TB Clinical Nurse Specialist

Job responsibilities

Key Duties:

Clinical Responsibilities:

Possess specialist knowledge of the tuberculosis disease process and an understanding of the range of options to consider when screening contacts of tuberculosis.

Monitor progress of treatment of clients with TB. Assess their individual health needs and provide nursing interventions or refer as appropriate to GP or other services.

Monitor compliance with medication if clients with TB. Observe for side effects of medication and undertake visual acuity tests.

Interpretation of screening results, evaluating and taking the appropriate action.

Referral of clients directly for X-ray or to Chest Physicians as appropriate.

Accept referrals from the other disciplines such as GPS. Out of area Consultant in Communicable Disease, TB Nurses and Physicians and other Professionals.

To administer Heaf test and BCG Vaccination to all age groups including neonates and those children who cannot be included in the schools programme.

Follow cases of Bovine TB and screen relevant contacts.

Identification of new immigrants and asylum seekers at higher risk to TB via port Health forms and GP registration.

To undertake screening of new immigrants and their families through health interview and TB screening/chest X-ray and referral to a Chest Physician where appropriate.

To undertake screening of prison inmates and staff following notification of TB case and routine referrals for vaccination.

Managerial Responsibilities:

Assessment of contact screening needs and planning of follow up on an individual basis.

Be responsible for maintaining accurate and up to date client records of nursing intervention and collate statistical information and reports as required.

Provide the TB screening services in conjunction with Consultant in Communicable Diseases ensuring that action is taken in respect of high risk cases, including outbreak management.

Effectively manage own case load.

Influence and implement changes to clinical practice Trust wide i.e. neonatal BCG, school BCG programme.

Organise and run Nurse led contact and BCG clinics, accepting referrals from other areas.

Participate in the development of Policies relating to the management of TB.

Communication and Liaison Responsibilities:

To act as advocate to people with TB with other agencies.

Communicate with empathy and understanding with clients and relatives about the implications of this infectious disease and clearly outline the importance of screening and follow up of contacts. Emphasise the importance of medication with a strong message regarding the dangers of non-compliance.

Communicate with empathy with the farming community and understand the implications for them of a herd breakdown and consequential movement restrictions. Communicate with wider community to reduce fear and increase understanding about TB and its implications for those involved, whilst maintaining confidentiality of index cases as is possible.

Participate in meetings i.e. regular meetings with TB group.

Communicate with empathy with new immigrants, asylum seekers paying particular care to cultural differences. Where necessary utilising the help of other agencies with regard to translation.

Liaise with appropriate agencies, including Consultant Physicians and Paediatricians, GPS Respiratory Nurses, Health Protection Agency and Consultant in Communicable Diseases, Midwives, Health Visitors, School Nurses, Microbiologists, Ministry Vets Ward Staff, Prison Nurses and Officers and Infection Control Nurses.

Identify and utilise relevant interest groups i.e. TB Regional Group, TB Midland Nurses Forum RCN TB Nurses Forum in order to share ideas methods of practice and keep updated on latest innovations and treatments and become involved in clinical supervision.

Educational Responsibilities:

Develop and deliver training and awareness raising sessions for health professionals and wider public in relation to TB.

Participate in the support of clinical placements for students in line with learning needs/university requirements.

Provide specialist education and training to School Nurses, Midwives and others regarding administration of Heaf test, interpretation of results and BCG vaccination to adults, children and neonates.

Act as resource of information for TB for medical colleagues, clients, relatives, the farming and wider community.

Provide health education and health promotional advice to clients. Ensure knowledge is up to date by attending relevant courses, reading pertinent material and receiving updates from TB interested groups.

Participating in promotional educational days with other agencies.

Work Environment:

Work within the policies, procedures and standards for the Trust, and participate in the development of such policies and procedures.

Visit patients and their contacts in their home and in hospital. Visit work places, Schools, Nurseries, Nursing Homes, Colleges, and Universities, Prisons and Remand Centres and recreational facilities to TB patients. Hostel for the Homeless and Probation Hostels where necessary.

Deal with infectious patients in any location. Dealing with infectious sputum specimens and appropriate urine testing where necessary.

Experience

Essential

• Relevant experience at Band 6
• Infection Control.

Desirable

• Relevant experience caring for TB patients.
• Respiratory disease experience.
• Development and implementation of polices and education programs.

Skills/ Knowledge

Essential

• Inoculation.
• Knowledge of National TB guidelines
• Work autonomously.
• Evidence of being up-to-date with current issues in medical and professional care.
• Experience of audit and evaluation.
• Drug therapies used in TB.
• IT literate.
• Evidence of research based practice.
• Organisational skills.
• Fully aware of clinical governance agenda.
• Experience and knowledge within the specialty or related field.
• Proven management skills.
• Able to promote equality, diversity and rights.
• Fully aware of principles of infection control.
• Fully aware of health and safety issues.

Desirable

• Venepuncture

Other

Essential

• Willingness to undertake further training/self-development.
• Ability to undertake manual handling and movement tasks
• Completion of full KSF outline within agreed timescales for all other nurses
• Awareness of self-presentation to patients and relatives.
• Able to travel as part of role.

Qualifications

Essential

• First Level Registration.
• Evidence of professional development.
• Evidence of management experience/training.
• Teaching Qualification
• Counselling Certificate

Desirable

• Degree or working towards.

Personal Qualities

Essential

• Good communication skills.
• Assertive, enthusiastic, dynamic.
• Demonstrate initiative, motivation and ability to put things into practice.
• Calm under pressure.
• High professional standards.
• Ability to work flexible and willing to provide cover within service.
• Committed to quality improvement.

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.

UK Registration

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