About this role
Job summary
The Tissue Viability Nurse (TVN) works as part of the Tissue Viability Team to deliver specialist, evidence-based care relating to skin integrity and wound management. The role involves assessing patients, planning and implementing tailored care, and providing expert advice to staff, patients and carers to support the prevention and management of complex wounds. The TVN also supports clinical practice through education, training and supervision of staff and students, whilst maintaining accurate clinical records and carrying out specialist procedures, including the use of Negative Pressure Wound Therapy. In addition, the role contributes to service improvement through leading clinical audits and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to plan, deliver and evaluate care for patients referred to the service.
Main duties of the job
1. Vision, Strategy and Business development
Independently provides holistic, pressure ulcer risk assessment, leg ulcer assessment and wound assessments for individuals with health impairment, facilitating the identification of adverse conditions that impair tissue health. Reach reliable and comprehensive patient centred conclusions, which manage risk and are appropriate to need, context, culture and ethnicity.
Prioritise work within a climate of competing demands of clinical and service development requirements
Proactively and directly imparts knowledge and shares skills
Participates on the auditing relating to Tissue Viability
Facilitate the dissemination of appropriate research findings to the clinicians within the Trust ensuring clinical nursing activities are evidence based
Critically reviews research findings, which relate to Tissue Viability practice and where appropriate sharing this information in clinical teaching sessions thereby promoting a culture of Evidence-Based Practice
To be aware of current trends in nursing and in the NHS and be able to translate into practice; for example, the 6 Cs
Maintain own professional portfolio
Maintain, progress, and develop personal theoretical knowledge, high standards of clinical competence and professional development through ongoing self-education and attendance at relevant courses of study
About us
The Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is the only acute Hospital in the London Borough of Hillingdon and offers a wide range of services including accident and emergency, inpatient care, day surgery, outpatient clinics and maternity services. The Trust's services at Mount Vernon Hospital include routine day surgery, delivered at a modern treatment centre, a minor injuries unit and outpatient clinics.
The safety and well-being of our patients and of our staff is paramount and we are making urgent improvements to address this - particularly in infection prevention and control. We are making progress and going forward by working in partnership with local GPs, charities,community services, academic partners, our local authority, neighbouring hospitals and the wider North West London Integrated care system, and ensuring that we listen and work in partnership with our local population. We are absolutely focused on ensuring that our hospitalsprovide high quality, safe and compassionate care, while drive forward the building of the new Hillingdon Hospital.
We have over 3,500 members of staff that are proud to care for nearly half a million people, with a vision to be an outstanding provider of healthcare through leading health and academic partnerships, transforming services, to provide the best care where needed.
Job description Job responsibilities
1. Vision, Strategy and Business development
Independently provides holistic, pressure ulcer risk assessment, leg ulcer assessment and wound assessments for individuals with health impairment, facilitating the identification of adverse conditions that impair tissue health. Reach reliable and comprehensive patient centred conclusions, which manage risk and are appropriate to need, context, culture and ethnicity.
Prioritise work within a climate of competing demands of clinical and service development requirements
Proactively and directly imparts knowledge and shares skills
Participates on the auditing relating to Tissue Viability
Facilitate the dissemination of appropriate research findings to the clinicians within the Trust ensuring clinical nursing activities are evidence based
Critically reviews research findings, which relate to Tissue Viability practice and where appropriate sharing this information in clinical teaching sessions thereby promoting a culture of Evidence-Based Practice
To be aware of current trends in nursing and in the NHS and be able to translate into practice; for example, the 6 Cs
Maintain own professional portfolio
Maintain, progress, and develop personal theoretical knowledge, high standards of clinical competence and professional development through ongoing self-education and attendance at relevant courses of study
2. Leadership, Culture and Values and People
Create and utilise opportunities to promote health and wellbeing of patients, empowering them to make informed choices and promote independence where appropriate.
Organise own work and manage own workload and practice, identifying and maintaining supportive networks for self and relevant staff members
Promotes good working relationships within the multi-professional teams providing appropriate specialist advice and support
Work with the Harm Free Network in creating and promoting a supportive learning environment that embraces a culture of evidence and research-based practice
Identify and agree professional development and training needs to keep updated in line with Trust and NMC requirements through appraisal
Assists with the Trust clinical educational programmes and ensuring competency of staff is achieved in the clinical area
Act as resource for the provision of nursing advice on appropriate use of wound dressing products/technologies, pressure therapy technologies and evidence-based care interventions to facilitate the effective management of pressure ulcer risk and problematic wounds
Act as a role model and resource in expert clinical evidence-based practice.
Act as an ambassador for the Trust always
Ensure personal development and contribute to the work of the Trust through publications, presenting at Conferences and general internal and external networking
Be responsible for and evaluate the continuous professional development of all nursing staff, participating in education on professional and managerial issues as required
To support the Tissue Viability team in ensuring that training and teaching programmes are in line with Trust objectives and that all statutory and mandatory training is documented and up to date
Assist others in developing nursing competence (both pre and post registration)
To be aware of the change management process and to act as an expert within this process where required
3. Governance, Quality and Performance
Work within the NMC Guidelines and Trust Policies recognising ones own abilities and limitations
Maintain and develop professional practice through participation in clinical supervision.
Work within the NMC Code of Professional Conduct and Scope of Professional practice acting as an accountable role model through provision of professional leadership and demonstration of competent practice
Maintain confidential patient records and follow policies with regard to patients confidentiality
Deal with any unacceptable practices through the accepted channels and in line with the Trust policies
Carry out administrative duties as required by the Trust
Take precautions when transferring information, only disclosing patient identifiable information in line with Caldicott and the Data Protection Act
Ensure that accurate and contemporaneous records are kept and that statistical returns required by the Trust are completed. This includes the entering of information or data onto the Trusts reporting system
Demonstrate research critical appraisal skills
Assist in the implementation of clinical governance through the implementation of evidence/research-based guidelines, education and audits relating to wound care
To ensure practice adheres to confidentiality, GDPR and relevant information governance requirements, in accordance with local and national policy
To ensure that all team members have a meaningful appraisal/personal development plan that includes feedback to the individual from a selection of internal customers and team members
4. Communication and Partnership Working
Manage and prioritise referrals to the service and determine referrals requiring direct client work or that need liaison and referral on to other agencies
Plan, deliver and evaluate programmes of care for patients referred to the Tissue Viability Team in conjunction with referrer
Develop effective communication networks with other health professionals across primary and secondary care
Deal sensitively with patients who have a high level of anxiety and aggression caused by the psychological aspects of having non-healing and painful wounds
Provide representation on committees/working groups as required
Act as clinical expert both outside and within the Trust. This will involve dissemination of specialist skills and knowledge to others
Develop and maintain a peer network of support, information and learning with other nurse specialists at a local and national level.
To deal with highly complex, sensitive information and be able to communicate this information in a professional but compassionate manner to patients and families
Networking with multi-professional colleagues within own area and representing the Trust at regional and national conferences and on working groups as appropriate
To maintain and promote effective communication with all members of the multidisciplinary team and other wards\departments
Facilitate the cascade of information to staff within the Tissue Viability Team, ensuring awareness of Divisional and Trust issues and allowing for discussion and feedback
To develop relationships with others across both professional and primary care boundaries, e.g., national agencies, community, social services, key stakeholders, and partners
To share knowledge in formal educational settings, conferences, and publications, internally, externally, locally, and nationally
5. Financial health
Work in a cost-effective manner, demonstrating speciality knowledge and high standards of nursing care whilst working within available resources.
Promotes awareness of cost-effective approaches to use wound dressing products and pressure relieving/reducing equipment
Rationalise resources, ensure cost efficiency and improve outcomes and monitor effectiveness
Person Specification
PS Essential
GCSE/'O' level English and Mathematics NMC registration Principles of Wound Care Module Experience of using a spreadsheet software, Microsoft Office and devising databases Previous Involvement with Data collection systems Awareness of risks, identifying them and alerting appropriate personnel Ability to work without direct supervision, aware of boundaries and need to seek advice and refer as appropriate
Desirable
Previous experience of supporting patient/clients Previous experience of participation in audit Awareness of changing agenda within NHS
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.
Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
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 The Hillingdon Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Address The Hillingdon Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Pield Heath Road
Uxbridge
UB8 3NN
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.thh.nhs.uk/index.php (Opens in a new tab)