Nurse Practitoner - The Havens

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Clinical Responsibilities

•    To be accountable for her own practice and to utilise available opportunities to sustain and improve knowledge and professional competence
•    To give advice to partner agencies eg ED, sexual health and police in the management and options available to clients presenting following sexual assault.
•    To liaise with police, self-referral clients and other referrers to competently advise and / or initiate an appropriate course of action via telephone for victims of sexual assault.
•    To communicate effectively when dealing with difficult and distressing issues and be able to liaise with clients, police and other personnel appropriately in challenging situations.
•    To independently assess the client’s immediate medical, emotional and psychological needs and advise and determine an appropriate plan of care
•    To independently assess and consider the potential challenges and client’s needs in relation to drug and alcohol issues, learning difficulties, mental health and other psychosocial issues
•    To assess each client in relation to safeguarding needs and to ensure a clear plan of action, including referrals to external agencies and trust safeguarding team, is commenced as required
•    To ensure documentation is contemporaneous, accurate and complete as per Trust, Haven and NMC guidance
•    To work as a crisis worker during a forensic medical examination eg to advocate for the client, to aid the collection of forensic evidence and to ensure effective forensic decontamination takes place. This includes off site examinations.
•    To ensure that any forensic evidence collected for police and self-referral clients is labelled, sealed and stored appropriately to ensure forensic integrity and to maintain the chain of evidence
•    To provide advice regarding prevention of pregnancy and prophylaxis against Sexually Transmitted Infections including HIV and Hepatitis B.
•    To ensure that clients’ privacy and dignity is maintained at all times with consideration to the cultural, religious or social beliefs of each individual
•    To maintain accurate clinical records in accordance with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), Trust and medico-legal requirements.
•    To provide written statements as requested by the Metropolitan Police Service when requested as per the Haven information policy
•    To attend court and provide evidence of fact as requested by the Crown Prosecution Service
•    To have excellent communication skills, a flexible approach and a detailed knowledge of the impact of sexual assault on clients. 
•    To work within your scope of practice and to seek advice as required and refer to senior colleagues as required.

Governance / Quality Control

•    To attend and participate in professional meetings within the Haven service, Division or Trust as required 
•    To support the divisional clinical environment (eg mock CQC) audit process as required 
•    To ensure that the forensic suites are kept forensically clean as per Havens and Forensic Science Regulator guidelines to minimise risk of DNA contamination  
•    To participate in general administrative duties in relation to the smooth running of the service, eg: daily checks, the timely ordering of stock / medicines. 
•    To engage in local and national forums to develop practice and raise the profile of the service and Trust
•    To be fully aware of the National Initiatives and Policy documents relating to Sexual Assault and Violence
•    To identify and monitor any risk to patient or staff safety taking appropriate action as required. To support the risk management process through the Inphase system 
•    To participate in clinical audit and research to support, maintain and develop expected standards of care 
•    To meet regularly with line manager
•    To arrange and attend clinical supervision
•    To participate in job planning as per trust requirements

Education and Training

•    To contribute to an assessment of own educational needs, developing and agreeing a professional development plan with the line manager and clinical supervisor
•    To keep up to date with clinical and nursing developments as required to meet the revalidation standards of the NMC
•    To attend training and updates as required by Haven Education Team and in line with Trust guidance so that all statutory, mandatory training and professional training requirements, are up to date and fully compliant.
•    To attend at least 4 monthly crisis worker CPD meetings / year
•    To assist with the training and mentorship of staff, students and trainees within the department as required.
•    To teach on relevant courses as required

Leadership

•    In conjunction with the senior nursing team to support and participate in the development of the nursing team within the Haven service 
•    To support and participate in induction activities across the nursing and MDT team 
•    In conjunction with the senior nursing team support the Haven service to maximise resources, ensuring the division’s priorities are met and kept within the allocated budget. 
•    Ensure overall wellbeing of the team is maintained. Continuously support in improving the morale of the team and implementing a culture of zero-tolerance for bullying and harassment.