Acute Oncology Team Leader

The Christie NHS Foundation Trust; Manchester; On-site; GBP 33,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

The Christie NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a dedicated nursing leader responsible for patient flow and operational management. The successful candidate will work collaboratively across clinical settings to ensure optimal patient care, compliance with health standards, and support for nursing staff development. This role combines clinical assessment, team leadership, and communication to enhance patient experiences and operational efficiency.

Qualifications

• RGN Level 1 and nursing qualifications are essential.
• Post Registration Certificate in Cancer or equivalent experience required.
• Experience in oncology or emergency care is essential.

Responsibilities

• Provide management support for the Patient Flow Team and Hotline Team.
• Assess, plan and implement clinical care and maintain associated patient records.
• Participate and lead daily meetings for optimizing patient flow.

Skills

Excellent communication skills

Excellent assessment skills

Computer Literacy

Ability to deliver a high quality of care

Good medicines management skills

Education

RGN Level 1

Degree or Diploma in Nursing Studies

Post Registration Certificate in Cancer

Job description

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

MANAGEMENT AND OPERATIONAL
• A motivated and dynamic leader, striving for improvement in care and practice, and acting as positive role model to all staff.
• Demonstrate christie behaviours and values - maintains a high visibility within the clinical areas, providing support and advice to all staff.
• Provide management support for the Patient Flow Team and Hotline Team
• Liaise closely with all ward managers/nursing teams and matrons across all inpatient and out patient settings to ensure accurate up to date knowledge of patient placements is achieved.
• Work closely with the infection prevention and control team to reduce patient risk of infection and ensure appropriate use of isolation and early identification of potential infection risks. Also liaise closely with domestic supervisors to organise deep clean team daily time table in line with trust needs.
• Liaise closely with critical care team to understand needs and prioritise care of acutely unwell patients across the trust.

- Provide 24/7 telephone helpline service to enable patients to access expert advice and management with the side effects of their disease or treatments

• Utilise the UKONS 24 hour triage tool to safely manage patients

• Be the first point of call for acute oncology management service escalation policy to ensure safe waiting times for calls to the hotline.
• Work closely with the discharge team and community services to facilitate effective fast track and rapid discharge in line with palliative care Trust and National goals and initiatives.
• Liaise with consultant colleagues from all clinical specialities, to advise and escalate where necessary, of the site bed position to allow a strategy for overcoming shortfalls in capacity and demand.
• Foster and demonstrate creativity, energy and inspiration into ward teams toward efficient patient flows and pathways.
• Assess, plan and implement clinical care and maintain associated patient records.
• Be aware of Health and Safety issues and ensure relevant risk assessments are undertaken.
• Report and record all accidents and complaints according to the agreed policy, investigating speedily and compassionately
• Ensure all trust policies and procedures are adhered to and new ones implemented as necessary
• Ensure each designated staff member participates in a personal development plan and act to maximise the potential of others
• Assist in nursing recruitment process when required
• Take a progressive approach to the management of short and long-term sickness/absence in collaboration with the Department manager/Senior Nursing team

• Continuously review the service and implement change to the service to support ongoing improvements in bed management reflecting capacity and demand issues as well as all aspects of patient flow to ensure best possible patient experience from begging to end of their patient journey.

• Participate and lead, where appropriate, the daily meetings, gathering appropriate concise information.
• Ensure the patient flow team communicate the bed status clearly and to Trust manages both verbally and in report form
• Ensure effective communication between patients, their families and the healthcare team in order to maintain continuity in care and that appropriate and consistent information is conveyed to patients and their families.
• Ensure the Hotline team communicate effectively and timely with Acute Oncology Management teams at local hospitals
• Maintain links with specialist nurses, GPs and nursing teams in the community to ensure continuity of care
• Be innovative in approach to move the service forward in line with Trust and National frameworks including inpatient and primary care initiatives to improve inpatient capacity challenges.
• Liaise with consultant colleagues from all clinical specialities, to advise and escalate where necessary
• Liaise with other hospitals and trusts to understand pressures and appropriately support patients on and off site through effective clinical judgement, assessment and communication to appropriately repatriate and transfer patients.

• Work as a professional role model, providing leadership at all times and work as the patient advocate when necessary
• Initiate the escalation plan when the hospital is at or nearing capacity.

• Be fully aware of the patient flow responsibilities within the major incident plan and its specific role within the Trust wide plan.
• To co-ordinate and where necessary take responsibility for care of patients in the transfer lounge
• Communicate with patients and/or cares regarding their care management dealing with highly sensitive information requiring empathy and reassurance
• Be aware of possible barriers to understanding and use exceptional communication skills and specialist knowledge to overcome this
• Clinically assess patient provided information and provide appropriate safe advice on a range of clinical issues
• Recognise and escalate appropriately patients who are critically ill
• Make clinical judgements from caller information, evaluating multiple options and courses of action to find the most appropriate route for the patient
• Work collaboratively with community services and the patient flow team to overcome capacity issues with patient safety at the forefront of decision making
• Liaise within clinicians and arrange prescriptions and treatment plans for patients in the community to avoid urgent admission or onsite assessment

TRAINING & EDUCATION
• Complete appropriate clinical skills and mandatory training as directed by management
• Supervise clinical staff and disseminate knowledge and current developments. Ensure all staff have an appropriate level of training and are offered relevant support
• Present at training days and conference
• Supervise and appraise nominated staff by establishing performance objectives and facilitating individual development opportunities through personal development plans.
• Participate and undertake research and audit which will influence practice
• To be up to date in all IV training programs including annual updates and competent in all areas of clinical practice including medicines management, moving and handling, assessment of critically ill patient and competent in performing ECG's
• Attend all mandatory study days
• Maintain awareness and competency within the role against national and regional initiatives and subsequently implement these initiatives into practice.
• Take responsibility for training and education of the team and ensure equal opportunities for develop
• Maintain professional accountability

PROFESSIONAL LEADERSHIP
• Maintain a high-profile visible presence within wards and department areas whilst ensuring the highest standards are maintained
• Work as a professional role model and patient advocate which reflects the Trusts values and behaviours
• Contribute to local resolution of any informal or formal complaints and carry out any follow-up action as required
• Provide leadership to promote the patient flow and operational agenda
• Participate in professional forums where appropriate

Communication and Relationship skills
• Act as a resource giving advice and support to nursing staff regarding emergency admissions and associated issues
• Provide and receive highly sensitive confidential information concerning patients requiring empathy, persuasion and reassurance.
• Deals with complex facts or situations requiring analysis, interpretation and comparison of a range of options
• Liaise closely with the medical team and other members of the MDT in respect of patient care promoting the highest standard of care
• To develop and maintain a professional interest in all aspects of nursing and associated research
• To highlight areas of improvement/development within the department and undertake relevant projects
• Foster and demonstrate creativity, energy and inspiration into ward teams toward efficient patient flows and pathways.

Planning and organisational skills
• Plan and organise complex activities or programmes requiring formulation, adjustment and involving multiagency
• Provide highly specialised advice on trust status
• Responsibility for financial and physical resources . hold delegated budget authority for patient flow
• Responsibility for human resources. Day to day management of staffing levels for your team and when necessary, the division
• Deal with and support the team through highly distressing or emotional circumstances e.g giving unwelcome news or challenging decision making

PERSONAL
• Show professional and courteous manner whilst practicing excellent communication skills at all levels
• Undertake relevant projects
• Represent the team at trust wide forums
• Keep abreast of issues influencing the Trust both internally and externally
• Participate in policy writing for the department and trust
• Be fully aware of the divisional objectives and the Trusts corporate plan
• To show respect for members of the team and endorse the departments philosophy of giving mutual support.
• Being aware of one's own limitations, maintain confidentiality and adherence to NMC Professional Code of Conduct
• Cooperate in own performance review by indicating learning goals and support needs.
• Maintain confidentiality with regard to patient information both at work and outside working hours
• Report and record all accidents and complaints according to the agreed policy

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria

• RGN Level 1
• Degree or Diploma in Nursing Studies
• Post Registration Certificate in Cancer or equivalent experience

Desirable criteria

• Teaching and Assessing certificate or equivalent
• Management Course Non-medical prescribing

Experience

Essential criteria

• Oncology or emergency care experience

Desirable criteria

• Managerial Experience
• Patient Flow Experience
• Triage Experience
• Performance Management Experience

Skills

Essential criteria

• Excellent communication skills
• Excellent assessment skills
• Computer Literacy
• Ability to deliver a high quality of care
• Good medicines management skills

Desirable criteria

• Leadership skills
• Venepuncture and cannulation skills
• Excellent IV skills

Knowledge

Essential criteria

• Understanding of need for evidence based practice
• Committed to own personal development and that of colleagues

Desirable criteria

• SACT knowledge
• Understanding of UKONs triage tool

Values

Essential criteria

• Ability to demonstrate the organisational values and behaviours.

Personal Attributes

Essential criteria

• Ability to work well in a team.
• Ability to work on own initiative
• Ability to organise and prioritise own workload.

The closing date for this post may be extended if there are insufficient applicants or brought forward if there is a high volume of applicants.

We want to ensure that everyone who works at the Christie or uses our services is welcomed, valued and treated with dignity and respect. The Christie values diversity and is committed to ensuring equal opportunities for all and fair representation across the organisation at all levels. In support of these commitments, we particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and other ethnic minority people and people with disabilities for this post. Appointment will be only on merit.

We are committed to creating a balanced and diverse workforce. As such we welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. Together we will foster inclusion and tackle inequity and health inequalities in cancer care.

As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy

All positions within the Christie are subject to the receipt of satisfactory written references, medical clearance and evidence of your Right to Work in the UK. Some roles will require a Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check. Please note if you are successfully appointed to a post with this Trust, you will be required to pay for your own DBS Disclosure.

By applying for this post you are agreeing to The Christie NHS Foundation Trust transferring the information contained in this application to its preferred applicant management system. If you are offered a job information will also be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system. Please note, all communication regarding your application will be made via email, please ensure you check your junk/spam folders as emails are sometimes filtered there.

If you have not heard from us within four weeks of the closing date, I regret that on this occasion your application will have been unsuccessful.

The Inter-Authority Transfer (IAT) process is a critical and beneficial component of ESR and will form part of the recruitment process. In the event that you are successful following interview your previous NHS employment data, if applicable will be transferred from your current / most recent employer.

Overseas candidates wishing to apply for this position and who would require immigration sponsorship, may wish to self-assess the likelihood of obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship for the post on the UKVI website.

You should be aware the Trust operates a No Smoking Policy and therefore employees are not permitted to smoke at work.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Documents to download

• Job Description And Person Specification (PDF, 235.6KB)
• The Christie Values and Behaviours (PDF, 919.5KB)
• Strategy Brochure (PDF, 1.0MB)
• Travel to The Christie (PDF, 3.8MB)