Head & Neck Clinical Nurse Specialist

Manage the care of patients with Head & Neck cancer and general ENT care, including the assessment, examination, education, treatment and review of the patients in accordance with agreed guidelines, within the Outpatient clinic/ward. Ensure provision of information is available to support informed consent and enable patient to make informed choices on treatment and clinical management options. Ensure provision of information and support is available at key stages of the Head and Neck pathway ensuring timely and appropriate onward referral to living with and beyond cancer programmes, to include signposting to national and local support groups, benefits advice agencies and psychological services as necessary. Undertake regular review and revision of all patient information relevant to the Head and Neck site to ensure that it is up-to-date, and evidence based. Where necessary, liaise with other Cancer support workers to ensure effective patient clinical management. Attend local and Specialist Cancer MDTS share information whilst acting as patient advocate, and share information and promote effective communication with patients, carers and across the multi-professional team. To provide advice and keyworker support for patients and carers throughout their pathway. To access and liaise with the other members of the multi-disciplinary team (MDT) for advice where necessary to be able to address patient information and support needs. Co-ordinate with other care providers to ensure patients investigations, MDT discussions are undertaken in a timely manner. To co-ordinate care between hospitals where required, outside of Walsall (Wolverhampton etc.), to ensure that referrals and appointments. To liaise with the patient GP where required to ensure adequate support for the patient within the community. Develop and run Clinical Nurse Specialist led clinics for patient assessment, treatment reviews and holistic assessment of patients care needs. The post holder will be expected to participate in regular outpatient clinics and provide specialist support during inpatient ward visits. Undertake telephone key worker support as necessary for patients requiring Valve changes and ongoing management of care. Provide timely clinical assessment for Head and Neck patients admitted with disease or treatment complications and liaise with Acute Oncology services where appropriate. Act as a resource for all disciplines within acute and primary care seeking advice regarding the management of patients care and treatment. Ensure professional development and education reflects and aligns to Nationally agreed Education and competency frameworks. Have high-level communication skills and contribute to wider development of practice by publicising and disseminating work through presentations at conferences and publication. Attend professional forums and disseminate information within the Trust. Work in collaboration with other clinical teams, community, and primary care services across the cancer pathway to improve services and patient access, to improve the experience and outcomes for people with H&N cancer.