Respiratory Practitioner

Job responsibilities

CLINICAL

Assist the Respiratory Nurse and AHP Specialists in managing patients within the hospital and community setting, providing support to patients allowing them to develop self-management skills

Plan, implement and evaluate care delivery according to changing health care needs and in accordance with service policies

Develop advanced clinical skills in history taking, clinical examination, assessment and/or treatment of respiratory disease

Involve patients, carers and relatives in the planning and delivery of care

Undertake arterial and/or capillary blood gas sampling in accordance with agreed guidelines and protocols for patient assessments, including oxygen therapy and respiratory management

Work collaboratively to order required oxygen therapy, undertake home visits for follow up assessments and make any changes to the oxygen therapy as required

Collaborative and innovative working in order to deliver pioneering developments to enhance patient care within the hospital and community setting

Impart specialist knowledge, advice and support to colleagues, patients, carers and relatives

Provide education and development for others within a multi-disciplinary framework. Facilitate an appropriate learning/practice environment for students

Use the expertise and knowledge of professional colleagues, acknowledging the boundaries of different roles

Input into data collection systems collating information about patients as and when required, facilitating review and audit

Provide support for the compressor home loans service. This will include the assessment, education, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the patient and effectiveness of the therapy

Provide support with ensuring that any loaned equipment is returned and serviced as per Medical Engineering Department protocol and regulations stated by the Medical Devices Agency

Establish and maintain continuing relationships with patients, carers and relatives which are essential to providing effective long-term care

Provide sensitive, complex information to patients, carers, relatives and professionals across health and social services

Be aware and adhere to NMC guidelines/HCPC Code of Conduct, as well as Trust policies and procedures at all times

MANAGERIAL/LEADERSHIP

Exercise judgement, discretion and decision making in clinical care

Ensure the effective, efficient use of physical and financial resources within the service

Assist in the evaluation of service delivery, identify areas of improvement and initiate change

Support the Matron and Lead Nurse to evaluate and improve service provision

Maintain safe standards of practice at all times and report concerns to the Matron and/or Lead Nurse

Monitor health, safety and security of self and others and promote best practice in the clinical area

Support in the management and supervision of junior staff as and when required

EDUCATION AND TRAINING

Raise awareness of respiratory issues by teaching and providing education across the organisation

Provide education and development for others within a multi-disciplinary framework

Facilitate an appropriate learning/practice environment for students

Demonstrate critical thinking and reflective skills to ensure own professional development in line with NMC Revalidation Requirements

Attend annual appraisal to identify and agree training and development needs as part of a Personal Development Plan

Attend Trust Statutory and Mandatory training sessions as required and any other training courses relevant to the post

ORGANISATIONAL

Ensure own compliance with mandatory training

Continually monitor standards of care and participate in the improvement of care through research/audit/benchmarking as directed by self, LHCH, Matron or Lead Nurse

Collect patient stories and undertake patient shadowing. Disseminate good practice, highlight concerns to matron and/or Lead Nurse and agree action plans to rectify and bring about improvements

Work collaboratively with the professional agencies to ensure patient needs are met and especially in relation to on-going care and informed discharge with self-management skills

PROFESSIONAL

Maintain active status on the NMC or HCPC register, ensuring compliance with revalidation/renewal is arranged within a suitable time frame

Demonstrate critical thinking and reflective skills to ensure own professional development in line with NMC or HCPC revalidation/renewal requirements

Ensure that the elements contained within the NMC Code (2015) or HCPC Standards of Proficiency (2018), including any future editions and guiding documents are adhered to, in particular that relating to professional accountability and expanding ones practice

Maintain accurate, up to date patient records and Trust records pertaining to the care of patients in accordance with the Trust policy

Work within the policies and procedures of the Trust and assist the Matron, Lead Nurse and/or senior clinicians in reviewing current policies and developing new ones as necessary

Actively participate in the annual performance review to identify personal development needs

Participate fully in any clinical supervision sessions and 1:1 meetings

Qualifications

Essential

• Registered General Nurse or Allied Health Professional (i.e. Physiotherapist or Paramedic)
• Relevant first level degree (or working towards/willing to undertake qualification)
• Recognised respiratory disease course or qualification
• Teaching and assessing qualification Evidence of professional development

Desirable

• History taking and clinical examination qualification
• Non- medical prescriber qualification

Experience

Essential

• Minimum 2 years at Band 5 Experience in respiratory speciality
• Broad range of clinical experience and respiratory knowledge
• Community experience

Desirable

• Previous Band 6 experience

Skills & Abilities

Essential

• Ability to organise and manage own caseload
• Ability to work under own initiative
• Excellent communication skills both verbal and written
• Excellent planning and organisational skills
• Research and audit approach to clinical practice
• Ability to work as part of a team
• Computer literate
• Able to develop effective interpersonal relationships with colleagues

Desirable

• Ability to supervise junior staff
• Ability to perform arterial and/or capillary blood gas analysis and interpret results
• Ability to interpret spirometry results
• Ability to assess inhaler technique and choose appropriate treatment options
• Able to educate patients/relatives/carers about respiratory disease care and management

Values & Behaviours

Essential

• Excellent, compassionate and safe
• Promotes honesty and integrity
• Demonstrates confidence and self- motivation
• Enthusiastic and positive
• Empathetic and supportive towards colleagues
• Flexibility to meet service needs
• Good attendance record

Other

Essential

• Access to an effective method of transport and willing to use vehicle in course of duties and be insured appropriately

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).