Clinical Nurse Specialist - Acute Oncology | Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in Crewe

A proficient health care professional who provides expert evidence based practice and clinical expertise in a specialist area (Oncology / Haematological solid tumours) to patients experiencing complications of cancer treatment or disease progression.

An experienced practitioner with decision-making autonomy, responsibility and accountability within agreed guidelines and protocols, who contributes to the leadership, development and supervision of others. The practitioner works collaboratively with others or independently to meet the needs of the patients and their families.

The post holder will undertake triage of the patient after referral from medical colleagues across the Trust. You will advise and support clinical colleagues on the investigation, care, and management of this group of patients affording access to faster and better care of patients with complications of cancer (early recognition, better treatment, rapid referral to other specialist teams as appropriate including oncology and palliative care). The acute oncology service supports newly diagnosed cancer patients and patients with a cancer of unknown primary and also are involved in the triage of NSS patients. You will work cross site and work independently as well as part of a team.

The post holder will be encouraged to collate and present service data at local and national meetings. They will be responsible along with the team for delivering and leading a comprehensive AOS within the Trust in line with the National Cancer Peer Review Programme (2011). The Core competencies for AO teams are now defined and adopted nationally and all AO CNS's should be a level 3 AO practitioner and should evidence continuing professional development in AO to maintain their level 3 competency.

Experience in Oncology experience is desirable but not essential. It is essential that you are a UK NMC Registered Level 1 Adult Nurse with extensive post registration experience within an acute care setting. You should be able to evidence your continuing professional development along with excellent clinical knowledge, leadership, and communication skills. You must be willing to undertake further education specific to this role.

The role will involve effective teamwork and communication with a wide spectrum of multidisciplinary teams. The CNS will work autonomously, triaging patients and reviewing unscheduled patients when required. Such patients may present acutely unwell or have a complex and undetermined presentation. The CNS therefore must demonstrate a high level of clinical expertise and be competent in the assessment, diagnosis and management of the acutely unwell patient.