Detailed job description and main responsibilities

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

•    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. 
•    Triage of patient cases referred for PBT to ensure suitability of referral in line with commissioning guidance 
•    Oversee and coordinate the referral and treatment pathway for patients referred for radiotherapy and PBT .
•    Manage the referral and treatment pathway for patients who require general anaesthetic alongside PBT Lead ODP
•    Serve as the named key worker for paediatric proton therapy patients at the point of eligibility at the paediatric radiation oncology MDT meeting.
•    Manage the transition of care of paediatric patients between care settings.
•    Act as a knowledgeable expert who understands the process and stages of the paediatric radiation oncology pathway.
•    Ensure efficient use of available capacity and promote an integrated team approach across the service.
•    Contribute to the development of national paediatric radiation oncology pathways through the clinical site groups. 
•    Lead on developing and updating patient and carer information
•    Assist in the development of relevant protocols within the radiotherapy quality system.
•    Review current paediatric protocols in the Trust and develop new protocols/policies where appropriate.
•    Accept and make appropriate referrals from/to other professional colleagues. 
•    Communicate with the patient’s referring specialist, GP and other community and hospice based services at regular intervals as appropriate.  
•    Contribute to the clinical governance process, including adverse incident reporting/investigation and the management of complaints, as appropriate.  
•    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. 

CLINICAL DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

•    Participate in the direct clinical management of patients. This includes history taking, systematic physical examination and requisition of appropriate clinical investigations, formulation of clinical management plans and re-evaluation of implemented treatment plans as appropriate.
•    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
•    Contribute to the coordination and effective management of the admission and discharge process.
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.
•    Communicate highly complex, sensitive or contentious information to patients and carers. This may include diagnosis, results of scans or other investigations, management options and details of prognosis.
•    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.
•    To identify vulnerable children and children of vulnerable adults and work with Trust named nurse for safeguarding.

•    Cover other appropriate disease groups as required.
TRAINING AND EDUCATION

•    To develop and maintain competencies relevant to professional title and role
•    Be present and involved in training days and conferences.
•    Participate in the education of pre/post registration students.
•    Contribute to educational programmes within the Trust and referring/associated centres. 
•    Educate patients and their carers on issues surrounding health promotion and illness prevention.

RESEARCH AND AUDIT

•    Facilitate relevant paediatric radiation oncology research and audit maintaining relevant competencies to record and contribute to research and trials
•    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.