Applications are invited for the post of Clinical Pain Nurse Specialist with the Centre for Active Lifestyle Management (CALM) service. This is a part-time post (0.4 WTE) based at University Hospital Lewisham, London and involves working with patients with chronic pain as part of a multi-professional team.

The CALM service was established in 2009 and has a small but dedicated team comprising a Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Clinical Physiotherapy Specialist, Pain Nurse Specialist, Assistant Psychologist and an Administrator (all 0.4 WTE) as well as a Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Specialist (0.2 WTE). It aims to improve the quality of life of adult patients with chronic pain, helping them achieve their optimal level of function and self-reliance in managing pain through a programme of psychologically informed education and guided practice.

This is an interesting and rewarding job, with the opportunity to work with supportive colleagues. The service encourages innovation and research as it strives to develop new and engaging ways to support patients with chronic pain.

Main duties of the job

The role of the Clinical Pain Nurse Specialist is to work individually and jointly with other members of the CALM team to help patients develop their understanding of chronic pain as well as their knowledge of evidence-based coping strategies to help them improve their quality of life. The Clinical Pain Nurse Specialist will lead on the medication issues relating to chronic pain, advising and supporting patients in optimising and reducing their pain medication as appropriate. They will also be involved in the delivery of the group pain management programme as well as undertaking individual and joint work with patients as required.

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

Job Summary:

To provide a high-quality, advanced, expert nursing and cost-effective service to patients referred to the Centre for Active Lifestyle Management (CALM) Service. This comprises a multi-professional team (Psychology, Physiotherapy and Nursing) who work with patients with chronic pain to help them improve their quality of life.

The Division aims to provide an environment conducive to the on-going development of all staff and advancements in the quality of the service by ensuring provision of a high standard of training, teaching and clinical care.

The Clinical Nurse Specialist will be an advanced and experienced practitioner within the field of chronic pain and they will be expected to provide clinical support, working independently or assisting with multi-professional interventions in which full training has been undertaken based on clinical practice standards.

The role of Clinical Nurse Specialist requires a high degree of personal and professional autonomy in making clinical judgements. Taking sole and joint responsibility as appropriate for patients during their time in the care of the CALM service to ensure a successful patient-based outcome, which will require assessment, planning and implementation of treatment.

The Clinical Nurse Specialist will be required to give advice and guidance to other health professionals regarding chronic pain interventions and clinical practice.

They will be responsible for the nursing leadership within the CALM service, giving support and guidance within the multidisciplinary team and contributing to the high-quality care given to patients in accordance with clinical governance. The postholder will ensure the delivery and expansion of an expert and advanced nursing service through effective interdisciplinary care, utilising clinical and managerial expertise. This will include a review of the effectiveness of treatments offered.

Key Result Areas & Performance:

All the following are to be carried out while working in close collaboration with members of the multi-disciplinary team led by the Consultant Clinical Psychologist. The post-holder will need to demonstrate clinical expertise within the field of chronic pain and work autonomously, managing own allocated clinics independently as well as joint working with the multi-professional team and seeking guidance/support when necessary.

The role includes:

Autonomously or in collaboration with the multidisciplinary team, managing the care of patients with chronic pain. Carrying out relevant interventions, within agreed clinical protocols and in line with current practice and guidelines.

Responding to chronic pain patients wide variety of complex physical and cognitive difficulties and needs, utilising highly specialist skills.

Demonstrating the ability to develop new skills and provide expert, high quality nursing input to the CALM Service.

Providing expert advice and management of medication issues for patients with chronic pain, including helping them optimise or reduce their medication as appropriate.

Having sole responsibility for medication recommendations in the discharge report issued to patients and referrers and for use by outside agencies on completion of the CALM programme.

Contributing to the design and delivery of the physical health content of the CALM programme, as well as contributing to the handbook for the programme.

Taking an active role within the multidisciplinary team in discussing patients, advising and explaining medical pathologies and treatment methods, and others matters relating to complex chronic pain patients in order to ensure appropriate referral, management and treatment.

Sharing responsibility with other members of the CALM team for writing letters regarding clinical decisions to patients and referrers.

Offering a supportive service to patients and their carers, disseminating specialist knowledge enabling individuals to try and adapt to changes in their lives caused by chronic pain. Liaising with other healthcare professionals when necessary.

Providing, promoting and maintaining a support and advice service to patients and their carers, to include provision of information giving from diagnosis through to all aspects of chronic pain, in liaison with relevant healthcare professionals.

Providing clinical supervision and consultation as appropriate.

Contributing to service evaluation, research and policy development.

Developing the service in a structured interdisciplinary way, initiating on-going change and progression in the role of a Clinical Nurse Specialist.

Developing interdisciplinary clinical management protocols and working within them.

Maintaining accurate and legible records of all clinical and legal documentation with regard to Statutory and Trust policies.

Being professionally accountable for all aspects of their activities.

When required, investigating the nursing aspects of incidents/complaints and initiating corrective action.

Workforce

Provide advanced specialist knowledge and education, acting as a clinical resource to the Trust, CCG and Trust affiliated Universities.

In conjunction with other members of the CALM team, to assess learning needs and organise training and teaching programmes to fulfil the areas and individuals learning requirements within the field of chronic pain.

• Take part in the selection, orientation and development of relevant staff and students within the service.
• Promote staff confidence and competence and therefore assist job satisfaction and staff recruitment and retention.
• Identify the requirements to carry out the specialist role, implement and manage the service, developing the role in line with patient and service needs.

Financial

Take responsibility for the effective and efficient use of resources, being aware of resource requirements and limitations.

Ensure all equipment and supplies in the clinical area are maintained to enable delivery of efficient and safe care.

Evaluate equipment and make recommendations relevant to purchasing policies in conjunction with Procurement.

Authorise the issue of appropriate appliances to patients within the Trust and community setting.

Partnerships

Communications and Relationships

Possess excellent communication skills to facilitate the collaboration between all professionals in the complete care and management of all patients within the CALM Service.

Work in partnership with members of the multidisciplinary team, as well as within the Trust and community in order to provide a coherent patient-centred service.

Ensure effective communication networks are established and maintained with all disciplines, patients and relatives/carers, to include Community Health Care Teams.

Communicate highly sensitive information, addressing barriers to information. Demonstrate sensitivity, empathy and reassurance.

Provide advice, support and education to patients who may use the service, to include the development and regular reviews of relevant written patient and carer information.

Access effective clinical supervision to allow personal reflection on own practice and self-development both personally and professionally.

Be an active member of the Pain Nurse Specialist Group and other relevant external specialist groups.

Develop links within the Trust and outside agencies to organise and implement practical instruction for HCAs, Pre-Registration and Post-Registration nursing staff and medical staff both in a theoretical and a clinical setting.

Support and assist other specialties within the Trust with relevant clinical issues and those of service development.

Act as a resource for specialist knowledge and skills related to care and for the development of research-based practice.

Represent their speciality clinically, both internally within the Trust, and externally.

Act as a representative of the Trust at local/national educational meetings

Promote and undertake, where appropriate, nursing research and to publish the outcome in order to update own knowledge and promote excellence in clinical practice.

Be aware of and participate as necessary in clinical research trials for patients, liaising with relevant Healthcare professionals.

Utilise research findings, where applicable, in the delivery of specialist patient care, disseminating relevant information to colleagues.

General

Develop guidelines, set standards, policies and protocols to ensure the provision of a safe and effective, research/evidence-based nursing service.

To initiate and participate in nursing and clinical audit, taking action to improve any areas of weakness

Continually monitor and evaluate the service through the facilitation of quality assurance tools in the clinical area.

Monitor and evaluate the role of the Clinical Nurse Specialist within the Trust.

Be self-aware, taking own continuing education and professional development needs into account, accessing advice, guidance and support.

Keep up to date with current trends and developments in nursing related to chronic pain.

Ensure all Trust/Divisional nursing policies/protocols and procedures are adhered to, including EC Directives, Health and Safety and Work, COSHH and Moving and Handling Codes of Practice.

Structure Chart

Divisional Head of Nursing

Advanced Physiotherapy Practitioner in the CALM team

Post Holder

Junior colleagues

Person Specification

Qualifications and Training

Essential

• MSc level learning o RN / RM - Part 1 o Relevant specialist course or similar
• Mentorship course (supervising and assessing) o Advanced training/skills in chronic pain
• In-depth knowledge of anatomy related to chronic pain o Knowledge of conditions, management and treatment

Desirable

• knowledge of quality standards o Counselling course o Non-Medical Prescribing

Experience

Essential

• Senior clinical experience within chronic pain o Experience in Practice Guideline Development
• Audit and Research Experience o Evidence of clinical leadership qualities o Ability to prioritise and organise workload
• Evidence of using primary and secondary healthcare teams and resources
• Ability to clinically lead and direct staff

Desirable

• Lead an audit and/or research study o Presentation and publishing experience o Caseload management o Leading a service

Knowledge

Essential

• Excellent verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills o Counselling skills
• Computer Skills o Ability to conduct own project successfully and follow them through

Desirable

• Change management o Statistics and report writing

Personal Qualities

Essential

• Maturity and self-awareness o Creative, lateral thinker o Sensitivity based on knowledge
• Flexible and positive approach to work o Enthusiasm and motivation
• Evidence of clinical leadership qualities o Commitment to nursing

Employer details

Employer name

Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust

Address

University Hospital Lewisham

Lewisham High Street

London

SE13 6LH

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

197-LC5984