HealthJobsUK

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

PRIMARY DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

1.    Clinical
2.    Education
3.    Research and Audit
4.    Service Improvement
5.    Leadership 

    Clinical
•    Manages his/her own caseload of patients whilst working as part of the Multidisciplinary team
•    Communicates highly sensitive and emotive condition related information to patients, relatives. E.g. terminal illness, bereavement 
•    Assess new patients in the clinical area a, identifying their psychological, physiological, emotional spiritual and cultural needs in relation to their disease and proposed treatment, providing a pathway of nursing care for the patient
•    Act as patient advocate when relevant and be able to educate on all the treatment options to enable a patient to make an informed choice, negotiating with the medical team to agree a pathway of care
•    Provide continuity of care throughout the patient journey and liaising across specialised areas
•    Contribute to the development of specialised programmes of care and provide specialised advice, written and oral information to patients, relatives. 
•    Provide clinical advice and support to health care professionals within and across organisational boundaries
•    To formulate individualised patient treatment care programmes in conjunction with the medical/nursing team considering
    o    Each patient is placed in the correct treatment protocol
    o    Investigations and treatments are organized as needed
•    Act as a role model
•    To provide support for distressed patients / carers and bereaved relatives and identifying patients at risk and referring to appropriate agencies 
•    Initiates changes in management of care
•    Participate in case conferences in relation to future management or discharge arrangements
•    Maintain accurate patient records and ensure all relevant information is documented in medical and nursing notes
•    In collaboration with multidisciplinary team members assess the needs of patients, families and carer’s, and provide specialist advice.
•    Assist with the development of a specialised nursing service provision
•    Responsible for the effective management of patients referred urgently by GP for suspected colorectal cancer.
•    Undertakes complex assessments of patients prior to Straight to Test.
•    Decide on the appropriate next step for the patient based on symptom assessment and discussion with Consultant.
•    Utilizes clinical decision making skills to ensure Straight to Test patients receive  a holistic service and are optimized prior to attending for a test within the remit of the Straight to Test Service. Refers patient when required to the appropriate health care professional prior to investigation.
•    Communicate with patients in order to properly prepare patients for their procedures and draw together feedback on the standard of service delivery.
•    Promote patient participation in decision-making and enable their informed choice of appointments in line with trust booking policy.
•    Communicate effectively with all members of the multi-disciplinary team and colleagues in primary care including the referring GP.
•    Ensure that GP’s are informed of the proposed diagnostic tests and an outcome of the telephone assessment.

    Education
•    Assists in developing in-house specialist educational and training programmes 
•    Provides clinical supervision, support and mentorship to other staff as required
•    Assist in training health and non-health care professionals in related specialty
•    Assist in the development and provision of specialist education and training programmes to patients and carers
•    Maintain own professional development 
•    Maintain and update evidence based knowledge and skills.

    Leadership and Management
•    Contributes to the planning and development of specialist service.
•    Manages own caseload, and coordinates patient journey across divisions and organisational boundaries
•    Works in close collaboration with Lead Nurse / Consultants across boundaries to ensure service meets patient’s need.
•    Undertakes complex assessments and review/follow up of patients and carers 
•    Contributes to the development of specialist protocols and policies for specialist area of care
•    Work with patients and users to develop services
•    Be a member of relevant professional association and attend regional/national meetings and conferences

    Research and Audit
•    Contributes to clinical audit and development of knowledge within specialist field of practice
•    Undertakes evidence based practice and ensures dissemination of relevant research and best practice