Nurse Specialist Acute Pain

 Key Result Areas: 

Professional 

Accountable for own actions in accordance with the Code of professional Conduct. Will contribute to achievement of corporate objectives, acting within local, Trust and statutory guidelines and policies always. 

Act as a specialist advisor to all members of the healthcare team throughout the Trust and in the Community advising on national, local and Trust policy and procedures/guidelines in matters relating to pain to ensure positive patient experiences. 

Undertakes complex assessment and review/follow up of patients. 

Deal with conflict promptly and effectively, supporting and promoting effective working relationships at all levels. 

Support staff when requested, with appraisal and where appropriate, NMC/ HPC revalidation, clinical supervision and the promotion of professional development and lifelong learning. 

Responsible for autonomous assessment, interpretation, implementation and evaluation of specialist treatment plans. 

Undertake prescribing using the individualised scope of practice for non-medical prescribing in accordance with the SWFT formulary 

Regularly utilises highly specialised technical, practical and judgemental skills to assess and interpret complex facts to ensure optimum patient management including complex patient monitoring, equipment management and invasive tests and procedures.  

Lead responsibility for the provision of a high-quality professional Acute Pain service across the Trust, promoting best practice and implementing a review process that looks at quality and efficiency in meeting patient and service needs.  

Responsible for accurate, timely documentation of clinical plan in patient / client notes. 

Lead in implementing and supporting the introduction of new evidence-based methods of treatment to improve patient care and service development across the Trust. 

Regularly manage expected and unexpected clinical events requiring unpredictable levels of physical effort according to patient dependency / clinical need. 

Support patients, carers and others during difficult situations, e.g. imparting bad news or following an unexpected event. Receive referrals to assess, plan, review and care for patients with acute, acute cancer or acute on chronic pain problems, identifying psychological, social, emotional, spiritual and cultural needs in relation to their disease. 

Work within MDT- Specialist palliative care/ substance misuse practitioners/ learning disabilities specialist practitioners to optimise symptom control in those who are opioid tolerant or  complex 

Independently run outpatients clinic to provide treatment and support to patients regarding capsaicin treatment and other therapies according to service demand  

Communicate highly sensitive and emotional condition related information to patients and relatives re: difficult pain management issues, terminal illness, bereavement. 

Act as patient advocate and educate patients with regards to treatment and lifestyle.  Negotiate treatment options with surgeons, medical and anaesthetic team to agree a pathway of care.  

Ensure that the role provides a visible and identifiable presence within the clinical area and is accessible to patients, staff and visitors. Act as a role model for excellence of nursing care and management. 

Education and Training 

Lead in the identification and provision of specialist education and competency-based training to the multi-professional team across the Trust.  

Lead in competency-based training and assessments, within pain management and postoperative care. 

Provide support to agreed programmes of education at the Trust. 

Maintain and update evidence-based knowledge and skills 

Take responsibility for own personal and professional development maintaining an up-to-date professional portfolio. 

Lead the development and provision of patient education / information. management. 

To be familiar with and attend annual mandatory training. 

Governance 

Review and update guidelines, policies and protocols to support reduced risk and safe delivery of specialised analgesia such as epidural or patient-controlled analgesia. 

Evaluate the literature to implement evidence-based pain management strategies including valid reliable pain assessment tools 

Liaise with electro medical technicians to support maintenance of pain management equipment to reduce clinical risks  

Investigate and take appropriate actions relating to untoward incidents/ accidents and complaints reporting to relevant personnel, managers and directors as appropriate.  

Monitor and record activity ensuring acute pain service is fit for purpose and provides a service in line with national guidance.  

Research and Audit 

Lead the co-ordination of clinical audit and research in the department. Actively undertake audit and research and present and disseminate results across the Trust ensuring that findings are applied to local practice where appropriate.  

Lead in the implementation of change of practice due to the results of audit and research 

Responsible for key aspects of planning, organisation and service delivery. 

Actively participate and take a lead role in business planning and service development strategies. 

Lead responsibility for the formulation and implementation of Trust policies and procedures within specialty incorporating local, national and professional guidance as appropriate. 

Regularly communicates highly complex, sensitive information to members of clinical and managerial teams across the Trust. Frequent bleep holding responsibilities. 

Responsible for line management including recruitment, retention, career development, appraisal  

Manages the departmental budget to include monitoring, controlling expenditure and participating in the budget setting process. 

Champion innovation and follow best practice guidelines / recommendations in achieving Axa accreditation 

Actively seeks opportunities to network and promote the profile of the Trust by attending appropriate local, national and international meetings. Be a member of relevant professional associations and attend regional and national meetings and conferences. 

Utilise and ensure others utilise IT systems to secure accurate, timely patient, workforce and resource data available. Maintain accurate patient care pathways, record and collect data as required using designated recommended Trust software systems complying with Data Protection Act 1984.