Tissue Viability Nurse

The TissueViability Service is a team of 4 advanced level nurses who provided expert careto patients within the Northwest locality of Surrey. We have divided thelocality into 3 key areas, Spelthorne, Runneymede, and Woking. We providespecialist advance level assessments to people in their own homes, nursinghomes, residential homes, GP surgeries, and our Community Hospital. We arelooking for an energetic and highly motivated individual to work as the namedTissue Viability Nurse for our Runneymede locality (although you will beexpected to cover the other localities as required). This is afull-time band 7 position. We understand that working full time does notsuit everyone, so we are willing to consider flexible working requests. Thesuccessful post holder will work independently within our well-establishedTissue Viability Service and will be able to demonstrate an advance level ofassessment and communication skills to those with complex or non-healingwounds, working with key partners and stakeholders. You willsupport the team in ensuring the delivery of a high quality, clinically robust,evidence-based Tissue Viability Service. This post isbased in Walton Community Hospital; however, you will be expected to travelacross the whole of Northwest Surrey as required. Keen on thisrole, but do not meet all the essential criteria, then give me a call for aninformal discussion as we are willing to consider a developmental role for theright candidate. Main duties of the job As a Band 7 Tissue Viability Nurse Specialist, we requireyou to have experience in working with adults managing complex wounds ofdifferent aetiologies. The successful candidate will work across all CSH sites asan expert in clinical field to deliver specialist services to defined patientgroup (Tissue Viability patients). Provides specialist interdisciplinaryeducation and training to other health care professionals and students.Clinically manages and develops pathways for patients with Tissue Viability. Works strategically to influences the development of the service both locallyand nationally. Leads on clinical auditsin own area of practice. Participates inresearch in specialist field. Utilising wound, pressure ulcer and leg ulcer managementskills to and knowledge to undertake the holistic assessment of patients,including the use of Doppler ultrasound techniques and using interpretationskills to diagnose and plan specialized care delivery. Act as the interface between medical andnursing disciplines whilst developing and supporting nursing practice.Supporting the delivery of care primarily within the Community Nursing Teamsbut may also be required to support the Complex Wound Clinics, in accordancewith national and local priorities, CSH Surrey policies, procedures andguidelines and in accordance with the Nursing and Midwifery Council., Responsible for undertaking expert holistic patient assessments, including but not limited to wound, pressure ulcer and leg ulcer assessments, including Doppler ABPI and TBPI for patients across North West Surrey. Deliver planned evidence-based care,including advanced compression bandage techniques and other high compressiontherapies as required. Empowerindividuals and their families to reach their full potential in healthpromotion and health awareness. Act as the patients advocate, raisingany concerns. Maintains strong working relationships andcommunicates effectively with the Community Nursing Teams, Diabetic Foot MDT,Vascular Services, GPs, Practice Nurses, Social Services, Acute / Communityhospital colleagues, Borough Council staff and the local voluntary sector Responsiblefor receiving and facilitating clinical supervision and undertaking peerreviews within the team Responsiblefor teaching, supervising and mentoringother members of the team and pre-registration students Undertakes formal studentassessments and participates in the maintenance of an effective learningenvironment Clinicaland Technical Use specialists nursing skills toassess the physical and psycho-social needs of patients within the definedcaseload, providing both expert and clinical advice to patients and carers. In partnership with themulti-disciplinary team develop and advise highly specialised programmes ofcare for patients, synthesising complex information whilst comparing a range ofoptions based on the available evidence / best practice in order to support andempower patients and their carers to make informed choices. Works autonomously examining anddiagnosing peripheral vascular disease, making decisions about treatment,investigations, follow up and discharge, referring on to Consultant colleagueswhen reaching limits of own expertise. Responsible for the delivery of adetailed, accurate and potentially complex handover. Undertakes full nursing assessments ofpatients, including those with multiple pathology and complex health and socialneeds. To provide holistic Doppler assessmentto patients and provide teaching to junior co-owners. Responsible for agreeing the patientscare plan, liaising with others and adapting the care and treatment deliveredaccording to need and patient choice. Responsible for the correct use of aidsand equipment supplied for patients and carers and for the security, care andmaintenance of equipment ensuring standards of infection control and safety aremaintained Responsible for the ordering and lean stock management of dressings andother equipment Effectivelycommunicates with others involved in patient care at all times includingweekends / out of hours, through the use of mobile phone, emails to enable atimely response to patients needs. Analytical / Judgmental Skills Recognises own limitations in theprovision of clinical care and urgency of patients needs, referring to otherhealth care professionals, such as Vascular Services, Diabetic Foot MDT, Lymphoedema,Dermatology accordingly and is accountable for his / her own actions withoutdirect supervision Maintains accurate and legible patientrecords in line with professional and organisational requirements regarding electronicpatient record system and is responsible for ensuring all data within theservice is completed within dates required for CSH Surrey reporting to the NWS ICP. Accountable for making autonomousclinical decisions in planning and prioritising patient care and referrals toother agencies and the admission / discharge from the service Responsibility for Policy and Service Improvement / Development Contribute to and implement policiesand procedures for specialist area. Acts on clinical incidents pertinent toarea to reduce clinical risk. Actively participates in clinicalgovernance activities and works to maintain a high quality service. Responsible for recognising the needsof the Tissue Viability Service, identifying risk and making rapid autonomousdecisions, escalating to Head of Tissue Viability and or caseload holder. To work closely withthe Referral Hub and Administrators to ensure referrals are triaged andappointments allocated appropriately. To have a positive attitude to change and have a flexible approach to work Quality Supportachievement and maintenance of the necessary conditions to achieve highstandards of professionalism and productive working. Continuallymaintain standards of care and assist the improvement of care. Contributesto data collection for National Wound Care Strategy. Health,safety and security Facilitatea clean work environment forpatient care and best practice in infection control. Ensuring receive all mandatory training and maintain own records. To support senior staff ensure that CSH Surreypolicies, procedure and guidance are adhered to. Ensure that an incident report is completed forall untoward incidents Toensure confidentiality at all times, only releasing confidential informationobtained during the course of employment to those acting in an officialcapacity. To comply with the requirements of the Data Protection Act. Tocomply with CSH Surreys policies on equal opportunities, the consumption ofalcohol and non-smoking. InformationTechnology IT skillsincluding the use of email, databases, and word applications. Able to input and retrieve patient information on computer-based systems. To be competent at using the electronic patientrecord and ensure patient records are contemporaneous, accurate and timely To participate in data collection and audit whenrequired. To manage own email and electronic communicationin order to carry out the role. EnhancedIT and analytical skills and maintenance of databases as appropriate Responsibilitiesfor human resources . Supervising and appraising teammembers through annual appraisals, mid-year reviews and peer reviews withinteam Responsible for completingall own mandatory training and for ensuring this is completed for all teammembers. Participatesin own annual appraisal and undertakes continuing professional development,clinical supervision and peer review for self to maintain and develop knowledgeand skills. Responsibility for Audit / Research & Development Knowledge and understanding of research, audit and evidence-basedpractice, with the ability to participate in in audits and research and developprograms or activities within the framework of clinical governance at locallevel in order to advance and contribute to existing knowledge. Participates in clinical audit / CQUIN and the implementation of changesto ways of working / clinical practice as a result of findings, recommendationsand action plans Actively participatesin and contributes to meetings and working groups that inform the organisationand the nursing service / profession Actively involved in the development and implementation of servicedevelopments and initiatives and acts as a role model for the 6 Cs of nursing. Acts as a link nurse for defined area , tissue viability, VascularTeam, Podiatry. Other Responsibilities Demonstrates excellent personalcommunication and team working skills. Complies with the requirement topractice within data protection and confidentiality guidelines. Attends departmental and organisation-widestaff meetings as appropriate. Is aware of the limitations of the complexwound clinic remit and can refer problems or anomalies as appropriate Any other duties, which may berequested by the manager, to facilitate the smooth running of the service.

Essential

• Planning / Organisational Skills
• Ability to work across a seven day week
• Ability to delegate nursing care and to prioritise visits in accordance with patient need and to organise workload without direct supervision
• Physical Skills
• Ability to travel effectively and efficiently within the locality and at times, across Surrey
• Dexterity to enable clinical skills to be performed removal of sutures
Communication Essential
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Good presentation skills teaching, cascading information
• Facilitating teams through daily handover and clinical supervision groups
• Excellent role model
Experience Essential
• Minimum 2 years post qualification
• Must have recent clinical experience at band 6 / 7 in specialty.
• Experience of successful change management.
• Experience of local / strategic influencing
• Broad range of clinical skills relevant to Vascular Nursing, wound management and tissue viability.
• Ability to Undertake full assessments of patients, including those with multiple pathology and complex health and social needs
• Experience of staff management and appraisal
• Evidence of professional development
• Demonstrable evidence of service improvement / implementing local change
• Good knowledge of health and safety / risk management
• Clinical audit and why this is important
• Understanding of health care policy and how this impacts on Community Nursing
• Computer literate and able to use Word, emails etc, Current 1st level registration (Registered Nurse) at degree level or able to demonstrate equivalent experience.
• Evidence of formal training, post registration experience and / or qualification within Vascular / leg ulcer / wound care
• PG certificate in teaching
• Participating or working towards masters level study in relevant area
• Advanced assessment skills
• Independent nurse prescribing
Desirable
• Educated to masters level
• Physical Assessment Module
  
  CSH Surrey are part of the NHS and are Surreys largest and longest established NHS community services provider, so our 1500+ employees get NHS pay and pensions, and also receive the Fringe High-Cost Allowance of 5%.