Band 6 Nurse Specialist - Chronic fatigue Service

Job description

Job responsibilities

Main areas of responsibility and duties

Clinical

The CNS for the CFS service is responsible for supporting patients and their carers at any stage of their illness by providing:

• Clinical care in the speciality of CFS/ME with clinical supervision and support to ensure a high-quality service.
• With support undertake pre-diagnostic assessment and ongoing assessment of patients needs and formulating/developing an individualised care plan in line with NICE (2007) guidelines.
• Identifying patients with high levels of anxiety and depression who are at risk and liaising with appropriate services as part of safeguarding responsibilities and duties.

Triaging of new referrals involving high level clinical decision making, in conjunction with the lead consultant, referrer and patients to ensure appropriate placement in service pathway.

A co-ordinated specialist service by working within their scope of practice, and within a multi-disciplinary team, to maintain and improve standards of care through evidence-based best practice.

• A resource - giving advice on the control of physical and psychological symptoms, to patients, carers and health professionals, in conjunction with the multi-disciplinary team.
• Counselling skills, e.g. motivational interviewing, to support patients making and sustaining behaviour changes.
• Information and support for patients with CFS/ME to meet their needs and the needs of their families/carers, respecting diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds.
• Assistance with the transfer of information between professionals including between hospital and community whilst ensuring confidentiality to provide a good standard of careOut-Patient Responsibilities:

Nurse-led services:

To conduct comprehensive pre-diagnostic assessments under supervision of the Band 7 CNS and Lead Consultant.

Educating patients and their families/carers on the possible causes of CFS/ME and the various treatment options available.

Timely and coordinated referral to other members of the CFS/ME team where appropriate to improve patient management.

Follow-up patients by telephone, email to ensure their well-being and to provide support.

Subjects referred with suspected CFS/ME:

Triaging of new referrals involving high level clinical decision making in conjunction with Band 7 CNS, Lead Consultant, referrer and patient.

Take a history and assessment of new patients referred to the service in liaison with the CNS.

With support, interpret results of blood tests to exclude other causes.

Participate in the presentation and discussion of new patients to the multidisciplinary team and Consultant.

To plan and implement patient centred evidenced based care.

Possible involvement in collection of blood samples for research as instructed by Consultant Lead.

Liaise with GPs on the optimum management of patients. Co-ordinate appointments for medical review including recommendations for further tests after consultation with Consultant.

Recommendations for dietary referral and advice where appropriate.

Provide patients, their family/carers, and other health professionals with contact numbers for the clinic.

Communication

• Provide advice for Trust staff caring for CFS/ME patients.
• Provide a telephone resource service for primary care clinicians e.g. (GPs, practice nurses, occupational therapy (OT), Mental Health Teams etc).

• Liaise with LMDT (local multidisciplinary team) regarding plan of care and document in patient notes.
• Liaise with other CNCCs (clinical network co-ordinating centres) and regional LMDT to remain informed of best practice, research and service provisions allowing for equity of access for patients.
• Liaise with primary care to facilitate a seamless service for patients requiring ongoing community support.

Management

The CFS/ME CNS will contribute to the effective operation of the service by:

• With supervision managing a caseload of patients with CFS/ME, many of whom will have other co-morbidities, e.g. anxiety and depression.

• Participating in cross-site working and liaising with other professionals and agencies to provide a seamless service.
• Ensuring that referral criteria to and from the service and other healthcare professionals are clearly defined.

• Contributing to the maintenance of accurate patient records and providing information to other services as appropriate.
• Participating in the collection and retrieval of data to monitor and evaluate the service.
• Contributing to national initiatives through the CFS/ME networks.
• Having the knowledge of, and facilitating access to external sources of funding, e.g. grants and benefits
• Contributing to the collection and management of data relating to the minimum data set as per national guidelineEducation

The CFS/ME CNS will alongside the CNS provide specialist education and training to other staff, students, patients and carers by:

• Promoting evidence-based practice in the context of care of patients with CFS/ME needs.
• Assisting in the development of CFS/ME policies, procedures and clinical protocols within the Trust.
• Acting as an educational resource for all professional groups within the Trust.
• Identifying training needs and implementing appropriate education programmes for patients, carers and staff. Where necessary, this should be in conjunction with the Trusts Education/Training Departments
• Contributing to CFS/ME education programmes in associated establishments, e.g. GP training.
• Ensuring engagement in continuing professional development and mandatory training in order to meet Trust and professional requirements for safe practice and maintain a high-quality service.

Research and Development

The CFS/ME CNS contributes to the maintenance of effective Clinical Governance within the Trust by:

• Participating in audit activities that will inform and develop practice and/or service provision.
• Undertaking or participating in any research projects related to CFS/ME.

Communications and working relationships

The CFS multi-disciplinary team

Patients, Families and Carers

Other CFS teams in the CFS network (BACME)

Service users and local support groups

Community Nursing and Therapy Teams

Community Matrons

Hospital Care Staff

Primary Care (including Practice Organisations)

PALS/ Complaints

Voluntary Services

Local Authorities

Independent Care Homes

Professional and General

The CFS/ME CNS will conduct him/herself in a professional manner at all times by:

• Acting in accordance with the NMC Code of Professional Practice for Nurses/Midwives and Health Visitors.
• Acting in accordance with the Trust Health & Safety, Equal Opportunities, Data Protection and Managing Diversity policies.
• Comply with the trusts reporting and management of incidents policy.
• Carrying out such duties as may be required and are consistent with the responsibilities of the grade.

Person Specification

Essential

Essential

• 1st level registration RN/RGN equivalent or diploma/BSc in Nursing
• Post registration experience, including some at Band 5 with patients with a chronic long term condition, e.g. chronic fatigue, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis etc

Desirable

Desirable

• Experience in counselling or cognitive behavioural therapy
• Phlebtomy

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

Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust

Address

Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust

Cotswold Road

Sutton

SM2 5NF

Employer's website

https://www.epsom-sthelier.nhs.uk/work-for-us (Opens in a new tab)