KEY DUTIES To provide expert advice and act as a specialist resource on bladder and bowel dysfunction to patients, care home staff, primary care staff, GPs, social service staff, nursing staff, voluntary services and the general public. Professionally responsible and accountable for own caseload of patients, prioritising and being aware of service needs. To perform comprehensive continence assessments of patients within Nursing, Residential Homes, Patients Homes and Clinics. As an autonomous practitioner develop and provide specialised care by initiating, interpreting and acting upon information from bladder and bowel diaries, symptom profiles, portable ultrasound, digital rectal examination and urinalysis in the assessment of complex patients. To act as the first point of access for patients with bladder and bowel dysfunction and make onward referrals to specialist professionals as appropriate. To work collaboratively with other professionals and agencies towards developing an integrated continence service across primary and secondary care to ensure that patients needs are met. To contribute to the delivery of objectives identified in the current NICE guidelines. To develop and maintain a body of evidence based/research information on which current practice and advice should be based. To contribute towards the development of policies, guidelines and care pathways for continence care using evidence based practice. To participate and engage in research as required including ongoing clinical audit at local and national level. To actively contribute to the clinical governance agenda for the organisation and implement agreed standards of care, participating in the monitoring of quality and standards through evaluation and clinical audit. Work collaboratively and co-operatively with clinical colleagues to develop services and quality of care delivered Support the Lead Nurse in the development of services within the professional field CLINICAL & PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES Perform comprehensive assessment of nursing needs, plan, implement and evaluate care according to changing health care needs Maintain and utilise advanced clinical skills to analyse and interpret history of illness, presenting symptoms and physical findings to enable diagnosis, planning and treatment of the patient. Involve patients, carers &/or relatives in the planning and delivery of care and the development of services Work collaboratively with other professionals and agencies to ensure patient needs are met. Establish and maintain effective communication with patients and carers/relatives and professionals across health and social care services Contribute to the health promotion agenda within the local health economy Provide expert clinical knowledge to patients carers Responsible for the development of guidelines and policies relating to own area of practice Promote peoples equality and diversity and rights, acting as the patients advocate Provide evidence of maintenance of their professional registration and revalidation with the NMC (Nursing & Midwifery Council) and work in line with the NMC Code of Conduct ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES Collect, collate, evaluate and report a range of information, maintaining accurate and contemporaneous clinical records. Monitoring, auditing and reporting the effectiveness of the service against agreed targets and be responsible for supporting the development and implementation of service initiatives. Collect, collate, interpret and report a range of activity to key stakeholders Record contact with patient on computer softwar TEACHING & TRAINING RESPONSIBILITIES Provide expert advice and clinical practice Provide specialist education and training to others Identify learning needs, plan implement and evaluate training programmes Participate in the education of pre and post registration nurses, AHPs and medical staff and participate in curriculum development where appropriate to the post Identify own training needs and take steps to address them LINE MANAGEMENT/SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES Undertake clinical supervision Conduct annual appraisals for junior staf FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY Ensure the effective and efficient use of physical and financial resources: make recommendations regarding supplies and equipment RESEARCH & AUDIT Evaluate service delivery against key performance targets and national quality measures. Identify areas for improvement and initiate change Identify the need for and participate in research, audit and clinical trials in order to improve outcomes for patients Disseminate research and audit findings through a range of methods including presentations and publication