Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Planning and Organisational duties

Independently assess, plan, and implement care for patients presenting with chronic and acute ENT conditions.

Enable the delivery of a high standard, ENT specialised service to all Trust sites and outpatient clinics

Manage and organise own case load of patients within varied settings in collaboration with the ENT MDT.

In conjunction with the ENT consultant and medical staff, initiate and establish ENT protocols/pathways.

Development of policies, guidelines and protocols based on relevant research and best practice, implementing change when appropriate.

Perform specific interventions, investigations and treatments as outlined in the expanded ENT specialist nurse role.

Ensure equipment used (both disposable and non-disposable) is maintained, fit for purpose, and stocked as appropriate to ensure economical use of all resources

Develop ENT patient information to assist patient understanding of the disease process and aid their recovery.

Provide advice and support via the telephone to patients, carers, GP’s and a range of other healthcare professionals.

Develop an efficient, effective, and safe service within the ENT treatment room.

Provide expert clinical skills including micro suction, epistaxis management etc.

Placement and Removal of ear dressings

Administer topical medication

Manage ENT Wound dressing

Collection of specimens

Changing of Tracheostomy tubes

Providing clinical management for Tonsillectomy clinics and allergy testing clinics.

To be an effective communicator with patients and families, along with the wider multidisciplinary team.

Manage risk within service and identify areas for improvement

Understand key themes within governance and provide input to develop safer patient care.

Triage adult patients providing treatment under management pathways independently and referring patients to the appropriate medical teams if required.

Communicate sensitive information to patients and colleagues in line with trust values.

Provide professional and clinical leadership.

Contribute to the introduction of new and innovative ENT nurse led services which will benefit patient care and service need, using effective project management processes and marketing strategies in accordance with Trust policy and procedures.

Support and counsel patients and carers when making difficult decisions about future management of the disease or coping with ‘bad news’.

To provide specialist education and work collaboratively with staff, facilitate and support learning strategies in the clinical setting and the development of the learning environment in clinical practice.

To develop and implement guidelines for good practice.

Maintain national links with voluntary and professional organisations as appropriate.

To update personal knowledge and skills keeping up to date with new advances and current practice.

To raise the profile of the importance of appropriate airway management across the trust and the goals and achievements of the ENT/Head and Neck Directorate.

Managerial and Professional Duties

To be able to work within a team and independently.

Maintain registration with Nursing Midwifery Counsel (NMC)

Maintain confidentiality of all patient information.

Maintain a safe and therapeutic environment for patients.

Report and record all incidents according to trust policy.

To organise own workload to meet service and patient need.

Comply with the health and service at work act 1974.

Comply with the Data Protection Act.

Responsibility for Human Resources

Adheres to all trust policies and procedures that pertain to this area of practice.

Participate in performance review with Lead nurse, negotiating and agreeing own plan of personal development.

Participate in professional and clinical supervision with the Lead nurse.

All staff are accountable for their own professional actions undertaking all duties having regard to the NMC “Code of Professional Conduct” for the nurse, midwife and health visitor, and their professional contribution to clinical governance.

Maintain accurate records of activity, in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998, and information Governance, NMC record keeping guidelines, including communications with other health care professionals or outside agencies always maintaining confidentiality.

Responsibility for Finance.

Assist in the delivery of cost efficiency and management expenditure.

Ensure the efficient use and effective use of resources in providing and delivering the service.

Liaises with the budget holder regarding stock control monitoring and maintaining equipment etc.

Responsibility for Health & Safety

Compliance with the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 – the post holder is required to fulfil a proactive role towards the management of risk in all of their actions. This entails the risk assessment of all situations, the taking of appropriate actions and reporting of all incidents, near misses and hazards, and a statutory duty of care for their own personal safety and that of others who may be affected by their acts or omissions. 

Responsibility for Teaching

Deliver formal and informal teaching to a wide range of health and social care professionals.

Disseminate relevant information to colleagues by publication and presentation at relevant conferences.