Continence Nurse

Job description

Job responsibilities

1. Act as an autonomous practitioner in accordance with and upholding the NMC Code of Conduct and Scope of Professional Practise for Nurses, Midwives and Health Visitors.

2. To assess bladder and bowel function, physical and psychosocial needs, plan, manage, implement and evaluate individual programmes of patient care in the most efficient and clinically effective way, which meets the needs of the patient and his/her carer(s). including education on correct application of continence aids and offer informed choices on lifestyle modifications, treatment options, and alternative products.

3. Use a range of assessment tools pertinent to the patients needs e.g. Use of portable Bladder scanner to inform the assessment.

4. Works mainly unsupervised to assess, plan, implement and evaluate bladder and bowel pathways of patients. Provides skilled nursing care for patients in their own homes or other appropriate settings e.g. Clinics/education settings.

5. Is responsible for prioritising a delegated caseload/workload and effectively managing time and working effectively within the team.

6. Works in close liaison with nursing colleagues, of members of the multidisciplinary team and social care and voluntary sector.

7. Role model the values expected in Compassion in Practice (2014), ensuring patient, family and carer feedback supports that care received was compassionate.

8. Ensuring information is recorded objectively and reported back to the Bladder & Bowel Service.

9. Ability to plan ahead for potential scenarios to ensure anticipatory care needs are understood and met.

10. Recognising signs of deterioration in patients and referring appropriately to ensure patient safety and avoid hospital admission.

11. Collaborating effectively with other members of the multidisciplinary team or other agencies involved in the patients care.

12. Participates in case conferences, MDTs and care package reviews providing health related information when requested.

13. Makes accurate observation of the patients physical, mental and social condition, communicating these findings to the Bladder & Bowel Service via Coordinator and other members of the Primary Healthcare Team as appropriate. Makes judgements on problems requiring investigation, analysis or samples taken.

14. Checks, administer and disposes of drugs according to the Trust policies and guidelines.

15. Provides support and education in the delivery of care and delegates work appropriately to junior team members. Undertakes staff appraisals, when appropriate.

16. Participates in the practical instruction of Students.

17. Encouraging and support patient independence and self-care of their condition where appropriate. whilst minimising risk for both patients and staff, making use of all available resources.

18. Takes reasonable precaution to ensure that the patient and the patients property is safeguarded.

19. Assess clinical and environmental risk and share with appropriate services.

20. promotes UTI improvement work and antibiotic guardianship.

21. Can be the named mentor for pre-registration student.

22. Promotes the health and well- being of clients and their families / carers through health promotion activities.

23. Takes part in the prevention and control of the spread of diseases.

24. Undertakes joint visit with specialist nurses, GPs, social workers and other health.

25. Following assessment of patient to order appropriate products via home delivery service.

26. Ensure that patient/carers are aware that any equipment loaned no longer required is returned to supplier.

27. As part of promoting a safety culture reports any clinical incidents, successful interventions via the datix system.

28. Is involved in audits and distributes and encourages completion of patient experience questionnaires.

29. Is involved in implementing policies and suggest changes to practice / procedures.

30. Maintains good working relationships with colleagues and other agencies.

31. Is required to communicate effectively with patients, carers, relatives and other professionals

32.Provides support and assists with continence promotion projects and raising public awareness of continence issues.

33.Delivers an agreed educational programme to other practitioners in group or one-to-one settings.

1.. Recognises personal accountability and responsibility to monitor and evaluate care to ensure optimal practice.

2. Understands and works within NMC professional codes of conduct and practice, maintaining own professional development and competence to practice. Maintaining revalidation and registration.

3. To reflect on practice and utilise clinical supervision and other development opportunities and support.

4. At all times ensure that own actions support and promote equality, diversity and the rights of patients, the public and colleagues within the health and social care environment.

5. Uses opportunities to suggest improvements to services or introduction of other innovations or evidence.

6. Engages actively in data collection for quality assurance and take responsibility for ongoing evaluation of delegated care.

7. Act in an advisory and guiding role in all aspects of nursing care for junior members of the team.

8. At all times display exemplary standards of behaviour and ensure own work practices, and attitudes provide an example of professionalism for all staff.

9. Has read and works in accordance with current Trust policies, procedures and clinical guidelines.

10. Maintains accurate legible and timely records of patient care using the current patient recording system in line with trust policy and NMC guidelines.

11. Submits statistical returns when required.

12. Ensures own mileage form and extra duty forms are submitted to the Team Leader within the agreed time frame.

13. Engagement with appraisal and the development and activation of a personal development plan

14. Attends mandatory training and other clinical training essential to the role. This includes undertaking e- learning.

15. Can demonstrate the achievement of competencies required for this particular post and within a specified time frame.

16. Participates in research and audit as required by the Trust.

17. Participates in and attends staff meetings / working groups as required.

18. Assist in the development of registered and non-registered staff through the use of supervision, management supervision, appraisal and personal development plans for delegated staff, taking into account both the needs of the service and the aspirations of the individual.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• RGN
• Current NMC Registration
• Evidence of further recent professional development

Desirable

• Mentorship module or working towards
• Community nursing experience

Experience & Knowledge

Essential

• Understanding of National Government initiatives in health and social care and how they impact on local services
• Knowledge of a broad range of bladder and bowel conditions. This will include LTCs, for example neurological conditions, stoke, dementia and other common illnesses, frailty and palliative and end of life care
• An understanding of the presentations of multiple pathology, depression and anxiety states and frailty, predominantly in older people
• Knowledge of the management of uncomplicated symptoms in those patients with bladder and bowel problems and enhanced communication skills to confidently manage uncertainty
• Understands the role of the Continence Nurse in the Community

Desirable

• Community nursing experience

Skills & Abilities

Essential

• Will be required to undertake all core competencies
• Will be required to undertake all core competencies
• Excellent communication skills written and oral
• Effective organisations skills
• Evidence of managing people and complex situations
• Ability to articulate the evidence underpinning patients' care plans and interventions.
• Computer literate
• Access to a car for work purposes

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Wirral Community Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Fender Way Health Centre

Fender Way

Prenton

CH43 9QZ

Employer's website

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