Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Job Summary:

A full time permanent vacancy opportunity has arisen within the Benign Urology Nursing team as a Nurse Specialist. The role will provide the opportunity to learn diagnostic skills including flexible cystoscopy and urodynamics, and delivering core benign urology services including Men’s Health and Lithotripsy. The role will also involve supporting in the delivery of the nurse led bladder botox service.

The role involves conducting patient consultations, including complex history taking and diagnosis under the supervision and support of the Senior ANP.

The post holder will provide excellent professional and clinical leadership within Urology Benign Nursing service promoting the effective delivery of a high standard of nursing care for all patients and carers, and contributing to the development of the service, clinical practice and colleagues.

Main Tasks and Responsibilities

Clinical

• Use their expert knowledge and clinical judgement to decide whether to refer patients for investigations and make diagnoses.
• Decide on and carry out treatment, which may include the prescribing of medicines, or referring patients to an appropriate specialist.
• Assess individuals, families and populations holistically using a range of different methods, some of which may not be usually exercised by nurses such as physical assessment and history taking, ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests or advanced health needs assessments. 
• Ensure the provision of continuity of care.
• Assess and evaluate, with patients and /or carers, the effectiveness of the treatment and care provided and make changes as needed.
• Work autonomously within a wider health care team.

• Work across professional, organisational and system boundaries and proactively develop and sustain new partnerships and networks to influence and improve health, outcomes and healthcare delivery systems. Adhere to the NMC Code of Conduct at all times and practice within the NMC Scope of Professional Practice.

Leadership/Management

• Collaborate with the multi-professional team to develop a shared vision of the service.
• Act as a role model and resource in expert clinical evidence based practice.

• Work collaboratively with colleagues to develop effective documentation, pathways, protocols and guidelines for care. Demonstrate a commitment to share expertise and disseminate information.
• Participate in implementing national standards and frameworks at a local level.
• Network locally, regionally, nationally to seek opportunities to develop the Benign Nursing service.
• Provide workplace evidence in the delivery of service / e-rosters.
• Have an understanding of budgetary constraints and may be required to manage budgets. 
• Use effective change management skills to initiate and implement service and practice development, making the best use of resources to improve practice and health outcomes.
• Participate in the selection, interviewing, appraisal and professional development of team members.
• Maintain involvement and active input in multidisciplinary meetings and appropriate local bodies / forums to contribute to practice and service development

Education/Training:

• Maintain, advance and develop personal theoretical knowledge, high standards of clinical competence and professional development through ongoing self-education and attendance at relevant courses of study.
• Develop and maintain a peer network of support, information and learning with other nurse specialists at a local and National level.
• Maintain own professional portfolio.
• Contribute to the development of specialist nursing knowledge and skills to enhance and extend the practice of other nurses and health care professionals within the service.
• Identify and address the educational needs of patients, families, carers and staff involved in the delivery of this service.
• Contribute to the teaching and support of students from the multi professional team within relevant educational programmes.
• Provide an appropriate learning environment, including mentorship, coaching and preceptorship.
• Organise and contribute to relevant educational programmes and in house study days.
• Develop and maintain a peer network of support, information and learning with other nurse specialists at a local and National level.

Improving quality and developing practice:

• Coordinate and participate in ongoing service review and evaluation, including monitoring of patient experience.

• Participate in research / audit to generate new evidence in area of speciality.
• Evaluate clinical practice in relation to its evidence base and clinical effectiveness.
• Identify areas of risk and poor quality, and address these through appropriate governance structures and forums.

• Participate and actively seek peer review in practice.
• Have responsibility to ensure annual appraisal, agree objectives which reflect local and national service needs and develop personal development plans.
• Develop personal and professional knowledge through critical self-appraisal, clinical supervision and networking with other health care professionals locally, nationally and internationally.
• Advocate and contribute to a working environment that promotes continuous learning and development, evidence based practice and succession planning, as well as identifying learning opportunities at local and national levels.
• Have a high level of communication skills to enable the participation in the dissemination of practice through conferences and professional publications.
• Ensure statutory and mandatory training updates, as well as role/speciality updates are completed and necessary records maintained.