Clinical Nurse SpecialistNHS

Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced and motivated nurse to join the Clinical Apheresis Unit (CAU) within the Haematology and Transplant Day Unit as Apheresis Lead Nurse. The post will provide clinical leadership for the day-to-day delivery and development of a comprehensive nurse-led apheresis service for patients and donors. The successful candidate will coordinate the apheresis pathway, working closely with the Apheresis Director, Cellular Therapy Programme, transplant and donor coordinators and the wider multidisciplinary team. You will provide expert nursing care for patients undergoing stem cell and lymphocyte collection, support safe and effective service delivery, and contribute to quality improvement, education, competency development and service expansion. Experience in apheresis is essential and with knowledge in haematology/oncology, & transplant, cellular therapy. You will need strong clinical judgement, leadership, organisation and communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively in a highly specialist service.

Main duties of the job

You will lead and coordinate the day-to-day clinical delivery of the apheresis service, ensuring safe, effective and patient-centred care for patients and donors. You will assess and prioritise service requirements, coordinate patient and donor scheduling, and work collaboratively with transplant, donor and cellular therapy teams to manage the complete apheresis pathway. You will provide expert assessment and management of patients during apheresis, including recognition and escalation of clinical deterioration and troubleshooting of procedural issues. You will promote high standards of practice in line with the NMC Code, The Christie policies, JACIE and HTA requirements. You will support governance, audit, risk management and continuous improvement, contribute to the development and review of SOPs, and help ensure appropriate documentation and traceability. You will lead and support staff education, induction and competency assessment, working with external training providers where required. You will contribute to service planning and development as activity grows, working with the Apheresis Director and wider team to identify opportunities to improve efficiency, patient experience and clinical outcomes.

Job description

1. CLINICAL PRACTICE

Provide a specialist nursing service for patients and donors undergoing clinical apheresis, using advanced specialist knowledge, clinical judgement and decision-making to deliver safe, effective and individualised care.

Provide timely written and verbal information, advice and support to patients, donors and relatives to facilitate informed consent, shared decision-making and understanding of the apheresis pathway.

Maintain current specialist knowledge of clinical apheresis and cellular therapy collection procedures, relevant protocols, standards and practices, and apply this knowledge to clinical care and service development.

Coordinate and plan apheresis treatment pathways with members of the multidisciplinary team, including internal and external services, to ensure procedures are appropriately scheduled and communicated.

Lead the day-to-day clinical apheresis service, including autonomous management of a designated patient caseload and undertaking apheresis procedures as required.

Liaise directly with the consultant medical team regarding the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of individual programmes of care and apheresis protocols.

Participate in outpatient clinics and support medical assessment of patients requiring apheresis, including assessment of venous access, confirmation of mobilisation and collection requirements, and communication of the planned pathway to relevant teams.

Ensure all documentation required for apheresis procedures is prepared and completed in a timely manner in accordance with departmental requirements and regulatory standards.

Work with the quality and data manager to maintain accurate records, collect relevant activity and outcome data, support service evaluation and contribute to change and improvement.

Develop, implement and review clinical apheresis policies, procedures and protocols, and participate in clinical audit, regulatory accreditation activity, annual reporting and quality manual development, including JACIE and HTA requirements.

Proactively review trial and commercial documentation relating to apheresis procedures and participate in relevant meetings to ensure requirements are understood and incorporated into the clinical pathway.

2. EDUCATION

Act as an expert resource within the organisation in the field of apheresis and cellular therapy collections, providing advice and support to the multidisciplinary team.

Plan and deliver training and education relating to apheresis and associated practice for members of the multidisciplinary team within and external to the Trust.

Coordinate the training, orientation and competency assessment of members of the clinical apheresis team, ensuring appropriate support and supervision are available.

Promote the professional development of staff within the clinical apheresis team and support the identification and achievement of learning needs.

Maintain own professional development and ensure mandatory and role-specific education and training requirements are met.

Represent the organisation and department nationally and internationally as an expert in cellular therapy collections, as appropriate.

3. LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT

Manage the clinical apheresis nursing and nursing team in collaboration with the providing visible professional leadership and acting as a role model.

Provide confident management, leadership and specialist advice to staff within areas of responsibility, supporting effective communication, teamwork and safe practice.

Lead the development and implementation of standards for clinical apheresis practice and patient care, ensuring that standards are monitored and audited.

Lead planning meetings with medical and laboratory colleagues to coordinate the apheresis programme in conjunction with cellular therapy and donor coordinators.

Coordinate the scheduling of apheresis procedures and contribute to effective capacity planning and communication across the patient pathway.

Work within agreed budgetary constraints and support efficient procurement and management of clinical stocks, equipment and resources.

Ensure team objectives and key performance indicators are established and that mechanisms are in place to demonstrate compliance, activity and performance.

Contribute to human resource management, recruitment and implementation of relevant Trust human resource policies for staff within the service.

4. RESEARCH

Maintain current knowledge of relevant research and evidence relating to apheresis, cellular therapy collections and specialist nursing practice.

Support the application and evaluation of research findings to promote quality, evidence-based clinical practice.

Develop research interests within the specialist field of clinical apheresis and cellular therapy collections.

Participate, as required, in research and audit undertaken by members of the multidisciplinary team.

Review apheresis-related research applications in relation to established clinical practice, standards and service requirements

5. PROFESSIONAL AND PERSONAL

Communicate professionally and courteously with patients, donors, relatives, colleagues and external stakeholders, using effective communication skills at all levels.

Demonstrate leadership by example through clear, fair and professional relationships with colleagues, sound organisation and effective clinical judgement.

Recognise and work within the limits of own professional competence, maintain confidentiality and practise in accordance with the NMC Code and relevant Trust policies.

Participate fully in performance review, identifying learning goals, development needs and support requirements.

Actively seek and engage in appropriate mentorship and professional supervision to support reflection and development, and provide supervision and support to colleagues.

Demonstrate the agreed Trust values and behaviours and take accountability for own attitude, conduct and professional behaviour.

About us

The Clinical Apheresis Unit is a specialist service embedded within the Haematology and Transplant Day Unit, caring for patients with haematological malignancies, lymphoma and teenage and young adult patients, as well as related and unrelated donors. You will work alongside an established multidisciplinary team and have a key role in developing the nurse-led apheresis service as activity continues to expand. The role offers the opportunity to develop and use specialist knowledge in apheresis, stem cell collection, lymphocyte collection, cellular therapy and transplant pathways. We value collaborative working, professional development and a strong focus on safe, high-quality patient care. Training and support will be provided, including specialist apheresis training and opportunities to develop leadership, education and service-improvement skills. Working hours are Monday to Friday, between 08:00 and 18:00, 37.5 hours per week.