IV Access Specialist Nurse

Job summary

Full time hours per week. Permanent post.

Bolton NHS Foundation Trust (BFT)are looking for a clinical nurse specialist who is a reliable,enthusiastic and motivated professional wishing to continue to develop their skills in the insertion, care and management of Intravenous Vascular Access Devices (VADs) as well as the specialist support of staff and trust education within the BFT hospitals and community settings.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will act as a subject matter expert in relation to vascular access devices. They will insert devices such as peripherally inserted central catheters and midlines, they will offer guidance & support to facilitate care which incorporates high quality clinical practice, without supervision but accountable to and under the guidance of the service managerin collaboration with the multi-disciplinary teams within our Trust and in line with local and national guidelines.

The post holder will support the continuous development, scoping and designing of vascular access services that will work across the primary and secondary care interfaces for Bolton registered patients. The role requires autonomous practice - assessing suitability of referrals, inserting devices, reviewing patients, audit of the service and developing training and education packages for nurses both in the hospitals as well as within community teams. Service development is an important component of this job to ensure optimal benefits for Bolton services and our patients are realised. This would necessitate working closely with infection specialists, hospital consultants, discharge planners as well as community nursing teams. You will also work with providers to ensure an efficient and cost-effective service that is responsive and up to date with current practices.

About us

Bolton NHS Foundation Trust is an integrated provider of acute, intermediate and community health care serving the population of Bolton. The CQC has rated us as Good with Outstanding leadership. We have good clinical performance and sound operations that are rooted in patient safety and a highly engaged workforce whose dedication to patient care creates a warm and welcoming working environment.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Clinical Practice

Work as an autonomous clinician in a defined area to help develop and provide expert clinical advice, support and care to a defined group of patients Be a clinical expert in IV therapy and in the insertion and accessing of all vascular access devices Provide support and problem-solving advice regarding issues with vascular access devices in order to maintain the function of the devices and reduce the potential readmission of patients to hospital When required, deliver IV therapy treatments to patients in their own homes, intermediate care and nursing home settings Demonstrate clinical expertise in vascular access within acute care settings, acting as a visible cross boundary practitioner, across the acute and community footprint Use advanced clinical skills appropriate to role; ensuring clinical competencies are maintained Assess patients history of illness, presenting symptoms and physical findings when planning insertion of an appropriate vascular access device Empower patients and their families through appropriate support and educationencouraging self-care to reduce avoidable hospital admissions and attendances Facilitate the integration of patient goals for health and social care into care plans and plan for future health needs Establish partnerships and networks with acute hospitals to promote the service Maintain accurate patient records related to all clinical care undertaken Work with the service manager in achieving key performance indicators to ensure cost viability of the service Be involved in the development of clinical protocols, procedures and guidelines (including PGDs) within area to ensure safe and a high quality of care delivery at all times Regularly evaluate practice and be involved in peer review to ensure continuous improvement Act as an advocate for the patient negotiating and consulting with other clinicians and associated staff to ensure high quality care Work across professional boundaries providing expert clinical knowledge whilst developing new skills

Leadership

Provide expert clinical knowledge within own scope of practice to colleagues and other professionals Contribute to professional and policy making activities that impact on the development of clinical practice Work with acute hospitals to develop a cross boundary and integrated line insertion service, which is available to all patients residing in Bolton localities Professionally challenge historical norms and influence positive change around vascular access and antimicrobial stewardship Develop clinical credibility at an advanced level to enable clinical debate with other professionals in the same field to promote effective change Report into the BFT governance group Train, supervise and lead by example those clinicians undertaking vascular access training Work with procurement to improve cost efficiency and standardise product use Assess clinical practice to identify and implement change to continuously improve the standards of clinical care Ensure the effective and efficient use of human, physical, and financial resources Develop strategies in vascular access trouble shooting to increase the teams ability to avoid admission in more complex and acute patients Contribute to strategies of deflection of appropriate patients away from A&E and acute services

Education

Under supervision of the BFT vascular access lead, develop education packages relevant to this clinical area Identify own learning needs and subsequently plan, implement and evaluate strategies to meet identified needs Ensure own compliance with mandatory training programmes and own ongoing professional development Engage in clinical supervision and self-reflection to develop own clinical standards and work practices With your specialist knowledge of vascular access, design, implement and manage competencies for clinicians participating in vascular access insertion/management within the Bolton Community and Acute IV teams Assist in the monitoring, management and reporting of competence of any staff undertaking practice related to vascular, and/or patients engaging in self-administration in developing the training programme/competency schedule for generic staff to support the delivery of IV therapy in settings in or closer to home Participate in pre and post registration training for staff from multi professional backgrounds

Research/ Audit

With the help of the BFT vascular access lead, develop and use audit and research skills to examine current practice ensuring it is based on current best evidence. Ensure this is applied to development of the project Act as a critical thinker and able to challenge all areas of work Undertake clinical audit/reporting in line with pilot objectives Initiate research projects to improve evidence for best practice as appropriate Evaluate clinical practise through audit of service, developing and managing strategies to address any shortfalls Demonstrate knowledge of current research and advise others on the implementation of relevant research finding Assist in the development of research proposals with the multidisciplinary team specific to vascular access Implement research findings appropriate to practice Present at national forums/conferences in this area Evaluate all aspects of clinical care, identifying areas for improvement, participate in bringing about change.

Human Resources

Participate in day to day operational management of the vascular access service Participate in the recruitment and selection of staff to expand the service as required Participate in the induction and orientation programmes for newly appointed staff including staff disciplines other than nursing.

Partnership working

Work across professional boundaries providing expert clinical knowledge whilst developing new skills Develop working relationships with acute and primary care clinicians to ensure vascular access insertion and management delivery is of an exceptional quality Be active in the development of clinical protocols and guidelines around the different types of vascular access to ensure high quality of care at all times Participate in professional and policy making activities that contribute to service modernisation and the development of services

Development

The developing and rapidly changing nature of the organisation demands considerable flexibility from the post holder and the duties and responsibilities specified in this job description are subject to change as acute services evolve. Any such changes will be made in consultation with the post holder. Be instrumental in further developing the continual plan to deliver a sustainable Bolton vascular access service Involvement of building a business case to develop the service and scope new activity Robust data capture and reporting to enable service growth

Performance Management

The post holder will adhere to clear plans and objectives with key performance metrics, agreeing improvement targets and ensuring delivery through leading or taking action when performance is off trajectory. Use the reporting tools as required, to monitor and report progress against key targets and work streams. Provide timely concise updates of action to ensure delivery. Person Specification

Education/qualifications

Essential

Registered Nurse with current NMC registration Teaching qualification or experience Up to date IV therapy training Diploma in Nursing or equivalent courses

Desirable

Advanced communications Advanced clinical assessment

Knowledge

Essential

Caseload management Excellent record keeping Demonstrate up to date knowledge of clinical practice and trends Understanding of clinical governance Understanding of health and safety issues

Desirable

Management of change Understanding of clinical research and the influence on current practice

Experience

Essential

Evidence of continued professional development Substantial post-registration experience

Desirable

Experience working within a dedicated vascular access role Experience in a Community setting Service development / leadership / management of change

Skills

Essential

Multidisciplinary working Patient assessment skills Excellent communication skills Organised and articulate Proficient in venepuncture, cannulation and peripheral line management - with evidence to support Problem solving skills Computer literate - standard keyboard user Ability to motivate self and others Pro-active with desire to challenge historical norms to bring about positive change Desire to train other staff to take on and develop new skills such as PICC and midline insertion

Desirable

Clinical experience of vascular access including insertion of PICC and midline catheters using ultrasound guidance and ECG technology Presentation Skills Audit experience Negotiation Skills Clinical supervision Evidence of management/leadership skills

Aptitude

Essential

Team player Diplomatic Assertive and confident with personal and professional maturity Recognises own limitations Motivated Ability to work to local & national agenda Works well independently

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