Main Duties/ Responsibilities CLINICAL PRACTICE To develop clinical skills in order to provide and facilitate high quality care for patients presenting with, or at risk of, vascular disease Develop knowledge in order to be able to exercise a high degree of personal and professional autonomy demonstrating an advanced level of specialist knowledge Work alongside established vascular nurses to provide advice and support to all staff included in provision of care for vascular patients, including those of other disciplines or working in other primary or secondary care Trusts within the county unit Work in collaboration with the multi-disciplinary team, setting up and using referral pathways appropriately to maximise the patients access to specialist care, eg vascular consultants, podiatrists, dieticians, diabetic services Aim always for equality of care provision to patients across the county-wide patient catchment area. Develop and utilise advanced communication skills, provide health education to ensure patient understanding of their disease and treatment pathway, and at all times aim to motivate, advise and support patients regarding necessary lifestyle changes eg smoking cessation Develop into an autonomous practitioner in order to be able to deliver a nurse-led clinic service for patients with Intermittent Claudication Accept referrals from General Practitioners, according to the Trust protocol Undertake clinical assessment and examination of referred patients to confirm or refute diagnosis of Intermittent Claudication. Undertake or request appropriate investigations, and utilise results accordingly, to initiate a treatment plan in partnership with the patient. Monitor progress, refer and discharge patient as appropriate Develop leadership skills and knowledge in order to be able to manage provision of exercise groups for patients with Intermittent Claudication. Assess patients for exercise suitability; manage group attendance; provide group warm up/warm down exercises and manage any individual or unexpected events when necessary. To learn dictation skills and develop effective written and verbal communication regarding patients condition and treatment, for consultants, General Practitioners and others involved in the patients care. Learn IT systems skills in order to secure accurate and timely data provision Contribute to the ongoing review and development of a comprehensive range of patient information leaflets about vascular disease and treatments, reviewing said documents as per clinical change of care or hospital policy PROFESSIONAL At all times adhere to the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) Code of Professional Conduct and local Trust policies, protocols and guidelines. Act always to inspire interest in Peripheral Vascular Disease and vascular patients care. Participate in Society of Vascular Nurses meetings, conferences etc to network with other Vascular Nurse Specialists, to share and benefit from ideas for vascular service developments. Contribute to the Clinical Governance agenda by setting, implementing and evaluating guidelines and policies for care of vascular patients Maintain active involvement in Clinical Supervision. Participate in appraisal and personal review and work to achieve agreed set objectives At all times, recognise any deficit in own or others knowledge or skill relating to care of vascular patients, and act to rectify this EDUCATION Shadow consultant clinics and established/trained vascular nursing clinics to learn and develop skills required to deliver clinics independently. Attend vascular MDTs and QIPS in order to develop and achieved inhouse competency sign off. Shadow vascular scientists in order to develop skills in undertaking ABPI and successfully complete their inhouse training package Attend and successfully complete Health Assessment and Non Medical Prescribing University Courses. Successfully complete inhouse training and competency packages in order to evidence skills and knowledge in the delivery of vascular nursing clinics. Aim to always share knowledge and expertise through formal and informal teaching, using flexible methods of delivery, in various settings Promote a questioning, reflective approach to clinical practice and the integration of education, research and practice. Facilitate medical students learning regarding care of patients with Intermittent Claudication. Use critical self-awareness to recognise own continuing educational needs and participate in on-going education, self-development and research to continually build own knowledge base. MANAGERIAL Participate in business planning for vascular services Take every opportunity to raise funds for developing care of vascular patients Work autonomously in maintaining service and actively seek opportunities to advance service development. RESEARCH AND AUDIT Seek out opportunities to initiate or become involved with local and national research projects relating to the care of patients with Peripheral Vascular Disease, in order to contribute to the evidence base for care. Critically analyse current published research results which may provide evidence for changes in clinical practice. Undertake or oversee audit projects to evaluate the effectiveness of vascular care delivered. Use audit results to assist in planning future vascular services. Provide audited results of the nurse-led service for patients with Intermittent Claudication. Continually update own practice and teaching in view of new research or audit results. Undertake audit activity for the vascular unit, producing reports and disseminating findings at vascular meetings. In accordance with Trust policy, undertake an annual survey to monitor patients satisfaction with the vascular service provided. For further details of the role please see the attached job description.