Upper Gastrointestinal Nurse Specialist

Job responsibilities

KEY DUTIES CONTINUED

Identify, assess and triage patients ensuring smooth transition to other services as appropriate.

As required undertake highly specialist procedures and lead on clinical pathways which may include making clinical judgement on the prioritisation of cases for treatment.

Support the team to develop comprehensive care plans, with measurable outcomes, including advice or education to other clinical staff and care givers.

Ensure the team involves patients, cares and relatives in the planning and delivery of care.

Act as a highly autonomous practitioner, with minimal supervision, exercising judgement, discretion and decision making in clinical care.

Ensure own and team compliance with any specific regulations for example: Quality Surveillance Programme, drug administration, record keeping and data collection within own area of work.

Develop protocols for nurse led clinics, ensuring that outcomes are evaluated and activity monitored.

Initiate medication/treatment reviews independently within area of work.

Manage complex cases and those for specialist investigations referring to MDT as appropriate.

Lead on the development of integrated care with primary and secondary care clinicians as required and other agencies involved with care delivery.

Ensure appropriate services are put in place to support management of condition at home, supported by the multidisciplinary team as required.

The post holder will abide by legal requirements and statutory rules relating to practice and promote and maintain standards of professional practice in accordance with the Nursing and Midwifery Councils (NMC) Code and Professional Conduct and Scope of Professional Practice.

Develop and maintain required specialist clinical skills in the assessment and treatment of patients within the area of responsibility

Responsibility to develop and deliver Living with and beyond cancer patient support service

Responsibility to develop and deliver the Recovery package as per NHS England requirements.

Provide specialist telephone advice

Key worker role

CLINICAL & PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Perform comprehensive assessment of patient nursing needs, plan, implement and evaluate care delivery according to changing health care needs.

Perform advanced clinical skills in assessment &/or diagnosis &/ or treatment.

Collect, collate, evaluate and report information, maintaining accurate patient records.

Involve patients and carers/ relatives in the planning and delivery of care and the development of services.

Monitor investigation results, initiating further assessment/ review and co-ordination of treatment pathway as required.

Work collaboratively with other professionals and agencies to ensure discharge arrangements.

Establish and maintain effective communication with patients and carers/relatives and professionals across health and social services.

Contribute to the health and promotion agenda with the local health economy.

To undertake / work towards non-medical prescribing as per NMC and trust guidance.

In keeping with the NMC Code of Professional Conduct and Standards of Proficiency for Nurse and Midwife Prescribers, keep up to date with best prescribing practice in relation to the management of conditions within his/her specialist area.

Attend Clinical Supervision sessions.

Attend Network meetings.

ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES

Administration supporting direct patient care/MDT preparation/follow up

Dictating and signing letters

Requesting appointments for patients

Processing Clinical Outcome sheets

Updating Somerset Cancer Registry

Report Writing

Presentations

Macmillan Service Reviews

Address issues raised by remote follow up clinic service

Patient experience assessment/improvement advocates

TEACHING & TRAINING RESPONSIBILITIES

Identify learning needs, plan, implement and evaluate programmes of education to meet identified needs.

Participate in the education of pre and post registered nurses, medical staff, AHPs, patients and carers and participate in curriculum development where appropriate.

Address specific health targets e.g. CHI, NICE Guidance, NSF related to own are of practice through education.

Ensure own compliance and compliance of others with regarding mandatory training and PREP requirements.

LINE MANAGEMENT/SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Provide specialist, expert clinical knowledge to clinical colleagues, patients and carers/relatives.

Evaluate service delivery against key performance targets, National Quality Measures, identify areas for improvement and initiate change.

Ensure the effective and efficient use of physical and financial resources; make suggestions regarding supplies and equipment.

Collect, collate and report activity data to key stakeholders, producing regular formal reports.

RESEARCH & AUDIT

Identify need for, participate and undertake, research, clinical audit, benchmarking and equipment trials, in order to improve effectiveness of patient care.

Disseminate research and audit findings through presentation to professional groups and publication.

Responsible for the development and implementation of policies, procedures and guidelines relevant to own area of work.

Promote patient and public involvement activities in the specialist area, leading to service improvement.

Promote peoples equality, diversity and rights.

Qualifications

Essential

• NMC registration on Part 1 of the Register
• Substantial years post registration
• Substantial years working
• Speciality Related Course

Desirable

• Communication skills training (Example Advanced Comms)
• Teaching/mentorship qualification
• Non-medical prescribing
• Completed Macmillan Explore
• Non-medical Endoscopist
• Completed Clinical Examination +/- Clinical diagnosistics.

Knowledge & Experience

Essential

• Knowledge of diagnosis and treatment of Upper Gastrointestinal diseases
• Experience of caring for patients with upper gastrointestinal disease
• Demonstrates an understanding of the National agenda for cancer, knowledge or quality standards, NICE guidance and CQC
• Knowledge of current clinical and nursing research
• Experience of multi-disciplinary team working
• Understanding of Macmillan priorities and role of Macmillan as a partner organisation
• Experience line managing
• Experience of knowledge of appropriate diagnostic tests and investigations, interpret results and take actions as appropriate
• Understanding of the recovery package
• Understanding of the Key Worker
• Ability to facilitate an education programme
• Willing to undertake nurse led follow up clinics

Desirable

• Experience in developing clinical pathways and/or protocols
• Ability to conduct and evaluate patient experience surveys

Skills

Essential

• Willing to develop skills to undertake advanced practice invasive procedures
• Will work to both autonomously and as part of an MDT to deliver high quality clinical care
• Excellent verbal, written, interpersonal and communication skills
• Time Management and organisational skills

Desirable

• IT skills
• Presentation Skills

Other

Essential

• Flexible approach to work
• Car owner/supported driver
• All Clinical Nurse Specialists will be required to revalidate to maintain their registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC)

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).