Community Tuberculosis

Job summary

The TB Service is a county wide nurse led service covering Bedfordshire, co-located with the respiratory team at Bedford Hospital. The majority of their patients are reviewed in clinic at Bedford Hospital, Cauldwell Medical Centre with occasional extra clinics being run if needed both on and off site. They also provide home visits to support patients with taking their anti-tb medication as per enhanced case management assessment and provide a comprehensive tailor made DOT (direct observation therapy) programme for those hard to reach.

The service works as an integrated team with health and social care across medical specialities, disciplines, sectors and administrative boundaries to provide specialist support and advice to patients, families and carers. The service is proactive in case finding; we undertake and support with diagnostic and contact screening.

The team is responsible for assessing, planning, implementing and management of each individual case, evaluating and treatment for patients with suspected Latent and Active TB; this extends to patients with atypical mycobacterium infections.

The service raises awareness and provides specialist TB sessions to other health and non-health care services ( local, authorities, charitable and business partners) and engage in local national and international TB networks.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will lead in the delivery of high quality Tuberculosis (TB) nursing services throughout the Trust to minimise and reduce the impact of TB ensuring a seamless, co-ordinated and timely approach to care.

To provide professional leadership and management to nursing staff. Liaise with Public Health England with regard the epidemiology of TB and the management of specific cases. To act as a role model in promoting equality of opportunity among staff. To ensure local TB policies/protocols and guidelines are developed and reviewed to reflect best practice. To lead the review and re-design of patient pathways and services to ensure that these meet the changing needs of patients while optimising resources. The nurse has responsibility for the diagnosis and treatment of individuals with TB throughout the trust and the community; and the development, implementation and evaluation of treatment, educational and health promotion programs to control the spread of TB.

The post holder will be working alongside other clinical colleagues to provide expert individualised care, treatment and support for this patient group and their families/carers independently in collaboration with the multidisciplinary team in line with local and national targets. They will play a key role within this team in orderThey will organise the education of nurses, medical staff, allied health professionals (AHP's), patients and carers and participate in TB teaching development where appropriate.

About us

Our mission is to make a positive difference to people's lives by improving the quality of life for all we serve. Our values are: We Care, We Respect, We are Inclusive - so we are looking for people who live and breathe these qualities when supporting service users and carers, and in their relationships with colleagues in the Trust and our partner organisations.

Job description

Job responsibilities

We are exceptionally proud of our service and are seeking a motivated and driven individual to join the team as a band 7 Community Tuberculosis Specialist Nurse.

To work as an advanced practitioner and effectively lead and deliver an expertnursing service within the TB specialist area, working to prevent and controlthe spread of infection within the local community. To be able to work both autonomously and within a team, making decisionswithin local and national guidance and written protocols and be competent inorganising service workloads to meet the priorities of the service and patients. The post holder is a key member of the TB team whose overarching goal isdeliver quality clinical and nursing care and TB prevention and control. Thisincludes undertaking any activity deemed to be within the expectations of therole.

Person Specification

Education/Qualification/Training

Essential

Relevant professional qualification and current registration Independent Nurse prescriber or willing to undertake training Degree relevant to clinical field or working towards Clear evidence of ongoing clinical and professional development. Teaching/ mentoring qualification Evidence of further training or significant experience in TB or Infection Control or Public Health

Experience

Essential

Extensive up to date knowledge and experience of TB management eg. Mantoux tests Post Registration Experience at Band 6 or above Ability to demonstrate leadership knowledge and skills Experience in managing conflict and difficult situations Knowledge of theoretical frameworks underpinning clinical TB practice

Desirable

Experience in developing guidelines, audit, evaluation and report writing.

Knowledge and Skills

Essential

In depth knowledge and understanding of the current evidence based practice in the management of Tuberculosis Knowledge of the principles of Safeguarding of Vulnerable Adults and Children Demonstrate excellent communication skills using a variety techniques and strategies, email, documentation/ record keeping, active listening, verbal. Excellent analytical, reflective and problem solving skills. Able to prioritise and manage own time to meet the needs of the service Able to work to deadlines and under pressure

Other

Essential

Has a UK driving licence and access to a vehicle

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