Head Nurse, Oncology & Haematology at The African Medical Centre of Excellence (AMCE)

Job Purpose

• The Head Nurse, Oncology & Haematology will provide strategic and operational leadership to ensure the delivery of exceptional, evidence-based, and compassionate nursing care for patients with cancer and blood disorders. The role holder will oversee all nursing services within the oncology and haematology directorates, including inpatient wards, day treatment centres, and chemotherapy suites. He/ She will foster a patient-centred culture, drive clinical excellence, ensure staff competency in highly specialized care, and align departmental goals with AMCE’s strategic objectives.

Key Accountabilities/Responsibilities

Leadership and Strategic Planning

• Develop and implement the nursing strategic vision for oncology and haematology services.
• Participate in executive planning and budgeting for departmental resources and expansions.
• Establish and monitor KPIs, and advocate for necessary resources and technology.

Clinical Excellence and Patient Safety

• Ensure 100% adherence to evidence-based protocols for chemotherapy and hazardous drug safety.
• Lead initiatives to reduce key patient safety incidents and champion infection prevention for immunocompromised patients.
• Integrate palliative care principles early and lead nursing participation in clinical reviews and audits.

Operational Management and Efficiency

• Manage patient flow and optimize the utilization of day unit chairs and inpatient beds.
• Ensure adequate staffing, skill mix, and on-call coverage for all services.
• Oversee inventory of high-cost supplies and coordinate with pharmacy and biomedical for operational readiness.

Quality Improvement and Accreditation

• Lead nursing preparation for accreditation and ensure continuous compliance with standards.
• Conduct clinical audits and drive quality improvement projects to enhance patient outcomes.
• Standardize nursing documentation in the EMR and benchmark quality metrics against international standards.

Clinical Research and Innovation

• Promote evidence-based practice and facilitate nursing participation in clinical trials.
• Support nurse-led research and lead the adoption of new nursing technologies in cancer care.
• Encourage professional dissemination of knowledge and integrate global best practices into the department.

Data Management and Technology

• Utilize the EMR and oncology systems to monitor clinical outcomes, safety, and efficiency metrics.
• Generate and analyze reports on nursing indicators to drive performance improvement.
• Champion new technology adoption and ensure accurate documentation for clinical and research purposes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing (BScN) or equivalent from a recognized institution. Master’s degree in Nursing or Healthcare Leadership is a significant advantage.
• OR Diploma in Nursing with extensive post-basic certification in Oncology or Haematology Nursing and proven senior leadership experience.
• Registered Nurse (RN) with a valid, active nursing license.
• Certification in Oncology Nursing (e.g., OCN, AOCN) or Chemotherapy Administration is highly desirable.

Experience

• Minimum of 10 years of progressive clinical nursing experience with at least 5 years in a leadership or managerial role within Oncology and/or Haematology services.
• Proven experience in leading multidisciplinary teams, driving quality improvement initiatives, and managing clinical audits and governance processes.
• Experience in preparing for and maintaining accreditation readiness (e.g., JCI, ONS) and implementing evidence-based clinical pathways.