Guys and St Thomas is among the UKs busiest and most successful NHS foundation trusts. We provide a full range of hospital and community services for people in south London and as well as specialist care for patients from further afield including cancer, renal, orthopaedic, respiratory and cardiovascular services.
Guys is home to the largest dental school in Europe and a £160 million Cancer Centre opened in 2016. As part of our commitment to provide care closer to home, in 2017 we also opened a cancer centre and a kidney treatment centre at Queen Marys Hospital in Sidcup. St Thomas has one of the largest critical care units in the UK and one of the busiest emergency departments in London. It is also home to Evelina London Childrens Hospital.
Evelina London cares for local children in Lambeth and Southwark and provides specialist services across south east England including cardiac, renal and critical care services. We lead a number of specialist service networks aiming to ensure children are treated locally where possible, but have access to specialist expertise when they need it. Our community services include health visiting, school nursing and support for families of children with long-term conditions.
Our adult community services teams deliver care at the heart of the local communities we serve, working in partnership with GPs, local authorities and other healthcare and voluntary sector organisations. Working with our partners in Lambeth and Southwark, we are focusing on new ways of working to improve care for local patients.
In February 2021 the Royal Brompton and Harefield joined Guys and St Thomas NHS Foundation Trust, bringing together world-leading expertise in the care and research of heart and lung disease. Our merger provides a once in a generation opportunity to build a lasting, world-renowned heart and lung centre, providing the highest quality care for patients and conducting world-leading research.
We have a reputation for clinical excellence and high quality teaching and research. We are part of Kings Health Partners, one of eight accredited UK academic health sciences centres. In partnership with Kings College London we have dedicated clinical research facilities and a National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Biomedical Research Centre.
Patients are at the heart of everything we do and we pride ourselves on ensuring the best possible patient experience as well as safe, high quality care. We are proud to have one of the lowest mortality rates in the NHS. Following a comprehensive Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection in 2019 we maintained our overall rating of good. Our adult community services achieved a rating of outstanding.
The commitment of our 23,500 staff is key to our success. We are one of the largest local employers and we aim to develop and support all our staff so they are able to deliver high quality, safe and efficient care. The 2019 NHS staff survey results show that we have one of the most engaged and motivated workforces in the NHS. We know this has a positive impact on the care provided to our patients.
We have one of the most ambitious capital investment programmes anywhere in the NHS.
Job overview
An exciting opportunity has arisen an experienced, highly motivated, and enthusiastic individual to join our cancer nursing team and to work collaboratively within our Cancer Information service. The role is 0.8 WTE (4 days a week), and will have a team-building focus. We are looking for someone who is proactive and has strategic vision for service transformation and to lead and develop the cancer nursing team.
The role will provide day-to-day leadership taking responsibility for line management of one of the teams band 6 nurses.
You will have the ability to work autonomously acting as an independent clinical resource for patients, carers and health care professionals.
You will have a solid understanding of cancer care and be able to manage patient queries through our drop-in service, by phone and email.
You will have advanced communication skills enabling you to carry out detailed nursing and information assessments and signpost according to need.
You will have a good knowledge of support services available to cancer patients, both within and outside the Trust.
The successful candidate will work within Dimbleby Cancer Care and alongside the wider Guys Cancer team offering personalised care to patients, their family members and carers. There will be opportunity and supported to develop your leadership skills and access to regular clinical supervision.The role is based at Guys Cancer Centre rotating to Guy’s Cancer at Queen Marys Hospital, Sidcup.
Advert closing: 15th August 2022
Interview date: 9th September 2022
Main duties of the job
Provide leadership, management support and facilitate the development of the Cancer Information team alongside the Clinical Lead.
Develop the role according to patients changing needs and research findings, within the resources available.
Work with the Cancer Information team, wider Dimbleby Cancer Care service and key partners within the trust to plan and deliver workshops and group support, and evaluate patient experience.
Work autonomously in the information drop-in centre conducting holistic assessment/triage of patients and significant others to identify their information and support needs.
Provide specialist advice and/or information from appropriate and up to date resources.
Signpost and/or refer to other health care professionals (HCPs)/organisations when necessary.
Liaise with HCPs, medical teams, clinical nurse specialists and other Dimbleby Cancer Care teams when necessary.
Attend and present at health and well-being events and educational programmes run by specific tumour groups to promote Dimbleby Cancer Care services.
Act as a specialist resource on cancer management and support services for HCPs.
Working for our organisation
Guys and St Thomas NHS Foundation Trust comprises five of the UKs best known hospitals Guys, St Thomas, Evelina London Childrens Hospital, Royal Brompton and Harefield as well as community services in Lambeth and Southwark, all with a long history of high quality care, clinical excellence, research and innovation.
We are among the UKs busiest, most successful foundation trusts. We provide specialist care for patients including heart and lung, cancer and renal services as well as a full range of local hospital and community services for people in Lambeth and Southwark.
We have a long tradition of clinical and scientific achievement and as part of Kings Health Partners we are one of Englands eight academic health sciences centres, bringing together world-class clinical services, teaching and research. We have one of the National Institute for Health Researchs biomedical research centres, established with Kings College London in 2007, as well as dedicated clinical research facilities.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Organisational and Information Management
To work autonomously in the information drop-in centre conducting holistic assessment/triage of patients and significant others to identify their information and support needs.
Provide specialist advice and/or information from appropriate and up to date resources.
Signpost and/or refer to other health care professionals (HCPs)/organisations when necessary.
Liaise with HCPs, medical teams, clinical nurse specialists and other Dimbleby Cancer Care teams when necessary.
Keep up to date with advances in oncology and haematology, treatment options and potential side effects.
Keep up to date and develop links with supportive services in the local community to improve access to information and support services for diverse service users.
Ensure all written information used is current and of high quality.
Ensure there is a good level of stock and re-order information as needed.
Compile service/service user reports as required.
Attend Cancer Information team and Dimbleby Cancer Care meetings at Guys and relevant meetings at Guys Cancer at Queen Marys Hospital.
Supervise and support volunteers.
Act as a role model, demonstrating high standards of care and providing clinical leadership in the specialist area.
Education
Work alongside the Guys Cancer Charity team to organise training for volunteers.
Assist with oncology and haematology services induction programme for HCPs.
Attend and present at health and well-being events and educational programmes run by specific tumour groups to promote Dimbleby Cancer Care services.
Act as a specialist resource on cancer management and support services for HCPs.
Assess own educational needs and take steps to keep up to date with clinical and nursing developments in line with requirements of the Nursing & Midwifery Council.
Contribute to the Trusts clinical supervision programme for staff
Ensure that appropriate written induction programmes are available and utilised for all new staff within the department
Research and Development
Promote and undertake nursing research and publish the outcome, updating own knowledge to promote excellence in clinical practice.
Utilise research findings in the delivery of specialist patient care, developing new ways of working and disseminate relevant information to staff.
Participate in and be aware of other clinical research trials for patients
Lead and contribute to audit and research within the specialty in collaboration with colleagues, developing action plans and disseminating information.
Management, Leadership and Service Development
Be a role model and demonstrate expert knowledge and high standards of clinical practice.
Provide leadership, management support and facilitate the development of the Cancer Information team alongside the Clinical Lead
Develop the role according to patients changing needs and research findings, within the resources available.
Work with the Cancer Information team, wider Dimbleby Cancer Care service and key partners within the trust to plan and deliver workshops and group support, and evaluate patient experience
Maintain accurate records and ensure that confidentiality of information is adhered to
Organise own work and manage own caseload and practice, identifying and maintaining supportive networks for self and other staff members.
Implement new initiatives where possible to run a cost effective, timely service
Provide cover for the other members of the Cancer Information team as appropriate.
Develop policies and protocols in support of the specialist service.
Implement and work within the Trusts HR policies on all staffing matters, including sickness, capability and disciplinary issues. Take corrective measures if indicated in liaison with Human Resources.
Adhere to Trust and departmental policies and procedures, ensuring that all staff do the same.
Organise team meetings at an appropriate frequency, recording and circulating minutes of these to ensure a good method of communication within the department at all times and to encourage the exchange and implementation of new ideas and evidence based practice.
Assist the Head of Nursing, Clinical Lead and Delivery Manager with the strategic planning for the service within Guys and St Thomas Foundation Trust, as an expert practitioner. Represent Guys and St Thomas Foundation trust as an expert practitioner in the speciality in external situations e.g. conferences, committees, etc.
Establish, develop and maintain effective working relationships between clinicians, practitioners and managers within the specialty, across the Trust and in the community
Build on networking with stakeholders/external charities.
Facilitate payment of invoices and receipt of donations.
Ensure service user data is collected to help inform service development.
To develop user involvement to obtain feedback and inform service development.
General
Act in accordance with the Nursing & Midwifery Council Code of Professional Conduct and Scope of Professional Practice and be accountable for his/her actions at all times.
Maintain up-to-date records. Ensuring that confidentiality is respected and that the standards for Record Keeping are met.
Ensure maintenance of clinical competence in line with professional revalidation needs.
Please see attached Job Description for full details.
Person specification
Professional/ Statutory Registration
Essential criteria
RN1 on the NMC register. To hold the appropriate level for the area of speciality.
Qualifications/Education
Essential criteria
BSC/1st degree Registered Nurse
Your professional knowledge acquired at degree level will be supplemented by specialist training, experience and short courses to Masters level equivalent.
Post registration qualification in appropriate area of speciality or equivalent post qualification experience.
Desirable criteria
To have or working towards a masters degree
Leadership Course
Mentorship
Previous experience
Essential criteria
Extensive experience of working autonomously at an advanced level within an oncology/haematology/surgical oncology setting delivering effective patient focused care.
Proven evidence of management / leadership skills and autonomous practice
Experience of delivering patient advocacy
Experience of audit, research & evidence based care
Experience of working with significant others, e.g. family, partners, of people with cancer
Desirable criteria
Experience of working in an information and support setting
Knowledge of support services and/or benefits
Experience of working with parents effected by cancer and how to talk with children about cancer
Experience of working with vulnerable and excluded groups
Experience of working with an ethnically rich and diverse patient group
Experience of working with community and primary care professionals in cancer
Skills/ Knowledge/ Ability
Essential criteria
Previous experience of managing and developing staff at band 7 level
Advanced clinical, managerial and leadership skills.
Proven listening / counselling skills with the ability to manage complex situations and appropriately deliver sensitive and difficult outcomes.
Evidence of teaching skills.
Ability to clinically lead and influence staff
Up to date knowledge of current clinical and professional issues
Sound knowledge of current issues in the profession and practice of nursing
Excellent verbal, written, interpersonal & communication skills
Time management and organisation skills
Ability to conduct & evaluate own projects successfully
Knowledge of current clinical & nursing research
Ability to carry out audit and research
IT Skills
Presentation skills
Knowledge of safeguarding concerns and ability to respond to these in an informed and sensitive manner
Desirable criteria
Ability to interpret and analyse complex data and findings
Undertaken clinical & nursing research
Attended Level 2 training and Level 2 supervision
Understanding and managing suicide risk in a compassionate and professional manner
Additional Information
Essential criteria
Able to work with a great degree of flexibility and adaptability
Ability to work at Queen Marys Hospital and Guys and St. Thomas Hospitals
Self-motivated, proactive and a team player
Creative, lateral thinker
Sensitivity based on knowledge
Diplomatic
Flexible and positive approach to work
Good health/attendance record
Guys and St Thomas celebrates, respects and values the diversity of its staff and patients. We review our policies, procedures and practices to ensure that all employees, patients and carers are treated equitable according to their needs. We are actively committed to ensuring that no one who applies for a job, works or studys at the Trust, or accesses our services is discriminated against on the grounds of race, ethnicity, nationality, disability, religion or belief, age, gender identity , gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity/paternity, or marital/civil partnership.
