Endocrine Specialist Nurse

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Clinical

• To be a team player and able to collaborate effectively with the Band 7 Endocrine Specialist Nurse already in post within the department and to be able to focus and develop further areas within the service that will be identified as key priorities.

· Autonomously, assess triage and diagnose endocrine conditions and review those with longstanding endocrine conditions, including complex patients as outpatients and inpatients, recommending or initiating appropriate treatment within agreed protocols and guidelines.

 · Independently order, undertake, interpret and act upon diagnostic tests and results for endocrinology patients.

· Be proficient in venepuncture.

· Manage, lead and report on key areas within the endocrine service maintaining regular audit and updates on service development at appropriate Governance Meetings and relevant CCG bodies or appropriate agencies as needed.

· Assess, plan, co-ordinate, implement and evaluate evidence-based endocrinology care in conjunction with relevant health care professionals.

 · Liaise and support primary and secondary care clinicians in relation to management of endocrine clinical care and management.

· Develop, undertake and manage clinical sessions, clinical telephone support clinics and patient education sessions relating to endocrine conditions and medication titration.

· Be proficient in assessing and prioritising internal and external referrals for endocrine conditions.

· Ensure compliance with specific regulations with regards to endocrinology drugs and administration and record keeping within area of work.

· Act as a senior support and role model supporting and mentoring junior staff.

· Act as a non-medical prescriber (if has appropriate qualification) within clinical area and competence.

· Be flexible and willing to undertake hours of work needed to further develop the endocrine service.

· Manage and hold the Endocrine emergency support line, dealing with calls as appropriate.

 

Professional Leadership and Development

 

· Identify, contribute to, or lead on the development and dissemination of evidence-based guidelines, standards and protocols as required.

· Develop and maintain required specialist clinical skills in the assessment and treatment of patients with endocrine and related conditions.

· Participate and contribute to regular MDT and clinical supervision sessions as and when required.

Attend annual appraisal to discuss and identify training and development needs as part of a Personal Development Plan.

· Support other specialist nursing colleagues in their continuous professional development including peer and clinical supervision.

· Update and maintain own clinical knowledge and competence by attending post education courses, mandatory training, study days, workshops and conferences to keep up to date with best clinical practice.

· Maintain regular links with other Endocrine Specialist Nurses at both local and national level.

· Lead on and contribute to the development of agreed protocols, integrated care pathways, standards and audit tools that monitor practice.

· Be competent with ESR and line management systems as required.

· Lead and participate in Nurse Meetings (departmental and across the Trust)

 

 Administrative

 

· Ensure compliance with specific endocrinology protocols, standards and clinical paperwork including patient experience satisfaction and endocrinology related surveys.

· Undertake and provide telephone consultation/support as appropriate to patients and health care professionals.

· Support with the completion of the Endocrine Annual Specialist Service Report 

· Support and maintain information on the endocrine intranet/internet to ensure that information if updated and relevant to support primary care professionals and patients.

 

Education & Training

 

· Provide specialist knowledge, advice and support to colleagues, health care professionals, patients, carers and relatives around endocrine related conditions.

· Lead and contribute to the multidisciplinary education and training provision/programme for health care professionals involved in caring for patients with endocrinology across organisational boundaries.

· Develop co-ordinate and participate in endocrinology education and training programmes and evaluate their effectiveness, supporting junior members of staff as needed.

· Raise awareness of endocrinology and related conditions through health promotion activities and organised events throughout the trust and wider community.

· Provide support and education to patients, allowing them to develop self-management skills as appropriate to their endocrine condition, provide verbal and written advice to patients and carers with endocrine conditions, around care management as required.

· Facilitate an appropriate learning environment for students and junior staff providing direct supervision, mentorship, training and evaluation to students and new starters within the trust.

 · Participate in regular clinical education sessions within the diabetes/endocrine unit.

 

 Research, Audit and Governance

 

 · Adhere to policies, procedures and protocols relevant to endocrinology demonstrating understanding of evidence-based care, including where to obtain evidence.

· Conduct/participate in national and local audit related to endocrinology evaluating and implementing best practice as appropriate.

· Lead and participate in research projects alongside senior members of the MDT.

· Lead and participate in audit projects relevant to clinical area and practice.

· Support junior members of the team with research and audit as appropriate.

· Attend local, national meetings and conferences to network and share best practice.

 · Maintain clear concise, legible and contemporaneous patient records at all times in line with Trust policy and the Standard for Recording Keeping.

· To have an understanding of internal and external assessments such as CQC and GIRFT.

· Participate in the implementation of initiatives to improve endocrine care and support practice development to ensure a high quality service.

 

Communication

 

 · Communicate effectively with all members of the endocrinology multi-disciplinary team.

· Establish and maintain continuing relationships with patients, cares and relatives which are essential to providing effective long-term care.

· Support patients and their families communicating sensitive condition related information and ensure they receive required information to enable them to participate in their care delivery.

· Support patients and their families during diagnosis of endocrine conditions and treatment ensuring understanding of their condition and any related complications

· Engage with patients and carers to gain views on service delivery and development

 

THE Walton centre and transitional endocrine clinics with Alderhey. Aintree is an ENETS centre of excellence and has a developing adrenal service.

 

Specific tasks involve, but not limited to

 

1. Development of virtual clinics for patients with stable thyroid disease

 

2. GH deficiency

·         Assessment of patients with growth hormone deficiency and provision of education prior to initiation of treatment.

·         Monitoring of response to treatment and long-term surveillance.

·         To ensure all patients on long-term treatment and surveillance receive regular prescriptions of their medication

 

3. Acromegaly patients

To ensure all patients on long-acting somatostatin analogues and pegvisomant (NHS England specially commissioned medication) for uncontrolled acromegaly receive in a timely fashion their monthly prescriptions and injections with appropriate monitoring of their blood tests.

 

4. Initiation and monitoring of testosterone replacement therapy in patients with hypogonadism and discharge to GP care and follow up after an initial 6-month period of stabilisation as per Pan-Mersey Area Prescribing Committee guidance. 

 

5. Provision of education to patients with adrenal insufficiency to help manage their therapy during acute illness and prevent adrenal crisis.

 

6. Attend the transitional endocrine clinics held quarterly with the Adult and Paediatric Endocrinology Consultants to be introduced to all patients transitioning to the Aintree adult endocrine service and become their “named worker” as per NICE Guidelines and help support the teenagers/young adults manage their condition during the period of transition.

 

Administration responsibilities to include acknowledging investigations, communicating results to patients and their GPs, audit, quality measures and activity analysis.

 

 

Registered Nurses at Aintree have a responsibility to

• Maintain active status on NMC register
• Act always in accordance with NMC Code of Conduct and guiding documents
• Adhere to Trust Policy and Procedure.
• Maintain up to date skills and knowledge and maintain awareness of professional issues.
• Maintain a professional portfolio.