Band 7 Diabetes Specialist Nurse/Dietitian

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• To provide a diabetes service by receiving and acting on direct referrals.
• Autonomously manage a caseload of patients with the support of the Consultant Nurse Diabetes and Diabetes Service Lead.
• Use advanced clinical assessment skills and judgement to assess, plan, implement and evaluate care for patients with diabetes with complex physical and psychological related problems using a recognised evidenced based model of care.
• Monitor and make treatment interventions in order to manage patients’ symptoms associated with diabetes. If qualified as an independent Nurse/Dietitian Prescriber, prescribe medications as clinically indicated as per Trust and department policies.
• Order and interpret and act on relevant tests and investigations.
• Provide appropriate and timely education and advice to patients in order to promote self-management, enhance quality of life and decrease avoidable A&E attendances or admissions.
• To provide essential advisory and psychological care to patients referred with diabetes.
• To document all care given using the Trust guidelines.
• To act as a clinical expert role model in nursing care to other nurses within the team and nationally as required.
• To develop nursing guidelines/ protocols related to diabetes at a local and network level.

• To review patients on a weekly/daily basis with the multi-professional team
• To be an advocate for service users to highlight service deficiencies, to improve patient centred care.
• To actively engage with service users and develop methods to measure patient satisfaction.
• To participate in regular structured education sessions for patients.
• To communicate clearly, skilfully and sensitively with all patients always

·         In conjunction with the multi-professional team develop annual objectives and strategies for Diabetes and monitor and evaluate progress towards these

·         To identify potential service improvements within Diabetes and lead local improvement projects

·         To actively participate in measurement of outcomes including local audit

·         To develop and update nursing guidelines/protocols in relation to Diabetes

·         Participate in the development of Trust wide mandatory education programmes for Diabetes

·         Work collaboratively with Lead/ Consultant Nurse and multi-professional team to develop and disseminate Trust wide Diabetes guidelines

·         To ensure that resources are used effectively and efficiently.

·         To ensure that any equipment used is maintained and serviced accordingly.

·         To provide advice and leadership on complex issues within care practices and delivery across the Trust and local networks

·         To take a lead role in the further development of off-site Diabetes led services

·         Promote the principles of clinical supervision and act as a supervisor for others

·         To provide advice and support to other members of the multi-disciplinary team in relation to specialist practice in Diabetes

·         To use clinical expertise to provide practical strategies to solve problems identified by other health care professionals

·         To take a lead role in developing advanced practice in Diabetes, whilst being aware of personal and professional limitations.

·         To work with the Diabetes service leads and multi-professional team to engage in the implementation of improvements in diabetes practices within own areas of responsibility and in line with local and national agenda and patient feedback.

·         To work closely alongside senior practitioners within the Trust to advance specialist roles.

·         Line manage and mentor junior staff and students

·         To assist with the cross cover of the DSN/Dietitians across all sites

·         To report all clinical and non-clinical incidents promptly and when requested to co-operate with any investigation undertaken

·         To establish strong working links with other key colleagues within the directorate both within the multi-professional team and external bodies outside the Trust and local Diabetes networks.

·         To initiate and develop collaborative care strategies.

• To document and maintain accurate records in line with professional standards of record keeping
• To participate and attend Directorate and Trust forums to ensure uptake of information to disseminate to own team
• To ensure mandatory training and adherence to the Trust’s Information Governance Policy
• To ensure an evidence-based service, through regular literature review and update of Trust guidelines.

• To participate in research and quality improvement within the unit
• To develop teaching resources to develop knowledge base about Diabetes
• To pursue a programme of continuous education to achieve and maintain expertise for the post and continue professional development using the NMC/CPSM Advanced Practice competencies as a framework
• To be responsible for ensuring own awareness of current developments in Nursing/Dietetics, the Health Service and relevant specialist clinical practices.
• To actively seek out opportunities to participate in formal and informal teaching and training of all members of the multi-professional team

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Infection Control

Infection control is everyone’s responsibility. All staff, both clinical and non clinical, are required to adhere to the Trust’s Infection Prevention and Control policies and procedures and the Health Act (2006) Code of Practice for the prevention and control healthcare associated infections and make every effort to maintain high standards of infection control at all times thereby reducing the risk of Healthcare Associated infections.

It is the duty of every member of staff to take personal responsibility for the prevention and control of infection, as laid down in the Trust’s polices and procedures which reflect the statutory requirements of the Hygiene Code.

·         To work in close collaboration with the Infection Control Team.

·         To ensure that monitoring of clinical practice is undertaken at the agreed frequency.

·         To ensure that the ward environments are cleaned and maintained to the highest standards; ensuring that shortfalls are rectified, or escalate as necessary.

·         To ensure that all relevant monitoring data and issues are provided to the Directorate’s Governance structures.

·         To ensure that all staff are released to attend infection control-related educational sessions and staff with specialist roles, e.g. link practitioners, are released to undertake their duties.

Health and Safety at Work

The post holder is required to:

·         Take reasonable care for the health and safety of himself/herself and other persons who may be affected by their actions or omissions at work.

·         Co-operate with the employer in ensuring that all statutory and other requirements are complied with.

Confidentiality & Data Protection

The post holder has a responsibility to comply with the Data Protection Act 1998 and maintain confidentiality of staff, patients and Trust business.

If you are required to process information, you should do so in a fair and lawful way, ensuring accuracy is maintained. You should hold information only for the specific registered purpose and not use or disclose it in any way incompatible with such a purpose.

You should disclose information only to authorised persons or organisations as instructed. Breaches of confidentiality in relation to information will result in disciplinary action, which may include dismissal. Employees are expected to comply with all Trust policies and procedures and to work in accordance of the Data Protection Act 1998. For those posts where there is management or supervision of other staff it is the responsibility of that employee to ensure that their staff receive appropriate training (e.g. HISS induction, organising refresher sessions for staff when necessary.)

Conflict of Interest

The Trust is responsible for ensuring that the services for patients in its care meet the highest standards. Equally, it is responsible for ensuring that staff do not abuse their official position, to gain or benefit themselves, their family or friends.

Equality and Diversity

The Trust values equality and diversity in employment and in the services we provide. It is committed to promoting equality and diversity in employment and will keep under review our policies and procedures to ensure that the job related needs of all staff working in the Trust are recognised. The Trust aims to ensure that all job applicants, employees or clients are treated fairly and valued equally regardless of sex, marital status, domestic circumstances, age, race, colour, disablement, ethnic or national origin, social background or employment status, sexual orientation, religion, beliefs, HIV status, gender reassignment, political affiliation or trade union membership. Selection for training and development and promotion will be on the basis of the individual’s ability to meet the requirements for the job.

You are responsible for ensuring that the Trust’s policies, procedures and obligation in respect of promoting equality and diversity are adhered to in relation to both staff and services.

Vulnerable Groups

·         To carry out responsibilities in such a away as to minimise risk of harm to children, young people and vulnerable adults and to promote their welfare in accordance with the Children Act 2004, Working Together to Safeguard Children (2006) and No Secrets guidance (DH 2000).

·         To demonstrate an understanding of and adhere to the trust’s child protection policies.

No Smoking

The Trust implemented a No Smoking Policy, which applies to all staff. Staff contravening this policy will be subject to disciplinary procedures.

Standards of dress

All staff are expected to abide by the Trust’s guidance on standards of dress.