Nurse Practitioner

Job responsibilities

Key Duties:

Patient Care Responsibilities

Acting as a Named Nurse/Case manager to a cohort of patients from POA to admission.

Responsible for assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating programmes of care within the framework of team nursing.

Evaluation of patient health history and identifies previously unknown health concerns.

Able to undertake advanced clinical health assessment including cardiac and respiratory assessment and examination.

Independently make onward referrals to an additional service as appropriate e.g. General Practitioner, Specialist Nurse.

Follow up advice, referral, investigations for patients presenting with significant co morbidities.

Acts as a resource and provides advice on the management of patients to staff at Band 5.

To co-ordinate the patients discharge arrangements in accordance with WAHT discharge policy.

To promote a patient-focused approach to care in collaboration with all relevant health professionals.

To obtain an accurate and concise medical and medicines histories from the patient using interpersonal skills to facilitate the assessment of the patient for both minor and major surgery.

Uses information obtained during the assessment, to determine the patients fitness to proceed for surgery, demonstrating the appropriate action to take in the event of not fit to proceed.

Ensure the patient has an understanding of their proposed operation by providing accurate peri-operative information both verbally and in writing.

Provide information that will enable the patient to make choices about adopting a healthier lifestyle and makes a referral, as appropriate, for optimisation of their health before surgery.

Arranges and co-ordinates any assessment and/or investigations needed near the time of surgery, in accordance with local and national guidance.

Identifies abnormal readings and acts on the findings in an appropriate and timely manner.

To assist in establishing and monitoring of protocols and care pathways.

To ensure effective communication with patients, relatives and other staff.

To support peoples equality, diversity and rights at all times.

To safe guard vulnerable adults in accordance with agreed policies and procedures.

Professional Development and Education Responsibilities

To develop own teaching skills and participate in staff / student education programmes and training

To help maintain a suitable learning environment for staff and act as a facilitator in the supervision and teaching of less experienced staff.

To attend Trust / local orientation programmes and mandatory training sessions.

To be responsible for developing and sustaining own knowledge, clinical skills and professional awareness in accordance with revalidation requirements and to maintain a professional portfolio with evidence of reflective practice.

To contribute to annual appraisal and be responsible for own Personal Development Programme.

To participate in the Trusts Preceptorship Programme.

To assist in the development and implementation of nursing practice guidelines, standards and policies.

To lead with implementation of changes and support Band 5

Research and Development Responsibilities

To assist in promoting nursing practice in line with relevant research.

To maintain an awareness of evidence-based practice relating to POA.

To contribute to research and development programmes within the unit.

Audit, Quality and Risk Management Responsibilities

To contribute to the setting and monitoring of measurable standards of care and be accountable for maintaining standards.

To maintain awareness of the national, professional and local quality issue relevant to the delivery of nursing services, e.g. Clinical Governance.

To uphold quality initiatives that improves patient care and enhances the interface between staff, patients, and visitors.

To participate in the audit process for monitoring and reviewing nursing quality indicators.

To be aware of personal responsibilities in relation to the maintenance of a safe environment and identification of potential risks for all personnel, patients and visitors, taking action as and when required.

To be aware of the role of the nurse in handling complaints in accordance with WAHT policy.

Support the development and implementation of new policies and guidelines into the POA service.

To participate in maintaining a clean environment.

The post holder will familiarise themselves with relevant Trust policies and procedures and comply with these at all times.

Support the implementation of service development as appropriate and facilitate changes in service delivery.

To maintain a safe unit and ensure all appropriate general risk assessments are completed in POA

To demonstrates knowledge and understanding of the POA process and the referral to treatment pathway (18 week RTT).

Resource Management Responsibilities

To support the Band 6 Junior Sister in the development and maintenance of budgeting and resource management.

To assist in the assessment and monitoring of staffing requirements and report problems to the appropriate manager.

In the absence of the Band 6 Junior Sister, the post holder will take responsibility for the management of the unit.

Vision and Values:

The Trust aims to provide local services for local people. It has developed its vision to reflect this commitment.

To continue to be the major provider of acute/specialist services for the people of Worcestershire (and wider) with a strong reputation for providing outstanding, high quality, reliable, accessible and integrated healthcare for local people

Driving this commitment are the Trust-wide signature behaviours:

Do what we say we will do

No Delays, every day

We listen, we learn, we lead

Work together, celebrate together

Skills/Knowledge

Essential

• Excellent communication skills
• Able to undertake expanded roles e.g. nurse led clinics
• Able to challenge and articulate opinion
• A working knowledge of health and safety issues
• Ability to demonstrate a knowledge of current legislative changes affecting the NHS
• Clear understanding and experience in operational agenda
• Evidence of teaching and development skills.
• Evidence of managing Change Organisation skills, Leadership skills and ability to inspire and motivate others.
• Able to prioritise.
• Ability to motivate others.
• Ability to work as part of a wider MDT
• Fully aware of principles of infection control.
• Able to produce written reports and articulate concerns regarding patient care / safety issues.
• Fully aware of the principles of clinical governance and the application of clinical governance.
• Computer literate as appropriate to the post.
• Able to demonstrate understanding/involvement with health promotion/ education initiatves.

Desirable

• Demonstrate ability to undertake clinical procedures requiring accuracy and dexterity

Experience

Essential

• Experience at Band 5 within the speciality or related field.
• Extensive Pre-op Assessment knowledge/experience within sub specilaties

Desirable

• Clinical audit knowledge/experience

Qualifications

Essential

• RGN with current registration
• First level degree or equivalent
• Evidence of Continuing Professional Development
• Related post basic training/experience in Assessment of patients Pre-operatively
• Post basic training in Holistic Assessment
• Competent examiner of heart and lungs
• NMC recognised teaching and assessing qualification.

Desirable

• Nurse Prescriber or willing to undertake the course

Other job requirements

Essential

• Willing to travel between sites Countywide as required
• Able to work outside normal office hours/shifts on occasion as required

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).