Job Description

This post presents an excellent opportunity to join the established and expanding Haematology Research team and the NIHR Clinical Research Facility (CRF) at the Christie NHS Foundation Trust, with a varied portfolio of early and late phase clinical trials as a Supernumerary Trainee Advanced Clinical Practitioner (ACP). This is a join post between the Haematology Research Department and the NIHR CRF unit.



You must have proven experience in your clinical specialty and research and be able to demonstrate the motivation required to take on an ACP role. The successful candidate will be paid at a Band 7 upon completion of the MSC in Advanced Practice the successful candidate will progress to a Band 8A Advanced Clinical Practitioner. The post holder will practice under supervision as a trainee Advanced Clinical Practitioner (tACP) within the R+I division to provide high quality patient centred care.



This will encompass utilising advanced assessment, diagnostic and treatment skills within an agreed scope of practice. The post holder will assist in the safe referral, CRF patient review, admission or discharge of patients, attending Haematology research clinics and in patient stays.



The successful applicant will facilitate the development of clinical practice through research and education of the multi-disciplinary team.



Demonstrate a critical understanding of the broadened level of responsibility and autonomy of the ACP role as well as recognising and practicing within individual limits.



Be an expert practitioner and clinical role model in the field of research in oncology and haematology, with specific expertise in haematological clinical research and the delivery of protocol defined treatments, patient management and monitoring.



Use advanced clinical skills in the assessment and management of patients in collaboration with relevant clinical research teams. This includes obtaining informed consent, history taking, clinical trial screening, systematic physical examination, requisition and interpretation of appropriate clinical investigations and formulation of clinical management plans.



Perform delegated clinical trial duties as above, including protocol specific tasks as part of a clinical trial, where delegated by the Principal Investigator and approved by the Sponsor.



Prescribe licenced and non-licenced drugs within the capacity of non-medical prescribing, adhering to Trust policy and existing frameworks. Prescribe appropriate blood products as per Trust policy. Engage in self-directed learning, critically reflecting to maximise clinical skills and knowledge.



Participate in the on-going advanced clinical practice training and education programme both within the organisation and beyond e.g., national/ international conferences.



The Christie is one of Europe's leading cancer centres, treating over 60,000 patients a year. We are based in Manchester and serve a population of 3.2 million across Greater Manchester & Cheshire, but as a national specialist around 15% patients are referred to us from other parts of the country.



We provide radiotherapy through one of the largest radiotherapy departments in the world; chemotherapy on site and through 14 other hospitals; highly specialist surgery for complex and rare cancer; and a wide range of support and diagnostic services. We are also an international leader in research, with world first breakthroughs for over 100 years.



We run one of the largest early clinical trial units in Europe with over 300 trials every year. Cancer research in Manchester, most of which is undertaken on the Christie site, has been officially ranked the best in the UK.



Advanced Clinical Practice



1.0 Plan and manage own workload in accordance with service requirements, in a flexible manner, ensuring that service provision meets the needs of patients.



1.1 Demonstrate a critical understanding of the broadened level of responsibility and autonomy of the ACP role as well as recognising and practicing within individual limits.



1.2 Be an expert practitioner and clinical role model in the field of oncology, with specific expertise in clinical research and the delivery of protocol defined treatments, patient management and monitoring.



1.3 Be an advocate and role model for developing and delivering care that is responsive to changing requirements, informed by an understanding of local population health needs, agencies and networks.



1.4 Use advanced clinical skills in the assessment and management of patients in collaboration with relevant clinical research teams. This includes obtaining informed consent, history taking, clinical trial screening, systematic physical examination, requisition and interpretation of appropriate clinical investigations and formulation of clinical management plans.



1.5 Perform delegated clinical trial duties as above, including protocol specific tasks as part of a clinical trial where delegated by the Principle Investigator and approved by the Sponsor.



1.6 Use expertise and decision-making skills to inform clinical reasoning for differentiated and undifferentiated presentations. Synthesise information from multiple sources to make appropriate, evidence based judgements and/or diagnosis.



1.7 Prescribe licenced and non-licenced drugs within the capacity of non-medical prescribing, adhering to Trust policy and existing frameworks. Prescribe appropriate blood products as per Trust policy.



1.8 Have advanced resuscitation skills and support the inter-professional team during and after an emergency event and support emergency scenario training.



1.9 Liaise with the wider inter-professional teams (i.e. palliative care, critical care, junior Dr's on call and out of hours team) regarding the management of patients under their care



1.10 Accept referrals from other health care professionals and refer patients directly to other specialties within the appropriate primary, secondary and tertiary care settings.



1.11 Communicate highly complex and sensitive information to patients and their significant others, this may include diagnosis, results of scans or other investigations, management options and prognosis.



1.12 Demonstrate effective communication skills, supporting patients and relatives in decision making, planning care or seeking to make positive health related lifestyle changes.



1.13 Work collaboratively with an appropriate range of multi-agency and multi-professional resources, developing, maintaining and evaluating links to manage risk and issues across organisations and settings.



1.14 Prepare accurate and concise records and reports, both verbal and written. Communicate with the patient's referring specialist, GP and other community and hospice based services at regular intervals as appropriate.



1.15 Contribute to clinical and research governance processes, including adverse incident reporting and the investigation and the management of complaints as appropriate.



1.16 Act on professional judgement about when to seek help, demonstrating critical reflection on own practice, self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and openness to change.



LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT



2.1 Contribute as appropriate to the development of strategies within the Research and Innovation Division and wider Trust's Experimental Medicine and Research Programme.



2.2 Be a visible role model for advanced clinical practice in research demonstrating a person-centred approach to service delivery and development within the Trust and externally at a National & International level.



2.3 Promote the role of advanced clinical practitioner in clinical research both locally, nationally and internationally.



2.4 Pro-actively initiate and develop effective relationships to empower and inspire staff members, to promote productive working and enhance patient care.



2.5 Provide professional, clinical and academic leadership and supervision to clinical research nurses and other professionals as appropriate within the scope of the role



2.6 Lead on clinical audit, including service evaluation and clinical service re-design including evaluation of own practice, demonstrating the impact of advanced practice on service function and effectiveness, (e.g. outcomes of care, experience and safety)



2.7 Critically apply advanced clinical expertise to provide consultancy across professional and service boundaries, such as the development of clinical protocols, standards and guidelines to enhance quality and promote sharing and adoption of best practice.



2.8 Demonstrate excellent leadership skills by identifying, leading and implementing change required for service improvement, risk management, governance and quality.



2.9 Contribute to local, regional and national clinical networks including specialty groups and key stakeholders.



2.10 Continually develop practice in response to changing population health and research needs; engaging in horizon scanning for future developments (e.g. Impact of genomics, new treatments, and changing social challenges).



2.11 Actively seek feedback and involvement from patients, families and carers by engaging with patient participation and involvement (PPI) groups in all aspects of patient care and research service delivery i.e. Focus groups



2.12 Demonstrate resilience and determination in managing situations which are complex or unpredictable.



2.13 Demonstrate receptiveness to challenge and preparedness to constructively challenge others, escalating concerns that affect individuals', families', carers', communities' and colleagues' safety and well-being when necessary.



EDUCATION



3.0 Critically assess and identify own learning and development needs in line with service requirements. Negotiate an annual personal development plan that reflects the breadth of ongoing professional development across the four pillars of advanced clinical practice, and undertake professional development accordingly.



3.1 Engage in self-directed learning, critically reflecting to maximise clinical skills and knowledge. Participate in the on-going advanced clinical practice training and education programme both within the organisation and beyond e.g. national/ international conferences



3.2 Promote and contribute to a culture of organisational learning to inspire future and existing staff.



3.3 Actively engage in peer review to inform own and others practice, formulating and implementing strategies to act on learning and make improvements



3.4 Undergo regular clinical supervision with colleagues from within the organisation e.g. a named mentor from the medical team, as well as seek mentorship externally and coaching where applicable.



3.5 Identify further developmental needs for individuals and the wider team and supporting them to address these.



3.6 Act as an educator, supervisor, coach and mentor, seeking to instil and develop the confidence and skill of others



3.7 Support, supervise and assess clinical competencies of nursing staff and other members of the multidisciplinary/research teams as appropriate



RESEARCH



4.0 Act as a principle or sub-investigator on a variety of clinical and academic research studies and proactively encourage and promote involvement by nurses in contributing to research projects.



4.1 Engage in research activity, adhering to good research practice guidance, so that evidence based strategies are developed and applied to enhance quality, safety, productivity and value for money.



4.2 Contribute to the delivery of the Trust strategic vision for academic nursing and AHP roles.



4.3 Disseminate best practice/research findings and quality improvement projects through appropriate media. For example via local team and/or national/international peer reviewed publications.



4.4 Evaluate and audit own and others clinical practice, selecting and applying valid, reliable methods, then acting on findings.



4.5 Critically appraise and synthesise the outcome of relevant research, evaluation and audit, using the results to underpin own practice, and to inform that of others.



4.6 Use a critical approach to identify gaps in the evidence base and its applications to practice, alerting appropriate individuals and organisations to these and how they might be addresses in a safe and pragmatic way.



4.7 Actively identify potential need for further research to strengthen evidence for best practice. This may involve acting as an educator, leader, innovator and contributor to research activity and/or applying for research funding.



4.8 Facilitate collaborative links between clinical practice and research through proactive engagement, networking and close working relationships with academics, clinical and other researchers



4.9 To be recognised and act as an expert in the field of clinical research providing consultancy and expert advice to other professionals particularly those working in the field of advanced clinical practice within clinical research.



4.10 Promote the role of advanced clinical practitioner in clinical research at an organisational, local, national and international level. Utilising appropriate means of communication and networking including but not limited to peer reviewed publications



A full outline of the role is provided within the job description and person specification.