About this role
Job summary
As an Enhanced Clinical Practitioner (ECP), you will play a key role in delivering high-quality, patient-centred care for patients undergoing radiotherapy. Acting as a consistent point of contact throughout the treatment pathway, you will coordinate care, promote continuity and ensure patients and carers receive timely information, advice and support.Working collaboratively with the wider multidisciplinary team, you will provide expert assessment and management of radiotherapy-related symptoms and treatment toxicities, support patients who become acutely unwell, and coordinate appropriate care within your scope of practice. You will develop specialist knowledge of disease-specific radiotherapy pathways to support patients throughout their treatment journey.You will provide holistic care, including psychological, emotional and educational support, helping patients and carers manage the challenges associated with treatment. You will facilitate effective communication across healthcare teams to ensure seamless, coordinated care and an excellent patient experience.The post holder will contribute to service development through audit, quality improvement and research activity, supporting the delivery of evidence-based practice and innovations that enhance patient outcomes and experience.We welcome applications from practitioners who do not yet hold clinical assessment skills or Non-Medical Prescribing qualifications, as training and development opportunities can be provided.
Main duties of the job
The Enhanced Clinical Practitioner (ECP) will provide expert care and support for patients undergoing radiotherapy, acting as a key point of contact throughout the treatment pathway. The post holder will coordinate care, promote continuity, and ensure patients and carers receive timely information, advice and support tailored to their needs.The role includes assessing and managing radiotherapy-related symptoms and treatment toxicities, supporting acutely unwell patients within scope of practice, and coordinating appropriate escalation, referral or admission when required.The successful candidate will develop specialist knowledge of disease-specific radiotherapy pathways and provide education, psychological support and holistic care to patients and carers during and following treatment. Where qualified, the post holder will practise as an Independent Non-Medical Prescriber. We welcome applications from practitioners who have not yet achieved advanced clinical assessment skills or Independent Non-Medical Prescribing (NMP) qualifications, as development opportunities can be provided.We are looking for a motivated, compassionate and proactive practitioner with strong communication skills, leadership potential and a commitment to delivering outstanding patient-centred care.
About us
The Christie is one of Europe's leading cancer centres, looking after more than 64,000 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 25% patients are referred to us from other parts of the country.
We are the largest radiotherapy provider in the NHS with one in 20 treatments delivered at The Christie. We have up to 15 linear accelerators operating across our network of sites. We operate the largest chemotherapy unit in the UK on our main site and treatments are also provided at 13 other networked sites, and in patients homes. And as a specialist tertiary surgical centre, we focus on rare cancers, complex procedures, and multidisciplinary approaches to cancer surgery, specialising in colorectal, peritoneal, gynaecological, urological and plastic surgery.
We are also an international leader in research, with world first breakthroughs for over 100 years. We have been named by the UK's National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), as one of the best hospitals providing opportunities for patients to participate in clinical research studies, with more than 800 studies open at any time, caring for over 3,000 patients.
Job description Job responsibilities
Clinical duties and responsibilities
To work autonomously with other specialist disciplines. To streamline patient care and improve access for patients, both within and outside The Christie, ensuring that radiotherapy is carried in accordance to current recommended timescales.
Plan and manage own workload and the workload of the service, in a flexible manner, ensuring that service provision meets the need of patients.
Participate in the direct clinical management of patients. This includes history taking, systematic physical examination (once appropriate qualification is achieved) and formulation of clinical management plans and re-evaluation of implemented treatment plans as appropriate.
Consent agreed patient groups for treatment and procedures as per Trust policy.
Work with the clinical team to formulate clinical decisions and complex treatment plans to manage acute radiotherapy toxicity and psychosocial issues by responding to actual and potential health problems appropriately.
For agreed patient groups, provide medications following patient group directions.
For agreed patient groups, work as an independent non-medical prescriber.
Accept and make appropriate referrals from/to other professional colleagues.
Facilitate the coordination and effective management of an admission.
Prepare accurate and concise records and reports both verbal and written.
Communicate with the patients referring specialist, GP and other community and hospice based services at regular intervals as appropriate.
Practice evidence based health care and be responsible for developing, monitoring and updating clinical policies in relation to own area of practice.
Act as an expert resource and provide advice to ward/departmental areas and the wider community. To maintain and develop links with local /national cancer networks and cancer service collaborative.
To be pro-active in the development and implementation of evidence based clinical practice in line with local and national initiatives, facilitating changes in service where necessary.
To act as an expert resource on treatment related toxicities and access to wider support.
Participate in the extended shift system, bank holidays and weekend working.
To undertake any other reasonable duties as necessary.
Patient Care
Develop a relationship that recognises the person (patient/family member/carer) as an individual.
Give information, at an appropriate level of understanding, to ensure a patient is fully informed along all stages of the patient pathway.
Develop and update patient specific information which is age appropriate.
Co-ordinate the patient journey ensuring appointments and information is communicated to the patient in a timely fashion.
Act as a patient advocate with clear feedback systems in place to the MDT and referring hospitals.
Asses on a regular basis whether more support or advice is needed and offered where appropriate.
Provide an important point of contact for the patient and those around them both during and after completion of treatment, ensuring continuation of care.
Works independently to provide patient care.
Supervisory and Managerial Responsibilities.
Contribute to the clinical governance process, including adverse incident reporting/investigation and the management of complaints, as appropriate.
Supervise the requisition of stocks and equipment with care and economy.
Attend meetings at managerial, Trust committee and local Trust partnership level, acting as advocate for area of work and profession.
Participate in national oncology/radiotherapy advisory boards and relevant working groups as invited. Assist in the development of integrated patient pathways (e.g. NICE Guidance on Cancer Services, NHS Guidance etc.).
Identify gaps in service provision and work with the MDT and cancer network to implement the changes required to improve service provision.
Responsibilities for human resources
Work closely with the radiotherapy review team colleagues to ensure adequate cover across clinical working day and annual leave requested in advance with appropriate approval.
Participate in the recruitment and selection of staff.
Professional and Personal Development
Act in accordance with the HCPC/NMC code of professional conduct: standards for conduct and ethics.
Provide evidence of continued professional development in the form of a professional practice portfolio to meet the revalidation requirements of the HCPC/NMC.
Be flexible in line with evolving radiotherapy service across all Christie sites.
Ensure patient confidentiality at all times.
Maintain patient safety and dignity.
Comply with policies and procedures of the Trust.
Maintain clinical competencies, sufficient to participate in the patient pathway for all disease sites.
Participate in performance development review and evaluate own clinical practice.
Maintain essential training records.
Teaching and Training
Take an active role in the training of all learners in radiotherapy.
Educate patients and their carers on issues surrounding health promotion and illness prevention.
Promote and facilitate changes to lifestyle where appropriate.
Research and Audit
Maintain ICH/GCP competence.
Facilitate radiotherapy research.
Keep up to date with current research and publications.
Initiate and support clinical audit with respect to evaluating service effectiveness and future developments within the role, developing and managing strategies to address any shortfalls.
Disseminate relevant research findings to colleagues and members of the health professions via presentation and publication.
Project Work
To pursue continuing professional development and in doing so provide evidence of continued professional development in the form of a professional portfolio.
Lead on developing and updating patient and carer information.
Assist in the development of appropriate competencies and training for radiotherapy review colleagues and other non-medical health care professionals who may assist the review team.
Assist in development of relevant protocols in the radiotherapy quality system
This is not an exhaustive list and additional duties may be required as requested by the Radiotherapy Service Manager, Consultant radiographer or clinical teams.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
BSc in Therapeutic Radiography or BSc in Adult Nursing (or working towards) HCPC or NMC Registration Willingness and ability to work towards - Non medical prescribing qualification and clinical skills and Review/consent skills
Desirable
NMP qualification Clinical examination skills qualification
Experience Essential
Extensive clinical experience with current and continuous service at lead Senior level Evidence of expertise in Cancer Care and radiotherapy/oncology Evidence of change management Evidence of active role in the setting and maintenance of quality standards Experience of on-the-job teaching/mentorship to other qualified staff Evidence of relevant CPD
Desirable
Evidence of participation in research and/or development work Experience of working independently
Skills Essential
Organised but flexible approach to work Ability to disseminate information through different media Ability to communicate effectively with all grades of staff, patients, carers and general public Ability to problem solve and to make sound decisions independently and particularly under pressure in the clinical environment High standard of communication skills Ability to motivate others Able to show initiative and innovation in order to develop the service for the future Computer literacy Ability to work as a self-motivated autonomous practitioner
Desirable
Good presentation skills Evidence of research skills-e.g. critical analysis of current literature, awareness of translational research and evidenced based practice Advanced communication skills training
Knowledge Essential
Awareness of contemporary issues surrounding Oncology/Radiotherapy Detailed knowledge of Anatomy, and Oncology Ability to pass on knowledge to staff and students to ensure continuing education in toxicity management of patients Graduate level knowledge, training and experience of Cancer Care
Desirable
Knowledge of current Health service and Oncology specific legislation and DoH plans Knowledge and application of Ionising radiation medical exposure regulations (IRMER) and other relevant policies and regulations local and national
Values Essential
Ability to demonstrate the organisational values and behaviours Committed to professional development Confidence to adapt to an evolving and changing service Evidence of team working
Desirable
Calm and conscientious nature
Other Essential
Enthusiastic, well motivated with a commitment to providing a high standard of service and evidenced based practice Ability to co-ordinate work to meet the demands of the established and developing service Attention to detail and accuracy in day to day working
Desirable
Flexibility in working hours
Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details Employer name The Christie NHS FT
Address RT Cross Site Specialists and Review - E00763
Manchester
M20 4BX
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.christie.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)