Overview  

The Lead Oncology RVN will work collaboratively with the Head of Nursing Services (HoNS), Lead Nurses and Clinicians across the hospital to ensure the efficient delivery of outstanding patient care within the oncology service. You will work enthusiastically with the nursing team to help maintain a happy and efficient working environment. This role requires strong, decisive, clear communication and the ability to inspire and motivate the team in order to deliver the Linnaeus nursing strategy and achieve the hospital’s goals. 

Your work will remain primarily clinical, to include the ordering, safe handling and appropriate storage of cytotoxic medications, phlebotomy, administration of chemotherapy, monitoring of sedation and anaesthesia, imaging & diagnostics assistance, nutritional management, wards nursing and care, nurse consultations, accurate record keeping, client communication and effective teamwork. You will work enthusiastically with the nursing team to help maintain a happy and efficient working environment. As a focused role, we recognise and appreciate your area of special interest & expertise and so your work will be scheduled and prioritised within the oncology department; though may be required to help in another area within the capabilities of an RVN on occasion.   

Your leadership responsibilities will include providing line management and training to team members, conducting performance reviews, SOP development and coordination for all relevant personnel working within your team. The Lead Oncology RVN will line manage the oncology, internal medicine & cardiology RVN team, which is currently a team of 5. This position will also assist with patient flow responsibilities to coordinate case throughput across the hospital, alongside the other Lead Nurses and in support of our Patient Flow Coordinator.  

Key Responsibilities  

• Provide a high and sustainable quality of patient care by you and your team, primarily within the oncology, internal medicine & cardiology services.  

• Oversee and support oncology inpatient care and the implementation of nursing care plans. 

• Provide leadership to those working within the oncology, internal medicine & cardiology teams. 

• Creation and implementation of chemotherapy safety protocols and policies, in collaboration with our oncology clinicians. 

• Provide training and support of the team working in your area, including multi-disciplinary RVNs, patient care assistants and interns, particularly in the safe handling and administration of cytotoxic medications and patients as appropriate. 

• Ensure effective communication is maintained within the oncology, internal medicine and cardiology teams.   

• Ensure accurate record keeping is undertaken, especially regarding anaesthetic and hospitalisation records in SmartFlow. 

• Assist with stock management within your department and co-ordinate with the pharmacy & purchasing assistant. 

• Work closely with the Lead Nurses and HoNS to plan for the daily case load and highlight any issues or concerns that may arise.  

• Participate in team briefings and meetings to ensure effective and efficient communication. 

• Take part in team reflections of incidents and near misses, to continually improve our patient care and safety, including Halo reporting. 

• As a cat-friendly clinic, you will support the International Society of Feline Medicine (ISFM) cat-friendly standards across the hospital. 

• As a dog-friendly clinic, you will support the Dogs Trust and British Veterinary Behaviour Association (BVBA) dog-friendly standards across the hospital. 

• Seek opportunities to maintain competence in all areas of nursing to ensure a strong level of general nursing capabilities are achieved. Where suitable take part in role swaps to preserve this competence. 

• Take part in a range of team committees such as our Sustainability, Culture & Wellbeing or Dog/Cat-Friendly committees, to both explore areas of personal interest and help to shape our impact, culture and standards as a hospital.