About this role
Job summary
Ormskirk Hospital Dermatology Department are seeking to employ a permanent band 6 Senior Dermatology Nurse.
The post is for full time 37.5 hours and will incorporate a combination of clinical and organisational duties to ensure safe and excellent care in the Dermatology Department.
Excellent communication skills are essential, as the post holder will be required to liaise with the vast Dermatology MDT, including clinical and non-clinical staff. In addition to this, the successful applicant will be required to support the Skin Cancer Specialist Nurses in the care of patients with a Cancer diagnosis, using advanced communication skills to support them in their care.
We are seeking an autonomous practitioner, with proven experience of caring for patients with Dermatology conditions and treatments such as phototherapy UVA/UVB treatments, patch testing, photodynamic therapy and treatment counselling and eczema education.
The Department hosts 2 Minor Operation Theatres. The successful applicant will take an active role in the care of patients attending clinic for these procedures, acting as the Scrub Nurse in theatre and using their clinical expertise to review patients returning with any post procedure issues.
Proven leadership skills are also essential as the Senior Dermatology Nurse is a clinical role model to junior staff and student nurses and is required to deputise for the Senior Sister in day to day line management of the team.
Main duties of the job
The purpose of this post is to provide specialised nursing care within the Dermatology Outpatient setting. To provide information, advice, support, assessment, interventions and follow up for dermatology patients, including those who have extra needs including cognitive and behavioral difficulties. To communicate effectively and liaise across multi-disciplinary teams to ensure seamless and effective care for dermatology patients. To assist and support senior nursing staff and participate in continually monitoring and improving the effectiveness of the dermatology services provided by the Trust. To undertake independent clinics as part of the nurse led service, including phototherapy UVA/UVB treatments, patch testing, photodynamic therapy (PDT), treatment counselling and eczema/psoriasis education. To provide support within the team and act as a role model and resource, encouraging and developing a high standard of clinical skill and improving patient outcome.
About us
Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust serves a population of over 600,000 with a workforce of over 9000 dedicated and skilled staff across 21 sites.
We strongly believe that the communities we serve should all have access to Five Star Patient Care.
Our Services:
Acute Care
Providing emergency and maternity services at Whiston, Southport and Ormskirk hospitals, and medical and surgical specialties across all our sites.
Primary Care
Providing primary care services at Marshalls Cross Medical Centre situated in St Helens Hospital.
Community Services
Providing adult community services for St Helens and a wheelchair service in Chorley, South Ribble, and West Lancashire. Our inpatient unit at Newton Community Hospital is where patients needing acute hospital beds can continue rehabilitation, freeing up space for more unwell patients. We also provide urgent care at our Urgent Treatment Centre located in St Helens town centre.
Specialist Regional Services
We provide the Mersey Regional Burns & Plastic Surgery Unit at Whiston Hospital and the Spinal Injuries Unit at Southport Hospital to more than 4 million people across the whole of Merseyside, West Lancashire, Cheshire, Isle of Man and North Wales.
Achievements:
Rated Outstanding by CQC Inspection August 2018 Top 100 places to work in the NHS (NHS Employers & Health Service Journal) National Preceptorship Accreditation (2023) for Nursing & AHP Preceptorship Programme
Job description Job responsibilities
Demonstrate a high level of clinical expertise. Ensure nursing care is delivered in an expert and professional manner compatible with current research-based protocols and be responsible for maintaining accurate, effective and comprehensive written nursing records by regularly evaluating nursing documentation in accordance with the NMC guidelines. Develop and manage nurse led services in assessment, undertaking holistic needs assessments, treatment and follow up of patients. In conjunction with the multi-disciplinary team provide support to patients undergoing treatments. Deputise in the absence of senior staff and provide cover for Cancer MDT. Making clinical decisions for a defined patient group, where judgement is required to assess situations and decide on best course of action. Undertake medicines management including PGD for example administering photosensitising creams and local anesthetic for PDT patients. Pre- treatment counselling for Dermatology patients, including holistic needs assessment. Assisting in the minor operations theatre, acting as scrub nurse alongside Clinicians. Participating in the use of clinical governance/audit continue to develop and improve nurse led services including Phototherapy treatments, patch testing, PDT. Acts at all times within the NMCs Code of Conduct, working within clinical and professional protocols and guidelines. Develop competencies for band lower bands. To demonstrate the ability to adapt to the changing needs of the service with ongoing development of the role, for example expansion of nurse led clinics to include, patient education, minor op dressing clinic, wound care/complex dressings, diagnostic dermoscopy, cryotherapy, lower risk surgical procedures-simple punch biopsies. Supervises work of others; clinical supervision of junior staff and mentoring students. For example, provide training of others, completing rostering for nursing team and completing Appraisals. Assesses, plans, implements and evaluates clinical care of patients, gives specialist advice. Develops and implements specialist programs of care. Clinical Management
Show initiative for change management, service improvement and development. Active participant in Quality Improvement projects using clinical governance and audit. Act as clinical and professional role model and a mentor/assessor and a support for learners and other nursing staff within the unit. Able to prioritise and effectively manage workload. Effective communicator and negotiator; can manage difficult situations, where the environment may be emotive or hostile or where patients may be non-compliant. Dynamic, challenging individual, able to lead a team. Excellent verbal and written skills. Able to organise own workload and delegate to others as appropriate to ensure the smooth running of clinics. Practice in accordance with NMC Code of Professional Conduct. Show evidence of maintaining ongoing professional development through attending training/courses and inhouse training, up to date with NMC Revalidation, aware and promote Trust Values /Nursing Strategy . Basic knowledge of budgetary management, identify options for cost improvement and support and monitor their implementation. Knowledge of computer systems including EOL, ESR, Medway, SBS, NHSP. People Management
To assess and develop action plans to meet individual development needs. To participate in orientation programs for all newly appointed nursing staff. To monitor staff performance, conduct or participate in Individual Performance Appraisal, including supporting the revalidation process. To encourage and motivate staff within the department on professional and personal development at all levels. To assist in the co-ordination and monitoring of off duty, annual leave, sickness and absence occurring on the department. Lead, support, counsel and appraise grades of staff at band 5 and below withing the nursing team to ensure development needs are identified. Problem solving for example answering Datix, dealing with complaints/issues on clinic. An understanding of HR policies including sickness/absence, return to work meetings, holidays and off duty. Leadership Development
Undertake specialist education/training that may allow health care to be delivered through new ways of working. Contribute and provide in house clinical skills/teaching programs. Maintain clinical competence, identifying learning and development needs through regular appraisal and job evaluation and mandatory training. Be prepared to undertake further education and training in order to effectively develop the service. Able to show evidence of ongoing professional development. Act as a mentor/supervisor for all junior staff and students. Support strategies to reduce clinical risk, ie: hand hygiene, medical devices. To assist in the development, implementation and monitoring of programs of specialty based teaching learning objectives are achieved. Contribute to the development and maintenance of a positive learning environment for colleagues, patients and relatives/carers. Research and Audit
Support, initiate and promote evidence-based practice. Contribute to the development, monitoring and evaluation of clinical guidelines, standards and protocols and adhere to professional regulation. Identify the need and undertake research and clinical audit in order to inform practice and improve the effectiveness of patient care. Act on concerns raised by team members or service users taking appropriate action in accordance with Trust Policy and Guidelines. Responsible for ensuring own continuing professional development and identifying development needs within the Trust knowledge and skills development review process. Responsible for setting an agreed standard of patient care and ensuring its delivery, monitored by audit To promote awareness of current nursing research within the department. Use data which will contribute to the improvement of patient care. Budget responsibilities
Basic knowledge of budgetary management, identify options for cost improvement and support and monitor their implementation. Ensure the effective and efficient use of resources including stock management and care and maintenance of equipment. Personal development
Responsible for own continuing professional development and identifying developmental needs within the Trust knowledge and skills development review process. To identify areas for self-development, areas of interest and training requirements withing your personal performance planning and Development Review. To maintain a professional portfolio and reflective diary for developmental purposes and revalidation.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
Registered Nurse Current NMC registration with no restrictions to practice Educated to Degree level, or working towards In date with NMC Revalidation Evidence of continuing professional development Mentorship - completion of in house practice assessors workshop for student nurses. Specialist training relevant to role including Phototherapy Course, PDT and Patch Testing Course and yearly updates.
Desirable
Skin surgery course
Knowledge & Experience Essential
Able to work as part of a team Evidence of leadership / management Excellent communication skills Experience working in a Dermatology setting Ability to prioritise / organise workload Able to demonstrate a high level of clinical expertise Awareness of current key issues in relation to NHS/TRUST Evidence of continued progression Research awareness and a commitment to evidence-based practice
Skills Essential
Excellent written and oral communication skills Experience of service improvement and implementation Experience of undertaking audit Act as clinical/professional role model Ability to organise/manage and prioritise own workload effectively Able to make decisions for a defined patient group Supervise work of others clinical supervision of staff, students and provide training of others. Venepuncture competency
Other Essential
Frequently required to exert light physical effort for several periods at a time (eg: when scrubbed in theatre) Able to assist patients with moving and handling procedures Decision making and time management Continuous concentration when dealing with difficult situations Ability to learn new skills with view to develop role Ability to provide care within the healthcare environment within own professional capabilities in times of unpredictable crisis (eg: COVID-19) Occasional requirement to calmly and effectively deal with complaints and resolve confrontational situations Able to deal with emotional or distressing situations for example patients receiving bad news in diagnosis clinic Provide support to other members of the team if appropriate
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 Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
Address Ormskirk District General Hospital
Dickinson Way, Wigan Road
Ormskirk
L39 2AZ
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.merseywestlancs.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)