JOB DESCRIPTION Clinical Nurse Specialist – Lung Cancer Oncology Department Position Title: Clinical Nurse Specialist – Lung Cancer Organisation Unit: Oncology Department Location: Whangarei Hospital, Northland District Health Board Responsible to: Clinical Nurse Manager, Oncology Unit. Primary Functions of the Position: The Clinical Nurse Specialist is responsible for providing specialist care and coordination of care to patients with suspected or confirmed Lung Cancers across the Healthcare setting to improve patient care and outcomes. Functional Relationships The Clinical Nurse Specialist will develop and maintain excellent relationships with: Internal External Patients and their families/whanau Oncology Unit Nursing Staff Medical Staff Radiology Clinical Leaders and Directors Senior Management Appropriate Allied Health professionals Maori Liaison Educators Takawaenga Maori Health Liaison Services Transport and Accommodation Services Patients and their families/whanau Northern Cancer Network CNS cancer coordinators in Northern Region Primary Healthcare providers Health and Social support agencies Other DHB’s Consumer advocates & agencies Maori Health providers, Northland wide Cancer Society GP’s Palliative Care Services Hospice Key Responsibilities and Expected Outcomes Northland District Health Board has established a set of values by which the organization will respond, in part, to achieving its goals and objectives through their workforce. The following Values and supporting statements are expected behaviours of each individual employed with NDHB: Values Supporting Statement People First Tangata I te tuatahi Respect Whakaute (tuku mana) Caring Manaaki Communication Whakawhitiwhiti korero Excellence Taumata teitei (hirangi) People are central to all we do We treat others as we would like to be treated We nurture those around us, and treat all with dignity and compassion We communicate safely, openly and with respect to promote clear understanding Our attitude of excellence inspires success, competence, confidence and innovation The position of Clinical Nurse Specialist Lung encompasses the following major functions or key result areas: Patient care management/care coordination using evidence based practice Clinical leadership and a clinical resource Lung Cancer Continuous Quality Improvement Professional Development and clinical competency Treaty of Waitangi Health and Safety The outcome requirements of the above key responsibility areas are outlined below: Key Responsibility Area Expected Outcomes Patient Care management / care coordination using evidence based practice Provide a specialist nursing contribution to the care of patients with lung cancers, working collaboratively with key clinicians and members of the multi-disciplinary team Arrange and coordinate multidisciplinary meetings for Lung Cancers in accordance with MoH document (imbedded at end) Use advanced knowledge and skills to assess patients and to plan, implement and evaluate care delivery Attend clinical consultations as appropriate with the patient to provide support and information. Work with the multi-disciplinary team to ensure all aspects documented in the care pathways occur in a planned and timely manner Co-ordinate the patient’s journey by liaising with the various services involved in care delivery to improve clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction. Work collaboratively with other staff to establish and promote effective models of care that promote continuity of care and optimize the patient’s journey. Act as patient advocate and point of contact for patients and their families/whanau to ensure consistency and timeliness in care delivery. Provide information and support to patients and their carers, from diagnosis through all stages of the disease, in conjunction with other healthcare professionals. Key Responsibility Area Expected Outcomes Respect patients’ confidentiality and privacy with respect to diverse cultural backgrounds and requirements. Discuss all treatment options for lung cancers in depth with sensitivity, knowledge and expertise. Model expert clinical skills within the clinical practice area. As appropriate develop advanced clinical practice skills that will improve care delivery. Provide nursing clinics for specific patients, working collaboratively with an identified key clinician. Accurately document all aspects of care delivery, including assessments undertaken, care planning, interventions and referrals made. Ensure information resources are available for patients and families/whanau Develop resources as required for patients, families, whanau Provide expert clinical resource, advice, information and education Continuous quality improvement Act as a nursing resource providing timely, current, research based information and clinical advice to nursing staff and other health care professionals within the scope of specialty practice Work to ensure that best practice guidelines/policies are developed and research based Liaise with Primary Health providers to enhance clinical care delivery. Participate in the assessment of staff learning needs and prepare, deliver and/or facilitate education sessions. Role model positive and professional behaviour in all relationships. Participate in case review sessions and co-ordinate the multi-disciplinary team meetings. Arrange and coordinate MDM meetings as per guidelines Work with key staff to ensure evidence based standards / protocols are developed and followed in caring for patients with lung cancers Reduce non-value time in the patient pathway Reduce overall time of the patient journey to reach the MoH FCT targets Audit compliance with the FCT cancer pathway, identifying variances and working with the wider team to reduce variances Develop innovative practices to further enhance the service, investigating best practice and benchmarking with other organizations. Use a range of strategies to evaluate the effectiveness of care delivery, including process and outcome measures. Develop and foster an environment of continuous quality improvement by demonstrating commitment to quality improvement, risk management and efficient resource utilization. Lead and / or support quality improvement initiatives Work with the CNM, Oncology, the lead clinicians for Lung cancers and other key staff to proactively plan service improvements for patients. Implement and maintain nurse led clinics to improve the patients pathway Key Responsibility Area Expected Outcomes Participate in relevant research opportunities Ensure patient/whanau feedback is sought and incorporated into quality improvement initiatives Ensure that all concerns, issues, complaints, incidents are dealt with appropriately, in collaboration with the Clinical Nurse Manager. Reviews and develops clinical standards, protocols and policies to facilitate auditing of national health targets and FCT Professional Development and clinical competence Undertake ongoing education related to lung cancers Maintain current knowledge of clinically relevant trends and practice Establish networks within the CNS cancer coordinators in the Northern region and other DHB’s within New Zealand. Participate in relevant senior nursing forums Participate in forums/conferences related to the specialty area and feedback learnings to relevant staff Treaty of Waitangi Contribute to the promotion of the principles of Treaty of Waitangi and the involvement if Maori within the decision making process for their health and independence, within District Health Board management processes and procedures Include the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi within all aspects of the role and its outcomes Ensure that consultation and engagement processes include appropriate mechanisms to meet the need of Maori in a culturally appropriate and safe manner Attend the Northland District Health Board Maori Health Cultural Quality Programme Health & Safety Ensure compliance with designated responsibilities detailed in Northland District Health Board’s Health and Safety Policy Promote an environment of physical, occupational, cultural, ethical and legal safety Observe safe work practices, rules and instructions relating to work, and be pro-active in hazard management Willingly co-operate in the achievement of all health and safety goals and initiatives by: Practicing and observing safe work methods; The use of safety equipment; Reporting unsafe conditions or equipment; and Reporting and documenting all accidents or incidents Maintain mandatory practice updates Variation of Duties Duties and responsibilities described above should not be construed as a complete and exhaustive list as it is not the intention to limit in any way the scope or functions of the position. Duties and responsibilities can be amended from time to time either by additional, deletion or straight amendment by the Clinical Nurse Manager to meet any changing conditions, however this will only be done in consultation with the employee. Person Specification Education and Qualifications Essential New Zealand Registered Nurse with current annual practicing certificate Undertaking post-graduate education Experience Essential Minimum of five years post registration experience in relevant clinical area Knowledge of upper GI cancers Awareness and Understanding of Essential The Treaty of Waitangi and its application to the health setting Privacy Act (1993) and Health Information Privacy Code (1994) Health and Safety in Employment Act (1992) Desirable PDRP (or equivalent) at expert level Post Graduate study in or similar Completed post-graduate diploma / Masters Desirable Experience in surgical setting Experience in an oncology setting Desirable Health and Disability Commissioner (Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers’ Rights) Regulations (1996) Skills & Personal Attributes Skills Positive, flexible collaborative approach Ability to develop productive and positive working relationships Ability to lead and facilitate change Work effectively within a multidisciplinary team Excellent assessment skills and the ability to reflect assessment in the planning of care Demonstrates ability to make independent judgments Excellent communication/liaison skills, written and oral Demonstrates accountability of actions Proven ability to link theory with practice Computer literacy Good time management and organizational skills Communicates expectations & agreed goals, provides ongoing feedback & objectively evaluates performance Applies sound reasoning in problem solving / decision making Personal Attributes A strong patient/client focus Role models professionalism Commitment to ongoing quality improvement and patient safety Participates in personal reflection Excellent communication skills and team player Ability to work with deadlines and prioritise Communicates effectively, listening and encouraging the viewpoints of others Ability to adapt and work effectively within a variety of situations, and with various individuals and groups. Confident and competent with decision making Good sense of humour Performance Development Review An initial review of performance will be conducted after three months, with an annual review thereafter. An individual Development Plan will be developed to reflect the contribution this position is expected to make towards achieving the team’s objectives and measures. Key result areas will be developed and agreed at this time. Authorised by: Signature: Date: Acceptance Acceptance of the position implies acceptance of this position description. Position Title: Signature of employee: Date: