Dermatology Surgical Nurse Practitioner

Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen within the Dermatology Nursing team based at Brighton General Hospital for a Surgical Nurse Practitioner.

The post holder will be responsible for the management of a defined caseload of patients within the dermatology service. Working in this consultant led service under the direction of the lead dermatology surgeon and the Lead Nurse, the post holder will deliver minor surgery, patient assessment, cryotherapy, steroid injection for keloid scarring and alopecia.

The post holder will be supported in all facets of the key competencies but prior experience of working as a Surgical Nurse Practitioner and completion of an accredited Dermatology course is preferable.

Consideration may be given for the right candidate to start this role at band 5 and work through a set of agreed competencies under the mentoring of a Senior Nurse Specialist and Lead Nurse to achieve promotion to a band 6 over a 12 month period.

Main duties of the job

To undertake nurse led minor surgery lists and develop specialised programmes of care for dermatology patients with complex physical and/or psychosocial problems. To provide effective care in a safe environment for individual patients, their relatives and carers in accordance with the outpatient philosophy and UHSussex protocols. Continual focus will be on developing the service to meet the changing needs of the service and client. Together with the nurse manager to lead the surgical nursing service for the department. Provide the highest standards of patient care whilst contributing towards the smooth and efficient running of allocated clinics. To be responsible for the assessment of care needs and the development, implementation and evaluation of programmes of care within the outpatient setting. To contribute in the supervision, education and development of junior nursing staff. To deputise for department manager in their absence. To assist the nurse manager in the running of the department and delivering of targets.

About us

At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First, as shown in our Outstanding for Caring CQC rating. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer abuddy to help new members settle in. We're proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.

We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We're here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our Wellbeing Programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.

As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.

We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Key Working Relationships

Internal : Lead Nurse, Nurse Manager, Nurse Specialists, Trained Nurses, Healthcare Assistants, Lead Consultant for Dermatology, Dermatology Surgeons and Physicians, Physician Associates, Secretaries, Administrative team; Multi Disciplinary Team

External : Secondary and primary care teams; community nurses

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Management

To actively contribute to the outpatient department philosophy for patient care to promote and maintain all aspects of physical, social, cultural and psychological wellbeing.

To share leading the surgical nursing team.

To lead on training and developmental issues regarding surgical nursing and maintain records relating to these on behalf of the Dept Manager.

To initiate induction and training programmes for staff in conjunction with the Dept manager.

To be responsible for the smooth running of surgical and medical dermatology clinics.

To maintain a high standard of record keeping.

To participate in departmental meetings and to chair meetings as required.

To report all complaints, incidents and accidents to the outpatient sister/manager as soon as possible and document according to Trust policy.

To investigate complaints on behalf of the Dept Nurse Manager.

To monitor and maintain health and safety of self and others.

To be aware of security issues within the department and maintain security of self and others to the best of ability.

To liaise proactively with line manager and colleagues regarding any issues or areas of concern.

To take charge of the department in the absence of nurse manager.

To act within the guidelines of all Trust policies and procedures including PGDs, extended role.

To be able to provide a full explanation to patient about forthcoming surgical procedure and gain written and/or verbal consent.

To take personal responsibility for ensuring that personal objectives are agreed with line manager and that an annual appraisal takes place.

To actively contribute to practice development activities that are in place in the clinical area.

To actively contribute to the implementation of the infection control policy.

To take personal responsibility for identifying own training needs for mandatory and statutory training, to discuss these with line manager ensuring that appropriate dates are attended.

To actively support the documentation initiatives within the Trust, taking personal responsibility to document assessments and care given in line with Nurse Midwifery Council Standards.

To act with kindness and courtesy to all members of the public, at all times, conveying genuine concern and willingness to help.

To act as an ambassador for the organisation and nursing profession.

To deal with patient property in accordance with hospital procedures.

To provide effective care in a safe environment for individual patients, their relatives and carers in accordance with the outpatient philosophy and UHSussex protocols. Continual focus will be on developing the service to meet the changing needs of the service and client.

Communication

To liaise with members of the multi-disciplinary team both within the Trust and with external stakeholders to ensure effective delivery of patient care and transmission of information. (verbally, written or face to face).

To receive sensitive information concerning patients medical condition requiring persuasive, reassurance skills to ensure effective communication in an appropriate manner consistent with their level of understanding, culture and background, preferred ways of communicating and needs.

To communicate complex and sensitive information to patients/carers including explaining in detail about procedures, medications, tests & treatments and answer any patient queries regarding consultations.

To provide health education giving advice and support as necessary.

To provide patient information in clear and relevant language, with regard to patients own understanding.

To acts as an advocate for the patient/carers ensuring they have understood their consultation and choices enabling them to make an informed choice.

To inform patients and provide an explanation for any delays in their appointment times. Ensures departmental stock levels are maintained and informs senior nurse when reordering is required.

To ensure that equipment used in the department is checked and any faults reported.

To liaise with the appointment and health records staff to ensure that a high standard of service and patient satisfaction is maintained within the OPD.

To liaise with external care providers (written or verbally) to arrange home visits or any changes in treatment as required.

To provide health promotion in a way that empowers the patient.

To communicate to the nurse in charge on any relevant clinical information relating to patient care.

To ensure as far as reasonably possible that patients are seen on time and an explanation given for any delay.

To be competent at using required computer systems.

To be able to manage potentially stressful, upsetting and aggressive situations in an empathetic manner within the busy clinical environment.

To handle complaints and plaudits in a professional manner and report any incidents to the manager.

To contribute to an effective learning environment by sharing knowledge and skills with all learners and new members of the Dermatology team.

Teaches minor surgical skills to other learners within a competency based framework and under supervision/sign off of Consultant.

Clinical

In conjunction with the nurse manager to develop and lead the surgical nursing service for dermatology.

Work within approved local policies/and patient group directives (PGDs) administer medication as prescribed by the doctor (this may be orally or by injection) including steroids, and local anaesthetic.

Within approved local policies/and patient group directives (PGDs) undertake minor surgical procedures within a nurse led minor operation list: suture removal; shave excisions, punch excisions, curettage and cautery, snip excisions, elliptical excisions, steroid injections for keloid scarring and alopecia.

Obtain patient consent for minor surgical procedures adhering to UHSussex consent policy.

To practice within a PGD framework with clear exclusion criteria.

Arrange appropriate follow up after any procedure undertaken.

Demonstrates deeper knowledge of indications, cautions, contra indications of local anaesthesia, demonstrating awareness of potential side effects.

As required to undertake blood pressure measurements, urine testing, pregnancy testing of urine and height and weight including BMI, blood glucose testing, INR testing, venepuncture and document these in the patients medical notes and inform the medical team of any abnormalities.

To ensure all specimens and test requests are correctly labelled and sent to the appropriate department.

Prepare treatment room/theatre equipment and assists with minor surgery procedures.

To identify and select different wound dressings using evidence based practice of wound care when applying dressings.

To develop specialised programmes of care for dermatology patients with complex physical and/or psychosocial problems.

To ensure the safe transfer of care for patients requiring admission to the wards providing a clear handover of care and transfer of medical notes and test results.

To understand and adhere to the departmental policy on the administration of prescriptions/prescription pads.

As required assist patient with all aspects of personal care within the clinical area.

Ensure all clinical areas are kept clean and tidy prior to and at the end of clinics.

Leadership

Provide a role model for others to emulate, at all times exhibiting a high standard of professional dress and behaviour.

Able to work within a team but equally to have autonomy and able to work alone within identified clinics.

To actively contribute to the implementation of the infection control policy by demonstrating scrupulous personal hand hygiene and teaching others to do the same. Monitors adherence to Policy and audits compliance.

Will write PGDs and related competency documents for nurse lead surgical procedures.

To organise coordination of clinical activity to ensure a smooth running clinics/department.

To manage potentially stressful, upsetting and occasionally aggressive situations in an empathetic and calm manner within the busy clinical environment.

To contribute to the orientation of new / student nurses as well as new medical staff.

To act as an effective role model for newly appointed staff nurses, healthcare assistants and student nurses, leading by example and demonstrating specialised skills.

To safeguard the health, safety and welfare of staff, patients and their carers within the department.

To be aware of security issues within the department maintaining security of self and others.

To demonstrate problem solving and analytical skills when working within clinics.

Audit and Research

To participate in and contribute to research and audit within the outpatient department.

To act as a role model for evidence based practise.

To initiate change to reflect new evidence and treatments.

Person Specification

Essential

Essential

NMC level one registration. A minimum of three years post registration experience. Experience of dermatology nursing within an outpatient setting. Plastic surgery theatre nursing experience within a dermatology department. Wound assessment and dressings, including removal of sutures. Extended knowledge of skin anatomy and plastic surgery. Flexibility to assist/run other clinics on another site. Effective teaching and presentation skills. Excellent written and verbal skills. Able to foresee and respond to problems.

Desirable

Specialised dermatology qualification/experience. Nurse led minor surgery course. Theatre experience. Understanding of outpatient setting. Teaching qualification.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Essential

Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role). Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues

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