Choose Well - Choose WWL

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Key results from the job holder

• Maintain and develop appropriate levels of specialist knowledge and skills to ensure the service remains dynamic and responsive to the needs of the patients and the Trust.
• Assessment of the acutely ill COPD patient for the Acute and Early discharge service, perform domiciliary home visits and ultimately discharge patients from the service.
• Perform nurse led clinics at 6 weeks post exacerbation
• Perform a full COPD assessment Nurse led discharge and follow up  as appropriate, providing extensive support in regard to this condition
• Assess patients and administer specialist therapies and supportive treatments in accordance with agreed protocols.
• Establish and maintain effective communication with patients, carers, significant other, wider MDT.
• Provide information to patients and their families regarding the treatments being administered.
• Involve patients and carers in the planning and delivery of services within the COPD services.
• Perform venepuncture, ECG, Blood gas collection, Spirometry with an understanding of results analysis  and order chest xra as appropriate
• Assist the unit manager in the running of the COPD service.
• Refer patients as necessary to other health care professionals within the multidisciplinary team to ensure a co-ordinated approach to meeting the needs of patient managed within the service
• Support people’s equality, diversity and rights.
• Work collaboratively with other professionals and agencies to ensure patient needs are met.

 Planning and Organisational Duties

The post holder will participate in, and influence, care delivery by:

• Deputise for Lead specialist nurse in their absence.
• Identify needs and assess priorities of own area of work and organise accordingly.
• Run nurse led 6 week and generic respiratory  clinics and acute and early assessment service. Provide both face to face and telephone advice to patients, carers and all medical/nursing staff.
• Review patient’s condition in line with service suitability protocols and liaise with Respiratory consultants in regard to treatment choice when required.
• Administer under group directive individualised patient treatment pack.
• Liaise with unit clerk/clinic prep clerk/receptionist to facilitate appropriate and timely bookings to maximise the capacity of COPD services.
• Schedule,and attend meetings relevant to the service.
• Assist the Lead Specialist Nurse in referral management and provide advice to general practitioners and other health care professionals.
• Ensure patient records are maintained and that documentation reflects care provided.

Communications and Key Working Relationships

• Ensure Electronic patient records are maintained
• Ensure GP received admission summaries/discharge letters in a timely manner according to Trust Protocol,
• Ensure the COPD lead nurse is updated on COPD activity/ audits/standards/datix.
• Assist in providing professional support and advice to other nurses within the Trust who care for patients under the care or COPD and/or who require specialist investigations.
• Recognise patients’ changing needs throughout their journey and liaise with appropriate members of the multidisciplinary team within the Trust, referring hospitals, GP/community teams or refer to relevant services.
• Attend multidisciplinary team meetings and provide input in determining the most appropriate course of action for individual patients undergoing the care of COPD services.
• Act as a resource of clinical expert knowledge, ensure all knowledge is updated.
• Assist in data collection as appropriate.

 Responsibility for Finance

• To assist the lead nurse in managing service budget

 Responsibility for Human Resources

• Ensure compliance with policies, procedures and clinical guidelines for self and others.
• Assist the lead specialist nurse in performing individual performance reviews for COPD staff.
• Adhere to Trust policies and maintenance of the professional Code of Conduct.

Responsibility for Health & Safety

Compliance with the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 – the post holder is required to fulfil a proactive role towards the management of risk in all of their actions. This entails the risk assessment of all situations, the taking of appropriate actions and reporting of all incidents, near misses and hazards, and a statutory duty of care for their own personal safety and that of others who may be affected by their acts or omissions. 

Responsibility for Teaching

The post holder will promote life-long learning through the use of appropriate coaching, teaching and assessment in practice by:

• Ensure own compliance of mandatory/compulsory training and PREP requirements, maintaining records of training and development undertaken.
• Participate in the teaching/education of Trust staff by participating in the education events/teaching sessions.
• Communicating the specialist needs of COPD patients when admitted to general wards, including the individual plans for patients.
• Assist in education and training of COPD staff as required.
• Any other duties appropriate to grade