Continence Nurse Advisor

Job responsibilities

• To provide assessment of patients Bladder and Bowel symptoms either in the home or clinic setting and deliver an evaluated specialised, individual programme of care advising where appropriate on changes to treatment and management.
• The post holder will gain a thorough knowledge of all medical devices use to manage Bladder and bowel care needs by engaging in training and supervision on a regular basis.
• To regularly re assess patients receiving continence management products, selecting products that maximise the patients experience and ensure most effective use of resources.
• Input data including the use of two home delivery services managed by this service.
• On a daily basis review assessment documentation from community staff and ensure product requirements meet policy. Liaise with assessing staff by letter or phone if any problems with assessment.
• Give advice to other professionals and patients, by receiving phone calls on a daily basis and/or writing letters, counselling and listening to patients.
• On a daily basis assess for and advise on the use of Bladder and Bowel products where appropriate.
• On a daily basis travel to clinics and patients homes, coping with adverse travel conditions as weather and roadworks.
• Maintain accurate records
• Participate in education and training sessions with professionals and informal carers. To prepare relevant training materials, organise and deliver training course and review evaluation on completion.
• Engage in team development and improvement initiatives

• Promote good communication links in line with the Trust communication policy.
• Ensure effective communication of complex, highly sensitive and emotional information to at risk/vulnerable patients requiring excellent interpersonal, negotiation and counselling skills.
• Ensure seamless delivery of care by demonstrating excellent interpersonal skills (written and verbal) in order to liaise with primary, secondary and independent sector professionals.
• Provide planned and spontaneous advice to patients / clients, junior staff, staff of other disciplines, formal and informal carers and relatives.
• Have the listening and observational skills to concentrate on the individual needs of patients and plan, document and evaluate on the information gathered.
• Maintain accurate contemporaneous treatment records of patients' care and provide data for statistical purpose.
• Maintain and update patients records and record clinical activity electronically in accordance with trust policy

• Participate in professional and policy making activities that contribute to the development of the Bladder and Bowel service.
• Participate in evaluating all aspects of clinical care, identifying areas for improvement and contribute to bringing about change
• Provide co-ordination across professional boundaries working closely other clinicians within the same area of practice
• Ensure the effective and efficient use of physical and financial resources
• Act as a critical thinker and challenger in all areas of work
• Highlight poor performance in line with Trust policy seeking advice and support from the Team Leader as necessary
• Assist with the induction of all new and recently qualified staff in line with the induction policy of the Trust.
• • Ensure all team members and students are aware of the measures they need to take to safeguard patient rights, maintain confidentiality and data protection.
  • Ensure the reporting of incidents and complaints with the team, setting action plans and agreeing on appropriate measures to take if necessary.
  • Support the service lead in monitoring performance and maintaining effective discipline amongst relevant staff and students.
  • Ensure commitment to life-long learning and willingness to undertake training to support the implementation of service delivery.
  • Work flexibly within the job description to support the development of service change.
  • Participate in the recruitment and selection of staff.
  • Supervise and support staff as necessary

  Contribute to budget management by ensuring that the most effective use of resources is maintained, reporting any anticipated budgetary pressure to the Service Lead.

• • ensuring the effective use of equipment and materials in compliance with health and safety and other relevant policies.
  • Participate in product evaluation programmes.
  • Ensure the regular maintenance of technical equipment including calibrating where required and checking for faults
  • Play a supportive role in creating and maintaining an appropriate learning environment to meet the educational and developmental needs of all staff including students.
  • Take a proactive role in the preceptor ship, mentorship and clinical supervision programmes within the Trust.
  • Maintain an awareness of current developments in nursing and medical practice by attending relevant study days and reading appropriate literature.
  • Develop research skills to critically appraise available research and apply this knowledge to current clinical practice
  • Develop and use audit and research skills to examine current practice ensuring it is based on current best evidence.
  • Participate in departmental clinical governance initiatives and the development of standards, guidelines, policies and protocols.
  • Participate in research and clinical audit to further educational needs and to evaluate new and existing treatments to ensure best practice is used.
  • Participate in the induction and orientation programmes for newly appointed staff including staff disciplines other than nursing.
  • Identify and agree with other team members key area of service development and ensure implementation of action plans

Job Specific Requirements

Essential

• Current NMC registration
• The ability to travel independently across the Bridgewater footprint
• The ability to work flexibly in accordance with service needs

Relationships

Essential

• If you are related to a director, or have a relationship with a director or employee of an appointing organisation, please state the relationship.

Qualifications

Essential

• NMC Registration Level 1
• Mentorship in professional practice
• Evidence of professional development. In accordance with Nursing & Midwifery Council Revalidation.
• Willingness to undertake Nurse Prescribing Qualification

Desirable

• Bladder scanning experience.
• Digital rectal examination for constipation.
• Pelvic floor examination.
• Teaching Qualification
• Computer Literate
• Post Basic qualification in speciality.
• Health care related degree

Experience

Essential

• Wide variety of nursing experience, including experience in the field of continence promotion.
• Caseload management
• Male/female catheterisation
• Supervision skills
• Ability to work independently

Desirable

• Clinical Examination and diagnostics
• Adult Bladder & Bowel Dysfunction Module
• Experience of working in a multidisciplinary setting
• Experience of change management

Sponsorship

Essential

• Do you have the right to stay and work in the UK without sponsorship (share-codes will be checked if applicable)

Skills & Knowledge

Essential

• Ability to work autonomously.
• Leadership skills
• Organisational and assessment skills.
• Excellent communication/presentation skills
• Ability to motivate others
• Ability to work unsupervised
• Problem solving and decision making skills
• Ability to work within a team setting, supporting the Lead Continence Nurse and Deputise in her absence
• Knowledge of Care Quality Commission

Employment Restrictions

Essential

• This is an internal only vacancy for staff employed at Bridgewater Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
• Please confirm that you are currently employed by one of these Trusts.

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).