Specialist Nurse Minor Surgery within Dermatology and Plastic Surgery

Job responsibilities

The specialist Surgical Nurse for minor Surgery will Work as part of the see and treat team for skin surgery within plastics and Dermatology

To be an experienced specialist nurse with knowledge and skills in the field of plastic and dermatology surgery, undertaking holistic assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of programmes of care in accordance with National Guidance.

To lead initiatives to continuously improve quality and clinical care standards.

To lead and provide senior nurse leadership for care of the patient with skin cancer or suspected skin cancer.

To develop and continuously focus on improving patient centred care and overall experience within the skin cancer arena.

Responsible and accountable for the management of a patient caseload within the specialty. The greater part of the time will be carrying out surgical procedures e.g., See & Treat sessions and dedicated lists. This could include weekend and evening working. The remaining part of the time will be dedicated to the required managerial activities, promoting education, participation in direct care, leading and monitoring the patient safety agenda, participation in audit to improve care delivery and patient outcomes.

To establish and maintain effective personal relationships with patients and relatives and ensure that the individuals physical, psychological and spiritual needs are identified.

Ensure patient needs are met by working collaboratively with other professionals and agencies, especially in relation to ongoing care needs and discharge arrangements, liaising with a wide remit of agencies/multi-disciplinary teams, hospital based and community, and has a wide knowledge of all the services offered, e.g., has the authority to admit and discharge patients and refer to other health care providers as appropriate.

Performs a comprehensive problem focused health history, physical examination, analyses and interprets history, presenting symptoms, physical findings and diagnostic information to develop differential diagnosis within specialist area.

Ensure patients are investigated appropriately, interpretation of results e.g., understanding histology results, margins and depth for completion and communicate results to the patient, carer and GP/referrer. Deciding a management plan resulting in appropriate follow-up e.g., and discharge.

Possess and demonstrate clinical skills and be able to deliver specialised nursing care, eg., administering of local anaesthetic, perform wide local excisions, skin flaps and skin grafts. Use highly developed specialist knowledge to take Informed Consent from the patient by informing the patient and explaining the reason for the procedure, benefits, risks, complications and effects of the intended diagnostic/ therapeutic surgical procedure, and any alternative treatments.

Recognise and respond appropriately to urgent and emergency situations, complete and possess Advanced Life Support skills in order to initiate first line treatment in emergency situations e.g., Cardiac/Respiratory arrest

Deal with highly complex clinical situations e.g., recognizing and instigating treatment in patients experiencing an adverse events or reaction from the nurse led procedure. e.g., bleeding, respiratory/cardiac arrest.

Frequently and directly involved in the giving of bad news to patients and/or relatives, e.g., informing patients of a cancer. Provide support to anxious and /or relatives, demonstrating empathy and sensitivity in a professional manner.

Accountable for identifying the patients health education needs and collaboratively implementing programmes of health promotion according to the diagnosis.

Participate in discharge planning, e.g., develop specialist programmes of care and provide individual discharge protocols and information packages for the safe discharge of patients following diagnostic procedures.

Autonomously discharge patients with benign conditions who are asymptomatic with normal histological findings.

Actively monitor to ensure safe prescribing and administration of drugs in accordance with current NMC guidelines and Trust Policies.

Discuss the future management plan with the patient and their carer if appropriate and liaise with the referring medical practitioner.

Communicate and liaise with primary care colleagues regarding patient care, management and monitoring. Be responsible for documentation of care and treatment and subsequent letter/report to GP.

Provide highly specialist advice and support to colleagues regarding surgical procedures across primary and secondary care.

Work autonomously to carry out complex/specialist surgical procedures e.g., patients who are taking anticoagulants and or have a pacemaker / defibrillator insitu and initiate involvement with the cardiac team / anaesthetist ensuring patient safety.

Competence in the use of all medical devices and specialist equipment relevant to the role, e.g., bipolar machine and surgical instruments.

Maintain a clinical portfolio of surgical procedures e.g., clear margins and log in accordance with standards and guidelines.

Participate in Specialist Nurse, Multidisciplinary Team, reginal quality assurance & other meetings relevant to upholding good clinical, professional and nursing practice in the multi-disciplinary team

Special Requirements

Essential

• Willingness and ability to participate equally in a multi-disciplinary team.
• Proven ability to work well within a team.
• Ability to liaise well with colleagues in other specialties.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills.
• Good discipline and motivation.
• Able to make all travel requirements of the post
• Flexable approach to the service needs
• Ability to work under pressure
• Adaptability to changing environment.

Experience

Essential

• Leadership and management skills.
• Knowledge and experience in Dermatology and Plastic Surgery
• Experience of treatment and surgical skills.

Desirable

• Evidence of contribution to Audit/Research
• Evidence of contribution to teaching

Special Skills & Knowledge

Essential

• Evidence and ability to prioratise workload.
• Demonstrates good IT skills and exoerience of using microsoft packages and clinical sytems.
• Demonstrates high level of interpersonal and effectice communication skills.
• Demonstrate Risk management and knowledge of Cliniocal Governance.
• Evidence of ongoing Continuing Professional Development in specialist area of practice
• Ability to demonstrate leadership skills

Desirable

• Microsurgery experience

Qualifications

Essential

• Registered 1st level nurse with NMC Rgistration.
• Degree relevant to nursing practice.
• Non Medical Prescribing
• lesion recognition
• mentorship qualification
• Adult Physical Skills qualification

Desirable

• Leadership/management qualification

Statutory Registration

Essential

• NMC registered Nurse

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).