About this role
Job summary
This is a great opportunity to join the Respiratory Nursing team.
The role of Clinical Nurse Specialist requires a high degree of personal professional autonomy and making clinical judgments.
-To assess and review patients attending emergency department and who are admitted in the hospital with asthma and COPD according to the local protocols and national guidelines.
-To initiate home oxygen therapy in hospital or at home, and facilitate safe follow up reviews of these patients.
-To perform and/or interpret diagnostic tests including spirometry, bronchodilator challenge tests, FeNo and capillary blood gases in outpatient, patients' own homes and community hub settings
-Discuss own patient caseload with relevant clinicians and at MDT
-Contribute to National Asthma and COPD Audit Programme
-Educating other healthcare professionals.
Main duties of the job
To co-ordinate the specialty care within the Trust, including community clinics across Lewisham and home visits for patients who are unable to access the community clinics. To support patients with oxygen in terms of checking their ongoing needs, their safety and in the identification of risk. To become an essential member, and point of contact and resource for the multi-disciplinary team and patients and carers. Carries out diagnostic/therapeutic interventions as an independent practitioner, interprets, writes reports and commences further possible treatment on the basis of the findings. This will include spirometry, FeNo, lung function reports, and blood gas analysis. Carries out complex therapeutic/investigational procedures under indirect supervision of the Consultant. Ensuring that they are carried out using safe practice and under agreed guidelines/protocols to ensure that the highest possible standard is obtained based on competent clinical practice.
About us
Our people are our greatest asset. When we feel supported and happy at work, this positivity reaches those very people we are here for, the patients. Engaged employees perform at their best and our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) initiatives contribute to cultivate a culture of engagement. We have four staff networks, a corporate EDI Team and a suite of programmes and events which aim to insert the 5 aspirations:
Improving representation at senior levels of staff with disabilities, from black, Asian, and ethnic minorities background, identify as LGBTQ+ and women, through improved recruitment and leadership development Widening access (anchor institution) and employability Improving the experience of staff with disability Improving the EDI literacy and confidence of trust staff through training and development Making equalities mainstream
Job description Job responsibilities
Carries out diagnostic/therapeutic interventions as an independent practitioner, interprets, writes reports and commences further possible treatment on the basis of the findings. This will include spirometry, FeNo, lung function reports, and blood gas analysis. Perform clinics independently for patients with asthma and COPD and support primary care in managing patients in the community. Assess patients on wards to initiate home oxygen therapy and review them at home Refer patients with severe asthma to tertiary institution for biologics Liaise with other hospitals regarding management of NIV and follow patients up at home Perform research and audits regularly assists in service development
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
oRN - Part 1 oKnowledge of respiratory conditions, management and treatment. oTeaching and assessing qualification o Relevant specialist course in Asthma and COPD
Desirable
oAdvanced Physical Assessment Module oCounselling course oNon-Medical Prescribing Module
Experience Essential
oMinimum 2 years experience in a senior nursing role- Band 6 and above oExperience working with patients with chronic respiratory diseases oAbility to prioritise and organise workload oAbility to work autonomously and as a member of a multi-professional team oExperience in patient advocacy oExcellent time management skills
Desirable
oExperience reviewing inpatients referred for COPD/asthma optimisation oExperience performing outpatient clinic reviews for asthma and COPD patients oAbility to perform and interpret capillary blood gases
Knowledge Essential
oExcellent verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills oKnowledge and understanding of the relevant local and national guidance oEvidence of continued professional development oKnowledge of respiratory anatomy and physiology
Desirable
oKnowledge of respiratory conditions including Cystic Fibrosis, Asthma, COPD, Lung Cancer oUnderstanding of the Rapid Respiratory pathway oKnowledge of research and audit oUnderstanding of spirometry as a diagnostic tool
Personal Qualities Essential
oCreative, lateral thinker oFlexible and positive approach to work oEnthusiasm and motivation oEffective decision-making skills
Desirable
oFull driver's license and access to a car
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 Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust
Address University Hospital Lewisham
Lewisham High Street
Lewisham
SE13 6LH
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.lewishamandgreenwich.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)