registered nurse Harlow, England
Job description
An exciting developmental opportunity has arisen within our cancer team at The Princess Alexandra Hospital. We are looking for a motivated and dynamic nurse to join the team on the Williams Day Unit. We are looking for someone who wants to increase their oncology experience and really wants to work in this rewarding environment. Applicants should have the motivation to undertake a recognised post registration oncology course in the future and cannulation, phlebotomy, or central lines skills are an advantage, but if not, then you should have enthusiasm to develop these skills. As a pivotal member of the team you will assist the Clinical Nurse Manager in the delivery of a high quality chemotherapy service across the Trust. The Chemotherapy Nurse will be a highly visible presence across the speciality, working to ensure the highest standards of care, setting and maintaining standards of clinical excellence and continuously improving experiences for patients, families and carers. You will be supported by an experienced and committed management team. The post holder will be supported and work closely with the Clinical Nurse Manager for Chemotherapy, Macmillan Head of Nursing for Cancer Services, Consultant Lead for Chemotherapy and the Acute Oncology Service to ensure optimum care is delivered to our patients. We are innovative and forward thinking; we can offer support and development, a committed pro-active nursing management team and opportunities to specialise.
- Administer Oncology and Haematology systemic anti cancer therapies (SACT)
- Access and assess patients central venous access devices (CVAD)
- Administer supportive products to patients including blood products, iron infusions, IVIg's.
- Venesect patients who require with Haematological conditions
- Assess patients fitness for SACT
- Triage patients who call unwell using UKONS guidance
We employ 3,500 staff and serve a local population of around 350,000 people living in west Essex and east Hertfordshire, centred on the M11 corridor and the towns of Harlow, Bishop’s Stortford and Epping. Our extended catchment area incorporates a population of up to 500,000 and includes the areas of Hoddesdon, Cheshunt and Broxbourne in Hertfordshire.
Our Values
The Princess Alexandra Promise to our patients as identified by our 3 values which will contribute to improving our patient experiences:
Patient at heart– Always holding the patient and their wellbeing at the centre of our thoughts and efforts
Everyday excellence– Sharing and celebrating our successes, being honest when we get it wrong, giving us the ability to learn from both
Creative collaboration– Knowing strength comes from diversity, we combine our experiences, skills and talents, working together to find new and better ways to care
The Trust believes in investing in all our staff and rewarding high standards of care whilst building for excellence and in return we expect our staff to uphold the Trust values to the highest level.
- To assist implementing and monitoring acceptable standards of care for patients within the unit in conjunction with the Unit Manager or deputy
- To become expert in cannulation, venepuncture, central venous catheters and highly experienced in venous access assessment and administration of intravenous chemotherapy/supportive therapies for solid tumour, haematology and non-malignancy conditions as required
- To carry out therapeutic venesection providing all care and supervision required by these patients
- To be knowledgeable of the treatment regimens and side effects, adopting a problem solving approach in managing the potential complications of chemotherapy treatment
- To act at all time in accordance with the NMC Code of Conduct ( Ensures working colleagues also act in accordance with the Code of Conduct) and within the principles of the scope of Professional Practice and ensures other members of the team also work within the code
- To ensure all relevant investigations are carried out prior to administration of chemotherapy treatment and to complete all relevant documentation
- To plan, assess and evaluate the problems and needs of individual patients and their families undergoing cytotoxic chemotherapy treatment and supportive therapies
- To work as part of the multidisciplinary team ensuring the delivery of a high standard of care to the patients
- To perform and assist with agreed procedures appropriate to the role and function within the guidelines set down by the Trust
- To carry out practical clinic tasks and the supporting the provision of blood transfusion and other intravenous treatments, providing all care and supervision required by these patients
- To provide specialist clinical knowledge and practice to patients and carers
- To participate in all relevant aspects of the Governance process
- Assist the Clinical Nurse Manager for Chemotherapy in ensuring that staff are kept up to date with relevant issues affecting bother cancer nursing and nursing in general, promoting an evidence based approach
- Maintain own personal development and ensure own educational needs are met
- Promote and support self-awareness of colleagues own professional, educational and developmental needs
- Ensure all mandatory training is up to date
- To be conversant with all Trust and department policies and procedure and ensure that they are adhered to
- To participate in the effective utilisation of resources within the department.
- To maintain a safe environment for patients and staff within the department at all times and take appropriate action to achieve this
- To establish and maintain good communication links with all relevant personnel and departments as necessary in order to facilitate effective patient care
- To assist in the smooth running of the department in ensuring that the chemotherapy treatments are organised and delivered appropriately with liaison of relevant departments, i.e pharmacy
- To educate patients and their carers to understand the diagnosis, treatment options and health care during and following treatment
- To receive and provide patients and their families with sensitive and complex information using developed empathy, reassurance and counselling skills
- To be aware of own limitation and emotional effort needed
- To be competent in the use of the computer systems and developing the skills of others
- Maintain appropriate patient and clinical records in line with the Trusts polices and procedure and in line with the agreed service specification
- Ensure that all patients, clients and colleagues are treated at all times in an equitable manner, respecting diversity and showing an understanding of diversity in the workplace.
