Job overview
Band 6 Nurse Specialist - Chronic fatigue Service - Mat Cover
This is an exciting opportunity for a fixed term 12 month contract covering maternity Leave. The post holder, in conjunction with other members of the ME/Chronic Fatigue Service multi-disciplinary team, will provide a high-quality service to patients with ME/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) and those patient with Long COVID, based on nationally recommended guidelines for treatment, in order to promote management of, and recovery from ME/CFS (NICE 2021). The post-holder will be responsible for developing and delivering a highly specialised nursing service to patients with ME/CFS working under the supervision of a Nabd 7 CNS. This will be achieved by triaging new referrals, undertaking comprehensive pre-diagnostic patient assessments, managing a patient caseload, delivering group education and lifestyle management programmes, liaison with GPs and other healthcare professionals, consultation, teaching and training to the team and other health professionals.
Training in all aspects of working with patients with ME/CFS will be provided for this post.
Main duties of the job
The main duties include:
Triaging - ME/CFS is a diagnosis of exclusion where collation of medical history and interpreting blood tests are a vital part of the triaging process. Attention to detail is important together with building a broad knowledge base of medical conditions.
Assessment - conducting holistic comprehensive assessments, gathering clinical information and report writing skills are essential.
Follow up clinics - ability to manage own caseload providing support and advice
Opportunity to participate in education seminars and patient group programmes.
Ability to work sensitively and compassionately with a marginalised patient population who are often misunderstood by medical professionals.
Working for our organisation
St George’s, Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals and Health Group cares for a population of four million people in South West London and North East Surrey. Our sites include St George’s Hospital, one of 11 major trauma centres in the UK and the largest healthcare provider and major teaching hospital in the area; St Helier Hospital, home to the South West Thames Renal and Transplantation Unit and Queen Mary's Hospital for Children; and Epsom Hospital, home to the South West London Elective Orthopaedic Centre (SWLEOC). After years of collaboration, our two Trusts became a hospitals group in 2021. While remaining as two separate Trusts, being a hospitals group will help us to collaborate more closely on research, and the development, education, and training of our 17,000-strong workforce.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Main areas of responsibility and duties
Clinical
The CNS for the CFS service is responsible for supporting patients and their carers at any stage of their illness by providing:
1. Clinical care in the speciality of CFS/ME with clinical supervision and support to ensure a high-quality service.
2. With support undertake pre-diagnostic assessment and ongoing assessment of patients’ needs and formulating/developing an individualised care plan in line with NICE (2007) guidelines.
3. Identifying patients with high levels of anxiety and depression who are at risk and liaising with appropriate services as part of safeguarding responsibilities and duties.
·Triaging of new referrals – involving high level clinical decision making, in conjunction with the lead consultant, referrer and patients to ensure appropriate placement in service pathway.
·A co-ordinated specialist service by working within their scope of practice, and within a multi-disciplinary team, to maintain and improve standards of care through evidence-based best practice.
4. A resource - giving advice on the control of physical and psychological symptoms, to patients, carers and health professionals, in conjunction with the multi-disciplinary team.
5. Counselling skills, e.g. motivational interviewing, to support patients making and sustaining behaviour changes.
6. Information and support for patients with CFS/ME to meet their needs and the needs of their families/carers, respecting diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds.
7. Assistance with the transfer of information between professionals – including between hospital and community whilst ensuring confidentiality to provide a good standard of care Out-Patient Responsibilities:
Nurse-led services:
·To conduct comprehensive pre-diagnostic assessments under supervision of the Band 7 CNS and Lead Consultant.
·Educating patients and their families/carers on the possible causes of CFS/ME and the various treatment options available.
·Timely and coordinated referral to other members of the CFS/ME team where appropriate to improve patient management.
·Follow-up patients by telephone, email to ensure their well-being and to provide support.
Subjects referred with suspected CFS/ME:
·Triaging of new referrals – involving high level clinical decision making in conjunction with Band 7 CNS, Lead Consultant, referrer and patient.
·Take a history and assessment of new patients referred to the service in liaison with the CNS.
·With support, interpret results of blood tests to exclude other causes.
·Participate in the presentation and discussion of new patients to the multidisciplinary team and Consultant.
·To plan and implement patient centred evidenced based care.
·Possible involvement in collection of blood samples for research as instructed by Consultant Lead.
·Liaise with GP’s on the optimum management of patients. Co-ordinate appointments for medical review including recommendations for further tests after consultation with Consultant.
·Recommendations for dietary referral and advice where appropriate.
·Provide patients, their family/carers, and other health professionals with contact numbers for the clinic.
Communication
8. Provide advice for Trust staff caring for CFS/ME patients.
9. Provide a telephone resource service for primary care clinicians e.g. (GP’s, practice nurses, occupational therapy (OT), Mental Health Teams etc).
10. Liaise with LMDT (local multidisciplinary team) regarding plan of care and document in patient notes.
11. Liaise with other CNCC’s (clinical network co-ordinating centres) and regional LMDT to remain informed of best practice, research and service provisions allowing for equity of access for patients.
12. Liaise with primary care to facilitate a seamless service for patients requiring ongoing community support.
Management
The CFS/ME CNS will contribute to the effective operation of the service by:
13. With supervision managing a caseload of patients with CFS/ME, many of whom will have other co-morbidities, e.g. anxiety and depression.
14. Participating in cross-site working and liaising with other professionals and agencies to provide a seamless service.
15. Ensuring that referral criteria to and from the service and other healthcare professionals are clearly defined.
16. Contributing to the maintenance of accurate patient records and providing information to other services as appropriate.
17. Participating in the collection and retrieval of data to monitor and evaluate the service.
18. Contributing to national initiatives through the CFS/ME networks.
19. Having the knowledge of, and facilitating access to external sources of funding, e.g. grants and benefits
20. Contributing to the collection and management of data relating to the minimum data set as per national guideline Education
The CFS/ME CNS will alongside the CNS provide specialist education and training to other staff, students, patients and carers by:
21. Promoting evidence-based practice in the context of care of patients with CFS/ME needs.
22. Assisting in the development of CFS/ME policies, procedures and clinical protocols within the Trust.
23. Acting as an educational resource for all professional groups within the Trust.
24. Identifying training needs and implementing appropriate education programmes for patients, carers and staff. Where necessary, this should be in conjunction with the Trust’s Education/Training Departments
25. Contributing to CFS/ME education programmes in associated establishments, e.g. GP training.
26. Ensuring engagement in continuing professional development and mandatory training in order to meet Trust and professional requirements for safe practice and maintain a high-quality service.
Research and Development
The CFS/ME CNS contributes to the maintenance of effective Clinical Governance within the Trust by:
27. Participating in audit activities that will inform and develop practice and/or service provision.
28. Undertaking or participating in any research projects related to CFS/ME.
Communications and working relationships
·The CFS multi-disciplinary team
·Patients, Families and Carers
·Other CFS teams in the CFS network (BACME)
·Service users and local support groups
·Community Nursing and Therapy Teams
·Community Matrons
·Hospital Care Staff
·Primary Care (including Practice Organisations)
·PALS/ Complaints
·Voluntary Services
·Local Authorities
·Independent Care Homes
Professional and General
The CFS/ME CNS will conduct him/herself in a professional manner at all times by:
29. Acting in accordance with the NMC Code of Professional Practice for Nurses/Midwives and Health Visitors.
30. Acting in accordance with the Trust Health & Safety, Equal Opportunities, Data Protection and Managing Diversity policies.
31. Comply with the trusts reporting and management of incidents policy.
32. Carrying out such duties as may be required and are consistent with the responsibilities of the grade.
Person specification
Essential
Essential criteria
33. 1st level registration RN/RGN equivalent or diploma/BSc in Nursing
34. Post registration experience, including some at Band 5 with patients with a chronic long term condition, e.g. chronic fatigue, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis etc
Desirable
Desirable criteria
35. Experience in counselling or cognitive behavioural therapy
36. Phlebtomy
Our mission: ‘to put the patient first by delivering great care to every patient, every day.’
There’s never been a better time to join the Epsom and St Helier team. Our hospitals are facing a bright and busy future, and our staff have a proven track record in providing high quality, compassionate care for our patients.
Boasting incredible staff benefits and dedicated training schemes, working for us will not only take your career forward, but could help to transform the lives of our patients and visitors.
We offer all employees some fantastic staff benefits, and are the only hospitals in Surrey to offer staff the London high cost area supplement. Our hospitals also benefit from great locations, so whether you're attracted to the bright lights of the city or the countryside of Epsom Downs, both are within easy reach.
FURTHER INFORMATION
**PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS POSITION MAY CLOSE EARLIER THAN THE STATED CLOSING DATE IF A SUFFICIENT NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS ARE RECEIVED. IF YOU WISH TO APPLY FOR THIS POSITION, YOU ARE ADVISED TO SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE**
**PLEASE NOTE THAT WE CONTACT ALL APPLICANTS VIA EMAIL AND NOT BY POST. YOU ARE ADVISED TO CHECK YOUR RECRUITMENT SYSTEM ACCOUNT ON A REGULAR BASIS. YOU CAN ACCESS THIS ACCOUNT VIA OUR WEB SITE> Work for Us > Current Vacancies > My Job Account**
For new entrants into the NHS, your pay under the Agenda for Change or Medical & Dental Pay Bands, will normally be set at the minimum of the pay band as advertised.
If you apply for this position and do not hear from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been short-listed for interview on this occasion.
ESTH values diversity and is committed to the recruitment and retention of underrepresented minority groups. We particularly welcome applications from black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates, LGBTQ+ candidates and candidates with disabilities.
As a Disability Confident Employer we are working to create a workplace that enables all staff to reach their full potential. We are committed to this because we know that greater diversity and inclusion will lead to an even greater positive impact for the people we serve.
Internal applicants from underrepresented minority groups are encouraged to seek development support such as work shadowing and interview skills coaching.