Are you ready for a new challenge that will enable you to develop highly specialised skills with a small patient group where you can really make a difference? An exciting opportunity has arisen within the Familial Hypercholesterolaemia (FH) and Lipid Management service for an enthusiastic and innovative nurse to join our team. The post will be based in the Lipoprotein Apheresis department, however, there will be opportunities for future development within the speciality of FH and lipid management. The band 6 Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) in Apheresis role involves providing weekly or fortnightly lipid apheresis treatment to our patient cohort with elevated cholesterol levels.

Closing date: 22/09/2024

Interview date: 30/09/2024

Main duties of the job

This clinical role will enable you to develop your skills in carrying out an exciting and rare treatment for patients with raised cholesterol levels as well as providing patient training and monitoring of novel lipid lowering treatments. The successful candidate will need to be highly self-motivated, be able to demonstrate advanced management, communication, interpersonal and organizational skills and be able to work autonomously as well as within the team. Cannulation skills, experience in dialysis/apheresis treatment and computer literacy would be advantageous.

This is a full / part time, band 6 post, but we would consider applications from ambitious band 5 nurses who want to expand their knowledge and skills.

About us

The apheresis unit at Harefield Hospital is the largest in the country and is a leader in promoting this dialysis therapy as well actively participating in research and development of new lipid lowering treatments.

Guy's & St Thomas NHS Foundation Trust

Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust comprises five of the UK's best-known hospitals - Guy's, St Thomas', Evelina London Children's Hospital, Royal Brompton and Harefield - as well as community services in Lambeth and Southwark, all with a long history of high quality care, clinical excellence, research and innovation.

Royal Brompton and Harefield hospitals joined Guy's and St Thomas' in February 2021 and is the largest specialist heart and lung centre in the UK and among the largest in Europe. We provide treatment for people with heart and lung disease, including rare and complex conditions, offering some of the most sophisticated treatment that is available anywhere in the world.

We strive to recruit and retain the best staff as the dedication and skills of our employees lie at the heart of our organisation and ensure that our services are of the highest quality, safe and focused on our patients.

Organisational Values:

Our values help us to define and develop our culture, what we do and how we do it. It is important that you understand and reflect these values throughout your employment with the Trust.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Job Summary

To be a highly specialised nurse working with a specified group of cardiology patients and taking responsibility for their on-going clinical management.

In collaboration with the Lead Nurse for FH & Lipid Management/Nurse Consultant in Cardiology, manage the continuing care of patients who are undergoing lipoprotein apheresis.

To deliver a high standard of care to lipoprotein apheresis patients.

Key Relationships

• Lead Nurse for FH and Lipid Management
• Nurse Consultant
• Clinical Nurse Specialists
• Consultant Cardiologists
• Transport department
• Pathology laboratory team
• Research team

Duties and Responsibilities

Main tasks & responsibilities

Clinical

• To assist with the care of patients who are undergoing lipoprotein apheresis treatment including the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of that care.

• To assist in developing and maintaining the ethos of the apheresis unit and the delivery of a standard approach to excellent nursing care.

• To independently manage a caseload of patients and the associated responsibilities in the absence of the Lead Nurse for FH and Lipid Management and/or Nurse Consultant.

• To ensure accuracy of documentation and to maintain an efficient and accurate record system with relevant information in agreement with the clinical team and unit protocol.

• To be aware of the legal implications of all patient-related records.

• To assist with data entry and maintaining the national apheresis patient registry.

• To implement an individualised plan of care for each apheresis patient in accordance with the unit protocol.

• To ensure all apheresis patients are considered for Familial Hypercholesterolaemia (FH) genetic testing and family screening is arranged where appropriate.

• To assist in the training, education and ongoing monitoring of apheresis patients receiving additional lipid lowering treatment e.g. PCSK9 inhibitors, Lomitipide.
• To act as an expert resource for patients/relatives/colleagues relating to the care of their caseload of patients.

• To maintain patients confidentiality, privacy, dignity, religious and cultural needs at all times.

• To supply and administer medicines according to Patient Group Directions/ protocols and / or prescribe drugs as a non-medical independent prescriber following suitable qualification.

• To interpret blood results, ECGs, changes in vital signs and act accordingly.

• To maintain an environment for safe and effective patient care in accordance with the Trust Risk Management Policy.

• To work effectively within the Trust's adult multidisciplinary cardiology team as required ensuring an individualised, evidence based optimum service for each patient and their family.

• To act as advocate for apheresis and FH patients enabling them to express their needs effectively when dealing with the multidisciplinary team.

• To promote collaborative relationships with other health care professionals for the benefit of quality patient care.

• To maintain effective channels of communication within the multidisciplinary team and promote effective interpersonal skills.

• To actively promote a healthy lifestyle for patients & staff in line with national strategy requirements.

Management

• To develop and maintain clinical skills and knowledge of the speciality of lipid management that are evidenced based aiming to achieve a 'best practice' principle.

• To act as a role model and clinical expert for staff providing education as appropriate.

• To work in partnership with colleagues, having accountability for decisions made (in accordance with the NMC Code of Professional Conduct).

• To develop professional practice through reflection, participation on post registration courses and attendance at meetings and conferences.

• To identify and be responsible for own professional and managerial development in liaison with the Lead Nurse for FH and Lipid Management.

• To contribute to the development of positive staff morale and team cohesiveness.

• To utilise appropriate resources within the Trust to provide a consultation, education, technical or information service as needed for self, staff or patients.

• To ensure staff, equipment and resources are managed effectively.

• To assist with maintaining adequate stock levels within the unit.

• To access and utilise all IT services appropriate to the service.

• To maintain high standards of nursing care within own practice and monitor the performance of junior staff.

• To act as a professional representative of the Cardiology department and the Trust.

• To attend suitable course/conferences and hold membership of appropriate professional organisations.

• Participate in the Trust appraisal and personal development plan schemes by meeting with their manager at least annually.

• To abide by the Trusts core behaviours for staff and all other Trust policies.

Service Development

• To ensure the constant provision of effective, high quality nursing care to all apheresis patients.

• To assist local audit as required, ensure findings are disseminated appropriately and recommendations implemented.

• To support and work with the cardiology multidisciplinary team in the introduction of clinical changes.

• To be actively involved in the development and implementation of apheresis related protocols and procedures in conjunction with other members of the multidisciplinary team.

• To keep up to date with new advances treatment and new developments in the world of cardiology/apheresis research and actively seek ways of implementing new ideas into clinical practice.

• To be actively involved in the production of departmental and divisional reports.

• To participate in the presentation and publication of relevant research and best practice initiatives.

• To attend and actively contribute to departmental and multidisciplinary meetings and actively participate in committee meetings as requested.

• To develop and maintain operational policies, standards, guidelines and procedures and ensure those kept within the department are up to date and monitored as per Trust procedure.

Quality and Patient Safety

• To assist with the development and implementation of quality assurance programmes.

• To participate in departmental and divisional audit activities.

• To implement changes in care practices as indicated by audit results and current research findings including those identified within the Nursing strategy.

• To be aware of and act in accordance with the NHS Long Term Plan for Cardiovascular Disease, NICE guidelines and Trust Cardiology guidelines.

• To participate promptly and effectively with the investigation of complaints and incidents in line with Trust policy and procedure.

• To comply with and participate in the Trusts framework for Clinical Governance within the unit.

• Identify clinical risks and ensure that appropriate action is implemented in accordance with the Trust risk management policy.

Research

• To maintain an active awareness of clinical and professional developments within lipid management and to disseminate that knowledge to all colleagues.

• To identify and suggest relevant areas for research within cardiology/ apheresis nursing which will benefit patient care.

• To encourage other staff to recognise the need for nursing research.

• To assist in introducing and applying research findings along with members of the apheresis team.

• To participate in research studies as appropriate.

Teaching

• To mentor post registration and pre-registration students as requested.

• To participate in the in-house adult education programme and to undertake informal teaching of ward nursing staff as required.

• To be actively involved with conferences and meetings developing presenting skills in the national and international setting.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Registered nurse - educated to degree or working towards
• Post registration experience

Desirable

• ALS certification
• BSc/BA in relevant subject

Skills

Essential

• Post registration experience in acute nursing
• ILS certification

Desirable

• Venepuncture/ cannulation skill
• counselling skills
• Dialysis experience

Knowledge & additional requirements

Essential

• Able to demonstrate sound knowledge of cardiology patient group
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Experience of supervising junior staff, demonstrates effective organisational and leadership skills

Desirable

• Knowledge of IT systems
• Experience of research and audit

Employer details

Employer name

Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Harefield Hospital

Hill End Road

Harefield

UB9 6JH

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

196-NM12066