Diagnostic Pathway Clinical Nurse Specialist, Band 6

at  Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Main Responsibilities and key result areas - Pre-screen all 2 week-wait referrals and use your specialist nursing knowledge to interpret clinical information and results of investigations. -Using locally agreed algorithms, you will determine the next stage of the patients pathway. This may include referral to the pre-assessment team where patients appear to be suitable for a straight-to-test endoscopic investigation, personally carrying out telephone assessment where referrals appear more complex or there is evidence that it may be necessary to arrange additional or alternative investigations, referral to outpatients clinic or other specialist services, or discharge back to the GP if 2 week-wait referral criteria are not met. - Respond to referrals from the pre-assessment team if they have clinical concerns about the suitability to booking a patient straight-to-test and take appropriate action for individual patients - Provide expert and comprehensive advice to the pre-assessment team and the wider clinical team.

• Demonstrate commitment to improve patient experience and utilise advanced communication skills to support patients through their diagnostic pathway. - The post-holder will be the point of contact for patients referred on the 2 week-wait pathway until either a cancer diagnosis has been made or excluded. -The post holder will be the point of contact for the booking team if they have any clinical queries regarding lower GI referrals. - Undertake service audits/appropriateness of referrals and patient outcomes and experience with the service.
• Respond to clinical incidents as and when required. -Ensure compliance with Best Practice, JAG Guideline and NICE guidance in relation to patient pathway. - Ensure that Clinic summary letters are sent to GP for those patients assessed by the post holder - Conduct analysis of potential breaches of the waiting times targets acting to avert delays to the patient pathways. -Develop patient and staff education information.
• Maintain a physical and psychological environment conducive to the provision of high quality care. - Adhere to the NMC Code of Professional Conduct at all times. - Participate in Endoscopy User Group, Governance and Unit meetings. - Support future service development in Endoscopy.

COMMUNICATIONS AND WORKING RELATIONSHIPS. - Multidisciplinary team. -GP -Clinical Leads and Colorectal Surgeons -Endoscopy Nurse Consultant/Matron/Clinical Endoscopist -Pre-Assessment Team - Endoscopy Booking Team and Waiting List Manager - PALS - Nurse specialists PHYSICAL, MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL EFFORT AND WORKING CONDITIONS. - Will be required to work within recognised Manual Handling Guidelines.

• May be required to work in confined spaces. -Ability to work where the work pattern may be unpredictable, but there is also a requirement for concentration. - Frequent exposure to potentially complex and emotional situations involving patients, relatives and staff. - To manage own time effectively EDUCATION AND TRAINING - Identify own training and development needs and undertake appropriate training and continuing education.
• Complete training to use a Patient Group Directive (PGD) for bowel prep and enemas - Participate in annual performance review where objectives will be agreed, performance monitored and personal development discussed. - Attend all statutory and mandatory training and E-learning in line with Trust policy. - Post-holder will receive training from the clinical endoscopist team who will also provide ongoing support and supervision once competencies for undertaking the role have been achieved.

• Demonstrate commitment to improve patient experience and utilise advanced communication skills to support patients through their diagnostic pathway. - The post-holder will be the point of contact for patients referred on the 2 week-wait pathway until either a cancer diagnosis has been made or excluded. -The post holder will be the point of contact for the booking team if they have any clinical queries regarding lower GI referrals. - Undertake service audits/appropriateness of referrals and patient outcomes and experience with the service.
• Respond to clinical incidents as and when required. -Ensure compliance with Best Practice, JAG Guideline and NICE guidance in relation to patient pathway. - Ensure that Clinic summary letters are sent to GP for those patients assessed by the post holder - Conduct analysis of potential breaches of the waiting times targets acting to avert delays to the patient pathways. -Develop patient and staff education information.
• Maintain a physical and psychological environment conducive to the provision of high quality care. - Adhere to the NMC Code of Professional Conduct at all times. - Participate in Endoscopy User Group, Governance and Unit meetings. - Support future service development in Endoscopy