Respiratory Clinical Nurse Specialist

Job responsibilities

The Division aims to provide an environment conducive to the on-going development of all staff and advancements in the quality of the service by ensuring provision of a high standard of training, teaching and clinical care within the acute/community setting.

To provide clinical support carrying out independently or assisting with Respiratory investigation procedures in which full training has been undertaken based on clinical practice standards.

The Clinical Nurse Specialist/Specialist will be an advanced and experienced practitioner within their Respiratory specialty.

The role of Clinical Nurse Specialist requires a high degree of personal professional autonomy and making clinical judgement. Taking sole and joint responsibility for the patient and procedure during diagnostic and therapeutic intervention procedures to ensure a successful patient-based outcome within the acute/community setting, which will require assessment, planning and implementation of treatment. This will include the ability to assess patients in respiratory failure re suitability for home ventilation in conjunction with the Lead Physician by performing arterial blood gases, interpretation of results and subsequent prescribing of home oxygen in the inpatient and outpatient setting. . Provide education and support for patients and relatives regarding home ventilation.

To give advice and guidance both to Consultants and other specialty professionals on intervention procedures and clinical practice.

To be responsible for the nursing leadership within the specialty and giving support and guidance within the multidisciplinary team, contributing to the high quality care given to patients, in accordance with clinical governance. The post holder will ensure delivery and expansion of an expert and advanced nurse-led service through effective interdisciplinary care, utilising clinical and managerial expertise, which will include a review of the effectiveness of treatment.

Key Result Areas & Performance:

All the following are to be carried out while working in close collaboration with members of the multi-disciplinary team led by a Consultant. To demonstrate clinical expertise within the specialty and work autonomously, managing own allocated clinics independently and seeking guidance/support when necessary.

• To co-ordinate the specialty care within the Trust/CCG, including outreach clinics within the region.
• To become an essential member, and point of contact and resource for the multi-disciplinary team and patients and carers.
• Carries out diagnostic/therapeutic interventions as an independent practitioner, interprets, writes reports and commences further possible treatment on the basis of the findings.
• Carries out complex therapeutic/investigational procedures under indirect supervision of the Consultant. Ensuring that they are carried out using safe practice and under agreed guidelines/protocols to ensure that the highest possible standard is obtained based on competent clinical practice.
• To demonstrate the ability to develop new skills, to provide an expert high quality, nurse-led service/midwifery-led service.
• To provide ongoing follow-up care and support (home visits / telephone support / nurse/midwife led clinics / outpatient clinics and outreach clinics)
• To develop the service in a structured interdisciplinary way, initiating on-going change and progression in the expanding role of a Clinical Nurse Specialist.
• To develop interdisciplinary clinical management protocols and work within them.
• Autonomously or in collaboration with the multidisciplinary team, manage the care of patients carrying out relevant interventions, within agreed clinical protocols and in line with current practice/trends.
• To offer a supportive service to patients and their carers, disseminating specialist knowledge enabling individuals to try and adapt to any changes to their body image and life experiences. Liaising with other healthcare professionals when necessary.
• To provide, promote and maintain a support and advice service to patients and their carers, to include provision of information giving from diagnosis through to all stages of the disease process, in liaison with relevant healthcare professionals.
• To maintain accurate and legible records of all clinical and legal documentation with regard to Statutory and Trust policies.
• To assess, develop, implement and evaluate programmes of care within the acute and community setting
• To control patient admission via direct referral and with consultant guidance and supervision.
• Be aware of, understand, and act upon the Divisional Business Plan, with particular reference to nursing care, in order to participate in the re-formulation of nursing aspects of the plan.
• When required, investigate the nursing aspects of incidents/complaints and initiate corrective action.

Qualifications and Training

Essential

• RN / RM - Part 1
• Relevant specialist course or similar
• Mentorship course (supervising and assessing)
• Advanced training/skills in invasive/therapeutic/diagnostic procedures relevant to Respiratory.
• In-depth knowledge of anatomy related to Respiratory and associated disorders
• Knowledge of conditions, management and treatment

Desirable

• MSc level learning
• Knowledge of quality standards
• Non-Medical Prescribing
• National Qualification for care of patients with COPD, Asthma and the Spirometry course
• Advanced Assessment course

Experience

Essential

• Significant Senior clinical experience within Respiratory at a Band 6 level or above.
• Experience in assessing patients using spirometry along with interpretation of results
• Experience in Practice Guideline Development
• Audit and Research Experience
• Evidence of clinical leadership qualities
• Evidence of using primary and secondary healthcare teams and resources to support the patients discharge process
• Experience in patient advocacy

Desirable

• Lead an audit and/or research study
• Presentation and teaching experience
• Caseload management
• Leading a service

Knowledge

Essential

• Implementation of evidence-based practice within a Respiratory setting.
• Evidence of autonomous working, quality improvement and leadership skills.
• Ability to work with MDT, contributing with enabling effective outcomes.
• Data interpretation to identify appropriate information required.

Desirable

• Change management
• Statistics and report writing

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).