Brain Injury Clinical Specialist (Maternity Cover)

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

·       To actively facilitate and participate in improving and enhancing the delivery of the care given to people with brain injury at a local, regional and national level.

·       To lead clinical audits within the specialist service area.

·       To act as the single point of referrals for patient with brain injury with a GP within Milton Keynes.

·       To be responsible for the screening assessment of rehabilitation referral needs of brain injury admissions to Milton Keynes University Hospital or other out of area hospitals as necessary for patients with a Milton Keynes GP.

·       To perform comprehensive specialist holistic assessment of needs for individuals within the specialist area, plan, implement and evaluate care delivery using evidence based practice according to changing health needs in a variety of settings. To complete this in a manner which respects people’s privacy dignity and individuality in an environment that is appropriate to their current physical and emotional needs.

·       To initiate and make referrals to consultants, other health care professionals, social services and other appropriate organisations.

·       To support, enable and empower the patient, acting as an advocate where appropriate, to actively engage in their agreed treatment program or planned goals, to maximise their independence, reviewing and evaluating efficacy.

·       Using advanced clinical skills in assessment and/ or diagnosis and/ or treatment normally at each individual assessment, review and visit, using specialist knowledge and skills to identify problems or symptoms and ascertain whether they are due to diagnosis or other causes.

·       To be able to determine where the symptoms reported warrant further investigation as they are indicative of other problems not related to diagnosis.

·       Select, collate, evaluate, analyse, interpret and report complex information maintaining accurate patient records and specialist reports in accordance with policy and professional guidance.

·       To make the necessary referral and support the patient, relatives and carers until assessment by the relevant service when the patient requires referral to local or specialist inpatient or outpatient rehabilitation services.

·       To assess tertiary placement needs and consider suitable placement in partnership with the medical consultant, and wider MDT as appropriate.

·       Once placement (local and out of area) is agreed, to set up and monitor placements / treatments.

·       To provide highly specialist advice, support and education in the management of the diverse problems relating to the specialist area to patients, carers, relatives, professionals and others within voluntary and statutory bodies

·       To involve patients, carers, relatives and other appropriate stakeholders in the planning and delivery of care and development of services, acting as a change agent and leading as appropriate

·       To continually develop and review existing multidisciplinary and multi-agency team working being aware of the roles and responsibilities of persons involved.

·       Arrange, facilitate, lead or chair meetings and / or case conferences as appropriate, ensuring collaborative working to meet the ongoing identified needs treatment of the individual or group ensuring effective feedback of information.

·       To communicate in a professional and sensitive manner with patient, relatives and carers in highly emotive or distressing circumstances taking into consideration their privacy, spirituality and cultural values and beliefs.

·       Facilitation of a seamless service in partnership and collaboration with all agencies and persons involved.

·       Establish and maintain effective communication systems with patients, carers and relatives and professionals across health, social services and voluntary organisations.

·       To provide monitoring and follow up patients, who require no need for specialist brain injury assessment or rehabilitation, being responsible for ongoing assessment, monitoring and support, reporting to relevant medical consultant or GP.