Associate Clinical Nurse Specialist in Pain Management (Adults)

Job description

Job responsibilities

Clinical Responsibilities

To contribute to the smooth running of the inpatient Pain Management Service.

Provide holistic assessments, plan and conduct pain treatment. Follow-up planned treatment, under the supervision of expert colleagues and within agreed guidelines and protocols.

This involves undertaking daily specialist ward rounds and twice weekly multidisciplinary ward rounds.

To carry the inpatient pain bleep once competent and respond to urgent or non-urgent situations. If required, offer specialist advice in accordance with agreed guidelines and protocols. This may involve: dealing with patients in severe pain or with suboptimal pain management, managing side effects and administering or recommending the appropriate treatment. Finally, recognising the unwell patient who requires referral or urgent medical attention and escalating as appropriate.

To draw on both their own and others knowledge in decision making to determine evidence-based interventions within guidelines and actively monitoring these.

To act as an advocate for the patient in treatment related decisions and choices.

To refer a patient who requires the administration of an epidural bolus or IV opioid for severe pain to an Anaesthetist and following a period of supervision from the CNS & Consultants, deliver this treatment according to agreed guidelines and protocols. To seek medical advice in patients with respiratory depression / over dosage of opioids.

To co-ordinate with an Anaesthetist, to provide a 24-hour inpatient pain service for patients in all clinical areas (adults and paediatric). Provide handover information to the on-call Anaesthetist for out of hours care where necessary.

To have supervised input into the delivery of the outpatient Pain Management Service and assist the Consultants and other CNSs in the development and future delivery of outpatient Pain Management Services.

Participate in Pain Management Service multidisciplinary team meetings.

To use effective communication and interpersonal skills to provide information, explanation and reassurance to both patients and families. Furthermore, build an environment of trust, promoting patient empowerment.

To maintain accurate and contemporaneous records of patients assessment, care, treatment and follow up.

To participate in providing specialised aspects of patient care and treatment, working in partnership with others.

To provide holistic assessment, care and treatment to patients under the supervision of expert colleagues and within agreed guidelines and protocols and plan / conduct appropriate patient follow up.

To address patients health promotion and prevention needs through comprehensive assessment of individuals for risk factors and early signs of illness.

Education

To recognise areas for clinical development and respond appropriately to these, utilising available resources.

To assist in the on-going development and structuring of the department as a learning environment.

Promoting change and collaborating in the development of innovative practice.

Supporting the induction and orientation of new staff and evaluating staff performance.

Taking part in the development of patient educational tools such as written information.

To keep up to date with current and potential research, and information relevant to the care of patients in the clinical area.

To attend courses as deemed relevant and to attend meetings and conferences as appropriate.

To be responsible for developing and sustaining own knowledge, clinical skills and professional awareness.

Leadership and Collaborative practice

To work within an agreed job plan to meet service requirements, which are to be agreed within three months of taking up the role. This will then be reviewed annually and help maintain records of activity.

To provide advice and guidance to Nurses and other professions within the bounds of own knowledge and expertise.

To work collaboratively with colleagues, patients and families.

To maintain awareness of own role in relation to the wider multi-professional team and organisation, whilst building and maintaining these working relationships.

To develop and maintain awareness of epidemiological, demographic, social, political and professional factors relevant to their area of practice.

To use a reflective and questioning approach to individual practice, participating in clinical and service changes.

To support and contribute to delivering the wider Trust agenda as directed by the Chief Nurse and the Trust Senior Nursing and Midwifery Council.

Professional and Personal Development

Ensure own professional learning needs are identified and met through the KSF framework.

To promote an open and friendly working environment.

Actively participating in departmental educational meetings.

Keep abreast of current research and information relevant to the care of patients.

Meet regularly with members of own team and to ensure effective communication with other team members.

Establishing and maintaining links with other clinical nurse specialists across the organisation and outside of the organisation to share knowledge and to provide mutual support.

Attending relevant education and training courses, including nurse network meetings and conferences to enhance own professional development.

Be involved in the setting of standards, clinical audit and maintain a high standard of nursing care.

Actively participating as a member of the team within the research department, disseminate research and audit by assisting in the preparation of posters, research papers for meetings, conferences and publications.

During periods of absence or leave ensure that appropriate cover is in place to provide continuous support for patients and carers.

Act in accordance with the Nursing and Midwifery Council Code of Professional Practice and guide others to do the same.

Conversant with and maintains local Trust policies e.g. fire, manual handling, sick policy.

Ensure that all activities are carried out within Chelsea and Westminster Healthcare policy guidelines and promote the objectives of the Trusts Nursing Strategy and Philosophy for Nursing.

PLEASE SEE JOB DESCRIPTION AND PERSON SPECIFICATION FOR FULL DUTIES OF THE POST

Person Specification

Education and Qualifications

Essential

• Registered Nurse (Adults)
• Evidence of ongoing, continuing professional development within clinical care linked to demonstrable clinical competences

Desirable

• Assessing mentoring qualification
• Pain management course
• Non-Medical Prescribing qualification

Experience

Essential

• Excellent relevant adult clinical skills
• Able to motivate and develop a multi-professional team
• Excellent verbal and written communication and listening skills
• Excellent teaching, training and preceptorship skills

Desirable

• Excellent managerial, leadership and organisational skills

Skills and Knowledge

Essential

• Sound knowledge of the principles & practice of specialist care
• Ability to manage change, both personally and as a facilitator
• Computer literate: able to use Word, email, Excel and manage databases
• Excellent problem solving skills
• Understanding of resource management, health and safety, clinical risk and quality

Desirable

• Previous experience of research and audit
• Experience of handling clinical incidents & complaints
• Ability to lead change / innovations in specialist practice

Personal qualities

Essential

• Demonstrates initiative
• Ability to work under pressure, flexibly and as part of a team
• Good communication and interpersonal skills

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.

UK Registration

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

Employer details

Employer name

Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Cross site: Chelsea London and Isleworth Middlesex

369 Fulham Road

London and Isleworth

SW10 9NH

Employer's website

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