Nurse Specialist - Viral Hepatitis

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The successful applicant should have a significant interest in Viral Hepatitis C, helping to support patients with this condition and successful completion of treatment. The ability to liaise confidently and establish good networks across our Operational Delivery Network (Newcastle, Gateshead, Northumberland, Sunderland, North Tyneside, Middlesborough and Cumbria) and partner organisations is essential.

Training and education are a vital part of the role. This will include medical, nursing and support as well as patients and their carers about their condition and management.

This post requires the successful applicant to be self-motivated with excellent organizational and data management skills, a strong team working ethic and evidence of continued professional development. Full training will be given to the successful applicant.

This demanding job involves in reach within the hospital setting and outreach within the prisons, Drug Action Teams and accompanied home visits. We treat all patients whom are diagnosed with Hepatitis C. 

As identified in RCN guidelines maintain a high standard of clinical work when carrying out nursing procedures As a practitioner you will  be responsible for the safe custody and distribution of medications to the service users.

Following completion of treatment we arrange blood test to identify if the patients are cured.   We also are trained to Fibroscan to identify any advanced liver disease.

We work with vulnerable clients who are often stigmatized by society. Good communication skills and phlebotomy skills are essential.

As identified car ownership and driving are essential for the role.

Our role also involves teaching hospital and community staff on Blood Bourne viruses and Harm reduction.

We liaise with a multidisciplinary Team incorporating Gp’s, hospital doctors, colleagues, Drug Action Teams and External organization to ensure each patient receives the optimum care within their treatment setting.

The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust define a nurse specialist as a qualified nurse where the primary purpose of role is to provide guidance and support based on advanced level knowledge to patients, carers and health professionals concerning a specific disease/condition.

Within the sphere of specialist practice:

• Is working towards advanced knowledge and skills within specialist sphere of practice.
• Contributes to the facilitation of the planning, delivery and evaluation of care pathways for a designated group of patients.
• Support the development of nursing practice within the specialist field and contribute to the body of nursing knowledge.
• Contributes to training and education within specialist area.

As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us and for our patients, and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement. If it works for the service, we will do our best to make it work for you.