Liver Disease Specialist Nurse, Band 6

at  Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Liver Disease Specialist Nurse, Band 6 (30 hours a week)
An exciting opportunity has arisen within the Hepatology department for a Band 6 liver specialist nurse to work 30 hrs per week over 4 days. We are ideally looking for someone with an interest and passion for Hepatology and previous experience in Gastroenterology/ Hepatology at Band 6 is required.
This is a nationally recognised service supporting patients with liver disease. The service currently provides a helpline service, nurse led clinics for hepatocellular surveillance - these are via telephone and face to face, fibro scan clinics, critical flicker tests including satellite clinic with visiting Consultant, ascites management, prescription management, palliation/EOL support, in patient referrals, and MDT working with the wider team.
The proposed interview date is 6th December
The post holder will be a member of a specialist nursing team responsible for a caseload of liver patients on both in-patient and out-patient basis. The post holder will manage, treat and support a diverse caseload of patients with a wide range of liver disease throughout the county. The post holder will work automatously and contribute to the provision of a nurse-led service. This encompasses interventions which enable the patient to stay at home thus avoiding hospital admission.
The post holder will be responsible for face to face nurse led Hepatocellular Carcinoma clinics and rapid access clinics. Fibro scanning during these clinics should the need arise. Drug monitoring, prescription management, attending QE consultation once a month in satellite clinic to discuss those patients for consideration of transplant acting as the patients advocate. Working closely with the wider MDT, palliative discussions.
Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is the largest employer in the county and with over 8,000 staff, we are one of the largest NHS trusts in the UK. We offer a generous annual leave allowance and access to the NHS Pension Scheme as well as discounts for local shops, restaurants and services. All staff employed within the Trust are able to access to our health and well-being hub, there are two well established on-site nurseries, flexible working options, discounted public transport, reward and recognition schemes, exercise and activity classes and membership to our popular hospital choir.
The Liver Specialist Nurses works closely with the Lead Consultant for Hepatology in delivering a nurse led service for patients providing symptom management; counselling; surveillance; advice, helpline advice; prescription management; working and communicating with the wider MDT and ascites management.
The number of patients with end stage liver disease has increased over the past decade. We now have 1000 patients within our service and these are increasing year on year. Liver disease is now the third leading cause of premature death in the UK. This Nurse-led service is well-established but forever expanding so requires flexible thinking and working.
1. To provide specialist knowledge and support to patients, staff and family within the acute setting, and through nurse-led outpatient clinics.
2. Conduct nurse-led chronic liver disease, follow-up and drug counselling/monitoring clinics.
3. Manage a telephone helpline for patients with liver disease offering support, advice, information and counselling.
4. Manage a blood monitoring service for liver patients.
5. Communicate effectively with patients where understanding is limited or patient ability to communicate is compromised.
6. To deliver and receive information which may cause emotional distress to all parties.
7. To disseminate contentious and delicate information to patients and their families / carers appropriately.
8. To lead and deliver safe care within a challenging and changing clinical environment, using equipment and resources safely and as appropriate.
9. Determine from phone call interaction, course of action and advise on treatment.
10. Take and prioritise referrals from for example GPs, wards, other teams, Sue Ryder, cardiology and oncology.
11. Work with a challenging client group to negotiate effective plans for symptom management.
12. Work closely with other specialist providers including GPs, consultants and palliative care services to provide a seamless service for those with acute and chronic liver disease.
13. Participate as required in audit
14. Contribute to policy and service development as required.
15. To act as a role model and specialist resource to all staff disseminating clinical skills, knowledge and best practice.
16. To adhere to all Trust policies and procedures and professional code of conduct.
17. In accordance with the Data Protection Act, ensuring own and staffs ability to input and retrieve patient and staff information from computer based system and maintain accurate and contemporaneous patient records.
18. To actively support and assist line managers with public patient involvement.
19. To organise own time

Please refer the Job description for details