complex, sensitive, or contentious information to patients and carers. This may include results of scans, management options and discusses details of prognosis including palliative care.
Educate patients and their carers on issues surrounding health promotion and illness prevention. Promote and facilitate changes to lifestyle where appropriate.
Ensure patients receive appropriate information and support in relation to their illness and treatment. Refer to other professionals as appropriate
Be an effective communicator with patients, relatives, and members of the multidisciplinary team. Ensure patients’ needs are appropriately conveyed and advocated to the team. Work with team members on issues relating to patient management.
Communicate with the patient’s referring specialist, general practitioner and other community-based services at regular intervals, both verbally and in writing.
Act as an expert resource in providing advice and support to ward/departmental areas, and the wider community, on the management of specific haematological diseases, ensures the working environment is conducive to the development and education of students and other Health Care Professionals
Development of patient information specific to own area of expertise.
Follows an agreed protocol in the management of patient follow up.
Prescribes blood products as per hospital policy.
Presents own patient group at MDTs and delivers agreed plan to the patient and their family.
Ensures patients, carers and relatives are fully considered in the context of care, activity participating in ethical decision-making.
Educate patients and their carers on issues surrounding health promotion and illness prevention. Promote and facilitate changes to lifestyle where appropriate.
Ensure interventions are undertaken in line with best practice guidelines.
Provide an environment that encourages patient centred involvement.

MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

Provides line management and support for defined team.
Contribute to the locality management arrangements and delivery of the Trust and department objectives.
Contribute to wider issues in the Trust such as committee membership, policy development, mentorship, and assessment of colleagues.
Participate in nursing and clinical developments within the organisation.
Participate in oncology advisory boards and relevant working groups as invited.
Training and Education
Provide specialist training and education locally, nationally and internationally and act as an ambassador for the Trust.
Work within professional codes and policies laid down both nationally and by the Trust.
Work within professional codes and policies laid down both nationally and by the Trust.
Participate in clinical supervision as a supervisor and where appropriate a supervisee.
Identify own development needs in line with service requirements within personal development plan. Undertake continuing professional development to ensure that skills remain optimal and new elements can be added to the skills portfolio.
To participate in Trust ACP teaching and training program allowing professional and clinical updating to take place e.g., Non-Medical Prescribing
Assist in the identification of the training needs of colleagues and participate in their continuing education, mentorship, and skills development.
Contribute to the development and dissemination of new knowledge by submitting papers for publication and/or abstracts for appropriate conferences.
Have a named mentor from within the medical team for continuing clinical support and development.
Contributes to the education program to all health care professionals in informal and formal settings relating to haematology practice. This will be training and education locally, nationally, and internationally (e.g., presenting at meetings, study days, conferences).
Acts as a role model, educator, supervisor, coach, and mentor, seeking to instil and develop the confidence of others.
The development of patient/carer teaching and information giving session/support groups and education materials.
LeadershiP
Works closely with clinical colleagues to propose changes for service redesign with a firm evidence base under the direction of the clinical director and head of directorate services.
Participate in departmental meetings
Demonstrates the agreed set of Christie values and be accountable for own attitude and behaviour.
Research, Audit and Quality
Undertakes evaluation of the role and utilises evidence to ensure role remains effective.
Always promotes evidence-based practice and be GCP compliant.
Promotes recruitment into clinical trials and work closely with the Research and Development Team
Initiates and assists in clinical audits in own area of practice, including patient satisfaction.
To understand the quality agenda and how standards of care can be improved utilising current quality systems and standards.
To assess and monitor the quality of work in own area, raise quality issues and related risks and bring to the attention of others.
Undertakes investigations into incidents as assigned by senior managers, identify contributing factors and propose methods for addressing them.
Initiate and participate in relevant research as required. Develop research interests with regards to the specialist role and client group.
Participate in innovative and research-based practice with the intention of combining medical and nursing duties to promote excellence in patient care.
Involvement in medical and/or ACP led research within specialist area, in response to an identified need. Disseminate results within department and publish as appropriate. Present at National and International disease group specific educational meetings.
Communication
To form relationships with other staff and managers across the Trust and build trust and enhance the reputation of The Christie.
To ensure awareness of sources of support and guidance such as PALS and provide information.
Maintains patient care records.
Maintain confidentiality as required by professional, local, and national policy, but acknowledge situations where there can be a breach of confidentiality.
Able to recognise and defuse potentially aggressive and violent individuals/situations in line with local policy and legal frameworks.
To sensitively explain the results of investigations including the possible need for intervention, poor prognosis, or the existence of chronic/fatal pathology.
Involvement in breaking bad news, related to diagnosis, prognosis and end of life decision making.
Involvement in Advanced Care Planning, preferred place of care, preferred place of death
Safeguarding, reporting, and receiving highly sensitive confidential information is an integral part of the role, to ensure both the nurse clinician and others follow robust policy and procedures in this regard.
To ensure that essential information on the patients’ condition and progress is recorded by self and team members appropriately according to NMC guideline