Acute Pain Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)

Job responsibilities

Please see job description document attached:

RESPONSIBILITIESGeneral Provide expert nursing knowledge in the management of acute and chronic in-patient pain, working with the patient, family and other health professionals to provide timely nursing care to optimise outcomes where there may be barriers to understanding. Manages a caseload of patients relevant to acute and chronic pain in the acute setting, providing expert care to patients receiving epidurals, nerve sheath catheters, PCA' s or pharmacological or non pharmacological interventions (such as IV/PO/SC/PR analgesia or TENS machines etc.). Assess, plan, implement and evaluate your own and others' care. This would include complex cases such as pain management in substance misuse, chronic pain, opioid toxic patients or those with liver or kidney impairment. Prescribes advanced evidence-based nursing therapeutics, pharmacological/non-pharmacological interventions, diagnostic measures, equipment, procedures, and treatments to meet the needs of patients, families and groups, in accordance with professional preparation, institutional policies and scope of practice. Role models expert evidence based clinical practice, is seen as highly effective, progressive and knowledgeable. Guides and supports others in the speciality of pain, clinical decision-making, implementation, evaluation and documentation of that care. Provides leadership, role models and guides others in their nursing practice. Networks locally and nationally to identify and implement nursing advances and changes in practice, including the participation of local/national pain forums/conferences. Identifies opportunities for general health / wellness education e.g. smoking cessation Care Coordination / Case Management. Collaborates with the patient and multidisciplinary team to plan and implement diagnostic strategies and therapeutic interventions to attain, promote, maintain and/or restore health. Coordinates the care of patients utilising organisational and community resources to enhance delivery of care and optimal patient outcomes. In conjunction with the lead clinical nurse for the in-patient pain service, provides a primary point of contact within the speciality for patients and health professionals. This may involve providing and receiving complex information. Evaluates results of interventions using accepted outcome criteria, revises the plan of care and initiates appropriate and timely consultation and/or referral with relevant services/agencies when appropriate. Establishes collaborative relationships within and across departments, hospitals, primary and secondary health to promote patient safety, continuity of care and clinical excellence. Supports the lead Acute Pain CNS in the provision of leadership in the interdisciplinary team through the development of collaborative practice or innovative partnerships: this may include patient conferences, multidisciplinary meetings and strategic planning of the service. Supports the lead Acute Pain CNS in providing an effective resource and specialist knowledge for interdisciplinary clinical staff and disseminates research findings. Supports the lead Acute Pain CNS in developing and implementing innovative, cost effective patient care and evidence based change. Contributes to the development of interdisciplinary standards of practice and evidence-based guidelines for care.

Leadership

Support the lead Acute Pain CNS in undertaking leadership role through both direct and indirect patient care delivery. Supports the lead CNS in the supervision of staff within the in-patient pain service on a day to day basis, providing nursing leadership for the management of pain. Works with a broad range of hospital, community and professional groups to achieve positive outcomes for in-patients with acute or chronic pain. Supports a culture of evaluation and the ongoing quality improvement of nursing practice. Is actively involved in professional activities such as research, scholarship and policy development at both a local and national level. Supports the development and implementation of system change to improve health outcomes through evidence based practice. Participates in clinical governance activities. Undertake clinical supervision where appropriate. Have an awareness of harms dashboard and key performance indicators relevant to in-patient pain, aligned to and participate in the development and implementation of plans to address.

Professional Development

Participate in PADR and maintain professional portfolio, ensuing mandatory training and any other training essential to the role is kept updated. Demonstrate commitment to own professional development. Contribute to the development and recognition of contemporary evidence-based nursing practice. Contribute to ongoing quality improvement in nursing practice and service delivery relating to acute pain management. Maintains professional registration and competencies in accordance with the NMC requirements.

Quality Improvement / Audit Activity

Assess for any potential or actual risk/safety issues. Follow BCUHB policies for documentation and management of identified issues. Search for opportunities to obtain new skills and knowledge which enhance delivery of service, with specialist training for pain management being provided while in post. Demonstrate involvement in quality improvement activities. Demonstrate a commitment to collecting quality data including outcome and efficiency measures.

Education

Supports the lead Acute Pain CNS in the provision of teaching sessions relevant to the in-patient pain service to staff including, student nurses, healthcare support workers, registered nurses/midwives and junior doctors. Assists in evaluating educational programmes offered, to ensure content is evidence based and reflective of current thinking. Shares specialist knowledge and skills in formal and informal education activities and ensures that nurses are supported in their development of culturally safe practice. This would include information on pain assessment (such as pain tools, World Health Organisational Pain Ladder, influential factors) as well as the management of Epidurals, Nerve Sheath Catheters, PCAs, oral/IV/PR/SC/IM analgesia and non-pharmacological interventions (such as relaxation, distraction, pacing, TENS machines etc). Disseminates specialist knowledge at both a Local and National/International level. Acts as a resource person for patients and health professionals, provided both written and verbal information. Supports the lead Acute Pain CNS in collaborating with nurse educators (externally) and BCUHB Corporate Nurse Education team to identify staff training needs and to develop an educational plan to address those needs. Collaborates with Higher education providers to provide specialist education within acute pain. Acts as a Mentor/Supervisor/Assessor and assists in the orientation and preceptorship of new nurses and student nurses. Provides clinical guidance and mentoring to nursing and allied health colleagues. Assists in the compilation of resource material for educational purposes for patients, families and health professionals. Develops professional pathways for nursing staff aligned with service delivery and the Model of Care Research and Development Cultivates a climate of clinical inquiry within the service, supporting the lead Acute Pain CNS in evaluating the need for improvement or redesign of care delivery processes to improve safety, efficiency, reliability and quality. Provides views on policy, national guidance and practice relevant to acute pain and proposes changes to practice within this specialist area. Involved in the development, implementation and evaluation of initiatives that improve the service, patient care or outcomes. Awareness of system and cultural barriers and facilitators in order to support the implementation of programmes relevant to acute pain, to enable effective integration of evidence into practice. Evaluates health outcomes and in response helps to shape nursing practice/service delivery. Gaining experience in understanding of the interpretation and implementation of audit and research findings relevant to in-patient pain. Disseminates appropriate research and evidence based practice in an easily interpreted format within teaching sessions, patient information leaflets etc.

Administration

Accurately records CNS activities which enable practice trends to be tracked over time and effectiveness of practice to be evaluated. Provides reports of CNS activities with agreed KPIs to the line manager at predetermined intervals. Participates in organisational committees and/or working parties to achieve service, organisational goals and improve patient outcomes. Influences purchasing and allocation of resources through the use of evidence-based findings and/or by generating new and innovative approaches to achieve best client care and nursing practice.

Qualifications

Essential

• Be registered with UK NMC
• Working towards relevant Post-graduate degree to be completed within an agreed time frame
• Diploma level training, or demonstrable CPD in acute pain management
• Demonstrates teaching, mentoring and assessing skills / qualifications.

Desirable

• Obtained a relevant Post Graduate degree in pain Management
• Demonstrates ability to support the development of nursing standards and quality initiatives.
• Demonstrates involvement in research that has changes nursing practice.
• Module or qualification in pain management

Experience

Essential

• Post registration experience working with acute pain patients or with experience of acute pain management. e.g. Epidural or PCA use
• Experience and credibility as a professional resource in acute pain management e.g. Link nurse.
• Networking effectively in the area of acute pain.
• Demonstrated ability to articulate evidence based nursing advice to a multidisciplinary team.

Desirable

• Post registration experience of working within acute pain setting or previous Acute Pain CNS

Skills

Essential

• Demonstrate skills in nursing leadership e.g. management of ward/team/caseload.
• Ability to assess complex needs of patient relevant to acute pain e.g. Epidural, nerve sheath catheter, PCA and opioid management.
• Work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team, using evidence based practice in complex pain management.
• Initiate health promotion activities to encourage productive health behaviours and foster the strengths and potential of patients and staff.
• IT skills: microsoft word, excel, powerpoint etc

Desirable

• Health board clinical databases e.g. WPAS
• Apply specialist assessment skills, initiate appropriate clinical interventions and evaluate outcomes in acute pain management.

Knowledge

Essential

• Be aware of current government policies, codes, guidelines, and legislation impacting on acute pain management including local and national guidelines.
• Be aware of current nursing professional standards and codes.

Personal Attributes

Essential

• Proficient time management skills.
• Excellent interpersonal / communication skills both verbal and written.
• Commitment to continuous quality improvement.
• Ability to make autonomous decisions in line with level of knowledge and experience for the post.

Other

Essential

• The role requires flexibility of working hours according to service needs.
• The role will require the post-holder to carry a bleep.
• Ability to travel across the Health Board geographical area.
• Willingness to work in a bilingual area.

Desirable

• Ability to speak Welsh or a willingness to achieve an appropriate level of oral competence within an agreed timescale.

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).