Virtual Fracture Practitioner

Job description

Job responsibilities

Using CERNER, to coordinate the Virtual Fracture Clinic (VFC) caseload, liaising with UCC, A&E and Teddington Walk in Centre to ensure all referral notes are received in clinic

To provide the Consultant leading the VFC with information about the clinical history and presentation of the patients discussed based on referral notes of the referring clinician

Documenting outcomes of the clinic on Cerner so that outcome may be audited

Telephone patients with the outcome of the clinic based on notes so that outcomes may be audited and providing them with a relevant follow up appointments in the fracture or plaster clinic if indicated

To ensure information is communicated to patients in a manner that encourages and promotes understanding, taking into consideration any barriers or difficulties with language or hearing

To be familiar with management of fractures and soft tissue injuries in order to be able to offer patient suitable advice including the management of plaster casts and associated problems e.g pressure ulcer

Offer patient clinical and practical advice in relation to the management of their injury including recovery time, mobility, pain management and rehabilitation

Demonstrate up to date knowledge of relevant conditions and rehabilitation

Ensure patient is involved in decision-making regarding their care

Actively participates as an effective and competent member of the multidisciplinary team

Prioritise appointments depending on outcome of conversation with patients

Liaise with administrative staff in musculoskeletal (MSK) team and with plaster technicians about appointments, booking appointments on Cerner as required

Develop skills to minimise the potential for volatile and/or aggressive situations from occurring

Develop effective communication strategies when dealing with anxious patients or carers

Practice enhanced negotiation, influencing and conflict management skills

Act as a patient advocate

Check the patients have relevant information leaflet and check the usefulness of this information to them

Handover the details of the patients who are required to re-attend the hospital for surgery following their injury to the Trauma Nurse Coordination or SHO, inform the patients of this process

Discuss with patients any symptoms they need to observe and what to do if symptoms worsen or do not improve

Document conversations with patients on Cerner notes

Ensure appropriate diagnostic requests are ordered for patients including ordering imaging and/or blood requests as identified by lead VFC Clinician

Identify patients who need physiotherapy or hand management unit (HMU) referral as part of their treatment plan and ensure referrals are completed and submitted

Pre- assessing patient as part of the Outpatient nursing team. This may include MRSA swabs, urinalysis, observations and undertaking dressing changes, suture removal and or clip removal

Follow the guidelines with regard to the use of visual display units

Leadership/Networking

Collaborate with the Trauma Nurse Coordinator to lead audits across all aspects of Virtual Fracture Clinic (VFC) services, evaluating areas such as patient satisfaction, surgical wait times, discharge rates, and the relevance and accuracy of current patient information leaflets.

Provide assistance to all staff to enhance patient care relating to VFC

Engage in effective communication, involving all members of the multidisciplinary team, demonstrating the ability to put forward own views and effectively listen to others point of view

Foster continued development of all Virtual Fracture Clinic related endeavours within the Trust

Liaise with multiple care settings including A&E, the UCC and Teddington Walk in Centre to ensure continuity of care for the patient and optimised patient experience, providing feedback about referrals when required

Act as a positive and effective role model

To communicate and advise the MSK administrative and plaster clinic staff of all relevant aspects of patients treatment plan to ensure appropriate appointment are booked and timely care provided

Demonstrates ability to take responsibility for own workload, by effectively analysing, prioritising and organising own workload

Demonstrates ability to address professional issues arising in a discreet manner, acknowledging ones own limitations and seeking advice and guidance as necessary

Service Development

Collaborate with the Trauma Nurse Coordinator to lead audits and drive continuous improvement within the Virtual Fracture Clinic (VFC). This involves applying a 360-degree approach to service evaluation and development, assessing outcomes such as patient satisfaction, VFC wait times, discharge rates, and the accuracy of patient information leaflets.

Coordinate patient satisfaction surveys across all VFC services, presenting findings to the multidisciplinary team and facilitating data-driven actions with support from the Trauma Nurse Coordinator. Demonstrate a positive attitude to suggested changes in practice through the introduction of evidence based care

Generate innovative ideas and suggestions regarding other medical conditions appropriate to VFC and streamlining the service

Ensure that all patient leaflets are evidence based, up to date and market tested

Professional

Act in accordance with respective Professional Regulator (i.e. NMC, HCPC) and Local Trust Guidelines in being accountable for own actions at all times

Maintains and develops personal and professional knowledge, demonstrating clinical and professional expertise as per professional guidelines (i.e. NMC guidelines, HCPC, Trust guidelines)

Keep own knowledge and skill up to date and own competencies both statutory and mandatory training are maintained and kept up to date.

Identify own personal development needs as part of annual professional development review

Establish and maintain personal clinical supervision and mentoring

Ensure awareness of all relevant policies in the trust when carrying out any duties, ensuring you are working within your competency and band level accordingly

Be vigilant about effective and efficient use of resources and management of equipment and supplies within the Orthopaedic Department

These duties are not exhaustive and will be reviewed with the post holder, allowing for amendments within the broad scope and band level of the role.

All duties must be carried out under supervision or within Trust policy and procedure. You must never undertake any duties that are outside your area of skill or knowledge level. If you are unsure you must seek clarification from a more senior of staff.

Person Specification

Education and qualifications

Essential

• Registered Nurse/Allied Health Professional/Specialist Professional Qualification from a Nationally recognised Orthopaedic course or equivalent experience
• Degree level qualification or equivalent experience

Desirable

• Evidence of continuing professional development (i.e. relevant competencies and scope of practice)
• Diploma/Degree in a relevant profession

Experience

Essential

• Evidence of experience in VFC and/or outpatient MSK setting
• Experience in caring for trauma and orthopaedic patients
• Able to demonstrate effective consolidation of clinical knowledge & practice when working as a Band 5
• Understanding equality and diversity, and how to apply it to self and others
• Experience of working autonomously
• Experience in building relationships with colleagues at all levels
• Ability to present information both verbally and in writing

Desirable

• A working knowledge of primary care, teamwork, and reflective practice

Skills and knowledge

Essential

• Knowledge of the management of fractures and soft tissue injurie
• Excellent interpersonal skills, both verbal and written
• Confident communicator, both in person and over the telephone
• Ability to work autonomously & within teams
• Ability to prioritise workload
• Good presentation skills
• Knowledge of clinical governance & its application
• IT literate in Microsoft office package
• Skilled negotiator
• Excellent problem solving skills

Desirable

• Experience of using CERNER Application
• Change management skills

Personal qualities

Essential

• Assertive
• Assertive
• Trustworthy, open &honest
• Motivated
• Motivated
• Empathetic
• Ability to recognise own limitations and challenge them appropriately

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Address

West Middlesex University Hospital

Twickenham Road

Isleworth

TW7 6AF

Employer's website

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