Advanced Clinical Practitioner in Glaucoma

Job summary

Following a review of our Glaucoma services the opportunity has arisen for the department to advertise and appoint for the Post of Advanced Clinical Practitioner (Nursing) in Glaucoma.

We are looking for a dynamic, motivated and experienced Ophthalmic Nurse either currently working at Band 7 level in Glaucoma services, or an Ophthalmic Nurse at band 6 who is registered onto and studying towards the completion of the Ophthalmic Practitioner Training Glaucoma pathway, Levels 1, 2 and 3 who will also undergo bespoke training and development to enable them to become a confident and competent Advanced Clinical Practitioner at Band 7.

This post is to work cross site in the West of the organisation, at Southlands Hospital in Shoreham and also at St Richards Hospital in Chichester supporting our Glaucoma services alongside a team of Ophthalmologists, Optometrists, other Nursing staff, and Ophthalmic Technicians.

There are staff buses to enable you to travel to each of the work sites from Worthing Hospital should the successful candidate not hold a current UK driving Licence.

For Further information and an informal visit please contact :-

Ruth Mason, Matron, Ophthalmology, Southlands and St Richards

Gerthy Albano, Head of Nursing, Ophthalmology, Urology, Pre-Assessment and Specialist

Main duties of the job

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust operates ophthalmology across three sites Sussex Eye Hospital, St Richards (Chichester) Southlands (Shoreham) this post is based in Chichester and Southlands.

The position of Advanced Nurse Practitioner is an exciting opportunity to develop clinical expertise as a member of a Multi - Disciplinary Team (MDT). You will develop new skills and competencies as you will be expected to work autonomously to provide clinical assessment, treatment and care of patients with different ophthalmic conditions.

Your role will include patient assessment and categorising guidelines in line with NICE guidelines and agreed local protocol for macular/medical retina /glaucoma conditions.

It is an exciting opportunity to join our team supporting the identification of the future needs of ophthalmology practitioner services and to take an active part in planning future developments that support excellent patient care and service delivery.

As an advance practitioner you will be expected to provide specialist training to other staff where appropriate.

You will be expected to set, monitor and evaluate standards of care in partnership with other members of the ophthalmic multidisciplinary team to ensure you promote the delivery of holistic, evidence based /clinically effective specialist care is provided.

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 a buddy 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

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Clinical Practice

Assesses, develops and implements specialist practitioner programmes of care.

Reviews patients and situations independently and makes independent management decisions.

Understands and recognises own limitations and refers to a more experienced staff member ( Head of Service, Optometrist, Orthoptist) or senior medical colleague when required.

Provides highly developed specialist advice to patients and their families/carers, staff of all disciplines and students.

Provides and receives highly sensitive, distressing, complex or contentious information to patients, their relatives and members of the public with empathy and reassurance. For example, discussing progressive sight loss, loss of driving licence.

Communicates with a range other staff of all disciplines, acting as a highly specialist resource including liaison with other health care providers within the Trust regarding diagnosis and treatment advice.

Develops skills to assess and interpret specialist information and conditions and takes appropriate action usually without the need to refer to other specialists.

Undertakes and/or teaches clinical procedures that require dexterity and accuracy including slit lamp examination and fundoscopy. Scope for minor operative procedures, intravitreal injections and laser treatments to be undertaken subject to appropriate training.

Undertakes non-medical prescribing within sphere of competence. Complying with the requirements of the non-medical prescribing policy and professional body guidance.

Work proactively to ensure that every patient attendance meets the patients expectations and needs with timely undertaking of procedure and effective communication with patients, relatives and carers.

Actively contribute to Clinical Governance proceedings and clinical audit.

Contribute to the development, implementation, monitoring and review of standards/protocols/guidelines and service improvements for the Ophthalmology Service informing and collaborating with other colleagues as appropriate.

Leadership and Improvement

Responsible for organising own workload and supervising the workload of less experienced specialist practitioners within the requirements of the specialist team activities and work plan.

Supports the development of specialist multidisciplinary protocols and policies for specialist area.

Produces and presents reports as required.

Provides representation on committees/working groups as required.

Awareness of budgetary limitations and provides highest quality practitioner service within those confines.

Ensures line manager is aware of any concerns regarding the quality of service provided and does so in a constructive manner.

Ensuring own professional development is maintained by keeping up to date with practice developments.

To be involved in making recommendations for changes to practice and procedures for the relevant clinical area, and the implementation of these changes.

Identify own development needs, aligning these to service requirements and personal aspirations. Proactively develop and improve own practice using all available resources.

Understand and contribute to the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of policies/ protocols/ guidelines relevant to the specialist area.

Openly question practice in a constructive way so that standards of patient care are continually evaluated and improved.

Patient Care Delivery

Demonstrate and promote a patient and family centred style of clinical practice.

To use clinical reasoning skills to assess patients and deliver specific treatment. This will include patients with complex presentations/multi-pathologies. Working as an autonomous Nurse Practitioner with access to guidance from competent clinicians when necessary.

To be responsible for the organisation of own caseload.

To communicate with the MDT as required to aid effective patient care, either working alone or as part of the multi-disciplinary team.

To communicate effectively with patients and carers to provide understanding of eye conditions and patient centred care. Patients may have communication, perceptual or cognitive/understanding difficulties as well as sight impairment.

To maintain clear, accurate and concise patient records in line with departmental and professional standards.

Maintain patient dignity and confidentiality at all times.

Respond to emergency situations with composure, maintaining patient safety and seeking immediate support, supporting the patient, family and other staff as required.

Education and Training / Research and Development /Professional Practice

Provides teaching in practice to other staff and students through clinical supervision/facilitation as appropriate.

Acts as a positive role model for other staff and students.

Teaches patients and their families/carers about managing own condition.

Ensures clinical practice developments are based on best available evidence.

Reviews and disseminates new information to relevant staff.

Coordinate the evaluation of clinical practice in relation to its evidence base and clinical effectiveness and proposes changes to practice accordingly.

Maintain standards and practice in accordance with the NMC Professional Code of Conduct, national guidelines and local Trust policies/guidelines.

Comply with Trust and Departmental policies and procedures Health and Safety at Work Act (1974), Manual Handling, Infection Control, clinical equipment competency, risk management, Adult and Children Safeguarding and Data Protection Acts.

Take responsibility for own personal and professional development and identify needs and objectives through annual IPR process.

To develop clinical reasoning and learn new skills through the active participation in training and development leading to consolidation of knowledge. This will involve facilitating own learning opportunities, reflecting on practice until competence is achieved.

Demonstrate specialist ophthalmic knowledge, practical skills and work procedures, underpinned by theoretical knowledge and relevant clinical practice.

To contribute to the provision and updating of patient information relevant to ophthalmology services.

Learning and Development

Attend mandatory training updates as required.

Undertake training as necessary in line with the development of the post and as agreed with the line manager as part of the personal development process.

Achieve and demonstrate agreed standards of personal and professional development within agreed timescales.

Identify own learning needs and jointly plan training requirements with your line manager

Participate in the Trusts appraisal process to discuss how your role will help deliver the best possible care to our patients and help to deliver any changes in service.

This job description is an outline of the role and responsibilities. From time to time due to the needs of the service, we may ask you to flexibly undertake other duties that are consistent with your role and banding, including project work, internal job rotation and absence cover.

The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the department and the organisation.

Person Specification

Professional Registration

Essential

Registered General Nurse with current registration with NMC. Ophthalmic qualification Evidence of teaching qualification or specific teaching experience

Experience

Essential

Extensive current experience of working in an ophthalmic clinical setting. Experience of working in an ophthalmic outpatient setting

Desirable

Experience of undertaking audit and research

Equlaity and Diversity

Essential

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

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