Specialist Nurse, Spirometry (2x Weekday Eves & Saturdays)

Job description

Job responsibilities

Job Purpose

The specialist spirometry nurse will work as part of a team delivering the Spirometry Service across Harpenden PCN Practices. After the spirometric test is carried out by our Respiratory Technician (RT), the specialist nurse will report on this test. You will inform a clinical assessment of airflow obstruction and physiological investigation of airflow obstruction. You will determine whether the assessment results are normal, could be consistent with possible COPD or possible asthma, or whether the results are inconclusive and what further steps would be recommended.

The post holder will ensure patients receive optimal care and adhere to Harpenden PCNs policies and procedures. This is a developmental position and it is expected that in due course the service will expand to also include the FeNO service across Harpenden practices.

Main Duties & Responsibilities

To use specialist skills to report on spirometric tests carried out by team members and inform a clinical assessment of airflow obstruction and physiological investigation of airflow obstruction in line with guidelines

To make recommendations to the referring clinician on the assessment of results, and identify what the most appropriate next steps would be

To provide supervision and mentoring to RTs

To cover spirometry clinics during periods of annual leave, sickness, or short staffing within the team

To take responsibility for administration and paperwork directly from caseload recordkeeping and other written communications with local GP surgeries as required and ensuring all appropriate templates and coding is complete

Participate in team meetings which are essential to delivery of team-based care, contribute to discussion of clinical practise standards and developing protocols

To adhere to key performance indicators without jeopardising the safety of the patient. To contribute to the development of new models for service delivery which may have a positive impact on health economy. To offer health promotion, education and motivation for patients to change unhealthy behaviour, recognise the patients readiness to change, develop and maintain health promotion material

To ensure that infection control standards are current and consistently met

To be competent and current in anaphylaxis and resuscitation techniques

To be responsible for personal CPD, as required by your professional registration

To carry out any additional responsible duties as required by Harpenden PCN

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• In order to be successful, you will need to be registered with the NMC and ideally have previous experience of working as a practice nurse in Primary Care.
• You will have previous experience and evidence of working with spirometry results.

Desirable

• The successful post holder will ideally be ARTP certified, however training can also be offered.

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

Harpenden Health PCN

Address

Elms Medical Practice

5 Stewart Close

Harpenden

Hertfordshire

AL5 4QA

Employer's website

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