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Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Named responsibility and professional accountability for the management of a defined caseload including the delegation of tasks to other members of the team

The post holder will have continuing responsibility for visible leadership which ensures an equitable evidence-based service, which is underpinned by the pillars of clinical governance.

Prescribe within their individual scope of practice in line with V300 qualification and ensure that nurse prescribing is undertaken in a safe, cost effective manner.

Develop a caseload profile, identifying those groups with specific health needs and implement and evaluate programmes of care to target groups taking a case management approach.

Act in accordance with current local Warwickshire Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults and Trust guidelines/policy to protect vulnerable adults.

Act within the NMC Code of Professional Conduct.

Contribute towards ensuring the trust objectives are implemented and to support the Professional Lead in influencing change.

Provide appropriate nursing care to patients on the defined caseloads.

 Provide specialist advice appropriate to health and social care to patients, carers, relatives and other agencies.

Participate in the development, training and mentorship of pre-registration students/medical students and staff as required including induction and preceptorship programmes.

To provide assistance with the resolution of complaints within the clinical speciality, or sphere of responsibility.

To attend meetings and deputise for the Senior District Nurse and/or Professional Lead as required and ensure that information is disseminated within the nursing team.

Assist with the delivery of a comprehensive induction programme for new staff members. 

 Demonstrate excellent communication and negotiation skills in situations which may be complex, highly sensitive and emotive. All communication will be underpinned by the principles of data protection, dignity and confidentiality. 

Adopt and promote the highest level of verbal, non-verbal, written and electronic communication skills. Be open and honest, act with integrity and uphold the reputation of the profession as directed by the Nursing Midwifery Council (NMC, 2015).

Take responsibility for initiating and/or engaging in open discussion with statutory and voluntary agencies and all members of the wider multi-disciplinary team as appropriate

Ensure effective communication to support continuity of care on transfer between hospital, community, residential and nursing care settings and vice versa. 

 Critically evaluate team leadership, operational and project management in the context of observing national and local policy

Promotes and maintains accurate record keeping and conforms to NMC policy and data protection legislation.

Uses resources effectively and being aware of budgetary constraints including ordering of equipment.

Will participate in research and development projects within the clinical field, embracing opportunities to develop knowledge by undertaking further study whilst sharing initiatives with others.

·        Responsible for communicating and receiving sensitive, complex, and sometimes contentious information, dealing effectively with staff, relatives, and carers whilst ensuring confidentiality. Will use developed persuasive, motivational, negotiating skills, where agreement and cooperation is required. There may be barriers to understanding.

Supporting the Senior District Nurse, Professional Lead and Quality Matron in the development of audit systems within SWFT to ensure continuing evaluation of clinical practice by facilitating clinical audit programmes and research in line with clinical governance priorities 

 Supervise and direct work undertaken by other members of the skill mix team on a daily basis.

Direct responsibility for the day to day supervision and performance of the district nursing team.

To input statistical information by electronically recording daily activity on EMIS, ensuring each contact/activity is recorded in real time.

Responsible for ensuring that staff are supported in accessing Clinical Supervision

Demonstrate and contribute to a positive team culture which promotes an effective learning environment, facilitation of shared leadership, preceptorship, mentorship, clinical supervision, openness and candour, and provision of an educational environment.      

 Critically assess, plan, and evaluate evidenced based care interventions to meet contemporary need and improve health to prevent disease in individuals and populations

Take responsibility for the complex and holistic assessment or delegation of planning, implementation and evaluation of care on an individual basis, utilising recognised models and tools, e.g. end of life care and long term conditions.

Diagnostic assessment, routinely utilising patient head to toe examinations in order to diagnose, implement treatment plan, including prescribing, and/or escalating when clinically required and appropriate.

·        As a District Nurse there will be a need for a varied clinical skill set, including, but not limited to:

·        End of Life Care - Syringe Drivers and symptom control

·        Intravenous Therapy

·        Management of Plural Drains

·        Wound Care – Including complex e.g. Vacuum assisted therapy

·        Leg Ulcers – Including compressions therapy

·        Continence Management – Catheters, Bowel Management 

·        Patient education and training of self-management techniques

·        Multi Comorbidities and prevention of deterioration management – e.g. Heart Failure, Diabetes, Respiratory, Frailty, Dementia

·        Social prescribing

Named responsibility for the management of a defined caseload and population.

Focuses on the needs of the defined patient groups population, and continues to hold up to date knowledge of public health

Acts as patient’s advocate where appropriate.

 Be proactive in offering health promotion and participate in health promotion activities for a defined caseload.

Utilise health needs assessment for the local population.

The District Nurse will recognise triggers of deterioration/increased need of patients and initiate the Continuing Healthcare/NHS Funded Nursing Care assessment process

  To work with the Senior District Nurse / Professional Lead to ensure performance indicators are achieved, avoiding patient harms and supporting preferred place of care.

 Ensuring excellent working relationships and communication links with all stakeholders including acute hospital staff, Local Authorities, Social Care teams and voluntary services as appropriate for patient care.

  To take a lead on quality initiatives, including but not limited to Community care Indicators, Hand Hygiene, Saving Lives and iWGC.

Understanding of District Nursing national frameworks,  policy and guidance with the ability to interpret and implement at service level

Participate in and contribute to service redesign and policy development to benefit patient care with support of seniors.

Source patients’/relatives’/carers’ views and feedback on their experience of SWFT OOHCC services in order to influence and inform future service provision.

To contribute to the implementation and audit of policies, guidelines and procedures ensuring practice is evidence-based and patient centred.

Will undertake Personal Development Reviews (PDR) and relevant development plans for members of the team. Assist in the identification of individual training requirements in line with NMC Revalidation and Pay Progression requirements.

Responsibility for Human Resources

To identify workforce planning issues and actively participate in the recruitment, selection and retention of clinical staff.

Ensuring that team members are supported with returning to work following a period of sick leave and ensuring that the sickness management policy is followed at all times, seeking senior support when required

Ensure team members are up to date with mandatory and statutory training

Responsible for Performance Development Reviews for staff within the team.

Contributing to the promotion of team morale and management of conflict within the team by adopting an open and honest approach in order to seek resolve

Supporting and promoting team and self wellbeing

Professional Responsibilities and Freedom to Act

Interpret national guidance on NMC guidelines

Promote and participate in clinical supervision

Maintain clinical and professional proficiencies, capabilities, behaviours and values in accordance with relevant statutory legislation and guidance relevant to health professionals and their services

Responsibility for Research & Development

Demonstrate a critical approach to identifying, applying, and disseminating research findings relating to community specialist practice.

Ensure standards, protocols and policies are evidence based and applied to practice

Keep abreast of current clinical issues thus always promoting best practice

Critique and use research to inform practice

Complete regular clinical audits and support the Senior District Nurse / Professional Lead with evaluation and improvement.