Job responsibilities
The post carries responsibility for providing nursing support to the leg ulcer service in West Hertfordshire, ensuring a high standard of care is given in conjunction with the administrator and Project Manager of the leg ulcer service. The post holder will ensure that a high standard of leg ulcer care is achieved and maintained.
Operational Delivery: Working within a team of nurses, working in the leg ulcer service across West Hertfordshire. This involves seeing a caseload of patients across the area on a weekly or twice weekly basis and ensuring that patients are cared for appropriately.
Promote a leg ulcer service philosophy which embraces a Holistic approach to patients, relatives and carers.
Ensure that the leg ulcer care for patients in locations across West Hertfordshire is of a high standard.
Comply at all times to any regulations issued by DHPL especially those concerning Health & Safety at Work and request/ ensure that all defects, which may affect safety at work, are brought to the attention of the appropriate manager where necessary.
Promote the high standards of infection control advocated by the service. Have active involvement in the on-going development of these standards and auditing of these in practice.
Assess, report and manage any risk, clinical and non clinical, for the benefit of self, colleagues and clients, in line with the Risk Management Policy and Health & Safety at Work Act 1974.
Patient / Customer Care: Use leg ulcer management skills and knowledge to undertake assessment of leg ulcer patients, including the use of Doppler ultrasound techniques and using interpretation skills to diagnose the plan specialised care delivery.
Deliver planned evidence- based care, including advanced compression bandaging techniques and other high compression therapies as required.
Provide safe care in leg ulcer clinics in locations provided by the service provider.
Empower individuals and their families to reach their full potential in health promotion and health awareness.
At times act as the patients advocate, raising their concerns about services specific to DHPL or other agencies.
Manage orders of supplies and equipment in the clinic setting and liaising with Herts One when items are needing to be ordered.
Communication and Relationship Building: Maintain confidentiality and manage information sensitively. Demonstrate discretion and respect when communicating with patients, colleagues and other agencies.
General: Maintain current registration in line with DHPL policy and follow the code of conduct of the Nursing and Midwifery Council.
Take responsibility for own continuous professional development, maintaining a sound level of professional knowledge and competence in line with the Personal Development Plan agreed at the annual appraisal. Ensure attendance at all required (mandatory) training.
Health and Safety at Work Act: All members of the DHPL are required to take responsible care for the health and safety of him/herself and other persons who may be affected by his/her acts or omissions at work.
Confidentiality: Maintain confidentiality and ensure the principles of the Data Protection Act 1998, the Confidentiality: NHS Code of Practice and Data Protection are adhered to at all times.
Safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults: Responsible for to safeguarding issues in relation to children and vulnerable adults. You are required to complete statutory and mandatory training and take appropriate action with regard to safeguarding issues that may present themselves.
Clinical Governance and Managing Risk:
Reporting Serious Untoward Incidents with appropriate notification to the Clinical Lead
Comply with the DHPL procedure for reporting serious untoward incidents.
Ensure that the principles of sound clinical and corporate governance are applied.
Patient Experience: Carry out patient experience surveys.
Treat patients with dignity and respect
Provide patients with suitable and accessible information about, and clear access to, procedures to register formal complaints and feedback on the quality of the service.
Ensure that the views of patients are sought and taken into account in designing, planning, delivering and improving health care services.
Record Keeping, Reporting and Information Sharing
Comply with IT, data collection and quality assurance processes to allow for periodic reporting to the CCG on agreed service parameters.
Ensure that clear contemporaneous and accurate records are kept of the discussions, assessments, treatment and medicines that are given, and how effective these have been.
Ensure clear records are kept secure.
Information Technology: To facilitate integrated health and social care, the DHPL will use an electronic health record.
Freedom of Information: The post holder must be aware that any information held by the Trust in theory could be requested by the public, including emails and minutes of meetings. It is therefore essential that records are accurately recorded and maintained in accordance with the Trust's policies.
Travel: You may be required to travel between clinic locations. Motor mileage allowance will be paid in line with the NHS Mileage Rate.
General: The duties outlined above are not intended as a restrictive list and may be extended or altered to include other tasks that are commensurate with the grade.
