Lung Cancer Screening Nurse Associate/Assistant Practitioner in Liverpool

We are at an exciting time, with the introduction of a Rolling National Lung Cancer Screening programme across Cheshire and Merseyside. The Lung Cancer Screening programme enables the early detection of lung cancer in order to save lives across Cheshire and Merseyside, in areas where significant impact can be made from the recognition of early stage lung cancer and offering curative treatment.

A fantastic opportunity has arisen for a Lung Cancer Screening Nurse Associate/ Assistant Practitioner to join our Lung Cancer Screening Service working across Cheshire and Merseyside. The post holder should have a background in Respiratory Medicine where they will undertake telephone assessments to screen and refer for a low dose CT chest scans to help to identify early stages of lung cancer.

We're looking for individuals who love a challenge and strive for excellence in the way they work and candidates with a passion for respiratory medicine. These roles demand the ability to be innovative, flexible and a strong team player and also be able to work autonomously.

Main duties of the job:

• Provide lung health checks consultations via telephone to our eligible population
• Health Promotion and Education
• Making every contact count

About us:

As the largest single site specialist heart and chest hospital in the UK, we, at Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, have a clear vision 'to be the best cardiothoracic integrated healthcare organisation'. We provide specialist services in cardiothoracic surgery, cardiology, respiratory medicine both in the hospital and out in the community. We serve a catchment area of 2.8 million people, spanning Merseyside, Cheshire, North Wales and the Isle of Man, and increasingly we receive referrals from outside these areas for highly specialised services such as aortics.

Our reputation for strong performance is important in delivering the best care for our patients and high quality clinical services. This is underpinned by a culture of research and innovation, delivered in modern estate and our encouragement of flexible working in a variety of forms.

Responsibilities:

• Monitor health, safety and security of self and others to promote best practice.
• Maintain and ensure observation of robust quality assurance measures to meet national standards.
• Contribute towards the monitoring standards of care and participate in the improvement of care through audit and research.
• Promote patient and public involvement activities in specialist area leading to service improvement and attend local initiatives particularly to promote Targeted Lung Health Check Service.
• Maintain, clear, concise, legible and contemporaneous patient records at all times in line with Trust policy.
• Participate fully in clinical supervision sessions arranged by the Team Leader and Clinical Supervisor.
• Understand the processes involved in evidence based care and have knowledge of where to obtain evidence.
• Work collaboratively with the professional agencies to ensure patient needs are met.
• Establish and maintain effective communication with patient, carers/relatives and multi-disciplinary teams.
• Observe the provisions of and adhere to all Trust policies and procedures.
• Actively participate in the annual performance review to identify personal development needs.
• Act in ways that support people's equality, diversity and rights.
• Undertake specific training/workshop sessions as identified by the department and national team required to undertake the job role.
• Undertake relevant training/workshop sessions as identified on performance review for continuing professional development.
• Undertake mandatory training in line with departmental and Trust policies.
• Develop own skills and knowledge with assistance from others, identifying learning required to undertake the job role.
• Provide information and support to junior or new staff when it will help with their development or help them meet their work demands.
• This job description reflects the need to cultivate the service. It will evolve with the continuing expansion of the service and will be reviewed through mutual agreement between the post holder and the line manager.
• Ensure compliance with policies, procedures and clinical guidelines for self and others.
• Have responsibility for the health, safety and welfare of self and others and to comply at all times with the requirements of health and safety regulations.
• Have responsibility for the safe management of the department and ensure the safety of others affected by the department's activities.
• Liaise with the Trust adviser and ensure that any advice is implemented.
• Identify and assess risks to themselves and others.
• Carry out safety inspections and ensure remedial actions are taken.
• Ensure accidents are reported and recorded.
• Work within own level of professional competency, maintaining knowledge and skills in smoking cessation and tobacco addiction.
• A high level of attention to detail and who works well within set procedures.
• Assist in the evaluation of service delivery, identify areas of improvement and support the initiation of change.
• Support the team to evaluate and improve service provision.
• Assist in the effective and efficient use of physical and financial resources within the service.
• Understand the principles of motivational interviewing and seek to apply these in all patient interactions.
• Maintain an up to date knowledge of pharmacological treatments available to smokers, indications of their use, contraindications and cautions as applicable to each.
• Maintain an up to date knowledge of the potential side-effects of each pharmacological treatment and communicate these as appropriate to clinical staff and the actions to be taken should they occur.
• Responding to and actioning emails where needed.
• Undertake other duties that may be required from time to time and that are consistent with the responsibilities of the grade.
• Involve patients, carers and relatives in the giving of information regarding the project and in the delivery of care.
• Exercise judgement, discretion and decision making in clinical care in line with the project protocol.
• Contribute to the development of services. Ensure the effective and efficient use of resources.
• Maintain a safe environment for patients and staff and report any concern.
• A team player who is supportive, reliable and trustworthy.
• Someone who is approachable, dedicated and hardworking.
• Motivate and empower patients to address nicotine addiction by brief intervention.
• Provide sensitive, complex information to patients, carers, relatives and professionals regarding the project.
• Respond to patient queries regarding the lung health check process and their outcome.

Person Specification:

Qualifications & Education: Foundation degree or Nurse Associate Qualification or relevant NHS experience at Band 4.

Knowledge & Experience: Experience of working within a healthcare or NHS environment. Evidence of personal development within your current role. Experience of adopting motivational interviewing techniques in practice and providing health promotion. Knowledge and or experience in use of EMIS. Knowledge of pharmacological treatments available to smokers, indications of their use, contraindications, and cautions. Knowledge of the potential side-effects of each pharmacological treatment. Experience of working with patients displaying challenging behaviours.

Skills & Abilities: Competent IT keyboard and software skills able to use Microsoft suite of programmes, clinical IT systems (e.g. Dashboard) and navigate Trust intranet. Excellent communication skills and listening skills to develop a rapport and establish an effective therapeutic relationship with patients. Able to deliver information in a professional manner and refer questions to others where appropriate. Self-motivating, displays an enthusiasm and drive for health improvement. Good time management, organisational and prioritisation skills. Ability to develop and sustain professional interpersonal relationships with colleagues in the healthcare setting. Demonstrate the ability to work unsupervised and use own initiative. Understanding of quality and change in the clinical setting.

Values & Behaviours: Adherence to Trust Values and Behaviours. Ability to demonstrate individual responsibility in respect of role development and identification of areas to develop. Is reliable, flexible, adaptable, and able to respond to change. Is self-aware, able to initiate and manage self-change with support when necessary. Ability to identify and respond to own strengths and limitations both personal and professional e.g. seeking guidance and support as necessary.

Other: Access to an effective method of transport and willing to use vehicle in course of duties and be insured appropriately. Disclosure and Barring Service Check: This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.