What are the responsibilities and job description for the Spina Bifida & Hydrocephalus Clinical Nurse Specialist position at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust?
Job summary
The post holder will provide specialist nursing care, advice and support for people with Spina Bifida & Hydrocephalus. This will involve autonomously managing a case load of patients with Spina Bifida with direct clinical and social input from the specialist's multi-disciplinary team.
This national clinic has been established at the Chelsea & Westminster Hospital since 1993 which is a whole day clinic. This is the only Spina Bifida & Hydrocephalus clinic in the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland. Expanding the post holders experience not only in the condition but also in Neurology, Urology and Colorectal.
Also developing the post holder's holist care assessment skills as patient care needs vary greatly. They will undertake all relevant forms of nursing care and patient management, supported by evidence-based practice, liaising with the multi-disciplinary team, with the objective of providing high quality, safe nursing care.
Main duties of the job
Undertake face to face clinics for patients with spina bifida with clinical input of the multi-disciplinary team
o Provide expert care and advice to individual patients with spina bifida and their families. Be responsible for the assessment of patient care, and the planning, implementation and evaluation of that care
Key contact between patients and consultants
Triage all new cases prior to the appointment and contact patients to explain flow of the clinic.
Select 2-3 cases for Urologist for his monthly review
Work a long side Flexicare and Qufora to educate and inform patients of equipment suitable for their care needs
o Order relevant investigation prior to clinic
o Assessment of patients' micturition and defecation requirements.
- Review if they are self-caring, need assistance, equipment or have had surgery. Feed back to the team if any of their care needs have changed.
o Raising adult safeguarding where appropriate
o Contribute to the future development of spina bifida services within the Hospital
o Liaise with other disciplines within and outside the hospital setting
o Actively participate in providing a high standard of service
o Provide a patient focused nursing service and establish effective partnerships with patient and family within competency level
o Develop skills to provide specialist care within defined guidelines and protocols
About us
Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of England's top-performing and safest trusts. We operate two main acute hospital sites Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and West Middlesex University Hospital along with award-winning clinics across North West London.
Our nearly 7,500 staff care for a diverse population of million, providing full clinical services, including maternity, A&E, and children's services, plus specialist HIV and sexual health clinics. The Care Quality Commission rates us 'Good' in safety, effectiveness, care, and responsiveness, and 'Outstanding' in leadership and resource use.
We continually invest in our facilities, including a £30m expansion of critical care at Chelsea and Westminster and an £80m Ambulatory Diagnostic Centre at West Middlesex.
We welcome applications for flexible working arrangements, accommodating requests where possible to support our staff and patient needs.
The Trust is committed to equality and welcomes applications from all, regardless of background. Adjustments can be made for disabled candidates. Early application is advised as vacancies may close once sufficient applications are received. If you haven't heard from us within three weeks of the closing date, your application was likely unsuccessful. Employment is subject to a six-month probationary period.
Some roles may require weekend shifts at multiple sites.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Provide expert care and advice to individual patients with spina bifida and their families. Be responsible for the assessment of patient care, and the planning, implementation and evaluation of that care.
Work within agreed protocols for managing the care of spina bifida patients.
Recognise problems in relation to failing treatment and seek assistance to solve them.
Provide advice and guidance to patients and hospital staff regarding spina bifida and related issues.
Actively participate in providing a high standard of service.
Provide a patient focused nursing service and establish effective partnerships with patient and family within competency level.
Contribute to developing audit and / or standards / protocols related to the spina bifida service
Participate in the development of information systems for patients
In conjunction with the senior consultants, develop and deliver teaching programmes for clinical staff within the Trust and develop & maintain own professional level of competence.
Identify own clinical competency, strengths and deficits, and educational / development needs through participation in the PDP / PDR process.
Recognise and initiate opportunities to expand own scope of practice related to spina bifida patients and those vulnerable to spina bifida.
Keep up to date with a working knowledge of relevant NMC guidelines and demonstrate this in clinical practice.
Maintain a record of professional development using a professional profile and meet the
Requirements of Revalidation with NMC to ensure continued registration.
Person Specification
Application
Essential
Desirable