Specialist Nurse, Haematology Ward at African Medical Centre of Excellence (AMCE)

African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has announced the commencement of its African Medical Centre of Excellence (AMCE) project in Abuja, Nigeria. It will provide world-class care to both low and high-income patient groups across the continent.The AMCE in Partnership with King's College Hospital London will be located in Abuja, which is a hub for travel in Nigeria and West Africa, enabling it to attract patients across the region.

The African Medical Centre of Excellence will be implemented in four phases over a six-year period, starting with a 170-bed specialist hospital before expanding to a 500-bed facility. The centre will have the potential to provide services to over 200,000 patients in Nigeria and a further 150,000 patients from neighbouring West African countries within its first five years of operation.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Specialist Nurse, Haematology Ward

Location: Abuja (FCT)
Employment Type: Full-time

Job Summary

• The Specialist Nurse for the Haematology Ward plays a critical role in delivering high-quality patient care within the Oncology and Haematology Department.
• This position requires a dedicated professional with extensive knowledge in haematology nursing and a commitment to patient-centered care. The Specialist Nurse will be responsible for the assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of care for patients with haematological conditions, including but not limited to leukaemia, lymphoma, and other blood disorders.
• The primary objective of this role is to ensure that patients receive comprehensive and compassionate care throughout their treatment journey. This involves collaborating closely with multidisciplinary teams, including oncologists, pharmacists, social workers, and other healthcare professionals, to develop individualised care plans that address both the physical and emotional needs of patients.
• The Specialist Nurse will also act as an educator for patients and their families, providing essential information about treatment options, potential side effects, and self-management strategies.
• In addition to direct patient care, the Specialist Nurse will engage in quality improvement initiatives within the department. This includes participating in clinical audits, contributing to research projects, and implementing evidence-based practices to enhance patient outcomes. The role requires strong leadership skills as the Specialist Nurse will mentor junior nursing staff and contribute to their professional development.
• Furthermore, this position demands excellent communication skills to effectively liaise with patients, families, and healthcare professionals.
• The Specialist Nurse must be adept at navigating complex clinical situations and making informed decisions that prioritise patient safety and wellbeing. A strong commitment to continuous learning and professional growth is essential as the field of haematology is rapidly evolving with new treatments and technologies.

Key Responsibilities
The Specialist Nurse - Haematology Ward will undertake a variety of responsibilities that are essential for ensuring optimal patient care:

• Patient Assessment: Conduct thorough assessments of patients presenting with haematological conditions, including physical examinations and health history evaluations.
• Care Planning: Develop individualised care plans in collaboration with the healthcare team that address the specific needs of each patient.
• Treatment Administration: Administer chemotherapy and other treatments as prescribed while monitoring patients for adverse reactions.
• Patient Education: Provide comprehensive education to patients and families regarding diagnosis, treatment options, side effects management, and lifestyle modifications.
• Supportive Care: Offer emotional support and counselling to patients dealing with the psychological impacts of their diagnosis and treatment.
• Collaboration: Work closely with oncologists and other specialists to coordinate care and ensure all aspects of a patient's health are addressed.
• Quality Improvement: Participate in quality assurance initiatives by collecting data on patient outcomes, identifying areas for improvement, and implementing changes based on best practices.
• Mentorship: Mentor junior nursing staff by providing guidance on clinical practices, patient management strategies, and professional development opportunities.
• Research Participation: Engage in research activities aimed at improving haematology nursing practices and contribute to clinical trials when applicable.
• Documentation: Maintain accurate and timely documentation of patient assessments, care plans, interventions, and outcomes in accordance with hospital policies.
• Emergency Response: Respond promptly to medical emergencies within the ward by utilising advanced clinical skills to stabilise patients.
• Advocacy: Act as an advocate for patients’ rights and needs within the healthcare system.
• Policy Development: Contribute to the development of departmental policies related to haematology nursing practice.

Equality and Diversity:

• Act as lead for Equality & Diversity in the department to ensure the development and effective implementation of a strategy, set of policies, procedures and monitoring and control systems are in place.

Personal and Staff Development:

• Work with HR to undertake recruitment, retention, performance management and development of staff in the team.
• Work with the Recruitment Manager to establish connections with appropriate local, international and online communities to nurture a pipeline of talent to support the growth of the company.
• Responsible for development of high potential employees, providing a structured approach to mentoring and developing critical talent at all levels of management.

Communications And Working Relationships:

• Collaborate effectively with physicians and specialists within the Oncology team.
• Communicate regularly with patients’ families regarding care plans.
• Participate in multidisciplinary team meetings to discuss patient progress.
• Liaise with pharmacy staff regarding medication management.
• Build relationships with community resources for patient support services.
• Engage with nursing staff across departments for knowledge sharing.
• Maintain open lines of communication with hospital administration regarding departmental needs.

Line Management and Professional Responsibilities:

• Report directly to the Clinical Nurse Manager of the Oncology and Haematology Department.
• Supervise junior nurses within the Haematology Ward.
• Conduct performance evaluations for nursing staff under supervision.
• Provide guidance on clinical practices within the team.
• Facilitate training sessions for new staff members.
• Address performance issues through appropriate channels.
• Support staff development through mentorship programs.
• Ensuring clinical practice is based on validated research, and participating in quality assessment, research and clinical audits ·
• In collaboration Head of Nursing and the Chief Nursing Officer, upholds the code of conduct and professional scope of practice of the nursing profession

Organisational Responsibilities:

• Ensure compliance with hospital policies and procedures related to patient safety.
• Contribute to departmental budget planning as necessary.
• Participate in strategic planning initiatives for the Oncology Department.
• Uphold standards of practice as outlined by national regulatory bodies.
• Engage in community outreach programs related to cancer awareness.
• Monitor adherence to infection control protocols within the ward.
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement within the team.

Confidentiality:

• The post holder must be aware that Confidential Information and data to which the post holder will have knowledge and access to in the course of their employment with the AMCE is to be kept confidential, and this confidentiality is a condition of employment.
• The duty to maintain confidentiality continues even when the post holder is no longer employed.
• This information is not to be shared with anyone outside of the AMCE under any circumstances, except to the extent necessary to fulfil any duties and responsibilities required within the role. Furthermore, upon termination with the AMCE Abuja, the post holder will return to the AMCE all confidential information held.

General:

• The post holder has a general duty of care for their own health, safety and well-being and that of work colleagues, visitors and patients within the hospital, in addition to any specific risk management or clinical governance accountabilities associated with this post.
• To observe the rules, policies, procedures and standards of AMCE together with all relevant statutory and professional obligations.
• To observe and maintain strict confidentiality of personal information relating to patients, staff and visitors.
• To be responsible, with management support, for their own personal development and to actively contribute to the development of colleagues.
• This job description is intended as a guide to the general scope of duties and is not intended to be definitive or restrictive. It is expected that some of the duties will change over time and this description will be subject to review in consultation with the post holder.
• All employees must hold an AMCE email account, which will be the AMCE's formal route for email communication. You are therefore required to check this regularly and to deal with such communication promptly.

Infection Control Statement

• The post holder has an important responsibility for and contribution to make to infection control and must be familiar with the infection control and hygiene requirements of this role.
• These requirements are set out in the AMCE Code of Practice on Infection Control and in local policies and procedures, which will be made clear during your induction and subsequent refresher training. These standards must be strictly complied with at all times.

Requirements

Qualification
Essential:

• Registered Nurse (RN) with a valid nursing license.
• Advanced degree or equivalent experience in emergency practice.
• Specialized training or certification relevant to the role
• Meet all requirement to register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria

Desirable:

• Master’s degree in Nursing or related field.
• Experience in clinical research or trials.

Experience
Essential:

• Minimum of 3 years of experience in haematology or oncology nursing.
• Advanced knowledge of haematological disorders.
• Certification in chemotherapy administration.
• Proven experience in managing complex patient cases.
• Familiarity with electronic health record systems.

Desirable:

• Involvement in quality improvement projects within a healthcare setting.
• Previous experience in a leadership role.

Management and Leadership
Essential:

• Inspirational and visible leader, with first class communication skills, capable of engaging audiences at all levels
• Ability to think and act strategically, developing practical, innovative and creative solutions to the management of issues and complex problems related to the haematological cases.
• Ability to identify opportunities to improve business outcomes through partnership at all levels
• Well-developed management skills, with the ability to build and lead large teams
• Highly effective influencing and negotiating skills, with the ability to develop partnerships and alliances across a diverse range of stakeholders
• Politically astute and resilient, with the ability to manage conflict and ambiguity
• Outcome focused, with the capability and tenacity to drive the agenda forward
• Financially literate and commercially astute, with a sophisticated understanding of commercially orientated performance and financial management including contract management
• Shares the AMCE’s vision and values
• Commitment to clinical governance / improving quality of patient care

Desirable:

• Experience mentoring nursing staff or students.

Personal Attributes
Essential:

• Professional attitude towards work
• Shares the AMCE’s vision
• Proactive and organised
• Commitment to clinical governance / improving quality of patient care
• Has personal and professional credibility and commands the respect of colleagues peers
• Is supportive and approachable and capable of inspiring confidence in staff members
• Commitment to caring for others
• Ability to adapt to living in a new country and new culture accordingly
• High levels of honesty and integrity
• Flexible to working hours to ensure adequate cover for the 24/7 service

Languages
Essential:

• All applicants to have demonstrable skills in written and spoken English that are adequate to enable effective communication about medical topics with patients and colleagues

Desirable:

• Skills in languages other than English

AMCE Values
Essential:

• Able to demonstrate an understanding of the AMCE’s values
• Commitment to uphold the AMCE’s values.

Application Closing Date
Not Specified.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should send their CV / Covering Letter to: [email protected] using the Job Title as the subject of the mail.