Wound Specialist Nurse - Podiatry

Job description

Job responsibilities

MAIN AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:

Key Task Professional:

To plan, prioritise and manage a specialist community caseload of podiatry patients requiring wound care, under direct and indirect support and guidance from Band 6 and 7 clinical colleagues, demonstrating skills in current assessment techniques (including use of appropriate diagnostic equipment) and evidence-based treatment at risk patients .

Provide general wound care for chronic and surgical wounds for podiatric patients when indicated, including compression bandaging.

To ensure all treatment methodologies can be justified against recognised best practice or evidence base and effective clinical reasoning.

To effectively manage and prioritise own day-to-day caseload / work schedule.

Working as an autonomous professional making decisions around diagnosis, referral, return periods, discharge, and appropriate treatment for patients often with complex needs with direct and indirect support and guidance from Band 6 and 7 clinical colleagues.

To manage clinical risk within own caseload including knowing own limitations and when to seek further support and guidance.

To ensure that informed consent is acquired from a wide range of service users including those with language difficulties, reduced mental capacity and communication limitations.

To have individual responsibility and be professionally and legally accountable for all aspects of clinical work, delegating and referring onwards as necessary. A podiatry colleague or line manager will be available for the post holder to refer to as necessary for further advice.

To be flexible to provide cover for colleagues, often at short notice and in other clinics/teams and where patients need to be seen on an emergency basis.

To work in partnership with patients, colleagues and other service users and communicate effectively to meet the needs of the recipient in maximising their understanding of information about their (foot) health. To empathetically convey potentially distressing information.

To maintain standards of professional practice through a programme of continuing professional development (CPD), Clinical Supervision, competency assessment and reflective practice; identify, implement and review a personal development plan (PDP).

To work to the standards and guidelines set by the podiatry department, with specific reference to;

The full and proper use of the patients electronic health record to demonstrate active progress with treatment plans.

The active and participative management of caseloads.

The active management of waiting lists.

To work closely and effectively with other health care professionals in securing high standards of care for all patients, including

Referral onward

Antibiotic cover

To train/advise others (including Student Podiatrists, apprentices, community nurses, practice nurses, volunteers etc.) in delivering appropriate foot care.

To have the ability to undertake manual handling tasks safely and treat patients who may be immobile, wheelchair or bedbound.

Key Tasks Quality:

Attend and contribute to staff meetings, Clinical Supervision sessions, study days and the service planning process and actively implement service policies/guidelines or procedures.

To participate and contribute to departmental quality and service development initiatives.

To comply with and maintain an awareness of nationally set expectations and standards.

To work as required by departmental and other nationally and locally set standards.

To routinely participate in audit and participate in research as required.

Key Tasks Organisational:

To record accurate information on activity in accordance with the current data capture system.

To support the Team Leader and other staff in the organisation and delivery of the service.

To supervise junior members of the team

To manage a caseload in conjunction with the podiatrist, consistent with safe and effective patient care.

To deal with initial complaints/concerns sensitively avoiding escalation where possible and provide written statements as part of the trust complaints/concerns procedure as required.

To be responsible for the cost effective and appropriate use of all supplies.

To undertake other work or duties across the whole service, as directed by the Team Leader or as advised by clinical colleagues.

To liaise closely and work effectively with job share partner (where applicable).

Key Tasks - Health and Safety:

To be familiar with and act in accordance of all current Health and Safety policies

To follow the departmental, Trust and Department of Health guidance of decontamination of instruments.

To ensure a safe environment is maintained for staff and patients, through appropriate infection control measures, including the correct handling and disposal of infected/contaminated human tissue/fluids and dressings and disposable instruments.

To participate in the Trusts incident reporting system and to participate in and comply with the procedures and techniques for managing risks.

To be responsible for the safe handling and storage of materials as required by COSHH regulations.

To ensure that equipment is maintained in a safe and presentable manner and to report deficiencies immediately.

To attend annual mandatory training (PPST Patient & Personal Safety Training).

Person Specification

Knowledge

Essential

• Evidence of treatment planning
• Effective communication with the public/MDT

Desirable

• Presentation skills

Qualifications

Essential

• NMC registered

Desirable

• Evidence of CPD

Experience

Essential

• Wound care experience
• Ability to work under pressure

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.

Employer details

Employer name

Oxford Health NHS Trust

Address

Abingdon Hospital

Abingdon

OX14 1AG

Employer's website

https://www.oxfordhealth.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)