Staff Nurse Kidderminster

An exciting opportunity is awaiting you if you are a highly motivated, enthusiastic nurse with excellent communication skills. We want you to join our team in our chemotherapy unit. You will have the opportunity to be part of this service. Millbrook Suite consists of outpatient consulting suites together with a day care unit. The 12-chaired day unit cares for patients with a range of cancers who are receiving systemic anti-cancer therapies. We are looking for someone who wants to increase their Oncology/Haematology experience and work within this rewarding environment.

If you have cannulation, phlebotomy, or central lines skills it will be an advantage, but if not, then you should have enthusiasm and dexterity to develop these skills. The ability to communicate effectively with all members of the multidisciplinary team is essential. Oncology / Haematology experience is desirable but not essential. You will be supported in this post by the Unit Manager and team. As part of the countywide service delivering anti-cancer treatments, you may be required to travel between sites on occasions.

In return, we will offer you excellent learning and developmental opportunities; we will support your personal growth through regular personal development planning and our educational strategy.

Main duties of the job

• Assess patients for SACT (systemic anti-cancer therapies) to ensure their physical condition and blood parameters are satisfactory to safely receive treatment according to treatment protocols/regimes.
• Administer SACT safely in accordance with Trust guidelines.
• Provide information regarding treatment and side effects to ensure each patient is prepared for their specific treatment and informed consent is gained.
• 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 whilst undergoing treatment and refer on to other professionals sensitively.
• Assess patients with difficult venous access and make recommendations, with senior nurse support for alternative access to ensure patients receive treatment safely and with minimum risk.
• Provide follow-up care/maintenance of central venous lines for patients and advise other health care professionals involved as appropriate.
• Administer other intravenous therapies i.e., Blood products, bisphosphonates, to patients according to protocols/regimes.

About us

Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust is a large acute and specialised hospital trust that provides a range of local acute services to the residents of Worcestershire and more specialised services to a larger population in Herefordshire and beyond. The Trust operates hospital-based services from three sites in Kidderminster, Redditch and Worcester. Our workforce is more than 7,000 strong, and our caring staff are recognised as providing good and outstanding patient-centred care. We are committed to recruiting the best people to work with us. Our values, which we ask all staff to demonstrate, underpin our everyday work and remain firmly at the heart of all we do:

• Being open and honest
• Ensuring people feel cared for
• Showing respect to everyone

We are committed to developing a culture of continuous improvement by embedding the principles of our Improvement System. We are proud to have achieved Timewise accreditation - this means we are committed to embedding flexible working within our organisation as a flex positive employer.

DBS Checks and Costs

Any applicants who are offered posts requiring a DBS check as part of their employment check will have the cost of this check (at the current rate) deducted from their salary.

Job responsibilities

Job Purpose: To manage and provide care for patients undergoing systemic anti-cancer therapies and supportive treatments.

Key Duties:

• Assess patients for SACT to ensure their physical condition and blood parameters are satisfactory to safely receive treatment according to treatment protocols/regimes and elevate any concerns to the co-ordinator.
• 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.
• 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.
• Recognise and provide the psychological and emotional support needed by individuals and their families whilst undergoing treatment.
• Assess patients with difficult venous access and make recommendations, with senior nurse support for alternative access.
• Ensure safe administration of chemotherapy/SACT regimens according to trust protocols.
• Provide follow-up care/maintenance of central venous lines for patients.
• Administer other intravenous therapies i.e. Blood, bisphosphonates, to patients according to protocols/regimes.
• Monitor and instigate care with senior nurse support to address/prevent reactions to and complications of treatment.
• Discuss with senior nursing and medical teams developments and changes which affect patients.

Operational Responsibilities

• Establish and maintain effective communication and foster good working relationships with all multidisciplinary teams.
• Make use of electronic internal/external mail and Internet systems as appropriate.
• Escalate any concerns or complaints or incidents that affect users of the unit.
• Report all serious incidents to the appropriate Manager/Director within 24 hours.

Knowledge Skills & Experience

• Be knowledgeable about the specific care requirements of patients within the unit.
• Be knowledgeable about current infection control procedures and policies.
• Ensure that patient care is evidence-based.
• Assess and escalate potential problems or issues to ensure a safe, effective environment for staff, patients, and visitors.

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
• Good time management

Experience Desirable:

• Post-registration experience at Band 5
• Experience with oncology or haematology

Knowledge & Skills Essential:

• Excellent verbal and non-verbal communication skills
• Ability to develop effective interpersonal relationships with colleagues across health and social care settings
• Good IT skills

Qualifications Essential:

• Registered Nurse on part 1 of the professional register

Desirable:

• Teaching and Assessing Qualification
• 1st level degree or working towards or equivalent
• Competent in venepuncture and cannulation
• Competent in IV therapy
• Competent in performing ECG

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.