Tissue Viability Nurse

Job description

Job responsibilities

Purpose

Work across all CSH sites as an expert in clinical field to deliver specialist services to defined patient group (Tissue Viability patients). Provides specialist interdisciplinary education and training to other health care professionals and students. Clinically manages and develops pathways for patients with Tissue Viability. Works strategically influence the development of the service both locally and nationally. Leads on clinical audits in own area of practice. Participate in research in specialist field.

Utilising wound, pressure ulcer and leg ulcer management skills to and knowledge to undertake the holistic assessment of patients, including the use of Doppler ultrasound techniques and using interpretation skills to diagnose and plan specialized care delivery. Act as the interface between medical and nursing disciplines whilst developing and supporting nursing practice. Supporting the delivery of care primarily within the Community Nursing Teams but may also be required to support the Complex Wound Clinics, in accordance with national and local priorities, CSH Surrey policies, procedures and guidelines and in accordance with the Nursing and Midwifery Council.

Role Responsibilities

Responsibility for undertaking expert holistic patient assessments, including but not limited to wound, pressure ulcer and leg ulcer assessments, including Doppler ABPI and TBPI for patients across Northwest Surrey.

Deliver planned evidence-based care, including advanced compression bandage techniques and other high compression therapies as required.

Empower individuals and their families to reach their full potential in health promotion and health awareness.

Act as the patients advocate, raising any concerns.

Maintains strong working relationships and communicates effectively with the Community Nursing Teams, Diabetic Foot MDT, Vascular Services, GPs, Practice Nurses, Social Services, Acute/Community hospital colleagues, Borough Council staff and the local voluntary sector

Responsible for receiving and facilitating clinical supervision and undertaking peer reviews within the team

Responsible for teaching, supervising and mentoring other members of the team and pre-registration students

Undertakes formal student assessments and participates in the maintenance of an effective learning environment

Clinical and Technical

Use specialists nursing skills to assess the physical and psycho-social needs of patients within the defined caseload, providing both expert and clinical advice to patients and carers.

In partnership with the multi-disciplinary team develop and advise highly specialized programs of care for patients, synthesizing complex information whilst comparing a range of options based on the available evidence/best practice to support and empower patients and their carers to make informed choices.

Works autonomously examining and diagnosing peripheral vascular disease, making decisions about treatment, investigations, follow up and discharge, referring on to consultant colleagues when appropriate for further treatment or investigations in accordance with National and Local guidance.

Responsible for the delivery of a detailed, accurate and potentially complex handover.

Undertakes full nursing assessments of patients, including those with multiple pathology and complex health and social needs.

To provide holistic Doppler assessment to patients.

Provide teaching and supervision to wider workforce for example healthcare professionals working in community nursing, practice nursing or nursing homes.

Responsible for agreeing the patients care plan, liaising with others and adapting the care and treatment delivered according to need and patient choice.

Responsible for the correct use of aids and equipment supplied for patients and carers and for the security, care and maintenance of equipment ensuring standards of infection control and safety are maintained

Responsible for the ordering and lean stock management of dressings and other equipment

Effectively communicates with others involved in patient care at all times, through the use of mobile phone, emails to enable a timely response to patients needs.

Analytical / Judgmental Skills

Recognises own limitations in the provision of clinical care and urgency of patients needs, referring to other health care professionals, such as Vascular Services, Diabetic Foot MDT, Lymphoedema, Dermatology accordingly and is accountable for his/her own actions without direct supervision

Maintains accurate and legible patient records in line with professional and organisational requirements regarding electronic patient record system and is responsible for ensuring all data within the service is completed within dates required for CSH Surrey reporting to the NWS ICP.

Accountable for making autonomous clinical decisions in planning and prioritising patient care and referrals to other agencies and the admission/discharge from the service

Responsibility for Policy and Service Improvement/ Development

Contribute to and implement policies and procedures for specialist area.

Acts on clinical incidents pertinent to area to reduce clinical risk.

Actively participates in clinical governance activities and works to maintain a high-quality service.

Responsible for recognising the needs of the Tissue Viability Service, identifying risk and making rapid autonomous decisions, escalating to Head of Tissue Viability and or caseload holder.

To work closely with the Referral Hub and Administrators to ensure referrals are triaged and appointments allocated appropriately.

To have a positive attitude to change and have a flexible approach to work.

Quality

Support achievement and maintenance of the necessary conditions to achieve high standards of professionalism and productive working.

Continually maintain standards of care and assist the improvement of care.

Contributes to data collection for National Wound Care Strategy.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Current 1st level registration (Registered nurse) to degree level or able to demonstrate equivalent experience.
• Evidence of formal training, post registration experience and/or qualification within vascular/leg ulcer/wound care.
• Participating or willing to work towards masters level study in relevant area.

Desirable

• Advanced assessment skills.
• Independent nurse prescribing.

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

CSH Surrey

Address

4th Floor, Dukes Court

Dukes Street

Woking

Surrey

GU21 5BH

Employer's website

https://www.cshsurrey.co.uk/about-us/about-csh-surrey (Opens in a new tab)