Specialist Practice Nurse - Lower Limb

Job description

Job responsibilities

ROLE SUMMARY:

Work clinically to provide highly skilled evidence based lower limb nursing services to patients as an essential part of the health care provided by the local GP Practices within the Federation / PCN.

Provide assessment and nursing care, advice and information to patients and carers within the Lower Limb / Leg Ulcer clinics at the Surrey Heath Hub or alternative Practice setting.

Work under the direction of the Clinical Services Manager, Clinical team Leader or Clinical Director, using skills and knowledge as a registered nurse.

Provide educational advice and expertise to other healthcare professionals with the responsibility of prevention and management of complex and acute wounds across the Federation.

KEY TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

To hold responsibility for the caseload and undertake holistic assessments of patients, including those with complex health needs, make a nursing diagnosis, and develop appropriate plans of care with clear timelines for evaluation.

To be responsible for assessing, diagnosing, implementing, planning and reviewing care needs for lower limb management in partnership with patients, carers and multi-professional teams, in line with local policies and procedures, local commissioned service requirements and best practice guidance.

Responsible for performing complex Doppler Assessments, interpreting Ankle Brachial Pressure Index (ABPI). Implementing optimum treatment according to findings.

To support and participate in staff training and development to ensure delivery of high quality evidence based nursing care and clinical competence.

To manage and coordinate referrals for holistic Doppler Assessments and measurement of Ankle Brachial Pressure Index (ABPI). Ensure all referrals for lower limb assessment are prioritised accordingly.

To ensure that local Key Performance indicators (KPIs) and National Wound Care Strategy Lower Limb Guidelines are met.

To work with the wider multidisciplinary team in a proactive way with the aim of preventing hospital admission and reduce GP contact.

To demonstrate clinical expertise and competence within the specialty and work autonomously, managing own allocated clinics independently.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

Develop effective relationships with the SHCPL Team and the practice teams. Work as part of the multi-disciplinary team (MDT).

Communicate effectively with team members, patients and carers, recognising the need for alternative methods of communication to overcome different levels of understanding, cultural background and preferred ways of communicating.

To participate in the development and implementation of relevant policies and procedures.

Maintain professional registration, work within own scope of practice, and uphold and follow the standards within the NMC code of conduct at all times ensure safe and effective delivery of patient care.

Practice, role model and promote safe and effective skills in all aspects of clinical practice

Recognises own limitations in the provision of clinical care and referring to other professionals accordingly and is accountable for his/her own action.

Be prepared to undertake direct patient care and clinical duties as required for the needs of the business.

Assess effectiveness of care delivery, undertaking service reviews, benchmarking and providing formal evaluation.

Proactively contribute to improving the quality of health care responding to local and national policies and initiatives as appropriate.

Actively promote the workplace as a learning environment, encouraging everyone to learn from each other and from external good practice, including:

o Support students in their learning and development.

o Participate in clinical supervision and other professional support activities, as provided by the PCN, practice or local system. We encourage you to undertake the relevant training to act as a supervisor for the local clinical supervision programme.

Record personally generated information, maintain up to date, detailed records.

o Personally generated information includes information and records relating to audit and clinical work undertaken by the post holder, reference notes relating to clinical/technical information, etc.

o Maintaining up-to-date, detailed records of all work done in the practices for which the post holder is accountable (done by the post holder or others).

Report and manage any untoward incidents, complaints and clinical emergencies to the appropriate professional within the appropriate times.

Person Specification

Skills and Knowlege

Essential

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to advocate on patient, staff and safety or quality issues
• Ability to demonstrate leadership skills
• Demonstrates organisational skills: including the ability to make decisions and to prioritise
• Clear understanding of Primary Care Services
• Demonstrates understanding and insight into current issues and developments within the NHS
• Car driver with valid licence
• Reliable and flexible
• Ability to work well in stressful situations
• Innovative and adaptable
• Assertive
• Commitment to Continuing Professional Development

Desirable

• Broad range of enhanced clinical skills
• Good working knowledge of clinical governance and be able to describe practical application thereof

Qualifications

Essential

• NMC registration - Adult / General Nurse
• Relevant nursing degree
• Post registration qualification in relevant area of practice
• Teaching and assessing qualification, NMC Assessor and Supervisor status.

Desirable

• Community or Primary Care specialist qualification
• Management/Leadership Qualification/development programme
• Clinical supervision training and experience

Experience

Desirable

• Experience, underpinned by knowledge of working with and understanding the complex needs of patients in a primary care/community setting
• Involved in the implementation and management of change
• Evidence of innovative practice
• Participation in regular clinical supervision

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

Surrey Heath Community Providers Ltd

Address

Theta Building, Lyon Way

Frimley

Camberley

Surrey

GU16 7ER

Employer's website

https://www.surreyheathcommunityproviders.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)