Job summary
To form the core of a device assisted therapies (DAT) service at University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust. This service forms a comprehensive care pathway for those with advanced/complex Parkinson's disease, allowing equitable access to infusion based dopaminergic treatments (apomorphine, foslevodopa-foscarbidopa and levodopa/carbidopa intestinal gel) and Deep Brain Stimulation within the catchment area of UHPNT.
The role is initially on a 2 year fixed term basis, however we anticipate that funding may be found to make this a permanent post.
***Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as 'Priority' and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon who are able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.***
Main duties of the job
UHPNT will be the first centre across the South West Peninsula to run a dedicated DAT clinic, it is anticipated that satellite clinics will in due course open at other acute NHS Trusts across the South West Peninsula. Part of the role of the proposed candidates will be to provide support for Parkinson's nurse specialists to establish and run clinics at these centres. This will entail a strong element of regional education to facilitate knowledge transfer and sharing of best practice.
The role is anticipated to be predominately hospital based. Most clinical contact will be in person, either at UHPNT sites or within the community (including where appropriate at the patient home). There may be a limited opportunity for some home working, however this would be anticipated to be largely restricted to administrative or service development tasks.
The role will require a prescribing qualification, however we encourage applications from those who do not currently possess this qualification, as we will provide support and time for the right candidate to obtain this. In this case appointed candidates will commence to role at band 6 level with progression to band 7 upon completion of a prescribing qualification. We will also consider applications on a less than full time basis for this role.
About us
We are a people business - where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure. PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY. If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process please contact the recruitment team on 01752 432100. We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission. We commit to giving this full consideration in each case. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams. It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical
Demonstrate advanced empathetic interpersonal and communication skills in dealing with patients and carers through the various patient pathway from the point of diagnosis.
Demonstrate advanced practice in holistic assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of patient care within their own speciality. This will necessitate high levels of autonomy and advocacy.
Demonstrate advanced knowledge, skills and innovative practice in relevant specialist area. Promote clinical excellence. Demonstrate continual evaluation of practice, making agreed changes and evaluating their impact.
Assess and monitor risk in own and others practice acting on the results thereby ensuring safe delivery of care.
Work as an autonomous expert/advanced CNS.
Work within the Nursing + Midwifery Council (NMC) Code, Standards of Practice and Behaviour for Nurses and Midwives
Medicines Management and Standards of proficiency for nurse and midwife prescribers if appropriate
Adhere to UHPT Lone working policy
Education / Training
In conjunction with the multidisciplinary team, ensure that information provided to health professionals and patients is representative of research based recommendations and are within the National Standards Frameworks where appropriate.
To develop appropriate information systems and ensure documentation systems are in place to assist in high-level delivery of care.
Promote the services provided at the Trust through attendance at conferences, published papers and via patient-facing media.
Management / Leadership
Establish and maintain a regional network of contacts.
Actively demonstrate commitment to clinical supervision.
Demonstrate pro-active approach to the development of policies, protocols and clinical guidelines necessary to support the developing specialist nursing areas.
Directly influence decisions regarding service delivery through participation in meetings.
Ensure practice is research-based across the team.
Facilitate, develop and monitor quality initiatives in line with local and national requirements or guidelines.
Ensure all available resources are used efficiently
Person Specification
Knowledge
Essential
1. Demonstrable extensive experience within Parkinson's care
2. Demonstrable five years post registration experience
3. Five years demonstrable experience in a relevant field
4. Able to demonstrate commitment to high quality patient care
5. Demonstrable experience of drawing up and administering infusion based therapies
6. Demonstrable experience of administering subcutaneous treatments
7. Demonstrable experience of wound care and management of cutaneous infections such as cellulitis
8. Theoretical and proven practical knowledge of Parkinson's disease and related disorders
9. Proven knowledge and ability to develop of educational programmes
10. Demonstrable experience of audit initiatives and other quality initiatives research
11. Able to set and monitor standards
12. Demonstrate understanding of Clinical Nurse Specialist role
13. Proven knowledge of corporate clinical governance
14. Proven evidence of implementing research based practice
15. Demonstrable experience within Parkinson's care at the advanced/complex disease stage
Desirable
16. Demonstrable experience within Parkinson's care at the advanced/complex disease stage
17. Demonstrable experience of assessment, initiation of management of infusion based device assisted therapies
18. Demonstrable experience of initiating, monitoring and maintaining patients on Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS)
19. Demonstrable experience of programming/reprogramming DBS stimulators
20. Demonstrable experience of clinical research delivery
21. Demonstrable experience of undertaking the Movement Disorders Society Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating scale (MDS UPDRS)
22. Approved MDS UPDRS rater
23. Demonstrable experience of undertaking a range of clinical and research assessment scales/tools
24. Demonstrable experience within Parkinson's care, in particular managing and supporting patients with complex PD in out-patient/community settings
25. Proven knowledge and understanding of the use of levodopa, dopamine agonists, COMTI and MAOI
26. Able to undertake a limited neurological examination and interpret the findings appropriately and effectively
27. Proven knowledge and ability to take an accurate, detailed clinical history and willing to undertake a formal qualification in history taking
28. Demonstrable experience in implementing change
29. Demonstrable experience of undertaking clinical research
30. Demonstrable experience of involving patients in service improvement initiatives
Qualifications
Essential
31. First level degree in Adult nursing Teaching qualification or proven evidence and demonstrable experience of teaching
32. Professional (NMC) registration
Desirable
33. Leadership Course or equivalent
34. MSc in clinical nursing, or willing to work towards, or equivalent demonstrable experience.
35. Non-medical prescriber qualification or willing to work towards.
Aptitude and abilities
Essential
36. Management of clinical case load
37. Ability to motivate and lead junior staff
38. Effective skills to be able to produce concise, accurate and consistently legible documentation using comprehendible language.
39. Good communication skills.
40. Able to deliver formal and informal teaching sessions to other health care professionals
Disposition
Essential
41. Empathetic
42. Ability to work within a team and autonomously
43. Diplomatic
Other factors
Essential
44. Ability to travel between various site locations.
45. Proficient IT skills
46. Fine motor skills using specialist equipment such as patella hammer requiring physical manipulation of equipment with one hand and using both hands together to co-ordinate examination.