Job summary
The Diabetes Nursing team in Worcestershire provides expert care and support to people living with diabetes in the county and surrounding areas. There are two acute hospitals and a Treatment Centre from which the teams operate. The countywide team works collaboratively across a variety of settings with outpatient clinics, home visits and care in hospitals. This Senior Diabetes Specialist Nurse role is based at the Alexandra Hospital Redditch. The primary purpose of this role is to work as part of the inpatient DSN team delivering expert diabetes care to people with diabetes who are admitted to hospital. This is a leadership role and you will work closely with the other Senior members of the diabetes team to develop the service to meet the needs of our population.
There is also a large component of supporting women with diabetes through pregnancy as will as supporting those who develop diabetes during pregnancy.
This post is a part time post 0.6 WTE, 22.5 hours a week Mon-Wed.
Main duties of the job
As well as managing inpatient diabetes services ,they also work with our urgent care teams to prevent admissions whenever possible. Seeing people early in their hospital journey and providing input at the beginning of an inpatient stay can reduce the time people need to stay in hospital. They also liaise with the community diabetes services to support patients after discharge.
The inpatient teams also provide education on diabetes to a wide range of staff groups and support student nurses to gain experience in diabetes care.
A large part of the role will also be to support women with diabetes in pregnancy either with pre-existing diabetes or those who develop gestational diabetes. There is a weekly Diabetes antenatal clinic and lots of calls and support outside of the clinic times.
Participation in audit and developing guidelines are also important aspects of the role.
Providing leadership and support to junior members of the team and supporting the diabetes administration staff to develop new ways of working and imbed a new IT system.
About us
Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust is a large
acute and specialised hospital trust that provides a range of local acute
services to the residents of Worcestershire and more specialised services to a
larger population in Herefordshire and beyond.
The Trust operates hospital-based services from
three sites in Kidderminster, Redditch and Worcester
Our workforce is more than 7,000 strong, and our
caring staff are recognised as providing good and outstanding patient-centred
care. You could be one of them.
We are committed to recruiting the best people to
work with us. Our values, which we ask all staff to demonstrate, underpin our
everyday work and remain firmly at the heart of all we do.
Being open and honest
Ensuring people feel cared for
Showing respect to everyone
We are proud to have achieved Timewise
accreditation - this means we are committed to embedding flexible working
within our organisation as a flex positive employer.
DBS Checks and Costs
Any applicants who are offered posts requiring a
DBS check as part of their employment check will have the cost of this check
(at the current rate) deducted from their salary. Please see link in Supporting
Information section for more details on DBS checks and costs.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- Work both autonomously and as part of the team to provide a resource of highly specialist advice, information and support to all members of the primary health care team in the delivery of effective diabetes care.
- Receive referrals from other health professional disciplines and self-referrals from patients and relatives, assess and effectively prioritise these in order to autonomously manage a caseload of patients.
- Undertake specialist assessments of diabetes care needs and work with primary and secondary care givers to improve the quality of life of patients, relatives and carers living with a chronic long term condition.
- Following specialist assessment, initiates, plans of care for patients with highly complex care needs and responsible for reviewing, evaluating and initiating action within broad policies.
- Frequently uses advanced communication skills to communicate highly sensitive information to patients and carers. E.g. breaking bad news such as foetal abnormalities, loss of sight.
- Provide a nurse prescribing facility to diabetes care patients in line with the agreed guidelines for Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, following completion of the accredited university training and registration with the NMC.
- Assess those recently diagnosed as part of the continuing care for families and carers, where specialist intervention in required. Acts on the assessment to plan and implement as appropriate care strategy.
- Deliver care within Worcestershire to meet the needs of the service.
- Frequently act as primary resources to health professional in all care settings giving specialist diabetes advice regarding highly complex symptom management and care planning.
- Regularly assess patients within the acute trust and initiating a plan of care to avoid admission if appropriate clinically and facilitate an early discharge.
- Review and develop appropriate patient documentation/information in line with Trust policy and Government recommendations.
- Involved in the development and delivery of a diabetes care advice service in line with NICE guidelines (DOH 2002).
- Attend diabetes care MDT meetings, presenting new and complex patients in line with clinical governance.
- Provide highly skilled practical knowledge in the use of complex specialist equipment e.g. Continuous glucose monitoring and insulin Pump therapy.
- To participate in a 7 day per week Diabetes service that includes weekends and bank holidays.
Education
- Organise and run diabetes care study days and mandatory training for all disciplines of staff.
- Develop an education strategy in diabetes care countywide, identifying the educational needs of staff in other services with reference to diabetes care. Plan and provide appropriate education/training for these groups.
- Present on related courses, study days and training programmes to disseminate evidence based diabetes are knowledge and practice.
- Participate in developing and providing education/training programmes in the management of diabetes for patients, carers and healthcare professionals to improve practice.
- Provide education and training for patients, relatives and carers.
- Participate in Countywide diabetes care education initiatives and development.
- Provide placements/mentorship for professionals undertaking diabetes courses at graduate/undergraduate and pre-registration levels.
Research and Audit
- Develop, implement, audit to measure and evaluate standards of practice relating to specialist diabetes care. Ensure the dissemination of best practice.
- Formulate long term strategic plans which impact across the County, in line with local/national initiatives. Propose, develop and implement policy changes on issues such as NSF for Diabetes.
- Responsible for the development of data for the countywide audit and benchmarking activates of the specialist diabetes care service.
- Adhere to the Trusts complaint procedure with regard to written and verbal complaints. Using appropriate referral mechanisms in order to resolve the situation in conjunction with the PALS officer.
- Individual staff have a role in suggesting and implementing approved improvements to services and exercise professional responsibility for both themselves and their peers within an open just and fair culture.
- Develop an operational policy, review and update annually in line with Worcestershire diabetes care network group.
- Ensure clinical effectiveness by critically appraising current research and applying to practice.
- To co-operate and support clinical practitioners wishing to undertake research in diabetes care and take an active role in developing and participation in further research.
Continuing Professional Development
- Maintain and develop highly specialist clinical knowledge, skills and competence through networking with other specialists and professional organisations.
- Maintain a programme of professional development by attending in-house and external training, education, conferences and seminars in line with PDR review.
- As part of a joint commitment to lifelong learning, will contribute to the assessment of personal learning needs and opportunities to inform and develop personal development plans.
- Co-ordinate a link nurse practitioner functions within the clinical areas in order to enhance personal, team and patients knowledge in relation to issues concerning diabetes care.
- Undertakes personal clinical supervision and supports others through clinical supervision to improve practice.
Management
- Provides expert leadership and change management skills in developing the diabetes service.
- Manage and leads ones own caseload safely and effectively, prioritising and ensuring appropriate access to the service.
- Function effectively as a clinical nurse specialist in line with the recommendations of the NMC, DOH.
- Uses clinical supervision to maintain and improve practice
- Work strategically in the context of national policy and local service development.
- Network locally, regionally, nationally and internationally with regard to specialist diabetes care.
- Acts as a role model to uphold professional standards and high quality diabetes care.
Professional Responsibility
- Maintains a programme of personal and professional development by attending in-service training and utilising relevant educational opportunities. e.g., courses, conferences, seminars.
- Maintain effective registrations with the NMC, maintain personal, professional portfolio.
- Take personal responsibility for continuous professional development in line with PDR review
- Adhere to the policies, procedures and guidelines of Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust relating to employment and professional practise.
This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of duties but to give a guide to the objectives and responsibilities of the post.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- Work both autonomously and as part of the team to provide a resource of highly specialist advice, information and support to all members of the primary health care team in the delivery of effective diabetes care.
- Receive referrals from other health professional disciplines and self-referrals from patients and relatives, assess and effectively prioritise these in order to autonomously manage a caseload of patients.
- Undertake specialist assessments of diabetes care needs and work with primary and secondary care givers to improve the quality of life of patients, relatives and carers living with a chronic long term condition.
- Following specialist assessment, initiates, plans of care for patients with highly complex care needs and responsible for reviewing, evaluating and initiating action within broad policies.
- Frequently uses advanced communication skills to communicate highly sensitive information to patients and carers. E.g. breaking bad news such as foetal abnormalities, loss of sight.
- Provide a nurse prescribing facility to diabetes care patients in line with the agreed guidelines for Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, following completion of the accredited university training and registration with the NMC.
- Assess those recently diagnosed as part of the continuing care for families and carers, where specialist intervention in required. Acts on the assessment to plan and implement as appropriate care strategy.
- Deliver care within Worcestershire to meet the needs of the service.
- Frequently act as primary resources to health professional in all care settings giving specialist diabetes advice regarding highly complex symptom management and care planning.
- Regularly assess patients within the acute trust and initiating a plan of care to avoid admission if appropriate clinically and facilitate an early discharge.
- Review and develop appropriate patient documentation/information in line with Trust policy and Government recommendations.
- Involved in the development and delivery of a diabetes care advice service in line with NICE guidelines (DOH 2002).
- Attend diabetes care MDT meetings, presenting new and complex patients in line with clinical governance.
- Provide highly skilled practical knowledge in the use of complex specialist equipment e.g. Continuous glucose monitoring and insulin Pump therapy.
- To participate in a 7 day per week Diabetes service that includes weekends and bank holidays.
Education
- Organise and run diabetes care study days and mandatory training for all disciplines of staff.
- Develop an education strategy in diabetes care countywide, identifying the educational needs of staff in other services with reference to diabetes care. Plan and provide appropriate education/training for these groups.
- Present on related courses, study days and training programmes to disseminate evidence based diabetes are knowledge and practice.
- Participate in developing and providing education/training programmes in the management of diabetes for patients, carers and healthcare professionals to improve practice.
- Provide education and training for patients, relatives and carers.
- Participate in Countywide diabetes care education initiatives and development.
- Provide placements/mentorship for professionals undertaking diabetes courses at graduate/undergraduate and pre-registration levels.
Research and Audit
- Develop, implement, audit to measure and evaluate standards of practice relating to specialist diabetes care. Ensure the dissemination of best practice.
- Formulate long term strategic plans which impact across the County, in line with local/national initiatives. Propose, develop and implement policy changes on issues such as NSF for Diabetes.
- Responsible for the development of data for the countywide audit and benchmarking activates of the specialist diabetes care service.
- Adhere to the Trusts complaint procedure with regard to written and verbal complaints. Using appropriate referral mechanisms in order to resolve the situation in conjunction with the PALS officer.
- Individual staff have a role in suggesting and implementing approved improvements to services and exercise professional responsibility for both themselves and their peers within an open just and fair culture.
- Develop an operational policy, review and update annually in line with Worcestershire diabetes care network group.
- Ensure clinical effectiveness by critically appraising current research and applying to practice.
- To co-operate and support clinical practitioners wishing to undertake research in diabetes care and take an active role in developing and participation in further research.
Continuing Professional Development
- Maintain and develop highly specialist clinical knowledge, skills and competence through networking with other specialists and professional organisations.
- Maintain a programme of professional development by attending in-house and external training, education, conferences and seminars in line with PDR review.
- As part of a joint commitment to lifelong learning, will contribute to the assessment of personal learning needs and opportunities to inform and develop personal development plans.
- Co-ordinate a link nurse practitioner functions within the clinical areas in order to enhance personal, team and patients knowledge in relation to issues concerning diabetes care.
- Undertakes personal clinical supervision and supports others through clinical supervision to improve practice.
Management
- Provides expert leadership and change management skills in developing the diabetes service.
- Manage and leads ones own caseload safely and effectively, prioritising and ensuring appropriate access to the service.
- Function effectively as a clinical nurse specialist in line with the recommendations of the NMC, DOH.
- Uses clinical supervision to maintain and improve practice
- Work strategically in the context of national policy and local service development.
- Network locally, regionally, nationally and internationally with regard to specialist diabetes care.
- Acts as a role model to uphold professional standards and high quality diabetes care.
Professional Responsibility
- Maintains a programme of personal and professional development by attending in-service training and utilising relevant educational opportunities. e.g., courses, conferences, seminars.
- Maintain effective registrations with the NMC, maintain personal, professional portfolio.
- Take personal responsibility for continuous professional development in line with PDR review
- Adhere to the policies, procedures and guidelines of Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust relating to employment and professional practise.
This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of duties but to give a guide to the objectives and responsibilities of the post.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
Desirable
- Non- Medical Prescriber or working towards qualification.
Experience
Essential
- Significant experience working as a diabetes specialist nurse.
- Insulin Pump and Hybrid Closed Loop experience.
Desirable
- Experience of working with diabetes in pregnancy.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
Desirable
- Non- Medical Prescriber or working towards qualification.
Experience
Essential
- Significant experience working as a diabetes specialist nurse.
- Insulin Pump and Hybrid Closed Loop experience.
Desirable
- Experience of working with diabetes in pregnancy.
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).
Additional information
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).
