Children's Oncology Lead Nurse

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The Children’s Oncology Lead Nurse will ensure the provision of high quality, effective and safe clinical service line with the Trust Nursing and Midwifery Strategy.

To carry out an assessment of need for the patient and their parents.

To act as a clinical leader and role model for staff, demonstrating high standards of care at all times, excellent leadership and promotion of the service.

To maintain a visible daily presence across the children’s oncology service and act, in conjunction with the Ward manager, as the first point of contact for patients, relatives and staff to address concerns and complaints.

To consider new innovative ways of working which enhance patient care and develop new skills in response to emerging knowledge and techniques.

To be competent and safe in the administration of chemotherapy and Intrathecal chemotherapy.

To be competent in extended skills such as cannulation and venepuncture.

To identify the learning and development needs of all grades of clinical staff.

To provide regular and appropriate training programmes for those staff using evidence based and current resources.

To ensure all staff have access to up-to-date Trust protocols and other documents including online services relating to Children’s Oncology.

To act as the named chemotherapy nurse and to be responsible for the timely training and regular assessment and competence of all staff undertaking chemotherapy administration and to ensure the service meets all requirements as identified by the Primary Treatment Centre and Peer Review.

To participate and assist in the continual learning of self and all staff so that personal development plans progress, clinical supervision is delivered and succession planning is promoted.

To ensure the children, young persons and family views are sought regularly in order to assess, implement and evaluate care.

To recognise any clinical risk within the service and instigate appropriate risk assessment, prevention, reporting and investigation.

To ensure senior managers are informed of proposals and service progress.

To ensure correct data systems are implemented and maintained.

To participate in Macmillan service reviews and peer reviews to produce an annual report that includes data, outcomes and productivity.

To lead in the preparation of an operational policy and an annual report and work programme in readiness for peer review against National Cancer measures.

To work with the Primary Treatment Centre and East Midlands Cancer Network. Facilitating attendance at the appropriate meetings, annual general meeting and the provision of education.

To produce audit and action plans in conjunction with the Ward Matron.

To develop guidelines and protocols that enhances the patient experience in the clinical are in line with Macmillan and Trust policies in liaison with the Ward Manager

To ensure that research is undertaken in an ethical and critical way.

To attend the Paediatric Practice Development meetings as required and facilitate the transfer of best practice into the clinical environment.

To create a vision for the Children’s Oncology Service that shows creativity, innovation and advanced reasoning.

To meet with the Ward Matron on a weekly basis to discuss staffing levels, skills, education requirements and equipment needs.

To demonstrate good communication strategies by liaising with the Ward Matron and senior medical staff to ensure optimal bed occupancy and timely admission and transfer of children with an oncology diagnosis.

To be involved in the management of sickness, appraisals, poor performance, incidents/datix and complaints.

To lead in investigations as necessary ensuring action plans are completed and learning shared.

To have a sound knowledge of the governance structure and datix analysis.

To represent the Trust at Network and regional level where appropriate.

Have an understanding of commissioning arrangements for the service in accordance with the service specification