Specialist Nurse, Chemotherapy Infusion – African Medical Centre of Excellence (AMCE) at the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank)

JOB TITLE: Specialist Nurse, Chemotherapy Infusion – African Medical Centre of Excellence (AMCE)

JOB DETAILS: Abuja (FCT)

JOB DETAILS:

• 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.
• The clinical areas the centre will specialise in are Cardiology, Haematology and Oncology. A range of businesses providing relevant health support will support this facility and provide commercial services to its patients and staff, thus creating a healthcare ecosystem sustainably designed to deliver long-term value to its community and region.
• This is an outstanding initiative and creates a unique opportunity to be involved in the opening chapter of this exciting project that is set to make a decisive impact on non-communicable disease care across Nigeria and West Africa.
• The AMCE will benefit millions of people in Abuja and over the wider regions of West Africa.
• The institution will act as a beacon of healthcare in Africa and will be the employer and healthcare provider of choice across the region.
• What makes this facility even more special is its very close partnership with King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

Job Summary

• The Specialist Nurse, Chemotherapy Infusion, is a key clinical role responsible for administering chemotherapy treatments, ensuring patient safety, and providing ongoing care during the treatment process.
• The nurse will be highly skilled in assessing patient health, managing chemotherapy protocols, monitoring for adverse effects, and offering both clinical and emotional support to patients undergoing cancer treatment.
• This position requires strong leadership and collaboration with multidisciplinary teams to ensure high standards of care and patient outcomes

Key Responsibilities
Clinical Responsibilities:

• Chemotherapy Administration: Prepare and administer chemotherapy medications, ensuring accurate dosing and adherence to established safety protocols. Monitor the infusion process and respond promptly to any adverse reactions.
• Patient Assessment: Perform thorough pre-treatment assessments, including review of vital signs, medical history, lab results, and current health status. Tailor chemotherapy regimens based on these assessments to ensure safe and effective treatment.
• Monitoring: Continuously monitor patients during and after chemotherapy for immediate and long-term side effects, ensuring quick intervention when necessary. Record and report any adverse reactions in line with clinical guidelines.
• Patient Education: Educate patients and their families about the chemotherapy process, potential side effects, and strategies for managing symptoms such as nausea, fatigue, and immunosuppression. Provide emotional and psychological support to help patients cope with the challenges of treatment.
• Coordination of Care: Collaborate with oncologists, pharmacists, and other healthcare professionals to coordinate and enhance patient care. Ensure continuity of care through follow-up visits and referrals as required.
• Documentation: Maintain accurate and timely records of chemotherapy administration, patient reactions, and interventions in accordance with hospital and legal standards.

Leadership and Team Collaboration:

• Leadership: Serve as a nurse leader within the chemotherapy unit, providing guidance, support, and mentorship to junior nursing staff. Lead by example in promoting a culture of safety, empathy, and clinical excellence.
• Training and Development: Participate in the orientation and ongoing professional development of nursing staff. Lead training sessions on chemotherapy administration, side effect management, and handling hazardous medications.
• Team Collaboration: Work closely with multidisciplinary teams, including oncologists, pharmacists, and dietitians, to discuss treatment plans, patient outcomes, and areas for service improvement.

Key Responsibilities
Clinical Responsibilities:

• Chemotherapy Administration: Prepare and administer chemotherapy medications, ensuring accurate dosing and adherence to established safety protocols. Monitor the infusion process and respond promptly to any adverse reactions.
• Patient Assessment: Perform thorough pre-treatment assessments, including review of vital signs, medical history, lab results, and current health status. Tailor chemotherapy regimens based on these assessments to ensure safe and effective treatment.
• Monitoring: Continuously monitor patients during and after chemotherapy for immediate and long-term side effects, ensuring quick intervention when necessary. Record and report any adverse reactions in line with clinical guidelines.
• Patient Education: Educate patients and their families about the chemotherapy process, potential side effects, and strategies for managing symptoms such as nausea, fatigue, and immunosuppression. Provide emotional and psychological support to help patients cope with the challenges of treatment.
• Coordination of Care: Collaborate with oncologists, pharmacists, and other healthcare professionals to coordinate and enhance patient care. Ensure continuity of care through follow-up visits and referrals as required.
• Documentation: Maintain accurate and timely records of chemotherapy administration, patient reactions, and interventions in accordance with hospital and legal standards.

Leadership and Team Collaboration:

• Leadership: Serve as a nurse leader within the chemotherapy unit, providing guidance, support, and mentorship to junior nursing staff. Lead by example in promoting a culture of safety, empathy, and clinical excellence.
• Training and Development: Participate in the orientation and ongoing professional development of nursing staff. Lead training sessions on chemotherapy administration, side effect management, and handling hazardous medications.
• Team Collaboration: Work closely with multidisciplinary teams, including oncologists, pharmacists, and dietitians, to discuss treatment plans, patient outcomes, and areas for service improvement.

Strategic Development:

• Contribute to the development and implementation of protocols and guidelines for safe chemotherapy administration and symptom management.
• Support quality improvement initiatives aimed at enhancing patient safety, reducing chemotherapy-related complications, and improving patient outcomes.
• Engage in clinical research and audits related to chemotherapy infusion and oncology nursing.
• Collaborate with oncology teams to evaluate and integrate new chemotherapy drugs, treatment modalities, and supportive care practices.

Governance and Quality Improvement:

• Compliance and Safety: Ensure adherence to hospital policies, national standards, and safety guidelines for chemotherapy administration, infection control, and patient monitoring. Contribute to the development of protocols and guidelines to improve patient safety and service quality.
• Quality Initiatives: Participate in quality improvement projects, including clinical audits, incident reporting, and the implementation of best practices to reduce chemotherapy-related complications.
• Clinical Research: Support clinical research and evidence-based practices by participating in audits and studies related to chemotherapy treatments and patient outcomes.

Other Responsibilities:

• Patient Coordination: Coordinate patient appointments, treatment schedules, and referrals to ensure continuity and seamless delivery of care.
• Handling Hazardous Materials: Safely manage and dispose of chemotherapy agents and other hazardous materials in accordance with established protocols.
• Infection Control: Adhere to infection control standards and ensure a sterile environment during chemotherapy preparation and administration.

Equality and Diversity:

• Act as lead for Equality & Diversity in the Estates and Facilities 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 closely with oncologists, pharmacists, dietitians, and other healthcare professionals to provide comprehensive care.
• Communicate effectively with patients and their families, providing clear information and support throughout the treatment journey.
• Work with administrative staff to manage patient schedules, follow-ups, and treatment plans.
• Participate in team meetings, case discussions, and quality improvement sessions to enhance chemotherapy services.

Line Management:

• Support the Nurse Manager in managing staffing, scheduling, and resource allocation within the department.
• Supervise and provide guidance to junior nurses, healthcare assistants, and radiotherapy technicians.
• Assist in conducting performance appraisals, identifying training needs, and providing development opportunities for radiation nursing staff.
• Participate in the recruitment and induction of new nursing staff within the radiation department.

Organizational Responsibilities:

• Ensure adherence to institutional protocols, safety guidelines, and regulatory standards for chemotherapy administration and patient care.
• Participate in quality improvement initiatives by monitoring and evaluating treatment outcomes, contributing to protocol updates, and implementing best practices.
• Provide training and education for staff on chemotherapy administration, management of side effects, and handling of hazardous materials.
• Work collaboratively with oncology teams, pharmacists, and other healthcare professionals to coordinate patient care, facilitate treatment plans, and enhance overall care delivery.

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.

Qualifications
Essential:

• Registered Nurse (RN) with a current, valid nursing license.
• Advanced Degree (e.g., Master’s in Nursing) or relevant specialty certification (e.g., Certified Oncology Nurse).
• Specialized training or certification relevant to the role (e.g., chemotherapy administration, ICU, or PACU).

Desirable:

• Masters in related subject
• Professional qualification in a relevant subject.

Experience:
Essential:

• Minimum of 3 – 5 years of clinical experience in chemotherapy administration or oncology nursing.
• Experience in managing complex cases and using specialized equipment related to chemotherapy infusion.
• Proven track record in patient education, particularly related to chemotherapy and cancer care.

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 department
• 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.

Personal attributes

• A compassionate, patient-centered approach to care.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to handle complex and sensitive situations.
• Ability to work independently as well as part of a team.
• Commitment to continuous professional development and upholding high standards of nursing practice.
• High levels of integrity, confidentiality, and professionalism.

Languages:
Essential:

• Proficiency in written and spoken English is essential to communicate effectively with patients, families, and colleagues.

Desirable:

• Skills in languages other than English.

AMCE Values:
Essential:

• Ability to demonstrate a clear understanding of and commitment to the AMCE’s core values, including patient-centered care, professionalism, and collaboration.

HOW TO APPLY
To apply for the ongoing African Export Import Bank (Afreximbank)  job opening, visit the job APPLICATION PORTAL to submit your application!