Viral Hepatology Nurse Specialist, Band 6

at  Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Viral Hepatology Nurse Specialist, Band 6 (30 hours a week)
NHS England has an ambition to reduce the levels of hepatitis C and hepatitis B transmission to improve public health outcomes. Public Health England have a strategy to achieve by 2030, which aims to eliminate viral hepatitis as a public health problem, by reducing new viral hepatitis infections by 90% and reduce deaths due to viral hepatitis by 65%.
This is an exciting opportunity for a motivated and experienced Registered Nurse to join the Viral Hepatitis Clinical Nurse specialist team. This role will be central to the provision of a range of specialist services for patients with viral hepatitis within a unique and cohesive multi-disciplinary environment.
The proposed interview date is: 21st August

The post holder will be responsible to

• Establish and maintain a patient centred access, assessment, treatment, follow-up and maintenance programme for patients with Viral Hepatitis within the parameters, pathways and protocols set by the Lead Consultant.
• Support and management in the testing and health promotion to people at risk of contracting Hepatitis C and B.
• Run nurse-led clinics and follow-up telephone clinics.
• The ability to undertake advanced clinical assessment and treatment of a designated caseload of patients who have complex presentation through timely and appropriate access to the specialist nurses via clinical pathways utilising nurse led clinics, and independent non-medical prescribing.
• Act as a positive role model, specialist resource and offer support and guidance to other staff within the Trust and community as appropriate within scope of professional practice
• Deliver a consistent high-quality nurse-led service for patients with viral hepatitis in line with the service standards and scope of professional practice

Gloucestershire Hospitals is one of the largest hospital trusts in England serving a diverse population of almost 620,000 people. We provide acute hospital services from two large district general hospitals, Cheltenham General Hospital and Gloucestershire Royal Hospital. Maternity Services are also provided at Stroud Maternity Hospital.
Our people are at the heart of what we do. Our workforce is almost 8,000 strong and our caring and dedicated staff are recognised as providing good and outstanding patient-centred care across a range of clinical areas. We also have exceptional teams of professional services staff underpinning our vision every step of the way.
We are committed to recruiting the best people to work with us to achieve our vision of providing Best Care for Everyone and our success depends on the commitment and dedication of our staff.
Job Purpose and Main Responsibilities

The post holder will be a member of a specialist nursing team responsible for a caseload of liver patients. 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 in relation to individuals infected with viral hepatitis.
• Screens patients for disease risk factors and signs of illness
• See patients with undifferentiated and undiagnosed problems and make a clinical assessment of their health needs
• Order the necessary investigations, make differential diagnosis, provide highly specialised clinical advice and provide treatment and care to those infected with viral hepatitis. This involves dealing with sensitive information and breaking bad news which may be met with a range of emotions including hostility and extreme distress
• Willingness to undertake training for Fibroscan and utilise the scanner during these clinics should the need arise.
• Independent Prescribers: To prescribe and review medication for therapeutic effectiveness, appropriate to patient needs and in accordance with evidence-based practice and national and practice protocols; within scope of practice. (Not an independent prescriber: willing to undertake independent prescriber course).
• See patients on treatment for hepatitis C as clinically required to obtain blood samples, reviewing the results. In patients with hepatitis C make decisions to stop treatment earlier than anticipated in patients who are not responding to treatment – this will involve breaking bad news of treatment failure and discussion of alternative treatment.
• Repeat prescribing.
• Arranging to see patients for post-treatment monitoring. Establishing the outcome of treatment and giving the result to the patient – this may involve breaking bad news of treatment failure.
• See patient on treatment for hepatitis B as clinically indicated but once established on treatment at least once every three months to six months as indicated by clinical need. Monitor for side-effects, complications of ongoing infection, treatment efficacy and drug resistance.
• Venepuncture, often with individuals who have poor venous access and who are infected with viral hepatitis
• Provide ongoing highly specialised clinical advice and support to individuals infected or affected by viral hepatitis. These individuals will include GPs and other healthcare workers, members of the public, the occupational health department and statutory and non-statutory services. Provide highly specialised clinical advice (including issues relating to hepatitis B post exposure prophylaxis) and support to staff occupationally exposed to blood and body fluids which may be infected with blood
• Data entry using the hepatitis C database.
• Involvement in research and audit.
• Demonstrate compliance with the terms of all safeguarding policies and processes relevant to the safeguarding of adults and children in the care of GHNHSFT and to undergo regular mandatory training concerned with safeguarding matters.
• Support the Senior Viral Hepatology Nurse Specialist when necessary in issues relating to the Hepatology Service
• Make line manager aware of any concerns regarding the quality of service provided in a constructive manner.
• Ensure clinical practice in relation to its evidence base and clinical effectiveness
• Engage users and carers in service development process through patient support groups
• Maintain accurate records and databases (both local and regional) for patients with viral hepatitis.

Additional Contact Details
Christian Loveridge - Senior Viral Hepatology specialist nurs

• 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 in relation to individuals infected with viral hepatitis.
• Screens patients for disease risk factors and signs of illness
• See patients with undifferentiated and undiagnosed problems and make a clinical assessment of their health needs
• Order the necessary investigations, make differential diagnosis, provide highly specialised clinical advice and provide treatment and care to those infected with viral hepatitis. This involves dealing with sensitive information and breaking bad news which may be met with a range of emotions including hostility and extreme distress
• Willingness to undertake training for Fibroscan and utilise the scanner during these clinics should the need arise.
• Independent Prescribers: To prescribe and review medication for therapeutic effectiveness, appropriate to patient needs and in accordance with evidence-based practice and national and practice protocols; within scope of practice. (Not an independent prescriber: willing to undertake independent prescriber course).
• See patients on treatment for hepatitis C as clinically required to obtain blood samples, reviewing the results. In patients with hepatitis C make decisions to stop treatment earlier than anticipated in patients who are not responding to treatment – this will involve breaking bad news of treatment failure and discussion of alternative treatment.
• Repeat prescribing.
• Arranging to see patients for post-treatment monitoring. Establishing the outcome of treatment and giving the result to the patient – this may involve breaking bad news of treatment failure.
• See patient on treatment for hepatitis B as clinically indicated but once established on treatment at least once every three months to six months as indicated by clinical need. Monitor for side-effects, complications of ongoing infection, treatment efficacy and drug resistance.
• Venepuncture, often with individuals who have poor venous access and who are infected with viral hepatitis
• Provide ongoing highly specialised clinical advice and support to individuals infected or affected by viral hepatitis. These individuals will include GPs and other healthcare workers, members of the public, the occupational health department and statutory and non-statutory services. Provide highly specialised clinical advice (including issues relating to hepatitis B post exposure prophylaxis) and support to staff occupationally exposed to blood and body fluids which may be infected with blood
• Data entry using the hepatitis C database.
• Involvement in research and audit.
• Demonstrate compliance with the terms of all safeguarding policies and processes relevant to the safeguarding of adults and children in the care of GHNHSFT and to undergo regular mandatory training concerned with safeguarding matters.
• Support the Senior Viral Hepatology Nurse Specialist when necessary in issues relating to the Hepatology Service
• Make line manager aware of any concerns regarding the quality of service provided in a constructive manner.
• Ensure clinical practice in relation to its evidence base and clinical effectiveness
• Engage users and carers in service development process through patient support groups
• Maintain accurate records and databases (both local and regional) for patients with viral hepatitis