Upper G.I Clinical Nurse Specialist, Band 6

at  Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Use specialist nursing skills to assess the physical and psycho-social needs of patients within the defined caseload. Work collaboratively, in partnership with the multidisciplinary team, develop and advise highly specialised programme of care for patients Be integral to coordinating the patient pathway to ensure patients receive timely treatment and prevent breaches within Gloucestershire and liaising with colleagues in tertiary centres to support pathways as appropriate. Assist patients to contribute to the development of their own care plan, empowering them to make decisions at times where there may be anxiety and uncertainty. Advanced communication with patients, carers and health professionals in order to disseminate complex nursing and clinical information which may be of a distressing nature.
In accordance with the Data Protection Act, retrieve, analyse and interpret information from the computer-based systems. Maintain accurate and contemporaneous records. Be willing to work between Gloucester and Cheltenham hospital sites. Be willing to have flexibility with your working day / hours.
The Upper G.I cancer service at our Gloucester site serves as the oesophago-gastric resection unit for Gloucestershire, Herefordshire & Worcestershire patients. For patients undergoing surgery for Hepatobiliary cancers we refer to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham. Therefore the post holder will need to work / communicate closely with our tertiary centres. The post holder will need to work / communicate closely with other specialities such as Oncology, Gastroenterology, Palliative care and community health care professionals.
The post holder would need to be willing to work across sites between Gloucester and Cheltenham hospitals to attend clinics and perform nurse led reviews of in-patients. We are a very busy unit which is supported by 9 Consultant surgeons, 3 Consultant Oncologists, 4 Clinical nurse specialist & 1 cancer support worker. We are a friendly and supportive team who are passionate about delivering high standards of care and an excellent patient experience JOB PURPOSE To work within the multi-disciplinary team, undertaking caseload management of a specific group of patients, with an Upper G.I cancer diagnosis. This would involve patients with an oesophagogastric or hepatobiliary cancer.
Providing holistic care within upper GI surgery, upper G.I oncology and supportive care. The role will provide an interface between medical and nursing disciplines whilst developing and supporting nursing practice. To promote timely care and transitions between services and hospital Trusts. DIMENSIONS Organise own time to co-ordinate in-patient and out-patient care within a speciality team and deliver care to the highest standard.
KNOWLEDGE,SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED / DESIRED 1st level Registered Nurse with relevant experience in upper G.I surgery; Upper G.I Oncology; Upper G.I Palliative care or GastroenterologyPossession of excellent communication skills. Ability to perform independent assessments of patients & manage outcomes appropriately. Ability to work well both independently as part of a team. Ensure personal & professional development is progressed through independent performance review.
IT skills, including the use of e-mail, databases and word applications. Able to input and retrieve patient information from computer based systems. KEY RESULT AREAS Use specialist nursing skills to assess the physical and psycho-social needs of patients within the defined caseload, providing both expert clinical advice to patients and carers and an accessible service, through the continued provision of nurse led inpatient and outpatient services. Attend weekly site specific cancer MDT and assist with recording cancer data into the local / national data base.
In partnership with the multidisciplinary team, develop and advise highly specialised programme of care for patients, synthesizing complex information whilst comparing a range of options based on the available evidence/best practice, in order to support and empower patients and their carers to make informed choices. Obtain written informed consent for invasive procedures, within Trust guidelines Use specialist nursing skills and knowledge to perform face to face nurse-led clinics. Use specialist nursing skills & knowledge to perform assessments of in-patients & out-patients with a confirmed cancer or potential cancer diagnosis. Use specialist nursing skills to perform telephone assessments of patients within their homes to manage their needs, optimise quality of life and avoid hospital admissions.
To deliver specialised safe care with continuity for patients, their carers and clinical teams within a challenging and changing clinical environment using innovative solutions, appropriate equipment and resources Use specialist skills to request & interpret investigations and act upon them with necessary actions / ongoing management.Be integral to coordinating the patient pathway to ensure patients receive timely treatment and prevent breaches within Gloucestershire and liaising with colleagues in tertiary centres to support pathways as appropriate. Liaise & facilitate fast-track referrals to tertiary centres such as the Queen Elizabeth (QE) hospital. Be actively involved in initiatives to enhance the patient experience, improve outcomes and overall service improvement. Respond appropriately to patients helpline / email queries in a timely manner managing the concerns raised.
Be involved in the development of new nurse led services. Assisting patients to contribute to the development of their own care plan, empowering them to make decisions at times where there may be anxiety and uncertainty. Use advanced communication with patients / carers and health professionals in order to disseminate complex nursing and clinical information which may be of a distressing nature ie diagnosis of cancer, prognosis, death of a patient, patient /relative complaints. Providing training assessment and support within the clinical area for pre-registration students and qualified staff, nursing & medical.
Contribute to specialist area research, audits and develop programmes or activities within the framework of clinical governance at local level, in order to advance and contribute to existing knowledge. In accordance with the Data Protection Act, retrieve, analyse and interpret information from the computer-based systems. Maintain accurate and contemporaneous records. Be willing to work between Gloucester and Cheltenham hospital sites.
Be willing to have flexibility with your working day / hours. Be willing to support GUTSY patient support group. Contribute to and implement policies and procedures for specialist area. MOST CHALLENGING PART OF THE JOB Utilising theoretical and practical skills to manage a caseload.
Working within a multi-disciplinary team and taking the lead in providing collaborative care planning. Working independently & making decisions regarding patients wellbeing. Managing own time effectively to ensure workload is completed during contracted hours, especially when workload maybe unpredictable, and to remain focused throughout. Managing own psychological wellbeing when frequently involved in distressing situations.
Ensuring communication and actions between services and Trusts happen timely and smoothly. PHYSICAL EFFORT AND WORKING CONDITIONS Frequent interruptions from the telephone or bleep enquiries, e.g. for advice or referral of new patients to assess, causing the work pattern to be unpredictable additional to planned work. Required to work within recognised Manual Handling Guidelines

Please refer the Job description for details