Systemic Anti Cancer Therapy Clinical Nurse Specialist

at  Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

We have an exciting opportunity for a Systemic Anti-cancer Treatment (SACT) CNS post for a fixed term of 12 months to cover maternity leave. This will role will cover care of patients receiving SACT.
The post holder will have varied responsibilities with a focus on care of patients receiving SACT, leadership and delivery of SACT nurse education and training, Service development, leadership of the outreach SACT service, leading on policy review for SACT and leading and delivering a PICC insertion service.
The post holder will work closely with the chemotherapy nursing team and the lead cancer nurse as well as other members of the multi-disciplinary team.
This role is currently based on a Monday to Friday rota, with normal office hours but the successful applicant may be required to undertake 7 day working in the future if the need arises to meet the demands of the service.
The Macmillan SACT Clinical Nurse Specialist will work closely with the Senior Chemotherapy Sister to deliver an ever-growing patient centred SACT service to adults with cancer in West Dorset.
The post holder will be based at DCH but will be expected to travel to outreach community hospitals to deliver outreach SACT service as part of a nurse rota. The Clinical Nurse Specialist will take the lead on the outreach SACT service.
The post holder will have responsibility for nurse education in relation to training and developing junior registered nurses in all aspects of SACT delivery and care at local level and will participate in regional chemotherapy education .
The role will also involve delivery of annual chemotherapy updates for trained chemotherapy nurses at local level.
The post holder will be competent in PICC insertion and care and will support new nurses to develop these skills.
The post holder will have a wealth of skills and knowledge in relation to all aspects of SACT including patient education, patient assessment, and administration of SACT and management of complications and will use this knowledge to deliver direct patient care, review and development of policies and procedures and developing staff.
There is an expectation that the SACT CNS will provide occasional support to the acute oncology nursing service at times of need.
The hospital values staff welfare and being a district general hospital, there is a sense of friendliness and inclusivity which are part of its core values.
The post holder is an integral member of the cancer nursing team at DCH with close working relationships with the chemotherapy unit team and the oncology pharmacy service in particular.
The post holder’s place of work will be in the chemotherapy unit at DCH but they will be expected to support nurses in other areas of the Trust where their expertise is required including the cancer and haematology in-patient ward, medical day unit, ICU and community hospitals for outreach SACT service.
Be responsible for the delivery of expert care of patients who are receiving systemic anti-cancer therapy (SACT), including cytotoxic chemotherapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy. This will include:
Formal assessment of toxicities using nationally recognised tools.
Lead on SACT related projects and work streams.
Be responsible for the administration of SACT treatments for adults with cancer and haematological malignancy at Dorset County Hospital in line with the cytotoxic operational policy.
Co-ordinate and administer cytotoxic treatments for non-cancer patients at Dorset County Hospital where staff are not deemed competent in other areas.
Delivery of face to face education and support to patients and their families who are starting SACT or changing to a new protocol.
Be an expert in all aspects of CVC care and be competent at PICC placement for patients with cancer and haematological malignancy.
Take responsibility as the Clinical Nurse Specialist who leads on the Trusts adherence to Quality Standards in relation to chemotherapy, including playing a key role in the service review process.
In collaboration with lead chemotherapy clinician and senior chemotherapy Sister, ensure the Trust adheres to national and local intrathecal chemotherapy policies.
Ensure all SACT and related Trust policies are reviewed and updated as per Trust guidelines.
Lead on the delivery of the chemotherapy education for nursing staff, including teaching, supervision in practice and assessment of knowledge and skills. This includes chemotherapy in cancer and non-cancer settings.
Occasional cross-cover responsibility for the acute oncology nurse in periods of absence when the need arises.
Lead on the implementation and evaluation of an out of hospital SACT delivery service.
To represent DCH chemotherapy nursing services at regional network meetings where indicated

Please refer the Job description for details