Band 6 Clinical Nurse Specialist in Apheresis, Harefield Hospital

Swydd-ddisgrifiad a phrif gyfrifoldebau manwl

2. Job Summary

·         To be a highly specialised nurse working with a specified group of cardiology patients and taking responsibility for their on-going clinical management.

·         In collaboration with the Lead Nurse for FH & Lipid Management/Nurse Consultant in Cardiology, manage the continuing care of patients who are undergoing lipoprotein apheresis.

·         To deliver a high standard of care to lipoprotein apheresis patients.

3. Key Relationships

•  Lead Nurse for FH and Lipid Management
• Nurse Consultant
• Clinical Nurse Specialists
• Consultant Cardiologists
• Transport department
• Pathology laboratory team
• Research team

4. Duties and Responsibilities

 Main tasks & responsibilities

 Clinical

• To assist with the care of patients who are undergoing lipoprotein apheresis treatment including the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of that care.

• To assist in developing and maintaining the ethos of the apheresis unit and the delivery of a standard approach to excellent nursing care.

• To independently manage a caseload of patients and the associated responsibilities in the absence of the Lead Nurse for FH and Lipid Management and/or Nurse Consultant.

• To ensure accuracy of documentation and to maintain an efficient and accurate record system with relevant information in agreement with the clinical team and unit protocol.

• To be aware of the legal implications of all patient-related records.

• To assist with data entry and maintaining the national apheresis patient registry.

• To implement an individualised plan of care for each apheresis patient in accordance with the unit protocol.

• To ensure all apheresis patients are considered for Familial Hypercholesterolaemia (FH) genetic testing and family screening is arranged where appropriate.

• To assist in the training, education and ongoing monitoring of apheresis patients receiving additional lipid lowering treatment e.g. PCSK9 inhibitors, Lomitipide.
• To act as an expert resource for patients/relatives/colleagues relating to the care of their caseload of patients.

• To maintain patient’s confidentiality, privacy, dignity, religious and cultural needs at all times.

• To supply and administer medicines according to Patient Group Directions/ protocols and / or prescribe drugs as a non-medical independent prescriber following suitable qualification. 

• To interpret blood results, ECGs, changes in vital signs and act accordingly.

• To maintain an environment for safe and effective patient care in accordance with the Trust Risk Management Policy.

• To work effectively within the Trust's adult multidisciplinary cardiology team as required ensuring an individualised, evidence based optimum service for each patient and their family.

• To act as advocate for apheresis and FH patients enabling them to express their needs effectively when dealing with the multidisciplinary team.

• To promote collaborative relationships with other health care professionals for the benefit of quality patient care.

• To maintain effective channels of communication within the multidisciplinary team and promote effective interpersonal skills.

• To actively promote a healthy lifestyle for patients & staff in line with national strategy requirements.

Management

• To develop and maintain clinical skills and knowledge of the speciality of lipid management that are evidenced based aiming to achieve a 'best practice' principle.

• To act as a role model and clinical expert for staff providing education as appropriate.

• To work in partnership with colleagues, having accountability for decisions made (in accordance with the NMC Code of Professional Conduct).

• To develop professional practice through reflection, participation on post registration courses and attendance at meetings and conferences.

• To identify and be responsible for own professional and managerial development in liaison with the Lead Nurse for FH and Lipid Management.

• To contribute to the development of positive staff morale and team cohesiveness.

• To utilise appropriate resources within the Trust to provide a consultation, education, technical or information service as needed for self, staff or patients.

• To ensure staff, equipment and resources are managed effectively.

• To assist with maintaining adequate stock levels within the unit.

• To access and utilise all IT services appropriate to the service.

• To maintain high standards of nursing care within own practice and monitor the performance of junior staff.

• To act as a professional representative of the Cardiology department and the Trust.

• To attend suitable course/conferences and hold membership of appropriate professional organisations

Service Development

• To ensure the constant provision of effective, high quality nursing care to all apheresis patients.

• To assist local audit as required, ensure findings are disseminated appropriately and recommendations implemented.   

• To support and work with the cardiology multidisciplinary team in the introduction of clinical changes.

• To be actively involved in the development and implementation of apheresis related protocols and procedures in conjunction with other members of the multidisciplinary team.

• To keep up to date with new advances treatment and new developments in the world of cardiology/apheresis research and actively seek ways of implementing new ideas into clinical practice.

• To be actively involved in the production of departmental and divisional reports.

• To participate in the presentation and publication of relevant research and best practice initiatives.

• To attend and actively contribute to departmental and multidisciplinary meetings and actively participate in committee meetings as requested.        

• To develop and maintain operational policies, standards, guidelines and procedures and ensure those kept within the department are up to date and monitored as per Trust procedure.

Quality and Patient Safety

• To assist with the development and implementation of quality assurance programmes.

• To participate in departmental and divisional audit activities.

• To implement changes in care practices as indicated by audit results and current research findings including those identified within the Nursing strategy.

• To be aware of and act in accordance with the NHS Long Term Plan for Cardiovascular Disease, NICE guidelines and Trust Cardiology guidelines.

• To participate promptly and effectively with the investigation of complaints and incidents in line with Trust policy and procedure.

• To comply with and participate in the Trust’s framework for Clinical Governance within the unit.

• Identify clinical risks and ensure that appropriate action is implemented in accordance with the Trust risk management policy.

Research

• To maintain an active awareness of clinical and professional developments within lipid management and to disseminate that knowledge to all colleagues.

• To identify and suggest relevant areas for research within cardiology/ apheresis nursing which will benefit patient care.

• To encourage other staff to recognise the need for nursing research.

• To assist in introducing and applying research findings along with members of the apheresis team.

• To participate in research studies as appropriate.