Complex Spinal Surgery Clinical Nurse Specialist

Job description

Job responsibilities

Key responsibilities

1. To deliver specialist nurse advice and collaborate in the development of an expert nursing service, within the complex spinal service.
2. To manage a caseload of patients/clients (initially with direct supervision; aiming for indirect supervision within 6-12 months).
3. To promote patient centered care and approaches, by ensuring that patients and families are fully informed about their treatment.
4. To promote evidence based clinical nursing practice, in line with current guidelines, policies and protocols.
5. To establish clear lines of communication within the specialty multidisciplinary team, to ensure a cohesive and holistic management of patients.
6. To link with healthcare teams in order to increase knowledge and facilitate the care of this group of people in the community, local hospitals and/or rehabilitation centers.

Communication

1. To utilise a variety of strategies to communicate effectively with patients and those involved in their care.
2. To facilitate communication within the service, other teams, the community and other trusts to promote a seamless service.
3. To keep accurate and complete records of activities and communication, consistent with legislation, policies and procedures.

Clinical practice

1. Provide clinical care by managing a patient caseload and providing expert nursing advice, guidance and promoting adherence to the care plans.
2. Contribute towards a multi-professional and holistic approach in the management of patients within the complex spinal service.
3. Act as a patient advocate.
4. Encourage and advice the ward/unit staff to actively participate in the appropriate management of spine patients (both elective and trauma/emergency admissions).
5. Develop and maintain excellent communication with community nursing teams, general practitioners, local services, rehabilitation centers and charities involved in the care of spine patients.
6. To monitor patients with spinal immobilisation devices (i.e. collars and braces).

Quality

1. The post holder must at all times work in accordance with the NMC Code of Professional Conduct (2002) .
2. Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of the Trusts audit programme and ensures the quality of care delivered as an ongoing and cumulative process.
3. Ensures documentation is accurate and up to date. Monitors and promotes high standards of clinical documentation within the team.
4. Makes informed decisions in the provision of care to the patient group by using knowledge of resource management information.
5. As a junior CNS evaluates the quality of patient care and ensures that the results of evaluation are used to sustain or improve quality of patient care.
6. Ensures privacy and dignity is maintained at all times.
7. Demonstrates respect for patients cultural beliefs and accommodates accordingly.
8. Alongside the Lead Nurse takes part in projects that raise the profile of the specialist service and team members.
9. Actively seek feedback/input from patients/carers in order to continuously improve the quality of care provided.

Management

1. Participate in the development of strategies for delivering effective specialist care, within a changing environment, that improve the quality of care and health outcomes for Complex Spinal surgery patients.
2. Take part in projects that raise the profile of the specialist service and team members.

Education & Professional development

1. Participate in educational programs for patients and carers with spinal pathology so that they are empowered to manage their condition and seek appropriate help and advice.
2. Collaborate with the lead spinal nurse in the delivery of education programs and strategies for nurses and other allied health professionals.
3. Take responsibility for personal development and education with regard to appraisal and Personal Development Plan objectives.
4. To maintain a portfolio that showcases ongoing professional development; actively use reflective techniques to self-develop and learning.
5. Be responsible for the on-going development/education and maintenance of them ensuring a standardised approach Trust wide.

Research and Audit

1. Participate in research activities (i.e. data collection and audit) to assess and monitor the quality of practice in the specialist area.
2. Take active role in the maintenance of the spinal database.
3. Assist in implementing changes based on the findings (i.e. participate in quality improvement projects).

Equality and Diversity

1. The post holder must at all times carry out duties and responsibilities with regard to the Trusts Equal Opportunity policy.
2. Take account of own behaviour and its effect on others.

Health, Safety and Security

1. The post holder is required to familiarise him/ herself with and comply with the Trusts policies and procedures, includes adherence to universal precautions and infection control measures.
2. The post holder must at all times respect patient confidentiality and in particular the confidentiality of electronically stored personal data in line with the requirements of the Data Protection Act (1998)
3. The post holder must be aware of individual responsibilities under the Health & Safety at Work Act and identify and report as necessary any untoward accident, incident or potentially hazardous environment.
4. Attend mandatory fire, manual handling and resuscitation training on an annual basis and ensure these can be related safely to each clinical area and are up dated as required.
5. Takes the necessary action in relation to risk.
6. Identifies how health safety and security can be improved and takes action to put this into effect.
7. Keeps accurate records of training undertaken by staff and ensures the Trusts computerised system is utilised. (E-KSF tool, Care Records System CRS).
8. The post holder is required to familiarise him/herself with the Trusts policies and procedures in relation to Major Incidents and CBRNE.

The job description is not intended to be exhaustive and it is likely that duties may be altered from time to time in the light of changing circumstances and after consultation with the post holder.

The post holder might be required to work across the Trust at any time throughout the duration of his/her contract, which may entail travel and working at different hospital.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

• Registered nurse
• Minimum 3 years' experience in Neurosciences

Desirable

• Relevant course in Neurosurgery
• Experience in managing spinal patients within Neurosciences and Trauma

Skills

Essential

• Personal and professional confidence.
• Good organisation skills
• High level communicator
• Basic counselling skills
• Ability to develop oneself and one's practice.
• Management of a small patient caseload with supervision.

Desirable

• Data collection and management including use of Excel.
• Participation in audit and recruitment into clinical research.

Knowledge

Essential

• Good knowledge of spinal ANP
• Good knowledge of spinal disease (including traumatic and degenerative)
• Good knowledge of management of acute spinal patients

Qualifications

Essential

• Registered Nurse
• NMC registration
• First Degree

Desirable

• Working towards further education.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

Barts Health NHS Trust

Address

The Royal London Hospital

London

E1 1FR

Employer's website

https://www.bartshealth.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)