Job responsibilities
Communication and Relationship skills
Communicates with patients and their carers, sensitive and complex information in relation to clinical findings, showing empathy in certain circumstances
Communicates with those responsible for the care and documenting the appropriate details whilst at all time maintaining confidentiality, tact and diplomacy
Communicates with the ophthalmic consultants in relation to patient ophthalmic condition when specific decision making is required
Liaise with diabetes nurse and medical team to ensure a seamless service and optimise patient care.
To communicate with other health care professionals in relation to patients with diabetic retinopathy specifically the patients general practitioner to highlight the clinical findings and high risk factors to optimise patient care.
To provide education in formal and non-formal settings
Continually update and maintain personal levels of clinical skills and competencies acting as a clinical role model
It is expected that ALL employees of the Trust will take part in the appraisal process each year with the first appraisal taking place within the first 6 months from appointment
Knowledge training and Experience
To act as a resource to provide ophthalmic care, knowledge and expertise to those involved in caring for patients and their families
In conjunction with the Consultant ophthalmologists and Matron, develop and implement nurse led initiatives
To maintain autonomous, nurse led clinics for the assessment of patients with diabetic retinopathy
To have knowledge and skills to order necessary investigations in identifying other retinal abnormalities or where further clinical investigation is required to diagnose specific ophthalmological disease.
To ensure that such high risk factors of diabetic retinopathy are optimised specifically glycaemic control but to be aware of other high risk factors and know how these are reduced.
Evidence of Masters level education
Independent prescribing
To provide education in formal and non-formal settings for optometrists, medical trainees, student nurses, in-house staff and patients and carers
To initiate and participate in the development of educational programmes liaising closely with Keel University
To be involved in the development of patients information documents
To perform required training of external quality assurance relevant to the retinal screening programme
Analytical and Judgemental Skills
To use slit lamp biomicroscopy to assess ocular pathology relevant to role in particular diabetic retinopathy
To identify whether there is a need for laser photocoagulation
Be able to manage a patients diabetes, with knowledge of relevant medication utilizing independent prescribing qualification and experience
Have knowledge and skills to interpret findings with the use of relevant equipment necessary in the management of diabetic retinopathy such as B scan, Optical coherence tomography, hand held slit lamp, direct ophthalmoscope
Perform arbitration grading for diabetic screening programme as part of role
To actively participate in team meetings
Be proactive in seeking development of the service
Physical Skills
The post holder will be required to have the dexterity and accuracy required for procedures such as the use of slit lamp biomicroscopy; fundus camera; optical coherence tomography; Ultra-sound (B-scan); removal of corneal sutures; venepuncture and cannulation for fundus fluorescein angiography
Have sound knowledge of specific diabetes equipment such as insulin pens, have knowledge of continuous glucose meter, blood glucose meters,
The post holder will be required to have standard keyboard skills, use of presentation, projection/multimedia equipment and e-learning resources
Responsibility for Patient/Client Care
To act in accordance with the NMC Code of Professional Conduct for Nurses, Midwives and Health Visitors and to be accountable for own clinical practice and professional actions at all times. Ensure continued and effective registration with the NMC.
To assess, develop and implement the specialist needs of the patients and their families in relation to diabetes and diabetic retinopathy
To ensure patients with high risk retinopathy are appropriately assessed and managed accordingly to achieve optimum patient outcomes
Work with the diabetes team, nurses and physicians when required with specific patient groups
To work with ophthalmologists to provide high level of ophthalmology care to specific patient groups as required, ensuring high standard of patient outcome achieved
Initiate drug therapy/medication within the parameters of agreed clinical guidelines and in accordance with present legislation for the supply and prescribing of medication
Personal/Professional Development
- To take every reasonable opportunity to maintain and improve your professional knowledge and competence
- To participate in personal objective setting and review, including the creation of a personal development plan and the Trusts appraisal process.
UHNM is committed to the implementation of the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy
Which ensures equal opportunities for all. UHNM is also committed to embracing diversity
and eliminating discrimination in both its role as an employer and as a provider of services.
It aims to create a culture that respects and values each others differences, promotes
dignity, equality and diversity and encourages individuals to develop and maximise their
potential. All staff are required to observe this policy in their behaviour to other workers and
patients/service users
Infection Prevention
Infection Prevention is the obligation of every employee both clinical and non-clinical at the University Hospitals North Midlands NHS Trust. Driving down healthcare associated infection is everyones responsibility and all staff are required to adhere to the Trusts Infection Prevention policy
All staff employed by the UHNM Trust have the following responsibilities:
Trust Dress Code
- Trust approved uniform/dress code must be adhered to
- When in clinical areas all staff must be bare below the elbow, without wrist watches, stoned rings, wrist jewellery, false nails, nail polish or plaster casts
- No personal bags to be worn during clinical duties
Hand Hygiene
- Decontaminate your hands as the per The five moments of hand hygiene
Own Practice
- Lead by example
- Encourage and praise good practice
- Be prepared to accept advice about your own practice
Decontamination
- Ensure that equipment you have been using or about to use has been decontaminated effectively
- Ensure that you are aware of the Trust approved cleaning products, and follow a safe system of works
Trust Policies
- Ensure that you know and strictly follow relevant Infection Prevention policies for your role and apply standard precautions at all times, which is available in the Infection Prevention Manual on the UHNM intranet
Data Protection Act, General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the NHS Code of Confidentiality
All staff are responsible for ensuring they are familiar with and adhere to the Trusts policies, procedures and guidelines with regards to the Data Protection Act, General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the NHS Code of Confidentiality. This includes confidentiality, information security, cyber security, secondary use and management of records.
Staff have a responsibility in protecting the rights and freedom of natural persons (i.e. live individuals) and to ensure that personal data is not processed without their knowledge, and, wherever possible, that it is processed with their consent. Processing includes holding, obtaining, recording, using and disclosing of information and applies to all forms of media, including paper and images. It applies to both patient and staff information
Hence staff must ensure confidentiality is maintained at all times, data is recorded accurately and you only access this information as part of your job role
Safeguarding Children, Young People and Adults with care and support needs
All staff are responsible for ensuring that they are familiar with and adhere to the Trusts Safeguarding Children and Adults policies, procedures and guidelines. All health professionals who come into contact with children, parents, adults with care and support needs and carers in the course of their work have a responsibility to safeguard and promote their welfare as directed by the Children Acts 1989/2004 and the Care Act 2014. Health professionals also have a responsibility even when the health professional does not work directly with a child or adult with care and support needs but may be seeing their parent, carer or other significant adult.
All staff are required to attend safeguarding awareness training and undertake any additional training in relation to safeguarding relevant to their role.
This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list and may be subject to change from time to time. All documents referred to throughout this Job Description can be found on the Trusts intranet, or alternatively copies can be obtained from the Human Resources Directorate
