Job responsibilities
The post holder will work as a
senior member of the District Nursing Team collaborating with the Team Leader
(caseload holder) and support the provision of clinical leadership within the
team. A key feature of the role is to support the proactive management of
patients with complex or higher acuity conditions on the District Nursing
Caseload. This will include collaborating with other members of the multi-disciplinary
team involved in the patients care to establish a person-centred approach to
management of health/social care needs, that also promotes self-management.
The post holder will be
responsible for an identified cohort of patients with higher acuity needs
within District Nursing Team caseload as identified by the District Nurse Team
Leader. They will use extended clinical skills and expert knowledge to assess
the physical and psycho social needs of a defined patient group, instigating
therapeutic treatments based on best available evidence in order to improve
health outcomes. In doing so, they will assess, plan, deliver and evaluate
patient centred programmes of care ensuring that they practice within their
sphere of competence and knowledge. The post holder will work to professional
and NMC codes, standards and guidance at all times ensuring that their practice
is based on the most up to date evidence-based theory and practical knowledge.
They will be responsible for developing new and innovative clinical practices
responding to emerging knowledge and techniques and working with the District
Nurse Coordinator, Team Leader and other, services, where appropriate to make
improvements.
Duties and Responsibilities:
1.
Clinical
1.1.
Demonstrates
a detailed theoretical and practical knowledge of common aetiologies,
pathologies, conditions, and presentations involving a critical understanding
of theories and principles.
1.2.
Be
proficient in core skills required to deliver care within a district nursing
service such as tissue viability, palliative/end of life care, diabetes
management.
1.3.
Demonstrate
innovative and specialist skills required for assessment and interpretation of
complex patient conditions and determining the appropriate course of action.
1.4.
Select
methods and tools to holistically assess, plan, implement and evaluate in a
complex patient condition.
1.5.
Analyse
and act appropriately in complex situation and escalate wherever applicable e.g.,
to District Nurse Coordinator, Team leader, Safeguarding Lead, GP.
1.6.
Make
judgements on complex facts requiring interpretation and comparing treatment/management
options ensuring clinical reasoning is reflected accurately in case records.
1.7.
Aim
to promote community care delivered at home, thus preventing unnecessary
admissions to hospital and reduction in length of hospital in-patient stays.
1.8.
Engage
and actively involve the individual and, if appropriate, their family/carer, in
the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of programmes of
treatment and/or care by using person-centred techniques to promote a culture
of involvement and empowerment
1.9.
Works
to standards of proficiency identified by their professional and regulatory
bodies performing clinical treatments/procedures to a competent standard.
1.10.
Prioritises
their own workload and support the Team Leader with allocation and workload
management of the wider team, within agreed objectives deciding when to refer
to others as appropriate.
1.11.
Provide
and receive complex, sensitive, or contentious information where motivational,
persuasive, empathetic, negotiating and reassurance skills are required whilst
demonstrating an understanding of barriers to communication.
1.12.
Approach
each individual with care, compassion and sensitivity ensuring that these
values are reflected in all areas of practice including the management of any
complaints and compliments.
1.13.
To comply with the organisations Infection
Prevention and Control requirements, including bare below the elbows dress
code for staff with a direct care delivery role
2.
Leadership
2.1.
Deputise
for the Team Leader at internal and external meetings when required.
2.2.
Support
the Team Leader in developing effective lines of communication that ensures
that the team are aware of the Trusts strategic direction and local business
plan objectives and performance targets.
2.3.
Ensures
that a professional service and image is maintained at all times, thereby
acting as a role model to all staff promoting a positive image of community
nursing.
2.4.
Provides
a leadership style which is underpinned by strongly held values around
equality, diversity, and openness; effectively builds and maintains
relationships with the wider team, management teams and other key individuals
across the organisation.
2.5.
Provide
an educational role for patients, carers, and new team members.
2.6.
Demonstrates
the ability to delegate, organise and prioritise workload to ensure the safe
delivery of care to an identified cohort of patients including the management
of referrals and discharges using locally agreed support mechanisms e.g., on
call manager and making judgements in complex situations.
2.7.
Demonstrates
clinical leadership, initiative, and creativity in identifying and supporting
projects inspiring others to be positive in their contribution to continuous improvement.
2.8.
Demonstrates
resilience when responding to challenge, change and complex or difficult situations.
2.9.
Ensures
that all objectives, for self and those directly supervised by the post holder,
are clearly defined within the wider Directorate framework and in line with
Trusts objectives, using the appraisal process as a vehicle for this.
2.10.
Takes
responsibility for their own and others health and safety in the working
environment.
2.11.
To
support the Team Leader in the management of higher acuity patients and leading
on the assessment care planning and ongoing management of an identified cohort
of patients.
2.12.
Collaborate
with primary care, secondary care and social services and other colleagues to
plan and implement treatment as required.
3.
Learning and Development
3.1.
Undertakes
any training required to develop and maintain their proficiency in response to
changes in service delivery or new and emerging techniques and demonstrate
competence within professional body requirements.
3.2.
Reflects
on and evaluates own practice and identifies areas of development by setting
appropriate objectives via appraisal and clinical supervision.
3.3.
Conducts
research projects, or other research and development activity, appropriate to
clinical area.
3.4.
Undertakes
supervision and is responsible for teaching and training both inside and
outside work area.
3.5.
Supporting
the Team leaders with the learning and development of others including students
and preceptees providing supervision and mentorship to junior staff.
3.6.
Support
the Team Leader in reporting and investigating complaints and incidents.
4.
Partnership and Team Working
4.1.
Actively
develops and maintains effective clinical and corporate working relationships
both within and outside the Trust.
4.2.
Explores
the potential for collaborative working and takes opportunities to initiate and
sustain such relationships to improve and develop service delivery.
4.3.
Actively
contributes to the multi-disciplinary team supporting the patient including
communication with external care providers, voluntary support services and
other agencies; acting as a credible source of information for other
agencies/professionals involved in the care as required.
5.
Innovation and Quality
5.1.
Implements,
monitors, and maintains agreed standards of care, reporting to the Team Leader/District
Nurse Coordinator when standards are not met.
5.2.
Implements
policies relevant to service area and supports the Team Leader to ensure team
members are aware of policy requirements.
5.3.
Identifies
areas for improvement within own team and proactively addresses these with the
support of the Team Leader/District Nurse Coordinator within the overall
organisational governance frameworks and corporate objectives reflecting the
changing needs of the population, local and national initiatives.
5.4.
Actively
works to continually improve the quality of own service area within the overall
organisational governance frameworks and corporate objectives e.g., through
audit or suggesting changes to practice.
5.5.
Contributes
to and undertakes clinical audit.
5.6.
Works
with District Nurse Coordinators, Team Leaders, and other key colleagues to
identify, manage and minimise risks within the overall organisational risk
management frameworks. This includes understanding and applying knowledge of
clinical role in safeguarding and an active involvement in incident management processes.
5.7.
Acts
as an advocate for patients and their families/carers recognising the
boundaries of their clinical knowledge; liaising and referring on to other
services / agencies as required.
5.8.
Ensures
that patient experience is core to all clinical care delivered and gaining
support from the appropriate corporate teams as required.
5.9.
Actively
ensures completion of required data in a timely manner to meet the Quality
Framework requirements, outcome measures and best practice standards in order
to deliver an effective, high-quality service.
Please see attached Full Job Description and Person Specification.
