JOB PURPOSE/SUMMARY The post-holder will be responsible for the management of a defined caseload of plastic surgery patients with complex lower limb injuries and will provide specialist nursing support, advice, education and/or care to that specific group. They will carry continuing responsibility for the assessment of needs, the development, implementation and evaluation of programmes of care and the setting of standards of care and take a lead role in establishing evidence-based practice. The plastics nurse specialist plays a vital role within the networks and multidisciplinary team, ensuring that services meet the needs of their population, through collaboration, engagement and measurement of outcomes. The post holder will be based at Leeds General Infirmary whilst also working across a variety of settings (outpatient clinics, MDT meetings, doctors handovers, supporting ward care and plastic dressings clinic). The post holder will deliver nurse led care working according to agreed protocols including nurse led clinics. The post holder will assist in the continuation and development of care pathways in order to improve and facilitate a seamless delivery of care, acting as a key worker for their pathway and promote a collaborative approach to patient care. The post holder will liaise with patients, other speciality teams and GPs, organising the implementation of planned actions decided within the MDT. The post holder will participate in ongoing auditing processes to ensure pathways are maintained and excellent patient care is provided. JOB DIMENSIONS - The post-holder will have responsibility for a caseload (patients/service-users) and will provide an effective and high quality patient-focused service that is sensitive to the needs of users and providers. - The post-holder will provide clinical, social and psychological support to their patients/service- users using excellent communication skills, education and health promotion to enable them to reach their optimum level of independence and health. - The post-holder will be responsible for the delivery of advanced nursing skills within complex care pathways, and will provide highly specialist advice and support to the defined caseload (patients/service-users) and to other health care providers. - The post-holder will have responsibility for leading identified and agreed aspects of the service, in the development of care systems, protocols and guidelines. - Although the post-holder has no direct budgetary responsibility they will be expected to assist with the effective use of resources in their clinical area. PRIMARY DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY Clinical Quality and Safety Carries continuous responsibility for a defined caseload (patients/service-users), including setting standards, assessment of needs and the development, implementation and evaluation of programmes of care following (clinical) protocols within the plastics service. Organises, prioritises and evaluates workload based on accepted referral criteria and discharge criteria in line with operational protocols. Responsible for ensuring own practice is evidence-based. Responsible for assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating highly specialist nursing care, establishing mechanisms by which each patient/service-user has a coherent and comprehensive management plan. The plan will be developed with the patient/service-user and/or carer, and take account of the wishes and needs of the patients/service-users, making adjustments as necessary, observing the principles of holistic care. Develops systems and models of nursing and evidence-based care which contribute to the quality of the patient/service-users experience, supporting implementation of national guidance relevant to service i.e. National Service Frameworks, NHSE Service specification, GIRFT, NICE guidance etc. Works as part of the multi-disciplinary team fostering good interdepartmental relationships and effective communication with a focus on continuous quality improvement. Works across organisational and professional boundaries as an expert practitioner as part of the multi-disciplinary team. Leads and promotes programmes of health education and health promotion and involves patients/service-users and carers appropriately in decision-making. Works within national policy frameworks relevant to the patient/service-user group and specialty area i.e. Child Protection, Vulnerable Adults, Mental Health Act. The post-holder will be required to provide interventions to promote self-care and minimise hospital admissions where appropriate. Reviews, interprets and acts upon both radiological, laboratory and point of care test results which may effect change to individual care plans, liaising with appropriate medical staff when necessary. Is expected to communicate complex, sensitive, and potentially contentious information with empathy and understanding to patients/service users, overcoming barriers to understanding where necessary. Deals effectively and sensitively with patient/service-users issues, collaborating with the PALS/complaints service as appropriate and taking a proactive approach to resolving issues and learning lessons from complaints. Providing counselling to patients/service-users and carers as required, referring to and liaising with appropriate agencies. Communicates effectively with hospital medical staff, general practitioners and nursing/midwifery staff giving highly specialist support and advice in the care and treatment of patients/service-users within their specialty and provide expert professional advice for other members of the healthcare team and patients/service-users as required.. Clinically and professionally expected to make autonomous decisions on a daily basis including provision of advice to junior staff in clinical decision-making within clinical/professional guidelines and as part of a multi-disciplinary team. The post-holder is responsible for clinical data entry which generates information for use with other healthcare professionals, e.g. SystmOne, and other specific databases relevant to the designated services. Takes a lead role in promoting infection control, environmental safety and risk management in order to and minimise risk to patients/service-users, self and other staff at all times.. Supports the implementation of local/national targets in conjunction with relevant members of the multi-disciplinary team. Actively promotes the effective and economic management of resources available within the area of responsibility. Arrange admission of patients/service-users to hospital when required. Undertakes nurse-led clinics in the hospital and wider community, as appropriate to the needs of the service. To work as an independent non-medical prescriber within area of practice, taking responsibility for the clinical assessment, planning, management and evaluation of an individualised plan of care, this may include prescribing where necessary. Desirable for this role but not essential. To be responsible for prescribing safely, cost effectively and in accordance with locally agreed formularies. To complete an annual audit and disseminate results to the Trust Non-Medical Prescribing Group/Non-Medical Prescribing Lead and own Speciality Clinical Governance. Contribute to policy, procedural development and patient/service-user information relating to non-medical prescribing in designated area of practice.