About this role
Job summary
Blood Borne Virus Specialist Nurse, Band 6 (30 hours a week)
This is an exciting opportunity for a motivated and experienced Registered Nurse to join the Viral Hepatitis Clinical Nurse specialist team. This role will be central to the provision of a range of specialist services for patients within a unique and cohesive multi-disciplinary environment.
- Provide testing for Hepatitis C (HCV), Hepatitis B (HBV) and HIV infection. Where appropriate make referrals for treatment and support service users to access treatment.
- Reduce barriers to testing and vaccination by providing services in locations easily accessible by the substance users.
- Where necessary provide vaccination for HBV
- Provide information and advice on blood borne viruses, treatment and routes of transmission.
- Raise awareness of BBV's, transmission, treatment and significance of infection as a key public health issue with service users and professionals.
- Provide community monitoring and support to patients on treatment for HCV.
Main duties of the job
- Provide regular scheduled clinics within service provider bases across the county (VIA, homeless healthcare team, Nelson Trust etc).
- Provide health and life-style advice to enable service users to minimise their risk from BBVs.
- Provide pre-test discussion/preparation for the consequences of receiving positive results and provide & discuss the results of the tests.
- Obtain samples for BBV testing and to enable seamless referral for treatment as necessary.
- Make timely referrals to the Specialist Services for the treatment of HBV, HCV and HIV infection and motivate/support service users to access that treatment.
- Where service users test positive for one or more of the BBVs, with consent of the service user, refer sexual partners & close household contacts of that individual to their GP practice and initiate contact trace.
- Where service user consent has been established communicate individual appointment attendance and intervention status to the referring agency.
- Provide HBV vaccination and or boosters.
- Raise awareness with the service user about the risks of transmission of BBVs to close household contacts and sexual partners.
- Working within the care pathway in partnership with the senior specialist nurse for viral hepatitis and the medical teams to order the necessary investigations, provide clinical advice and provide treatment and care to patients.
About us
Gloucestershire Hospitals is one of the largest hospital trusts in England serving a diverse population of almost 620,000 people. We provide acute hospital services from two large district general hospitals, Cheltenham General Hospital and Gloucestershire Royal Hospital. Maternity Services are also provided at Stroud Maternity Hospital.
Our people are at the heart of what we do. Our workforce is almost 9,000 strong and our caring and dedicated staff are recognised as providing good and outstanding patient-centred care across a range of clinical areas. We also have exceptional teams of professional services staff underpinning our vision every step of the way.
We are committed to recruiting the best people to work with us to achieve our vision of providing Best Care for Everyone and our success depends on the commitment and dedication of our staff.
Job description Job responsibilities
Job Purpose and Main Responsibilities
The post holder will be a member of a specialist nursing team responsible for a caseload of viral hepatology patients. The post holder will;
- Manage, treat and support a diverse caseload of patients throughout the county. The post holder will work automatously and contribute to the provision of a nurse-led service
- Screens patients for disease risk factors and signs of illness
- See patients with undifferentiated and undiagnosed problems and make a clinical assessment of their health needs
- Order the necessary investigations, make differential diagnosis, provide highly specialised clinical advice and provide treatment and care . This involves dealing with sensitive information and breaking bad news which may be met with a range of emotions including hostility and extreme distress
- Willingness to undertake training for Fibroscan and utilise the scanner during these clinics should the need arise.
- Independent Prescribers: To prescribe and review medication for therapeutic effectiveness, appropriate to patient needs and in accordance with evidence-based practice and national and practice protocols; within scope of practice. (Not an independent prescriber: willing to undertake independent prescriber course).
- See patients on treatment for hepatitis C as clinically required to obtain blood samples, reviewing the results. In patients with hepatitis C make decisions to stop treatment earlier than anticipated in patients who are not responding to treatment this will involve breaking bad news of treatment failure and discussion of alternative treatment.
- Repeat prescribing.
- Arranging to see patients for post-treatment monitoring. Establishing the outcome of treatment and giving the result to the patient this may involve breaking bad news of treatment failure.
- See patient on treatment for hepatitis B as clinically indicated but once established on treatment at least once every three months to six months as indicated by clinical need. Monitor for side-effects, complications of ongoing infection, treatment efficacy and drug resistance.
- Venepuncture, often with individuals who have poor venous access and who are infected with viral hepatitis
- Provide ongoing highly specialised clinical advice and support to individuals infected or affected by viral hepatitis. These individuals will include GPs and other healthcare workers, members of the public, the occupational health department and statutory and non-statutory services. Provide highly specialised clinical advice (including issues relating to hepatitis B post exposure prophylaxis) and support to staff occupationally exposed to blood and body fluids which may be infected with blood
- Data entry using the hepatitis C database.
- Involvement in research and audit.
- Demonstrate compliance with the terms of all safeguarding policies and processes relevant to the safeguarding of adults and children in the care of GHNHSFT and to undergo regular mandatory training concerned with safeguarding matters.
- Support the Senior Viral Hepatology Nurse Specialist when necessary in issues relating to the Hepatology Service
- Make line manager aware of any concerns regarding the quality of service provided in a constructive manner.
- Ensure clinical practice in relation to its evidence base and clinical effectiveness
- Engage users and carers in service development process through patient support groups
- Maintain accurate records and databases (both local and regional) for patients with viral hepatitis.
Contact Details
Rosemarie Verdadero
Matron Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endoscopy
07866 763010
Katie Hayward, [email protected]
Person Specification
Experience Essential
Relevant experience working in gastroenterology setting, either as a specialist nurse, ward based, drug and alcohol services Ability to recognise, assess and manage the deteriorating patient
Desirable
Previous experience in history-taking
Qualifications Essential
Registered Nurse Non-medical prescribing or willingness to undertake Evidence of relevant continued professional development gained through accredited courses, study and in house training. Holds a teaching or mentorship qualification
Desirable
Advanced Communication course, or willing to participate in training
Knowledge and skills Essential
Knowledge of Virology and Viral Hepatitis Venepuncture and interpretation of results Experience of multidisciplinary working Evidence of clinical assessment skills and decision making for onward plan of care with concise documentation Ability to work autonomously Enhanced IT skills Willing to travel to community sites for outreach clinics
Desirable
Previous experience of working in a nurse led environment/clinic Ability to perform Fibroscan or willingness to undertake training, interpret results and formulate suitable plan Knowledge of current Viral Hepatology pathways of care
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 Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Address Trustwide - base will be GRH Orchard centre
Gloucestershire
GL1 3NN
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.gloshospitals.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)