District Nurse Specialist

Job responsibilities

SCOPE AND RANGE

Manage and coordinate a complex District Nursing caseload (or caseloads) in conjunction with caseload holders and operational manager, supporting delegation of nursing tasks within the skill mix of the Team.

The DNSPQ will actively support and take the lead where required for the DN team contributing to MDT meetings working with multi professionals.

Supervise, monitor, develop standards and audit care delivered to patients and carers by the multi-disciplinary team.

Maintain strong working relationships, communicate effectively with GPs, Practice nurses Social services, Mental Health, Acute and Community hospital colleagues.

Undertake, develop, and maintain nursing skills and competencies that are required for this role.

The DNSPQ will complement the skill mix of the nursing team and ensure that the ever-changing health needs of patients are met.

Act as advisor/professional leader in health care issues and clinical practice in the most complex and urgent cases.

Responsibility for People Management

Manage and prioritise a defined complex caseload of patients and delegate where appropriate.

Have a flexible approach to the working day to meet the needs of the patient and the service.

Be aware of pressures facing your work colleagues and offer support to ensure they are aware of the organisation support services available to them.

Take the lead in partnership with the Operational manager for investigating complaints, Patient Safety, Incident, Response framework (PSIRf), and support with implementing learning and actions, reporting to Practice Lead and Customer Services.

Responsibility for administration

To report and record all incidents and near misses relating to health, safeguarding, safety, security, fire, physical violence, aggression, and verbal abuse.

Review and sign-off clinical incident reports alongside supporting caseload management.

Maintain accurate records, which are confidential, up to date, legible and must ensure care given is documented at the earliest possible time.

Documentation records may be paper or IT system based and must be maintained as specified in the Trust Policies, NMC guidelines, and Government directives.

Responsibility for people who use our services

Be responsible for the provision of planned and unplanned care to patients and their

carers in a defined geographical area working across a 7-day period linking where required to the Urgent Care Nursing Service who provides the out of hours cover for district nursing

Be able to triage and respond to urgent referrals for patients, carers and the multi-disciplinary team received from PCNs to utilise advanced clinical skills and non-medical prescribing.

To triage and accept appropriate referrals directly from other disciplines, patients, carers, and members of the public and / or refer to other agencies where appropriate.

Case manage/Care coordinate packages of care and to work within the framework of the District Nursing Team by providing holistic care and demonstrate positive leadership skills.

Be responsible for assessing, diagnosing, planning, implementing, and evaluating complex packages of care including case conferences and reviews.

Provide holistic evidence-based care to a high standard to patients in accordance with National and organisational approved policies/procedures to promote individualised care plans.

Ensure privacy, dignity and human rights are respected for all patients and carers.

Take the lead in coordinating comprehensive risk assessments of all situations associated with the care of patients to ensure optimal safety is provided.

The DNSP will work with general practitioners and advanced care practitioners to act as a key role to prevent unnecessary or avoidable hospital admissions.

Assessments might include the provision of equipment ensuring it is used safely and within the manufacturers guidance and reviewed as per Livewell Southwest policy.

The post holder will be expected to oversee the standard of patients records by audit or peer review and have a regular open discussion with team members.

To monitor and maintain the health, safety and security of self and others.

Be responsible for organising own time management daily in line with caseload demands, balancing patient needs with the non-clinical aspects of the role, working in a variety of settings i.e., patient-facing, office base, including hot desks and home working where appropriate.

Work within challenging and unpredictable environments e.g., patients homes, which may have constraints that require adaptability.

Act as a clinical advisor on health care issues within their area of expertise to provide best practice evidence-based care to the community.

Undertake health promotion whenever possible to adults above the age of 18 and contribute to planned health promotion activities.

Maintain V300 Non-medical Prescribing competence and take responsibility for prescribing in line with Non-medical Prescribing policy, and within the Devon Formulary. Access the appropriate clinical supervision in line with policy.

Identify upcoming community health needs/changes and participate in new projects, research, and audit.

Act as a role model for other staff and students demonstrating high standards of practice and professional conduct.

Works within the NMC Code of Practice.

Remain updated and competent and ensure that clinical practice is evidence based.

Access regular supervision to maintain prescribing competencies and other advanced health care practice within the scope of the role.

Responsibility for implementation of policy and/or service developments

Be involved with the development, implementation, and monitoring of standards.

Develop links with other professional and voluntary bodies to ensure maximum effectiveness of the service and patient care.

Other Responsibilities

The post holder will be required to use a computer, being responsible for timely recording patient activities for IT data collection, dealing with e-mail queries, stock and equipment ordering.

Preserve confidentiality and comply with of the Data Protection Act, Access to Health Records and Consent for Treatment.

Education and Training

Assume responsibility for own professional development and personal knowledge.

Able to complete clinical tasks within competence for the community registered nurse.

Plan and participate in the supervision, teaching and provision of community experience for all nurses learners and other personnel as appropriate.

Develop the learning environment to promote lifelong learning and staff development.

To hold a V300 non-medical prescribing qualification and undertake regular supervision to maintain and evidence maintenance of competency and acting within scope of practice.

To hold advanced clinical skills to be able to assess respiratory, abdominal, and cardiovascular body systems as a minimum to encourage opportunistic reviews for those within the DN caseloads.

COMMUNICATIONS AND RELATIONSHIPS

Act as a role model for other staff and students demonstrating high standards of practice and professional conduct.

Work alongside the MDT and other specialists such as ACP, integrated localities, and public and private sectors if appropriate in monitoring complex health needs of the patients and reduce hospital admissions.

Ensure that work which is often unpredictable is prioritised and suitably delegated to other members of the multi-disciplinary team.

Be conversant and adhere to the vulnerable adult and child protection procedures and Organisational polices.

Maintain and foster good relationships with professionals and non-professional colleagues concerned with the provision or development of healthcare services.

Lead and participate in team activities to develop and consolidate a cohesive and supportive team ensuring openness within the team.

Reporting and recording of all incidents and near misses as per policy.

Develop and maintain effective and appropriate communication networks with other members of the Primary Health Care Team and other agencies.

Have advanced communication skills to facilitate effective communication with patients and their carers, including sensitive and accurate information about their conditions.

Have experience in completion of TEP and E-Teps to support advanced care planning.

The post holder will have to provide and receive complex, sensitive, and confidential.

information and overcome potential barriers to communication, such as language, disability as well as dealing with concordance and barriers from patients to the prescribed treatment.

Able to communicate the role and eligibility criteria of the District Nursing Service.

Proactive engagement with the aging well MDTs within their geographical area.

Maintain accurate and up to date patient records and inform other professionals about changes in patients condition.

Act as a patient advocate as required ensuring individual needs, preferences, and choices are delivered by the service

Specific Skills

Essential

• Evidence of relevant specialist training relating to role
• To be able to respond to urgent calls in various parts of the locality
• Evidence of Good multi-agency liaison skills
• Good time management
• Delegation skills
• Ability to assess and treat patients using evidence-based practice
• IT literate
• Ability to work with difficult and complex situations
• Flexible/Adaptable
• Team player
• Ability to act as a role model
• Ability to motivate others.
• Non-judgemental
• Ability to travel across geographical area.

Desirable

• If appropriate to role such as DNSPQ, if completed V150, there is an expectation that the V300 will be undertaken)

Additional requirements

Essential

• Familiar with and committed to the principles and values of the NHS.
• Demonstrate commitment to and focus on quality, promotes high standards to consistently improve patient outcomes.
• Consistently put clinicians at the heart of decision making.
• Creates and fosters a culture of openness, honesty, integrity and inclusiveness.
• Values diversity and difference.
• Uses evidence to make improvements and seeks out innovation.
• Demonstrates commitment to partnership working
• Flexible approach to working.
• Attention to detail.
• Highly motivated with ability to influence and inspire others.
• Outcomes focused.
• Ability to act as a champion for patients/carers and their interests, ensuring the patients voice has an impact on service developments.
• Ability to travel across Plymouth and other geographical areas. Reasonable adjustments under equality act will be considered for the successful applicant.

Qualifications

Essential

• Registered Nurse who has completed a relevant Specialist Practitioner / Modules Qualification at Level 7 or above
• NMC Registration
• Teaching skills
• V150 / V300 non-medical prescribing qualification
• Experience in supervising student and or staff
• Evidence of mentoring
• Sign off clinical competency for all registered and unregistered staff

Experience

Essential

• Clinical and Management skills
• Leadership skills.
• Innovative and Assertive.
• Current experience and knowledge in all relevant areas of clinical practice.
• Experience in managing sensitive issues and overcoming obstacles in communication.

Desirable

• Coaching and mentoring experience

Knowledge

Essential

• Holistic, patient centred assessment skills, ability to develop therapeutic relationships
• Advanced Health Assessment Skills including History taking
• Ability to assess acute/chronic patient conditions and implement appropriate care as an
• Autonomous Practitioner
• Caseload/Team Management Skills
• Highly motivated with ability to influence and inspire others
• Background and development knowledge of Government Policies and changes in Primary Care
• Understanding of Clinical Governance
• Evidence of appropriate clinical competence and ongoing professional development including all clinical aspects of community skills for the role

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

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