Clinical Nurse Specialist - Upper GI Straight to Test

Job description

Job responsibilities

Duties and Responsibilities:

Clinical

1. To be primary contact for patients referred for assessment within STT service and support the patient and carer on appropriate pathway.
2. To receive electronic patient referrals via ERS
3. Consultant review, where appropriate.
4. Assist with the assessment of new patient referrals and working alongside Lead Consultant to ensure investigations are performed in a timely manner and an agreed management plan is in place.
5. To identify the physical, social and psychological needs of the patient with unexplained GI symptoms and suspected colorectal cancer.
6. To undertake assessment of the patient either face to face or via telephone which includes physical examination, ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests as appropriate. Taking patient history relating to relevant condition and order diagnostic tests.
7. Ensure all assessments are documented fully and communicated effectively to Consultant, referring member of the medical team or Gp and members of the multi-professional team.
8. To request appropriate blood tests and investigations such as CT scans based on complexity of disease process.

Management

1. To collect, collate, evaluate information relating to 2ww upper GI and pre-assessment services. Patient pathways are tracked and data collated on key events such as timing of receipt of referral, date of diagnostic tests, delays and clinical outcomes.
2. Present information to professional groups, analyse data and provide written reports. Data will be analysed frequently to identify risks or delays in patient care which require immediate intervention by CNS or service transformation.
3. To establish and maintain effective communication links with all relevant personnel and departments, external agencies as necessary.
4. Promote collaborative working relationships with other health care professionals for the benefit of quality patient care.
5. To liaise with the health advocacy service to book advocates as appropriate to the patients needs.
6. Identify clinical risks and ensure appropriate escalation and action is taken, in accordance with policy, by providing expert advice.
7. To maintain a safe environment for patients and staff within their clinical area and take appropriate action to achieve this.
8. The post holder should manage complaints on a local level where possible and escalate unresolved issues to the Matron/GM.
9. To be conversant with Trust and department policies and procedures and ensure that these are adhered to and available to others.
10. To monitor clinical standards of nursing care and report to the Matron when standards are not being met. This will include the notification of problems and incidents and initiating appropriate action.
11. To provide nursing clinical leadership and be responsible for the delivery of high quality patient care.
12. Evaluate service and identify areas of improvement to be assured clinical and financial efficiency, effectiveness and resourcefulness. .. .

Clinical

1. To be primary contact for patients referred for assessment within STT service and support the patient and carer on appropriate pathway.
2. To receive electronic patient referrals via ERS
3. Consultant review, where appropriate.
4. Assist with the assessment of new patient referrals and working alongside Lead Consultant to ensure investigations are performed in a timely manner and an agreed management plan is in place.
5. To identify the physical, social and psychological needs of the patient with unexplained GI symptoms and suspected colorectal cancer.
6. To undertake assessment of the patient either face to face or via telephone which includes physical examination, ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests as appropriate. Taking patient history relating to relevant condition and order diagnostic tests.
7. Ensure all assessments are documented fully and communicated effectively to Consultant, referring member of the medical team or Gp and members of the multi-professional team.
8. To request appropriate blood tests and investigations such as CT scans based on complexity of disease process.
9. To review previous test results and identify any abnormalities with blood tests / imaging and instigate appropriate action or escalation to Consultant.
10. To be accountable for co-ordinating patient care with the Consultants and administration team to meet agreed standards and waiting targets.

Management

1. To collect, collate, evaluate information relating to 2ww upper GI and pre-assessment services. Patient pathways are tracked and data collated on key events such as timing of receipt of referral, date of diagnostic tests, delays and clinical outcomes.
2. Present information to professional groups, analyse data and provide written reports. Data will be analysed frequently to identify risks or delays in patient care which require immediate intervention by CNS or service transformation.
3. To establish and maintain effective communication links with all relevant personnel and departments, external agencies as necessary.
4. Promote collaborative working relationships with other health care professionals for the benefit of quality patient care.
5. To liaise with the health advocacy service to book advocates as appropriate to the patients needs.
6. Identify clinical risks and ensure appropriate escalation and action is taken, in accordance with policy, by providing expert advice.
7. To maintain a safe environment for patients and staff within their clinical area and take appropriate action to achieve this.
8. The post holder should manage complaints on a local level where possible and escalate unresolved issues to the Matron/GM.
9. To be conversant with Trust and department policies and procedures and ensure that these are adhered to and available to others.
10. To monitor clinical standards of nursing care and report to the Matron when standards are not being met. This will include the notification of problems and incidents and initiating appropriate action.

Education

1. To educate patients and their carers to understand the diagnosis, treatment options and health care during and following treatment.
2. To act as a patient advocate in line with the National guidelines and to actively apply in-depth knowledge of holistic / socio-economic and cultural aspects of care to clients within speciality.
3. Participate in teaching and supervision of new and unqualified staff, including medical staff and learner nurses
4. Advise on the promotion of health and prevention of illness.
5. Maintain own professional/clinical requirements to act as a role model and resource to patients, significant others and staff.
6. Be conversant with current legislation / NICE guidance for patients requiring gastroenterology care and implement as appropriate.
7. Participate in local / national audits and research relating to Gastroenterology patients.
8. To use information systems to aid regular audit of the clinical role and have an awareness of how information technology can contribute to clinical practice.
9. To be responsible for implementation of audit, quality and risk management initiatives in supporting hepatitis service.
10. Utilise nursing research within clinical practice, keep up to date with, interpret and critically evaluate current literature in specialist area and within Professional arena.
11. To ensure evidence-based practice is implemented and updates Trust guidelines to ensure high quality and effective care is delivered.
12. To communicate and update staff on findings and to initiate any changes to practice, as required.

Person Specification

Education and qualifcation

Essential

• Masters level learning or willingness to work towards
• Teaching qualification or equivalent experience
• Post registration nursing qualification in gastroenterology or significant experience within speciality
• First level degree in nursing or equivalent academic courses
• Registered Nurse

Desirable

• Independent nurse prescribing or willingness to work towards.
• Physical Assessors Course

Skills and abilities

Essential

• Knowledge of current clinical developments within speciality
• Ability to work autonomously and analyse complex information.
• Knowledge of being an accountable practitioner
• Time and resource management
• Organisational skills
• Demonstrate advanced skills and act as a role model
• Skilled in verbal and written communication
• Assessment skills which includes history taking & documenting findings

Desirable

• Excellent IT skills and ability to maintain relevant databases

Experience

Essential

• Able to use IT dictate to submit clinic letters / summaries autonomously
• Experience of teaching colleagues and patients using appropriate terminology
• Experience within outpatient setting
• Experience of working in the acute medical setting within speciality of gastroenterology
• Significant experience at Band 6 level

Desirable

• Evidence of leadership skills
• Evidence of implementing research into practice

Personal qualities

Essential

• Ability to communicate with people from varied social and cultural backgrounds
• Flexible, adaptable and methodical in the workplace
• Ability to work under pressure, and prioritise own workload.
• Committed to personal development and the development of others / service
• Demonstrate knowledge and experience in adult safeguarding policies and procedures

Desirable

• Knowledge of current changes and developments within the NHS

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

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

North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust

Address

North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust

Sterling Way

London

N18 1QX

Employer's website

https://www.northmid.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)