SACT Nurse - Churchill and Horton Hospital inHeadington inHeadington PUBLISHED MON 21 OCT 2024

Our fabulous Oncology and Haematology Day Treatment Unit (DTU) team, are looking for a kind, committed and motivated individual who is looking to develop their managerial skills, to join our team, where a wide range of Systemic Anti-Cancer Therapies (SACT) are administered. The role of a SACT nurse is to provide care for cancer patients receiving chemotherapy or one of the new treatments (e.g. immunotherapies) and is a challenging and rewarding field of nursing.

We in the Oxford Cancer & Haematology Day Treatment Unit (DTU) at the Churchill Hospital and the Brodey Centre in Banbury are looking to recruit nurses who are kind, committed, motivated and forward thinking to complement our team to deliver the best care for patients receiving these treatments.

Opportunities are available on both the Churchill and Horton sites. There are also opportunities available on the inpatient wards. Please apply using this link and indicate your preference within your application. Informal visits are encouraged prior to application.

Applicants should be calm in a busy environment, be an excellent team player, have a tactful, sensitive manner, and prioritises patient safety. You will be passionate about delivering excellent care and with a flexible approach and a willingness to contribute to improvements in the service. Completion of a recognised SACT course and experience in administering SACT is essential, along with venepuncture/cannulation experience.

Successful candidates can look forward to working in a professional environment with a team that is passionate about delivering outstanding care to patients and their families. There are many opportunities for personal and professional development including PG Cert or MSc level courses for candidates who shine and want to progress their career within the NHS.

For more information please contact Caley Hockaday, lead SACT nurse:

About us

OVERALL OBJECTIVES

• To assist the Nurse Manager in providing clinical and managerial leadership to all staff and with the delivery of the Systemic Anti-Cancer Therapy (SACT) service, ensuring systems and processes are updated as required.
• To be professionally and clinically responsible to patients within the unit, providing and maintaining a high standard of care and maintaining a communication link between patient and organisation.
• Contribute to the development of clinical practice, with regards to Departmental, Trust and National recommendations, communicating this to junior colleagues in a positive manner in order to maintain a consistent, motivated day treatment focus and act as a resource to the Trust.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Leadership & Management

• Experienced in the role of unit coordinator and with strategies for dealing with issues as they arise, with advice and support from senior staff.
• Manage the unit in the absence of the nurse manager as required.
• Provide leadership and supervision, managerial direction, and support to junior colleagues within the day unit team in the delivery of service, proactively anticipating and planning for trends whilst maintaining the cohesive team structure and effective use of resources.
• Promote effective communication between all members of the health care team to support a cohesive working environment for patients and staff.
• Demonstrate the ability to utilise different leadership and managerial styles in practice.
• To be competent in managing challenging situations that may arise, (i.e. managing conflict).
• Support the Nurse Manager in the recruitment, orientation and training and absence management of all help and maintenance of: E-roster, MyLearning, Good Shape Central.
• When required, assist the other SACT day unit, in absence of their Nurse Manager / at times of staff shortage.
• Ensure appropriate and cost-effective resource management including staffing, equipment supplies and disposables.
• Demonstrate an understanding of teams, their dynamics and how to motivate team members to participate and complete tasks
• Lead and motivate the team, being an active player providing direction, leadership, feedback and appraisal with consideration and support.
• Undertake the appraisal and negotiation of ongoing development plans for members of their own team, in conjunction with the Nurse Manager, with reference to the unit and departmental objectives based upon agreed Trust competencies.
• Support junior staff to develop mentoring and appraisal skills.
• Lead in a specific area of day unit practice as agreed, making recommendations, co-ordinating projects and developing practice guidelines and policies based upon robust evidence gained from risk assessment, audit and literature review.
• Prioritise own work and that of others to ensure both the patient and unit is managed safely and effectively.

Clinical

• Has completed relevant training for the Safe Handling & Administration of SACT.
• Demonstrate technical skills ensuring adherence to trust and local policies (e.g. cannulation, SACT administration, central venous catheter management, and phlebotomy).
• Demonstrate expert knowledge and skills in the management of the changing healthcare needs of the patients, responding to changes promptly and appropriately and developing specialised plans of care or follow relevant protocols in collaboration with senior nurses and with pharmacy and medical colleagues where required.
• Maintain accurate and comprehensive documentation, through use of various software packages in current use (eg EPR, Aria).
• Act as a clinical role model, demonstrating expert knowledge and skills in the care of patients receiving SACT, responding to changes promptly and appropriately, developing specialised plans of care / follow relevant protocols in collaboration with other senior nurses and the multi-professional team, patients and significant others.
• Assist Nurse Manager with investigations and completion of ulysess.
• Promote partnership with patients and promote their right to informed choice and support their ability to self-care.
• Maintain personal contact with patients, relatives, and carers, being sensitive to their needs for courtesy, dignity and privacy and always ensuring a friendly environment.
• Promote effective communication with all members of the multi-disciplinary team, using their contributions effectively in the delivery of care and the service.
• Provide clinical direction and support to junior colleagues within the day unit team in the delivery of patient care.
• Understand and comply with the storing, checking, and administering of drugs in accordance with unit drug programme, Trust policy and NMC standards and train and support others with this procedure.
• Exercise accountability, by practicing within own limitations and level of competence and identifying developmental needs and proactively addressing these requirements with the support of a mentor.