Gastroenterology Clinical Nurse specialist

Job responsibilities

Duties and Responsibilities:

Clinical

Dependent upon existing level of skills, knowledge and experience, the post holder will be expected to work in a supervised or independent way. Relevant training will be provided with a view to expanding development of the role over a 23-year period.

• Provide, and continue to develop, nurse led clinics, adhering to protocols as agreed with consultant physicians in gastrointestinal medicine/ Hepatology/Viral hepatitis. The post holder will be responsible for assessing, monitoring patients with designated conditions, developing care packages and management plans in partnership with senior CNSs, consultants patients and carers under supervision for conditions involving General gastroenterology, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Liver disease and Viral Hepatitis.
• Record the patients history and plan clinical management of the patient following interpretation of diagnostic investigations, within agreed protocols where appropriate and under supervision.
• Undertake protocol led clinical assessment of newly referred patients from GPs or within the trust. With lower or upper GI symptoms and develop a management plan for these patients/ relatives under supervision
• With necessary guidance refer patients for appropriate diagnostic investigations e.g. Endoscopy, blood analysis, diagnostic imaging and referrals to another centre.
• Explain the findings of investigations, diagnoses and future management plans with patients and relatives as appropriate under supervision, ensuring documentation is in place. Provide support, counselling, advice and information to referred patients and their carers regarding their illness, treatments and service available.
• Provide a telephone helpline service to gastroenterology patients. This service will facilitate the post holder to give advice, information and support over the telephone. It is anticipated that this service will reduce outpatient attendance and improve patient access to the service whilst improving patient satisfaction.
• The post holder will work with colleagues to provide the highest possible standards of clinical care for gastrointestinal patients.
• The post holder will perform venepuncture and administer intravenous therapy (such as monoclonal antibody treatment, infliximab and Anti TNF treatment for patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease) with minimal supervision, as required and within hospital policies.
• Liaise with medical staff and senior nurse specialist to provide the best management of difficult cases and where appropriate refer to medical /surgical /oncology teams.
• Develop the nursing role in the gastroenterology team, working alongside the gastroenterologists to develop and promote the service within the hospital and primary care. Work with colleagues to provide the highest possible standards of clinical care for gastroenterology patients.
• Be involved in the development of clinical guidelines for gastroenterology patients in collaboration with other members of the gastroenterology team.
• The post holder will ensure that effective health promotion is incorporated within the role to appropriate patients/carers and ensure that health promotion initiatives are implemented at appropriate times, in conjunction with other trust staff. The post holder will also develop appropriate programmes to provide advice to patients and relatives on lifestyle and health promotion measures.
• The post holder will act as an expert resource within the gastrointestinal service to provide clinical advice and support to hospital and community-based staff.

Managerial Responsibilities:

• The post holder will discuss best management of difficult cases with members of the gastroenterology team and other clinicians, e.g colorectal surgeons, nurses and clerical staff to ensure that the patient receives the highest standards of service possible.
• Collaborate with other clinical nurse specialists as required and act as an expert resource for newly appointed nurse specialists.
• The post holder will ensure that adequate records of all patients are maintained, and that all relevant information is documented in patients medical/nursing notes
• The post holder will ensure that General Practitioners are informed of appropriate/relevant details regarding patient care.
• The post holder will efficiently utilise the available resources to meet service objectives and within trust budgets
• Report all accidents/incidents to the senior nurse specialist and ensure that documentation is maintained, within Trust policy.
• Undertake appraisal and development as trust policy; this includes maintenance of a professional portfolio.
• The post holder will participate within a system of clinical supervision; this may involve undertaking the role of supervisor.
• Maintain an up-to-date knowledge of developments in care of patients with gastroenterological conditions by attending and presenting at conferences, reading journals to ensure current practice is evidence based.

Educational Responsibilities:

• The post holder will act as an expert resource, role model and mentor to staff, providing formal and informal education and support
• Identify the specific training and education needs of patients/carers and facilitate meeting those needs. Prepare and provide learning materials and teaching programmes for nursing staff and patients /relatives for use within clinical areas.
• The post holder will collaborate with other nurse practitioner/specialists as required and act as a resource and provide education and support for newly appointed nurse specialists
• The post holder will act as a resource, role model and mentor to nursing staff, medical / nursing students providing formal and informal education and support.
• Participate in the assessment of the educational requirements of and nursing staff and nursing students
• The post holder will be educated to degree level and thereafter undertake relevant study and training in the development of this role.

. Audit and Research:

The post holder will:

• In consultation with the multi-disciplinary team and collaboration with other specialist nurses, the post holder will identify and encourage research based practice in relation to gastroenterology and/or nursing within the Trust.
• The post holder will participate in the multidisciplinary audit programme and will work in conjunction with the specialist nurses and the lead clinicians to achieve this.
• The post holder will audit the role of the Gastroenterology nurse specialist, eliciting the views of patients, carers and professionals to ensure a high standard of service

Educational Requirements

Essential

• First Level Registered Nurse
• ENB 998 / mentorship
• Up to date knowledge of current clinical and professional issues relating to area of expertise BLS/ILS
• Evidence of actively working towards the achievement of such, or evidence of ability to undertake study at this level.

Desirable

• Experienced in Leading MDT and providing high quality patient centred service.
• Post graduate knowledge relating Viral Hepatitis and Liver related condition
• Post graduate Knowledge relating to Crohn's and colitis Nursing
• Communication and counselling course

Experience

Essential

• Post registration experience in a gastroenterology setting.
• Teaching and mentorship
• Ability to work independently with a caseload of patients.
• Experience of utilising nursing research
• Experience with working across MDT and Experience of supporting colleagues

Desirable

• Competent knowledge in symptom management and psychological care
• Managing complex cases patient independently
• Management skills

Skills and Abilities

Essential

• Skills and Abilities
• Able to demonstrate good communication skills
• Able to reflect on own performance
• Able to take part in clinical supervision

Desirable

• Able to undertake own appraisal and take part in appraising other.

Knowledge

Essential

• Evidence of post registration experience in Gastroenterology/ Hepatology/Endoscopy
• Evidence of making clinical judgments involving complex facts or situation which require analysis, interpretation and comparison of a range of options.
• Sound clinical knowledge base

Desirable

• Good understanding of changes facing the Health Service
• Teaching and mentorship

Personal Qualities

Essential

• Good communication skills
• Good listening skills and Ability to negotiate
• Able to work well within a team
• Clear vision for nursing

Desirable

• Demonstrates leadership qualities

Other requirement

Essential

• Able to work flexibly Willing to develop and extend own practice
• Willing to undertake any necessary developments of the role Good health record

Desirable

• Good health recordY

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).