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Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Respiratory Specialist Nurse

Job description

 

POST: Respiratory Specialist Nurse

 

BAND: 6

 

REPORTS TO & RESPONSIBLE TO: Immediate Line Manager

 

ACCOUNTABLE TO : Senior Manager/Directorate Manager

JOB SUMMARY:

 

An exciting opportunity has risen for a dynamic and motivated nurse to join our friendly Respiratory Nursing Team.

 

You will need to be flexible as this is a diverse role, this role would be appealing to nurses who have a background of chronic airway management particular Asthma and COPD, you will work as a general respiratory nurse managing respiratory patients undertaking treatment titration in line with National and Local guidelines , clinical oxygen assessments this will be under supervision and guidance from the team, you will review both in a clinical and community setting, along with ward reviews for patients who are admitted with exacerbations of asthma, you will need to be a team player, and adapt to new and challenging situations, demonstrate a commitment to professional development and evidence base practice.

 

 

SECTION 1- MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES:

 

PROFESSIONAL / CLINICAL:

• Using your clinical experience and skills you will be responsible for the assessment planning, delivery and education for Adult Asthma patients.

 

• The post holder will be responsible for reviewing asthma patients who are admitted to hospital with an exacerbation of asthma, this will support the ongoing National Respiratory Asthma Audit, this will be supported by the Senior Respiratory Nurse and Lead Respiratory Nurse Practitioner.

 

 

• The post holder will undertake oxygen assessment, interpretation of blood gases and prescribe oxygen within a clinic and home setting.

 

• The post holder will plan the management and organization of your workload adjust and prioritize in line with clinical demand.

 

• You will organize workload efficiently and effectively with regard to clinical priorities and resources and escalate any concerns to the Senior Respiratory Nurse or Lead Respiratory Nurse Practitioner.

 

• Contribute to the delivery of multi-disciplinary, patient centred care.
• Encourage and educate patients, relatives, and carers to empower them to take an active role in care given.
• Be responsible for assessing and identifying emergencies within their speciality field.
• Be able to interpret clinical information and take appropriate action including the confidence to escalate to senior members of the service.

 

ADMINISTRATIVE / MANAGERIAL

HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGEMENT:

 

·         Take Responsibility of the Asthma Audit and book patients into the post admission asthma clinic.

 

·         Maintain contemporaneous patient records at all times, ensuring clinical letters, nursing documentation is completed to a high standard.

 

·         Attend the Respiratory business meetings to provide nursing input if required.

 

·         Participate in policy developments at local level and where appropriate regional and national level.

 

·         Contribute to the development of operational policies and protocols, and Work Plans.

 

·         Support and contribute to the development of policy and clinical guidelines.

 

·         Organise and manage own workload, prioritising when necessary.

 

·         Contribute to the achievement of trust targets by actively working as part of the respiratory nursing team to develop, review and maintain patient pathways.

 

·         Provide support, preceptorship and mentorship for new members of staff.

 

·         Maintain personal standards of conduct and behaviour consistent with the ICO and NMC code local and national guidelines.

 

·         Be professionally and legally responsible and accountable for all aspects of your own work in the provision of expert care.

 

 

 

SECTION 2- KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

 

• To undertake and promote clinical practice relevant to the needs of patients and families from multi-cultural backgrounds.
• Advise and offer support to patients to autonomously manage their symptoms.
• Communicate confidently with other members of the multi-disciplinary team.

 

·         Maintain contemporaneous patient records at all times, ensuring clinical letters, nursing documentation is completed to a high standard.

 

·         Participate in policy developments at local level and where appropriate regional and national level.

 

·         Contribute to the development of operational policies and protocols, and job plans.

 

·         Support and contribute to the development of policy and clinical guidelines.

 

·         Organise and manage own workload, prioritising when necessary.

 

·         Contribute to the achievement of trust targets by actively working as part of the respiratory nursing team to develop, review and maintain patient pathways.

 

·         Provide support, preceptorship and mentorship for new members of staff.

 

·         Maintain personal standards of conduct and behaviour consistent with the ICO and NMC code local and national guidelines.

 

·         Be professionally and legally responsible and accountable for all aspects of your own work in the provision of expert care.

 

 

 

SECTION 3- EFFORT AND ENVIRONMENT

 

• Participate frequently in tasks requiring physical effort for variable periods.

 

• Deal with bodily fluids on a regular basis.

 

• Manage and participate in distressing situations including delivering bad news to patients.

 

• Concentrate for long periods and respond to unpredictable patient, staff demands and report writing.

 

• Provide and receive complex information and use advanced communication skills e.g defuse aggressive situations.

 

 

SECTION 4-ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

 

1. To provide cover for colleagues as directed by your manager.

 

2. Risk Management (Health & Safety)

a) You will follow risk management procedures at all times. The Risk Management procedures for the Trust and the department are kept by the departmental manager.

 

b) You are personally responsible for Risk Management issues in respect of yourself and your colleagues.

 

c) If you identify a potential hazard you should report it to your manager / supervisor at once. If in doubt you should speak to your manager for guidance.

 

d) You must always use safety equipment provided, and report any defects to your manager. You must attend Risk Management Training as directed by your manager.

 

e) If you are a manager or have line management responsibilities for staff or a department or area of work, you are responsible for the Risk Management issues in that area. You will ensure that there is an annual Risk Management audit in your area and make sure that where necessary, an action plan eradicating risks is drawn up and implemented.

 

f) Should you need help in resolving Risk Management matters, you must seek assistance from your manager.

 

3. Infection Prevention and Control

a) You are personally responsible for ensuring that you protect yourself, patients, visitors and colleagues from the risks of infection associated with health care activities and the care environment.

 

b) You must adhere to infection prevention and control policies at all times liaising with the infection control team and acting on any instructions given.

 

c) You must attend regular infection prevention and control update training.

 

d) You should at all times promote and demonstrate good practice for the prevention and control of infection.

 

4. To avoid any behaviour which discriminates against your fellow employees, or potential employees on the grounds of their sex, sexual orientation, marital status, race, religion, creed, colour, nationality, ethnic origin or disability.

 

5. To safeguard at all times confidentiality of information relating to patients and staff.

 

6 Child Protection and Vulnerable People

It is the responsibility of all staff to safeguard children and/or vulnerable adults, to access training to ensure they know what constitutes abuse, and what support is available to them, at a level appropriate to their role and responsibilities.

To report any concerns, without delay, to the identified person within their department/division or area of responsibility as per the relevant policies, keeping clear records, and following up as required to ensure necessary actions have been taken.

 

7. No Smoking Policy

The Trust operates a No Smoking Policy which states that smoking is prohibited within all Trust premises and on the site. This includes entrances, exits, cars, lease cars, car parks, pavements and walkways, areas hidden from general view and residences. As an employee of the Trust you are expected to comply with this policy, failure to do so may result in disciplinary action being taken under the Trust’s Conduct and Disciplinary Policy.

 

8. To behave in a manner which ensures the security of NHS property and resources.

 

9. To abide by all relevant Trust Policies and Procedures.

This list of duties and responsibilities is by no means exhaustive, and the post holder may be required to undertake other relevant and appropriate duties as required.

 

This job description is subject to regular review and appropriate modification in consultation with the post holder.