Job responsibilities
1. CLINICAL RESPONSIBILITIES
1.1 Always maintain professional behaviour and promote a positive image of Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust at all times, in line with World Class Care values
1.2 Practice as an expert, autonomous practitioner. Independently assess patients by using advanced clinical assessment skills and clinical judgement to take a detailed history, physically assess, make required differential diagnosis, order tests or investigations (including IRMER) required to confirm diagnosis, evaluate and review treatment plan
1.3 Triage refferrals within local protocols to ensure timely clinical review to increase patient access to specialist advice and treatment
1.4 Undertake independent and supplementary prescribing in accordance with the trust policies and within the scope of practice agreed by clinical lead, divisional director for nursing and clinical director for the division
1.5 Ensure effective communication is maintained both written and verbally, regarding patients, through close liaison with professional colleagues, both in primary and secondary care, and to develop working relationships with consultants, general practitioners and other support services
1.6 Act as a clinical resource in primary and secondary care on managing patients with Rheumatology care needs
1.7 Act as a first point of contact for patients/allied health care professionals seeking specialist advice via the clinical advice line and service email
1.8 Regulary review practice and explore new opportunities for developing and delivering excellence in specialist Rheumatology nursing
1.7 Ensure that all requirements for continuing professional development are met and to keep
abreast of new advances in the field of rheumatology as appropriate; to attend seminars,
unit meetings, and conferences as required by the department
1.9 Ensure infection control policies and procedures are followed at all times by self and all
members of the team
2. RESPONSIBILITY FOR PATIENTS
2.1 Maintains a consistent, visible presence in clinical areas of responsibility, ensuring accessibility for patients, family, carers and staff
2.2 Review, develop and audit pathways across inpatient and outpatient settings to maximise patient satisfaction and outcomes.
2.3 Ensure that patients receive timely and appropriate information to facilitate informed choices of treatment options, promotoing a culture of shared decision making
2.4 Provide a high quality clinical advice line service to patients, carers and allied health care professionals and regulary audit service effectiveness
2.5 Lead on communications between patients, family/carers and healthcare professionals and to provide relevant support, information, education and counselling as required and within an advocacy role
2.6 Colaborate effectively with relevant teams involved in a patients care
2.7 Maintain accurate record keeping and documentation, in line with Trust & NMC guidelines
2.8 Ensure that any patient complaints are dealt with promptly, sensitively and by following trust procedures and policies
2.9 Regulary obtain patient feedback and work collaboratively with patient and carer groups
3. RESPONSIBILITY FOR POLICY AND SERVICE DEVELOPMENT
3.1 Work closely with clinical teams to conceptualise, design and develop new patient
pathways whilst ensuring continuity of care and that improving the patient experience is a
driving force for change
3.2 Adopt an innovative approach to incorporate new/emerging themes within Rheumatology
3.3 Actively participate in relevant clinical and managerial groups across the Trust and
nationally relvent groups
3.4 Alongside clinical lead and the mutlidisciplanry team; plan for future service devleopments
and buisness plans to support service development strategy
3.5 Participate and present at local, national and international conferences on Rheumatology
specialist care to raise the profile of the team speciality
3.6 Promote Rheumatology speciality within the Trust
3.7 Promote best practice within the team through role modelling and encouraging
reflective practice
3.8 Lead in the education, training and development of Rheumatology care at all levels
4. RESPONSIBILITY FOR FINANCIAL AND PHYSICAL RESOURCES
4.1 Collaborate with pharmancy and clinical team to ensure appropriate funding approvals in place regarding high cost/biological drugs
4.2 Actively manage resources including staffing, material and financial (budgetary). This will also include regular review of skill mix and use of temporary staff
4.3 Support the divisional team in the development and implementation of the annual cost improvement programme in accordance with the trust targets and timetable
4.4 Alongside clinical lead and divisional leadership develop business plans to support service development
5. RESPONSIBILITY FOR LEADING AND MANAGING
5.1 Ensures all staff have access to, and act within, trust /departmental policies and procedures
5.2 Directly line manage the CNS team using trusts HR policies and procedures. Agree/undertake annual objectives, performance appraisals, manage clinical performance and sickness absence
5.3 Lead in the future planning of the strategic development of the rheumatology nursing service
5.4 Lead in the development of advanced skills and competencies for nurses in specialist practice
5.5 Represent the CNSs nursing perspective at appropriate groups/committees both internally and externally.
5.6 Resolve complaints as they arise through communication as necessary, and when appropriate, investigate complaints relevant to remit and write responses. Liaises with the senior Matron/Head of Nursing to bring to their attention any problems identified
5.7 Lead the CNS team in the development and dissemination of pertinent written patient information within the rheumatology speciality, working in collaboration with the MDT team and wider national networks
5.8 Work closely alongside other lead nurses in specialist practice within the trust to support those in advanced nursing roles within the division and trust
5.9 Continually assess and monitor risk in own and others practice and challenge poor practice
5.10 Exercise leadership and inspire colleagues, to improve standards and quality and develop professional practice
5.11 Demonstrate the ability to manage stressful and conflicting situations professionally, as they arise
6. RESPONSIBILITY FOR INFORMATION RESOURCES
6.1 Ensures all information is stored and used in accordance with the Data Protection
Act and Caldecott principles
6.2 Identifies education and training requirements on Information Governance for all
relevant staff
6.3 Oversees high standards of record keeping within areas of responsibility
6.4 Processes information electronically and manually
6.5 Ensures information is communicated through the appropriate Trust channels as
required
6.6 Work with IT and patient systems colleagues to set up and troubleshoot processes
within the Electronic Patient Record that will support the smooth functioning of
the service
6.7 Manage and assess a complex range of data, making informed recommendations
which are focussed on outcomes that meet external and internal stakeholders and
patient needs
7 RESPONSIBILITY FOR RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
7.1 Lead audit of nursing work undertaken and to participate in the MDT clinical audit cycle
7.2 Initiate, promote and/or participate in appropriate nursing research
7.3 Support relevant research being undertaken by members of the MDT, in conjunction with the academic departments and research nursing teams
7.4 Ensure the findings of research are embedded into practice and align with the needs of the service
7.5 Be responsible for overseeing and ensuring the development of all clinical nurse specialists within the team, by formulating and implementing teaching and learning strategies
7.6 Pursue a programme of continuous education to achieve and maintain advanced clinical knowledge and skills necessary to provide clinically effective, evidenced based care
7.7 Raise awareness internally and externally regarding issues of diagnosis and treatment of Rheumatology and Connective Tissue diseases through liaison with interested groups
7.8 Act as a resource for other professionals, ensure that ongoing personal development and appropriate education takes place in order to underpin specialist advice and promote best practice
7.9 Participate in the supervision/training of developmental specialist staff and other junior staff, as appropriate
