Anticoagulation Specialist

This is an exciting role for an enthusiastic and experienced Biomedical Scientist or nurse to play a key role within the multi-disciplinary Anticoagulation Monitoring Service. You will be part of a friendly, specialised team dedicated to improving patient safety and experience. We have a collaborative approach to providing a modern, patient-centred service.

Anticoagulation is a high risk medication, relevant to all areas of medicine. The role will focus on the IT aspect of the service and includes dosing of anticoagulation patients using dedicated software. You will also help manage the day to day running of clinics and deal directly with queries from patients, carers and a wide range of Health Care Professionals.

The service has recently transitioned to a point of care model so the successful applicant will also provide a dosing service and support within community settings, so travel between clinics within West Essex and East and North Herts is required, hence own transport required.

You will play a pivotal role in maintaining and improving Quality in the department as well as being innovative in how the service progresses. You will use your knowledge and QMS experience to deliver a high quality service for our patients and commissioners.

You will need to be an excellent communicator as you will need to talk to patients, provide information and reassurance and clearly explain their treatment to them. A positive and caring and attitude is essential.
- As HCPC registered Biomedical Scientist or NMC registered nurse, you will participate in delivery of anticoagulant service with focus, innovation and best evidence based practice, ensuring the safety of our patients.
- Responsible for dosing patients including appropriate dose adjustment. Training will be provided on the use of DAWN AC software
- Responsible for the IT aspects of the service, including IT based projects.
- Support the NEQAS Programme and use of equipment to perform INR tests. Requirement to establish a dedicated venous INR testing platform may be required.
- active role in teaching other team members.
- active role in assuring UKAS related standards.
- active role in VTE prevention
- Help run and coordinate the Community Anticoagulation Clinics, dosing from base and remotely in community clinics.
- Ensure staffing levels and rotas are in place to deliver clinics at all times.
- Provide expert specialist education and counselling to anticoagulant patients, co-ordinating seamless care between outpatient, inpatient and primary care.
- Provide education to patients on the wards and ensure processes are in place to support the timely discharge of anticoagulant patients.
- Ensure patients receive sufficient written education regarding anticoagulation and VTE prevention and are signposted to relevant online information at the start of their treatment.
- Ensure anticoagulation patients are reviewed appropriately
- Regularly perform audits relating to anticoagulation and VTE

The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust is committed to an open and fair culture and the overall approach expected within the organisation is one of help and support, all staff are expected to follow this approach.

The Princess Alexandra promise to our patients as identified by our values which will contribute to improving our patient experiences:
Patient at heart-Always holding the patient and their wellbeing at the centre of our thoughts andefforts

Everyday excellence -sharing and celebrating our successes, being honest when we get it wrong giving the ability to learn from both.

Creative collaboration -Knowing strength comes from diversity, we combine our experiences, skills and talents, working together to find new and better ways to care.

We believe in investing in all our staff and rewarding high standards of care whilst building for excellence and in return we expect our staff to uphold the Trust values to the highest level.

Main responsibilities;
**Technical**:

- To support the IT in the department, liaising with providers, developing and progressing the Anticoagulation Service
- To perform routine INR’s and point of care INR monitoring following standard operational procedures and validate according to departmental policy.
- To interpret and validate INR results, including validation of high INR results, according to the SOP.
- To set up and maintain equipment for INR testing
- To troubleshoot equipment for INR testing when necessary
- To train other staff in the use of equipment
- To liaise with supplier of POCT meters when equipment is faulty
- To ensure POCT meters are used correctly and within operational limits
- To maintain appropriate internal and external quality assurance, informing Senior Biomedical scientist of non-conformance issues.
- To use the laboratory information system, as appropriate to the post
- To liaise with IT regarding technical issues with hardware and software
- To receive and process goods as appropriate and monitor and maintain