Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Job Summary:
 
1.    To carry out the holistic nursing assessment/multifactorial falls risk assessment of older people who may be at risk of falls and fracture, and plan and provide programmes of care according to a person’s needs and without direct supervision.
2.    To manage a caseload of patients utilising specialist clinical assessment, diagnostic and treatment skills in the management of patients at risk of falls
3.    To support the delivery of the Osteoporosis and Falls Prevention Service across Brighton and Hove in a variety of settings, including clinics and the patients’ own homes
4.    To support the Registrar and Consultant Geriatrician in the provision of a medical diagnostic falls clinic
5.    To provide training and education to staff working across the local health and social care sector
6.    To coordinate and run the Joint Postural Hypotension Clinic in conjunction with the Community Pharmacist.
7.    The post holder is expected to supervise less experienced staff and be able to teach qualified/unqualified staff and formal/informal carers.
8.    To adhere to NMC standards and guidelines of practice, education and conduct
 
3.    Communication and Working Relationships
 a) Liaising with all staff within the Falls and Fracture Prevention Service, which includes Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists and Falls Specialist Assistants on a daily basis and at regular MDT meetings.
b) Liaise with consultant Geriatricians regarding the diagnostic falls clinic and plan and prioritise appropriate referrals to the diagnostic falls clinic and individual consultants
c) Liaise and form strong working relationships within primary, community and integrated care teams and other statutory and voluntary agencies and to refer to as appropriate.
d) Liaise and form effective working relationships with acute sector especially RACOP (RAPID ACCESS CLINIC FOR OLDER PEOPLE).
 e) To communicate effectively with service-users regarding their assessment findings and care plan, this may include adapting communication to people who have hearing impairments, cognitive impairments, mental health problems or for whom English is a second language
 
4.    Key Responsibilities
 a) To support the Falls and Fracture Prevention Service Manager in the continuous monitoring and evaluation of the Falls Service across Brighton and Hove, according to targets set by the commissioning organisation.
 b) To support the Falls and Fracture Prevention Service Manager in the development of the service, in particular the development of specialist nursing assessments and pathways, policies and procedures relating to nursing care.
 c) To supervise support staff/Falls Specialist Assistants according to the Trust’s supervision policy and support other members of staff within the team with their learning and development needs and participate in the induction of new staff.
 d) To adapt and provide training and education sessions on falls and fracture prevention to care givers and service providers across local health and social care and the voluntary and independent sector within Brighton and Hove using available service training packages
 d) To provide training to team members within the Falls and Fracture Prevention Service. In particular monitoring and maintaining competencies in relation to blood pressure monitoring, postural hypotension, as well as other nursing tools such as MUST, NEWS2, Purpose T and other trustwide core assessments.
 e) To support the Osteoporosis and Falls Prevention Service Manager in the evaluation of the service by carrying out clinical audit included within the team’s clinical effectiveness/audit plan for each year.
 
5.    Main Tasks
 a) To work as an autonomous practitioner and carry out the specialist holistic nursing assessment/Multifactorial Falls Risk Assessments of service users in line with evidence-based practice, legislation, policies and procedures. To monitor service users and tailor the intervention in the light of arising information and any significant changes or risks using an individualised approach and clinical reasoning.
 b) Contribute to an efficient nursing service as part of a multi-disciplinary team and work in partnership with colleagues to provide a holistic service focused on person centred care.
 c) Lead in the management of patients with Postural Hypotension both at home and within a clinic environment, working closely with the Community Pharmacist and in liaison with the GP and other health care professionals where indicated.
 d) To be professionally and legally accountable for and prioritise and plan own workload.
 e) Keep accurate, contemporaneous records and written reports according to Trust and professional standards.
f) Triage referrals to the Falls and Fracture Prevention Service using departmental protocols and clinical knowledge and experience.
 g) Respect people’s dignity wishes and beliefs, involve them in shared decision making and obtain their consent, empowering people to realise and maintain their potential in relation to health and wellbeing.
h) To liaise with other professionals and services regarding the care of individual patients, write patient–related reports and make ongoing referrals as appropriate.
i) Provide a link between the medical management of patients at risk of falls attending the diagnostic falls clinic, RACOP and the rest of the multi-disciplinary team
j) Positively and proactively participate in team meetings, and facilitate multidisciplinary meetings when needed.
k) Ensure infection control guidelines are adhered to within clinic environments and to work closely with infection control Champion within the team.
l) To meet with the Consultant in Elderly Medicine for clinical supervision.
m) To maintain up to date data entry according to Trust policy, including computer-based systems.
n) Ensure accidents, incidents or complaints arising in the team are reported and recorded following agreed procedures.