Trauma Nurse Practitioner

Job responsibilities

Job Purpose

This is a multifaceted role the crosses the traditional boundaries between nursing and medicine, which facilitates the trauma process for all trauma patients from their admission to discharge and includes

Using expert knowledge to clinically assess and examine patient in the A&E department. History taking and facilitating the admission process by requesting relevant investigations. Fast tracking patients to the trauma wards as appropriate.

The co-ordination for the process for all trauma patients from the A&E to theatre and through to discharge when appropriate.

The post holder will be a team member within the daily consultant led trauma ward rounds, contributing to the review and treatment planning for all trauma patients. Ensuring plans are communicated and implemented. Liaising with other clinical teams to optimise patients for their surgery. The post holder will contribute to the Grand ward round.

The post holder will co-ordinate the ambulatory trauma patients and ensure the pre assessment process is carried out for this patient group and a treatment plan is formulated and communicated with the patients.

Contributing to the planning and organisation of trauma theatre list

Providing an outreach service for outlying patients, including regular review of patients to ensure plan of care is implemented. They will offer support and advice for trauma patients and staff throughout the Worcestershire hospital sites.

Effective planning, co-ordination and communication within the multidisciplinary team.

Provide the interface between the clinical trauma service, patients and relatives to explain current treatment plans, delays and cancellations in treatment.

Providing education information and advice to other professionals, including medical and surgical teams across the Acute Unit, district nurses, GPs, practice nurses, community hospitals and community therapists.

The post holder will be required to a independent non-medical prescriber of to work towards the Non medical prescribing qualification.

The post holder will take an active role in facilitating patients with hip and femoral fractures to achieve Best Practice Tariff for Hip Fractures. The will drive the process and

be an active part of the audit process, contributing to NHFD and the Harm reviews for hip fractures.

The post holder will work autonomously but collaborate with the multidisciplinary team.

Key Duties: Clinical Assessment/ Ward environment

Clinical examination and assessment and clerking of patients

Managing the Bluespier trauma board for both trauma and Ambulatory trauma and contributing to the decision making for listing patients for surgery and contributing to the trauma huddles

Contributing to the Golden patient selection ensuring patients fitness for surgery and communication of the anaesthetic team

Assessment of the deteriorating patient

Involvement in discharge planning and Electronic discharge summaries regarding treatment and management

Non medical prescriber

Lead post take ward round

Participation in pre and post-operative ward rounds

Undertake nurse-led ward rounds if applicable

Maintenance of records and databases

Referral for investigations and formulation of a treatment plan based on interpretation of results Interpretation of Xrays and other diagnostic investigations

Performing Fascia iliaca blocks to patient with confirmed hip fractures.

Perform interventional procedures such as joint aspirations/ suturing etc

Working with anaesthetic team to ensure alternative pain relief

Application of skin and skeletal traction

Application of surgical appliances such as collars, TLSO etc

Identification of medical risks and referral to specialty teams such as Anaesthetics

Providing information and support to junior medical teams and ward staff

Contribute to the BPT for hip and femoral fractures and participate in the harm process for hip fractures

Supporting the frailty teams with assessment of patient

General Duties

Clinical

The post holder will;

• Undertake clinical assessment and formulation of clinical management plan of patients to incorporate physiological, psychological and pharmacological considerations, making multifaceted complex clinical decisions regarding patient management and clinical outcomes, including, where appropriate, listing patients for trauma procedures and discharging patients from the service when treatment is complete.
• Demonstrate a high level of competence in clinical, diagnostic and examination skills
• Facilitates the Trauma admissions process for trauma patients admitted to Worcestershire Royal Hospitals or the Alexandra for acute admissions and Kidderminster Hospital for Ambulatory patients . Participates in the daily on call orthopaedic consultant trauma meeting and trauma rounds.
• Uses advanced knowledge and skills to accelerate the admissions process through the A&E department and fast tracking hip fracture patients as appropriate.
• Ensures all trauma patients have a detailed care plan, which reflects the specialist trauma care patients receive for their condition or injury.
• Ensures patients are medically fit for surgery or makes appropriate referrals to other specialities for assessment or treatment of conditions, which prevents patients having surgery. Requesting investigations that assist in optimisation of patients for surgery.
• Works with the capacity team to identify a priority list for admission, work to repatriate and/or transfer trauma patients form the major trauma centre to the trauma ward or the most appropriate clinical area.
• Facilitates good communications with all agencies involved in the continuity of patient care.
• Provides efficient and effective liaison, co-ordinates and facilitates multi-disciplinary care for outlying trauma patients.
• Acts as a resource for patients, relatives and carers requiring information and advice regarding episodes of care.

Logistical and Administration

Listing of patient on to the Bluespier trauma boards for surgical treatment

Taking referrals form both sites for treatment of trauma conditions and injuries.

Take referrals for ambulatory trauma cases, ensure the patient is prepared and schedule cases on the theatre lists. Maintain the Ambulatory referrals trauma board

Advice and support for medical and nursing staff

Collect and input outcome data e.g. NHFD

Working closely with the Orthogeriatrician teams

Liaison with therapies and other members of the multidisciplinary team

Liaison with capacity teams and senior managers regarding priority for treatment

Organising additional theatre lists for extra capacity for trauma cases

Driving Best Practice Tariff process for hip and femoral fractures

Providing an interface between patients waiting at home for surgery and admission on ambulatory treatment pathways.

Practice and Service Development, Research & Evaluation

Maintain databases and monitoring clinical outcomes in relation to a range of surgical procedures

Compile reports relating to clinical outcomes

Participate in audit

Participate in medical/nursing research

Undertake independent audit projects

Ongoing development of the range of nurse led services within directorates

Contribution to the Surgical site infection data collection

Participation of developing new skills and advancing the service

Education

• Be a source of knowledge and advise at all levels within the organisation.
• Will provide support and advice to the junior medical team.
• Provide both formal and informal teaching for orthopaedic ward staff and outlying ward staff and as part of the clinical study days.
• Provide informal teaching to patients and relatives.
• Offer teaching to community staff regarding trauma and the management and conditions.
• Will participate in induction for both medical and nursing staff programmes and mandatory training for all grades of staff.
• Will pursue personal study in professional development and clinical upgrading relating to liaison and discharge planning.

Management

• Will assist in investigation of complaints
• Ensure effective communication to ward staff, clinic staff and theatre staff regarding clinical decisions to maximise clinical benefit and the appropriate use of resources
• Will keep adequate records and provide statistical information and reports on request.
• Provide support and guidance for junior members of the medical and nursing team

Professional

• Works within the scope of professional practice, local policies and protocols.
• To maintain a professional attitude and perform all duties and conduct themselves in accordance with the NMC professional code of conduct.
• Show evidence of continuing professional development in line with revalidation requirements and maintain professional registration.
• Maintain competency of advanced practices and policies and protocols relating to clinical practice.
• Always work to the trust Values

Personal Qualities

Essential

• Good communication skills.
• Leadership skills.
• Assertive, enthusiastic, dynamic
• Demonstrate initiative, motivation and ability to problem solve
• Calm under pressure
• High professional standards
• Flexible
• Committed to quality improvement
• Ability to work within professional boundaries

Experience

Essential

• 3 yrs Experience of band 5 or above
• Extended role working
• Experience of liaising with the medical team and the multidisciplinary team
• Experience within the speciality of trauma and orthopaedics and or theatre

Desirable

• MSK experience

Qualifications

Essential

• First Level Registration / Therapies Professional registration
• First level Degree
• Heath assessment module

Desirable

• ENB 219 orthopaedic course or equivalent orthopaedic module.
• MSc or working towards MSc
• Teaching qualification
• Independent and supplementary non-medical prescriber

Knowledge and Skills

Essential

• Evidence of current knowledge of orthopaedics and trauma
• Evidence of being up-to-date with current issues in medical and professional care
• Evidence of research based practice
• Organisational skills
• Fully aware of principles of infection control
• Fully aware of health and safety issues.
• Computer 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).