About this role
Job summary To perform autonomous outreach visits to newly referred spinal cord injury (SCI) patients to assess their clinical needs and to ensure that expert clinical knowledge and specialist spinal injury care is shared with all referring hospitals (non-specialist in SCI), in particular the Major Trauma Centres (MTCs) for London. To empower spinal injury outpatients to live successfully in the community by promoting their independence, self-reliance and self-esteem, and participate in the lifetime surveillance and support service for patients with spinal cord injuries, throughout the Southeast of England.
Please check JD for full listing of Job Description and responsibilities
Main duties of the job
To work autonomously as a Specialist SCI Nurse in the non-specialist referring hospitals, community settings and nurse led clinics to effectively deliver expert nursing advice and education for professionals, patients, and their family members on spinal cord injury.
To deliver an advanced, highly specialised spinal outreach service for people with a new SCI that are not in a specialist SCI Centre.
To provide teaching and training for non-specialist multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) in hospitals and community settings to enable them to care for the SCI patient.
To ensure that patients and their families are fully informed and supported by providing clinical and psychological support.
To establish clear lines of communication within the non-specialist teams at MTCs, other referring hospitals and community teams.
To link with non-specialist teams to increase knowledge and facilitate the care of this patient group to help reduce avoidable complications by training and management strategies. To maintain effective ongoing liaison with hospital teams and community.
To represent the London Spinal Cord Injury Centre (LSCIC) and the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital (RNOH) at conferences and on other forums.
To assist in co-ordinating the admission of patients from referring hospitals or from the community to the London Spinal Cord Injury Centre for their rehabilitation.
About us
At the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital (RNOH), we are committed to achieving the best staff experience in the NHS. In the 2023 NHS Staff Survey, we proudly:
Scored above the national average for the People Promises: "We are recognised and rewarded," "We are always learning," "We work flexibly," "We are a team," and for staff engagement. Ranked #1 among all Trusts in North and Central London for all People Promises and themes. Ranked #1 among all Acute Specialist Trusts for "We work flexibly." At RNOH, we're committed to being actively anti-discriminatory and actively inclusive. We recognise our brilliant people do brilliant work, and we offer rewarding careers, no matter what their background. We continue to strive to break down barriers to be the Trust where people come together because what they do matters, makes a difference and where they can thrive.
Joining our organisation means enjoying a wide range of staff benefits, including:
24/7 access to wellbeing support through our Employee Assistance Programme. A Rewards & Recognition platform, offering opportunities to thank colleagues, send gifts, and access exclusive discounts. A dedicated Staff Wellbeing Hub, providing a space to relax and recharge away from the work environment. Salary sacrifice schemes for transport (season ticket loans, car and bike), electrical goods, and childcare At RNOH, we are more than a workplace--we are committed to patients, to excellence and the wellbeing of our staff.
Job description Job responsibilities
SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
CLINICAL
To facilitate communication between MTCs / non-specialist referring hospitals / community teams and the specialist SCI team at the RNOH.
To work with the referring MDT and community team key staff members to maintain a robust specialist service.
To provide specialist advice and support via a nurse led telephone service, nurse led clinics as well as follow up support through the email referral system.
To travel to MTCs, non-specialist referring hospitals and Community settings in order to provide expert clinical knowledge and skills through various teaching strategies to members of the MDTs caring for patients with a newly acquired spinal cord injury and as required patients with long standing SCI.
To contribute proactively to the decision-making process when planning care or organising transfer/admission arrangements to the LSCIC.
To work with and support senior clinical staff at the non-specialist referring hospitals and community teams in identifying areas where changes in practice are required and also where opportunities exist for improving the treatment and support of patients.
To assess the care needs of patients, their families and carers in non-specialist referring hospitals and the community by identifying and initiating appropriate steps for effective care within the current setting.
To share responsibility with the other members of the Spinal Outreach and Community Liaison Teams for patient caseload. To ensure all patients have an accurate plan of care which reflects the assessment undertaken and incorporates the issues and recommendations made with clear documentation in the patients electronic health records - EPIC
To provide information for the specialist spinal MDT admission meetings, ensuring all patients are reviewed and presented to the team at RNOH when updating the waiting list.
EDUCATION AND RESEARCH
To utilise every opportunity to ensure that own skills and knowledge are regularly updated.
In collaboration with other team members, design a formal teaching package for acute hospitals and for community professionals in relation to spinal cord injury and review and update as necessary.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
At least 2 years Band 6 experience in spinal services RGN / RN Teaching and assessing qualification Diploma
Desirable
Spinal Cord Injury Experience Previous Band 7 Experience Have experience working autonomously and in decision making First Degree or studying towards a Masters Degree Outpatient clinic experience
Experience Essential
Have worked as a member of a multi-professional team preferably in an educational capacity Able to work autonomously as well as within the team structure Have worked as a member of a multi-professional team in an educational capacity
Desirable
Able to deal with multiple issues at one time and prioritise workload appropriately Working knowledge of Clinical Governance Ventilator / respiratory / Intensive Care Unit experience
Knowledge Essential
Ability to teach both formally (in a classroom) and informally (at bedside) to professionals, patients and relatives. Excellent practical skills and organisational ability Ability to maintain privacy and dignity with all interactions
Desirable
Sensitive, diplomatic and tactful to the needs of patients, relatives and other staff members, with an appropriate sense of humour Extensive spinal injury and rehabilitation knowledge or equivalent Demonstrate advanced leadership interpersonal skills
Skills Essential
oAbility to communicate highly sensitive information in an empathetic and caring way
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 Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust
Address Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital
London Spinal Cord Injury Centre
Stanmore
HA7 4LP
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.rnoh.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)