Job summary
Are you passionate about respiratory care? Looking for an opportunity to utilise specialist skills, knowledge, experience and develop further? Then come and join the NCH&C Respiratory & Oxygen Team based in West Norfolk. We are a respiratory nursing team focused on high quality, patient-centered care.
As a Respiratory Nurse Specialist you will focus upon the autonomous assessment, management, review and supportive care of patients living with a respiratory diagnosis including COPD, Interstitial Lung Disease and Bronchiectasis. This will include admission avoidance and supporting patients post discharge from hospital as well as delivering the home oxygen assessment and review service for all patients prescribed oxygen therapy.
Applicants will demonstrate extensive respiratory knowledge with appropriate post registration qualifications and excellent communication skills. An understanding of the current drivers in respiratory care nationally to transform services is an essential requirement. Quality improvement is core to the ethos of the service.
The successful applicant will be required to travel across West Norfolk assessing patients in a variety of settings. The applicant will receive support and professional development. This is a post with the community trust although the team are based at the acute trust location.
Current service hours are 8-4pm Monday- Friday excluding bank holidays but may be subject to change in the future.
Main duties of the job
- To act as a specialist practitioner in the assessment and treatment of patients with respiratory disease (COPD, Interstitial Lung Disease and Bronchiectasis) their families and other healthcare professionals whilst working collaboratively with the wider multi-disciplinary team. This will be to provide the best care and support to patients and their families.
- Evaluating service provision and effectiveness and developing new models of care as directed by the service specification.
- To support the delivery of respiratory education.
- This is largely a community role but will include reviewing patients in the acute hospital trust as part of an in reach service.
About us
NCH&C is proud to be the first standalone NHS community trust in the UK to achieve an 'Outstanding' rating from the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Our focus is on continually improving the quality of care we offer to local people and on improving access to that care, helping people to move seamlessly from one service to another. Praising NCH&C's "compassionate, inclusive and effective leadership at all levels", the CQC observed that our staff are well supported to make positive changes and innovations.
Norfolk Community Health & Care NHS Trust is committed to continuing to create a modern and inclusive work environment. As part of this commitment we actively promote flexible working opportunities where possible, to meet the needs and wishes of our workforce to maintain and improve their wellbeing. The trust offers a range of flexibility, including flexible working patterns, and we would encourage you to discuss this with the recruiting manager before or during the application process if this would interest you.
We welcome applications from people who share our values and can help us deliver outstanding care in our local community.
If you are aged 16-30 and not currently in education, employment or training, our colleagues at the Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care Board (supported by the Princes Trust), can provide application and interview coaching. To request this support please contact NWICB.Careers@nhs.net
Job description
Job responsibilities
Main Duties & Responsibilities
Professional / Clinical Responsibilities
- Following a specialist respiratory holistic assessment, to assess, plan, implement and evaluate all aspects of patient care including developing individualised treatment/care plans.
- Day to day assessment and management of patients with complex and unstable COPD at high risk of hospital admission or readmission commencing therapeutic treatments as required. This requires autonomous decision-making skills and may also require instigation of diagnostic testing such as CXR, lung function and blood tests.
- Assess patients holistic needs, communicating highly complex and sensitive information to patients and carers including discussing advance care planning.
- Supporting clinical triage of referrals from a variety of sources including acute services, primary care and self-referrals.
- Facilitate the discharge of patients admitted to hospital with acute exacerbation of COPD through clinical assessment and use of tools (such as discharge bundle) and arrange appropriate timely follow up in the community.
- Conduct oxygen assessments/review (including performing a capillary blood gas) in various settings.
- Provide reassessment and monitoring (including risk identification) of patients prescribed oxygen therapy including those discharged from hospital.
- Promote and encourage self-management for patients living with respiratory disease including provision of personalised self-management plans for patients where appropriate and rescue medication packs.
- Education to patients, families and carers regarding medication adherence including inhaler technique.
- Educate and empower patients and carers to identify early signs of change in their condition and provide them with the necessary knowledge and skills to gain independence and make informed choices to safely manage their condition. This includes providing individualised self-management plans and use of digital options/apps.
- Offer health promotion advice and support to families and patients with respiratory disease including smoking cessation.
- Provide clinical expertise, advice and education to others, including GPs, community teams and other agencies.
- Act as a source of expertise and advice for patients, families and carers accessing the service- signposting as required.
- Work closely with acute, intermediate and primary care services to identify those patients who may benefit from community respiratory treatment, and ensure that patients are able to access those services effectively.
- Utilise enhanced communication skills to enable patient engagement and understanding of their treatment/care/management plan.
- Where there are barriers to understanding, such as hearing impairment, mental capacity impairment and other difficulties in comprehension, explanations may require adjustments in order to gain understanding, consent and concordance.
- To work collaboratively with other professionals from Health and Social care including Community Matrons, GPs, Practice Nurses and Respiratory Consultants.
- Liaise with tertiary centres regarding patient management (including Royal Papworth NHS Trust, Addenbrookes NHS Trust and Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital)
Management and Leadership
- Contribute to the supervision and work allocation of the caseload within the Respiratory & Oxygen service.
- Mentor existing staff and provide training in specialist area as appropriate.
- Actively contribute to multidisciplinary team meetings and other meetings where required including chairperson responsibilities.
- Ensure timely and effective communication with the Clinical Lead on all professional matters.
Financial responsibilities
- Be aware of budget management and ensure all effort is made to work within this.
- Ensure effective use of resources, both financial and human.
- Contribute to data collection and performance management reports as delegated by Clinical Lead.
Information Management
- Ensure clinical information/records are maintained and activity data recorded in a timely manner.
- Recording of clinical data and checking of data reports for service information documents.
Education and Professional Development
- Participate in evidence based practice, using research methodology.
- Contribute to working groups and respiratory interest groups across the locality.
- Provide adhoc educational sessions as required in conjunction with others members of the team to other professionals and carers.
- Facilitate and provide support/advice/education to the local Integrated Breathe Easy group.
- Be accountable for own clinical practice, professional expertise and knowledge by maintaining and developing own advanced levels of clinical competence including identifying any gaps in knowledge and seeking additional education/information such as study days, journal articles and peer supervision.
Operational Delivery
- Be responsible for ensuring workload for self and others is planned and prioritised according to service targets and needs including delivery of key performance indicators.
Project Management
- Delivery of additional projects within the Respiratory & Oxygen service as required
Risk and Governance Management
- Be required to undertake risk assessments and act upon them appropriately. This will include oxygen risk assessment and use of DATIX.
- Contribute to the audit process as required including hand hygiene and record keeping audits.
- Safety netting with appropriate advice for patients, families and carers.
- Responsible for completion of mandatory training as per trust policy.
- Be responsible for safe use and maintenance of equipment and supplies
Service Development
- To contribute to the development and delivery of strategies to support effective respiratory disease management in the community in conjunction with respiratory specialist clinicians, primary care clinicians, community matrons and integrated teams.
- Contribute to service improvement initiatives in conjunction with Clinical Lead, Respiratory team, NCH &C Management team and local commissioning groups.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Main Duties & Responsibilities
Professional / Clinical Responsibilities
- Following a specialist respiratory holistic assessment, to assess, plan, implement and evaluate all aspects of patient care including developing individualised treatment/care plans.
- Day to day assessment and management of patients with complex and unstable COPD at high risk of hospital admission or readmission commencing therapeutic treatments as required. This requires autonomous decision-making skills and may also require instigation of diagnostic testing such as CXR, lung function and blood tests.
- Assess patients holistic needs, communicating highly complex and sensitive information to patients and carers including discussing advance care planning.
- Supporting clinical triage of referrals from a variety of sources including acute services, primary care and self-referrals.
- Facilitate the discharge of patients admitted to hospital with acute exacerbation of COPD through clinical assessment and use of tools (such as discharge bundle) and arrange appropriate timely follow up in the community.
- Conduct oxygen assessments/review (including performing a capillary blood gas) in various settings.
- Provide reassessment and monitoring (including risk identification) of patients prescribed oxygen therapy including those discharged from hospital.
- Promote and encourage self-management for patients living with respiratory disease including provision of personalised self-management plans for patients where appropriate and rescue medication packs.
- Education to patients, families and carers regarding medication adherence including inhaler technique.
- Educate and empower patients and carers to identify early signs of change in their condition and provide them with the necessary knowledge and skills to gain independence and make informed choices to safely manage their condition. This includes providing individualised self-management plans and use of digital options/apps.
- Offer health promotion advice and support to families and patients with respiratory disease including smoking cessation.
- Provide clinical expertise, advice and education to others, including GPs, community teams and other agencies.
- Act as a source of expertise and advice for patients, families and carers accessing the service- signposting as required.
- Work closely with acute, intermediate and primary care services to identify those patients who may benefit from community respiratory treatment, and ensure that patients are able to access those services effectively.
- Utilise enhanced communication skills to enable patient engagement and understanding of their treatment/care/management plan.
- Where there are barriers to understanding, such as hearing impairment, mental capacity impairment and other difficulties in comprehension, explanations may require adjustments in order to gain understanding, consent and concordance.
- To work collaboratively with other professionals from Health and Social care including Community Matrons, GPs, Practice Nurses and Respiratory Consultants.
- Liaise with tertiary centres regarding patient management (including Royal Papworth NHS Trust, Addenbrookes NHS Trust and Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital)
Management and Leadership
- Contribute to the supervision and work allocation of the caseload within the Respiratory & Oxygen service.
- Mentor existing staff and provide training in specialist area as appropriate.
- Actively contribute to multidisciplinary team meetings and other meetings where required including chairperson responsibilities.
- Ensure timely and effective communication with the Clinical Lead on all professional matters.
Financial responsibilities
- Be aware of budget management and ensure all effort is made to work within this.
- Ensure effective use of resources, both financial and human.
- Contribute to data collection and performance management reports as delegated by Clinical Lead.
Information Management
- Ensure clinical information/records are maintained and activity data recorded in a timely manner.
- Recording of clinical data and checking of data reports for service information documents.
Education and Professional Development
- Participate in evidence based practice, using research methodology.
- Contribute to working groups and respiratory interest groups across the locality.
- Provide adhoc educational sessions as required in conjunction with others members of the team to other professionals and carers.
- Facilitate and provide support/advice/education to the local Integrated Breathe Easy group.
- Be accountable for own clinical practice, professional expertise and knowledge by maintaining and developing own advanced levels of clinical competence including identifying any gaps in knowledge and seeking additional education/information such as study days, journal articles and peer supervision.
Operational Delivery
- Be responsible for ensuring workload for self and others is planned and prioritised according to service targets and needs including delivery of key performance indicators.
Project Management
- Delivery of additional projects within the Respiratory & Oxygen service as required
Risk and Governance Management
- Be required to undertake risk assessments and act upon them appropriately. This will include oxygen risk assessment and use of DATIX.
- Contribute to the audit process as required including hand hygiene and record keeping audits.
- Safety netting with appropriate advice for patients, families and carers.
- Responsible for completion of mandatory training as per trust policy.
- Be responsible for safe use and maintenance of equipment and supplies
Service Development
- To contribute to the development and delivery of strategies to support effective respiratory disease management in the community in conjunction with respiratory specialist clinicians, primary care clinicians, community matrons and integrated teams.
- Contribute to service improvement initiatives in conjunction with Clinical Lead, Respiratory team, NCH &C Management team and local commissioning groups.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Current NMC registration as 1st Level Registered Nurse or equivalent
- Evidence of continuing professional development (CPD) and its application
- Assessor/supervisor/ENB 998 or equivalent training
- Degree/diploma or on pathway/equivalent
Desirable
- Independent/supplementary prescribing qualification (or willingness to undertake)
- Post registration qualification in respiratory disease/COPD
Experience
Essential
- Post registration specialist training, experience, or short courses (respiratory)
- Evidence of working in community or acute setting or both at appropriate level
- Experience of delivering teaching/education
- Experience of multidisciplinary working
Desirable
- Supervision/management of other staff and enabling their development
- Experience of audit involvement
- Knowledge of primary, community, secondary care & NHS agenda influencing care delivery
- Experience of developing a treatment & management plan for patients
- Caseload management
Skills, knowledge and abilities
Essential
- Evidence of basic respiratory assessment and management skills
- Broad range of clinical skills
- Ability to work under pressure and prioritise
- Good IT skills
- Able to provide high standards of care
- Demonstration of reflective practice
- Evidence of decision-making skills and working autonomously
- Able to adopt adaptable working practices to accommodate patient/service needs
Desirable
- Previous use of Systm One
- Evidence of advanced respiratory assessment skills, including spirmetry interpretation (ARTP certification)
- Clinical assessment skills
- Ability to perform capillary or arterial blood gas
- Ability to raise concerns and improve standards as required
- Presentation skills
- Knowledge of relevant clinical guidelines and NHS directives
Communication
Essential
- Excellent communication skills
- Ability to adapt communication used according to needs of patient/family/carers
Desirable
- Advanced communication skills training
- Leadership training
- Experience in attending/contributing to meetings
- Experience in dealing with difficult conversations of sensitive nature (e.g. advanced care planning)
Personal and People Development
Essential
- Ability to manage and support colleagues in stressful situations
Desirable
- Providing training/education to other Health Professionals
- Clinical supervision
- Seeking further professional development
Personal Attributes / Behaviours (linked to the Trust's Behaviour Framework)
Essential
- Able to identify with the Trust's commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults
- Good interpersonal communication skills
- Good time-keeping
- Ability to work under pressure and prioritise workload
- Committed
- Able to work flexibly to meet the needs of the role
- Empathy & sensitivity
- Demonstrates responsibility for the well-being of patients, colleagues & self
Other
Essential
- Must hold full and valid and driving licence and have access to a vehicle
- Able to communicate effectively in written and verbal English language
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Current NMC registration as 1st Level Registered Nurse or equivalent
- Evidence of continuing professional development (CPD) and its application
- Assessor/supervisor/ENB 998 or equivalent training
- Degree/diploma or on pathway/equivalent
Desirable
- Independent/supplementary prescribing qualification (or willingness to undertake)
- Post registration qualification in respiratory disease/COPD
Experience
Essential
- Post registration specialist training, experience, or short courses (respiratory)
- Evidence of working in community or acute setting or both at appropriate level
- Experience of delivering teaching/education
- Experience of multidisciplinary working
Desirable
- Supervision/management of other staff and enabling their development
- Experience of audit involvement
- Knowledge of primary, community, secondary care & NHS agenda influencing care delivery
- Experience of developing a treatment & management plan for patients
- Caseload management
Skills, knowledge and abilities
Essential
- Evidence of basic respiratory assessment and management skills
- Broad range of clinical skills
- Ability to work under pressure and prioritise
- Good IT skills
- Able to provide high standards of care
- Demonstration of reflective practice
- Evidence of decision-making skills and working autonomously
- Able to adopt adaptable working practices to accommodate patient/service needs
Desirable
- Previous use of Systm One
- Evidence of advanced respiratory assessment skills, including spirmetry interpretation (ARTP certification)
- Clinical assessment skills
- Ability to perform capillary or arterial blood gas
- Ability to raise concerns and improve standards as required
- Presentation skills
- Knowledge of relevant clinical guidelines and NHS directives
Communication
Essential
- Excellent communication skills
- Ability to adapt communication used according to needs of patient/family/carers
Desirable
- Advanced communication skills training
- Leadership training
- Experience in attending/contributing to meetings
- Experience in dealing with difficult conversations of sensitive nature (e.g. advanced care planning)
Personal and People Development
Essential
- Ability to manage and support colleagues in stressful situations
Desirable
- Providing training/education to other Health Professionals
- Clinical supervision
- Seeking further professional development
Personal Attributes / Behaviours (linked to the Trust's Behaviour Framework)
Essential
- Able to identify with the Trust's commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults
- Good interpersonal communication skills
- Good time-keeping
- Ability to work under pressure and prioritise workload
- Committed
- Able to work flexibly to meet the needs of the role
- Empathy & sensitivity
- Demonstrates responsibility for the well-being of patients, colleagues & self
Other
Essential
- Must hold full and valid and driving licence and have access to a vehicle
- Able to communicate effectively in written and verbal English language
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.
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).
Additional information
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.
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).
