Senior Diabetes Specialist Nurse

Full job description
Principle responsibilities Clinical Work both autonomously and as part of the team to provide a resource of highly specialist advice, information and support to all members of the primary health care team in the delivery of effective diabetes care. Receive referrals from other health professional disciplines and self-referrals from patients and relatives, assess and effectively prioritise these in order to autonomously manage a caseload of patients. Undertake specialist assessments of diabetes care needs and work with primary and secondary care givers to improve the quality of life of patients, relatives and carers living with a chronic long term condition. Following specialist assessment, initiates, plans of care for patients with highly complex care needs and responsible for reviewing, evaluating and initiating action within broad policies.

Frequently uses advanced communication skills to communicate highly sensitive information to patients and carers. E.g. breaking bad news such as foetal abnormalities, loss of sight. Provide a nurse prescribing facility to diabetes care patients in line with the agreed guidelines for Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, following completion of the accredited university training and registration with the NMC.

Assess those recently diagnosed as part of the continuing care for families and carers, where specialist intervention in required. Acts on the assessment to plan and implement as appropriate care strategy. Deliver care within Worcestershire to meet the needs of the service. Frequently act as primary resources to health professional in all care settings giving specialist diabetes advice regarding highly complex symptom management and care planning.

Regularly assess patients within the acute trust and initiating a plan of care to avoid admission if appropriate clinically and facilitate an early discharge. Review and develop appropriate patient documentation/information in line with Trust policy and Government recommendations. Involved in the development and delivery of a diabetes care advice service in line with NICE guidelines (DOH 2002). Attend diabetes care MDT meetings, presenting new and complex patients in line with clinical governance.

Provide highly skilled practical knowledge in the use of complex specialist equipment e.g.: Continuous glucose monitoring and insulin Pump therapy. To participate in a 7 day per week Diabetes service that includes weekends and bank holidays. Education Organise and run diabetes care study days and mandatory training for all disciplines of staff. Develop an education strategy in diabetes care countywide, identifying the educational needs of staff in other services with reference to diabetes care.

Plan and provide appropriate education/training for these groups. Present on related courses, study days and training programmes to disseminate evidence based diabetes are knowledge and practice. Participate in developing and providing education/training programmes in the management of diabetes for patients, carers and healthcare professionals to improve practice. Provide education and training for patients, relatives and carers.

Participate in Countywide diabetes care education initiatives and development. Provide placements/mentorship for professionals undertaking diabetes courses at graduate/undergraduate and pre-registration levels. Research and Audit Develop, implement, audit to measure and evaluate standards of practice relating to specialist diabetes care. Ensure the dissemination of best practice.

Formulate long term strategic plans which impact across the County, in line with local/national initiatives. Propose, develop and implement policy changes on issues such as NSF for Diabetes (DOH 2001). Responsible for the development of data for the countywide audit and benchmarking activates of the specialist diabetes care service. Adhere to the Trusts complaint procedure with regard to written and verbal complaints.

Using appropriate referral mechanisms in order to resolve the situation and/or in conjunction with the PALS officer. Individual staff have a role in suggesting and implementing approved improvements to services and exercise professional responsibility for both themselves and their peers within an open just and fair culture. Develop an operational policy, review and update annually in line with Worcestershire diabetes care network group. Ensure clinical effectiveness by critically appraising current research and applying to practice.

To co-operate and support clinical practitioners wishing to undertake research in diabetes care and take an active role in developing and participation in further research. Continuing Professional Development Maintain and develop highly specialist clinical knowledge, skills and competence through networking with other specialists and professional organisations. Maintain a programme of professional development by attending in-house and external training, education, conferences and seminars in line with PDR/KSF review. As part of a joint commitment to lifelong learning, will contribute to the assessment of personal learning needs and opportunities to inform and develop personal development plans.

Co-ordinate a link nurse practitioner functions within the clinical areas in order to enhance personal, team and patients knowledge in relation to issues concerning diabetes care. Undertakes personal clinical supervision and supports others through clinical supervision to improve practice. Management Provides expert leadership and change management skills in developing the diabetes service. Manage and leads ones own caseload safely and effectively, prioritising and ensuring appropriate access to the service.

Function effectively as a clinical nurse specialist in line with the recommendations of the NMC, DOH. Uses clinical supervision to maintain and improve practice Work strategically in the context of national policy and local service development. Positively utilise and influence political agenda: NSF diabetes (DOH 2002). Network locally, regionally, nationally and internationally with regard to specialist diabetes care.

Acts as a role model to uphold professional standards and high quality diabetes care. Professional Responsibility Maintains a programme of personal and professional development by attending in-service training and utilising relevant educational opportunities. e.g., courses, conferences, seminars. Maintain effective registrations with the NMC, maintain personal, professional portfolio.

Take personal responsibility for continuous professional development in line with PDR/KSF review Adhere to the policies, procedures and guidelines of Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust relating to employment and professional practise. This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of duties but to give a guide to the objectives and responsibilities of the post.

United Kingdom
England
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