Deputy Clinical Nurse Specialist in Pain Management

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Patient/Client Care (both direct and indirect)

• To act as the practitioner who provides advice, support and information to the Sister & Nurse consultant, Pain Management and Consultants in pain to assist them in developing the Pain Management Service.
• To lead the provision of care in accordance with the Trust Policies reflecting current trends and developments in nursing and the NHS.
• In conjunction with the staff team, to assist in developing and maintaining of the Pain Management department ethos and to the delivery of a standard approach to excellent patient care.
• To assess, plan, implement and evaluate programmes of care, actively seeking evidence-based holistic practice that will improve the quality of care and meet the needs of the patient. An holistic approach to caring should be planned that will include the appropriate level of physiological, pathological, spiritual, socio-economical and cultural aspects which influence the care of patients within your specific speciality.
• Contribute to setting goals and benchmarking standards of care with regards to pain management. Develop tools to improve the quality of service and co-ordinate clinical services across the Pain Management Department.
• To comply with and participate in the Trust’s framework for Clinical Governance within the Pain Management Department area.
• In conjunction with the Ward/department Manager provide a suitable and safe environment for the physical and psychological well being of staff, patients and their relatives/carers.
• Identify clinical risks and ensure that the appropriate action is implemented in accordance with the Trust risk management policy.
• Records and reports all incidents/complaints involving staff, patients and visitors in accordance with the Trust policies and contributes to any investigations where required to do so by a unit manager.
• Take charge of pain management in the clinical area in the absence of the Pain Management Sister.
• In the absence of, or as delegated by the Sister initiate investigation of untoward incidents, accidents, complaints and other relevant information.
• Monitor the quality of nursing care and action audit information to achieve agreed standards under the direction of the nurse consultant, Pain Management.
• Ensure that patient assessment documentation is maintained to the Trust standard.
• Ensure through good practice that customer care initiatives are improved and sustained. Act as a resource for advice to patients, relatives/carers, and staff.
• To actively promote a health lifestyle for patients & staff in line with national strategy requirements.

Communication

• Provide support mechanisms for sharing good practice within the wards, Pain Management Service and Trust wide.
• Maintain and promote effective communication with all members of the multidisciplinary team and other Wards / Departments, including developing your formal presentation skills.
• Promote the corporate image of the Trust to all individuals, groups, and organisations both within the Trust and to the community at large.
• Participate fully as a team member, sharing knowledge and information and supporting colleagues, including support staff to promote a cohesive pain management team and the achievement of team objectives.
• To utilise tact, sensitivity, and empathy to communicate complex and sensitive clinical matters.
• To work effectively as a team member using motivation, negotiation and reassurance as required.
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of a positive learning environment for colleagues, patients, and visitors.
• Contribute to Directorate / Site bleep cover arrangements as required.

Policy Development 

• To assist in the critical analysis and evaluation of research and developments within the fields of acute and chronic pain.
• Lead on delegated projects relating to local policy development.
• To be actively involved in the development of Trust policies and procedures at department level, the implementation and reinforce their use.

People Management

• Participate in the Trust appraisal and personal development plan schemes by meeting their line manager bi-annual.
• To pursue own professional development. Actively manage own annual leave in line with Trust and local Policy and Procedure and as delegated help others to do the same.

Service Development

• To participate in staff education and development, including orientation and supervision and act as a mentor and resource for learners and the nursing team and the multi-professional teams.
• Maintain, update, and develop personal and professional knowledge and skills, using the Trust’s Performance Review System, enabling standards of patient care to be carefully monitored and improved.
• To participate in the business planning process, helping to identify areas for service development.
• To assist in monitoring and auditing services and quality standards as outlines in contracts for pain management.  

Resource Management 

• Assist the sister/ nurse consultant in the effective and efficient use of resources by adhering to the procedures for the use of supplies.
• To be a role model to other staff in adopting a flexible approach to personal duty rostering.

Information Management

• Identify areas where local audit is needed, conduct the audit (with support) and analyse the data with support.
• Arranges for the collection and analysis of audit and research data as required.
• To act as a role model for others.
• Use data, which will contribute to the improvement of patient care.