Anticoagulation Practitioner

An opportunity has arisen to join the friendly and supportive Anticoagulation Service Team, based at the West Suffolk Hospital as an Anticoagulation Practitioner.

We provide testing, monitoring and support for 1700 patients in Bury St. Edmunds, and the surrounding area, who take Warfarin and other oral anticoagulants. Amongst other duties, our Anticoagulation Practitioners use computer decision support software to optimise patients’ Warfarin doses based on their blood test results. The team also advises patients about their Warfarin dose by telephone and as well as conducting near patient testing clinics for patients at both the West Suffolk Hospital and the Newmarket Community Hospital.

Computer literacy, excellent customer care and manual dexterity are required. Full training will be provided for the role.

The post holder will be required to assist with the provision of a safe and efficient service for patients requiring anticoagulation. This will include computer assisted dosing of patients on vitamin K antagonists (principally warfarin) and providing advice and guidance for patients taking direct oral anticoagulants such as apixaban and rivaroxaban. The post holder will work according to relevant guidelines, standard operating procedures and patient group directions, liaising with other members of the team to help provide a comprehensive anticoagulation service.

BeKnown at West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust. By us. By our patients. By our community

We are a busy, friendly, rural NHS Trust providing high-quality care and compassion to more than a quarter of a million people across west Suffolk. We care for, treat and support people in hospital, at home and in various community settings.

The West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds provides acute and secondary care services (emergency department, maternity and neonatal services, day surgery unit, eye treatment centre, Macmillan unit and children's ward). It has 500+ beds and is a partner teaching hospital of the University of Cambridge.

Adult and paediatric community services, provided in collaboration with West Suffolk Alliance partners, include a range of nursing, therapy, specialist, and ongoing temporary care and rehabilitation, some at our Newmarket Community Hospital.

We do our utmost to achieve outstanding clinical outcomes for patients and our values of fairness, inclusivity, respect, safety and team work guide how we work and behave as a team.

With nearly 5,000 staff, from all over the world, we strive to make our organisation a great place to work. Whatever your role or ambition, we want to help you be the best you can be.

We promote a diverse and inclusive community where everyones voice counts and you can #BeKnown for whoever you are.

Join us. What will you #BeKnown for?

Communication and Team Working

To work as part of the Anticoagulation Service team, liaising with nurses, doctors and laboratory staff as required.

To assist with patient enquiries regarding their anticoagulant therapy, including giving INR results and dosage recommendations and other advice within established competencies and agreed guidelines.

To follow relevant national and Trust guidelines and Trust SOPs and PGDs

To communicate with patients and their carers with empathy, understanding and clarity.

To assist with telephone enquiries from nurses, doctors and other staff both within and outside the Trust.

To attend the Anticoagulation Service team meetings.

Planning and Organising

To assist in prioritising work dependent on the needs of the Service.

To participate in the Service audits as required.

Policy and Service Development

To participate in the decision-making process concerning proposed changes to the Service.

To suggest changes to the Service that would result in quality improvement.

To assist with the regular review of Service procedures and related documents.

Training

To participate in the training required to achieve the necessary competencies for the position.

To participate in the continued professional development activities required to maintain and develop necessary competencies.

To provide training for less experienced staff in accordance with national and Trust guidelines and Trust SOPs and PGDs.

Clinical and Professional

To facilitate the appropriate care and treatment of patients receiving oral anticoagulant therapy both in the community and as in-patients.

To assist with the support and monitoring of patients throughout the period of anticoagulant therapy.

To identify and follow-up patients who fail to attend for INR checks.

To ensure appropriate treatment for patients outside the therapeutic INR range within agreed guidelines and to inform the team of any clinical concerns when necessary.

To receive and process patient referrals to the Anticoagulation Service.

To use the INRstar computer decision support software to assist in anticoagulant dosing decisions.

To liaise with patients who self-test to monitor their antic