Junior Sister/Charge Nurse Redditch

We have an exciting opportunity for a permanent 34.5 hours/week band 6 Chemotherapy Junior Sister/Charge Nurse. If you are a highly motivated, enthusiastic chemotherapy nurse with excellent communication skills, we want you to join our team on our 12 chaired Chemotherapy Suite based at the Alexandra Hospital. You will have the opportunity to be part of the service and our innovative ways of working as we grasp this opportunity to influence, shape and develop the changing face of giving systemic anti-cancer therapies. We aim to provide an individualised and supportive environment for patients in which to deliver specialised care for oncology and haematology patients. We are looking for a nurse who is chemotherapy trained who will support the manager in the running of the unit as well as support new members of staff and students. The ability to communicate effectively with all members of the multidisciplinary team is essential. You will be supported in this post by the Unit Manager, Matron for Specialised Clinical Services and the Lead Chemotherapy Nurse. In return, we will offer you excellent learning opportunities; we will support your personal growth through regular personal development planning and our educational strategy.

Main duties of the job:

• Thorough assessment and management of patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment.
• Pre-chemotherapy consultations providing information and ensuring informed consent.
• Safe and competent practice particularly around high-risk drugs such as vesicants and high reaction drugs (including management).
• Take on the role of nurse in charge which includes reviewing bloods for the next 2 days, facilitating breaks, reviewing staffing, dealing with difficult situations such as complaints.
• Support the unit manager with the day-to-day running and organisation of the unit.
• Understand key professionals within the chemotherapy MDT and appropriately liaise with them to ensure the smooth running of the unit (pharmacy, doctors or other units).
• Establish a link nurse role and be proficient in communicating pertinent information and implementing any changes or participating in audits relevant to practice.
• Be a preceptor to a junior member of staff, providing support and guidance whilst they develop in their role.
• Mentor and supervise students during their training and development liaising with practice facilitators and universities where appropriate.

About us:

Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust is a large acute and specialised hospital trust that operates hospital-based services from three sites in Kidderminster, Redditch and Worcester. We are committed to delivering outstanding care and creating a culture where everyone feels respected, valued and supported. We seek individuals who share our purpose of helping people live healthier, more fulfilling lives, and who are motivated by our mission to be the best team we can be. You will be expected to uphold our values by communicating openly, acting with kindness, showing respect for others and taking responsibility for your actions. These values guide how we work together and continually improve the care we provide.

Our values are:

• Being open and honest: we all communicate clearly and honestly, asking for help when we need it, and making it easier for the people around us to share ideas and concerns.
• Ensuring people feel cared for: we all take responsibility for actively supporting and nurturing a kind and compassionate environment for ourselves and others.
• Showing respect for everyone: we all act with consideration and fairness, valuing each other as individuals and appreciating our different perspectives.

Better never stops, and our Clinical Services Strategy provides a clear future vision for our Trust, our hospitals, our services and our role in the wider health and care system.

Job responsibilities:

• Assist in the management of the department on a day-to-day basis and manage the department in the absence of the Chemotherapy unit manager including coordination of patient, allocating staff breaks and being a key link with the consultants and pharmacy team.
• Assess patients for chemotherapy to ensure their physical condition and blood parameters are satisfactory to safely receive treatment according to treatment protocols/regimes and liaise with medical staff as appropriate.
• Administer and dispose of intravenous and chemotherapy safely in accordance with Trust and National Guidelines.
• Provide information regarding treatment and side effects to ensure each patient is prepared for their specific treatment and elicit informed consent.
• Provide one-to-one and telephone advice to patients and their families regarding treatment side effects and management of side effects to ensure each patient receives care which is specific and appropriate to their needs.
• Use good communication skills to enhance and augment patients' understanding and adapt information to their specific needs as they progress through treatment.
• Liaise with other appropriate health care professionals within both hospital and community settings regarding individual patient care to ensure seamless transfer of care between disciplines.
• Recognise and provide the psychological and emotional support needed by individuals and their families whilst undergoing treatment and refer on to other professionals sensitively and appropriately in order to adequately meet patients' needs.
• Assess patients with difficult venous access and make recommendations for alternative access to ensure patients receive treatment safely and with minimum risk.
• Ensure safe administration of chemotherapy regimens according to trust protocols.
• Provide follow-up care/maintenance of central venous lines for patients and advise other health care professionals involved as appropriate, to ensure the patients' line is safely and adequately cared for in accordance with Trust policy.
• Administer other intravenous therapies i.e. Blood, bisphosphonates, to patients according to protocols/regimes to ensure therapies are delivered safely and with minimum risk.
• Monitor and instigate care to address/prevent reactions to and complications of treatment including administration of prophylactic agents.

Person Specification:

Personal Qualities - Essential:

• Articulate
• High professional standards
• Able to remain calm under pressure
• Aware of own strengths and weaknesses
• Flexible and adaptable
• Highly motivated
• Committed to quality improvement

Qualifications - Essential:

• Registered nurse
• Part 1 1st level degree or working towards
• Administration of chemotherapy course or completion of SACT passport

Qualifications - Desirable:

• Post registration qualification in relevant speciality (palliative care/Oncology/Chemotherapy)
• Recognised NMC teaching and assessing qualification
• Advanced communication course training

Skills/Knowledge - Essential:

• Expert clinical skills in speciality
• Excellent verbal and non-verbal communication skills
• Ability to develop effective interpersonal relationships with colleagues across health and social care settings
• Good IT skills
• Able to undertake extended roles
• Evidence of continuing professional development
• Good understanding of research and audit

Skills/Knowledge - Desirable:

• Able to supervise and demonstrate potential to lead
• Knowledge of professional and NHS issues and policies relating to cancer

Experience - Essential:

• Proven post registration experience at band 5
• Proven clinical experience of working in clinical haematology/oncology nursing delivering chemotherapy

Experience - Desirable:

• Evidence of management/leadership skills and autonomous practice
• Evidence of teaching both formal and informal

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. Applicants must have current UK professional registration.