NursingNetUK

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Clinical - will be working towards being competent in…

• Use expert and specialised clinical and theoretical knowledge to safely and appropriately assess and diagnose patients, requesting further tests and investigations in a timely manne
• The nurse hysteroscopist will be allocated a caseload to undertake patient investigations, manage patient care and undertake all appropriate correspondence for patients in their care with primary and secondary care colleagues within their professional competence
• The post holder must be skilled and proficient in undertaking informed consent, including discussion of the risks, complications and alternatives to treatment ensuring this information is delivered in a manner which the patient can understand. Where a person lacks capacity to make an informed decision, or give consent, the post-holder must act in accordance with the requirement of the Mental Capacity Act and associated code of practice.
• Independently perform diagnostic / therapeutic hysteroscopy for patients who fit into the nurse hysteroscopist criteria.
• To apply advanced communication skills to establish a relationship and build a rapport with patients to lessen patient anxiety prior to the procedure showing empathy and providing reassurance.
• To flexibly manage responsibility for own clinical caseload and to seek support from clinical colleagues in the management of complex cases and where necessary to transfer care to a consultant colleague.
• Act based on own interpretation of clinical findings, referring the patient on to specialist medical/surgical teams as appropriate
• Use expert and specialised clinical and theoretical knowledge to safely and appropriately assess and diagnose patients, requesting further tests and investigations in a timely manner

• The post holder will apply highly specialist knowledge and experience to manage complex patients before, during and after their procedure and where necessary communicating with patients, relatives and relevant health care professionals to ensure care is continued in the appropriate setting
• The post holder will apply advanced skills to assess the patient’s level of understanding about their clinical condition and simplify complex medical information for patients, giving explanations of the possible diagnosis and treatment required to ensure that patient is fully informed and encouraged to engage with their own healthcare.
• The post holder will deliver highly sensitive or difficult information, regarding possible diagnosis, to the patient and will communicate findings to the appropriate multi-disciplinary team colleagues to ensure the patient is followed up and supported in the appropriate manner.
• Provide comprehensive reports, utilising appropriate reporting systems, to ensure findings are communicated to the referring Consultant colleague or medical practitioner
• Ensure the effective use of specialist hysteroscopy equipment to deliver comprehensive and compassionate patient care in line with practice and services.
• Can work independently and unsupervised in performing diagnostic and therapeutic hysteroscopy sessions.
• Exercise and demonstrate advanced levels of clinical judgement and clinical decision making.
• Undertake hysteroscopy procedures, identifying abnormalities and perform appropriate investigations for diagnostic purposes, being responsible for diagnosing benign and malignant gynaecological disease and interprets history, presenting symptoms, physical findings and diagnostic information to develop the appropriate diagnoses then discuss the findings of such examinations with patients planning appropriate patient management.
• Take responsibility and accountability for appropriate clinical management where necessary liaising with lead clinician.
• Deputise in the absence of consultants and medical colleagues by performing their lists thereby avoiding cancellation of clinics.
• Responsibility for a defined caseload of patients and provide high quality patient-focused service.

• Uses personal clinical expertise to support valid judgements.
• Offer appropriate written or verbal counselling to patients prior to initial hysteroscopic or gynaecological assessment facilitating patients to make informed decisions.
• Have a critical understanding of the indications and contra-indications of hysteroscopy.
• Have an understanding of the normal anatomy and physiology, normal variants and anatomical variations of the female genital tract.
• Independently decide and perform the appropriate therapeutic treatment and arrange further management for all abnormalities.
• Have competent motor skills required for high precision skills such as injecting local anaesthetic into cervix, removing pieces of tissue for diagnosis and be able to operate a hysteroscope and obtaining diagnostic endometrial biopsies.
• Deal effectively and professionally with patient/ service user issues working with PALS as appropriate and take a proactive approach to resolving issues and learning from complaints.
• Demonstrate appropriate expert practice and highly specialist advice in the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of patient care. Including history taking, physical examination and the requesting of relevant tests and investigations.
• Interpret and manage test results and write to GP and patient with appropriate management plans.
• Conduct own telephone follow up clinics, if required.
• To build an environment of trust and rapport, enabling patient empowerment in their healthcare and acting as an advocate for the patient in treatment decisions and choices.
• Develop and run nurse led clinics, co-ordinate the treatment in conjunction with medical staff and provide treatment which may include minor surgical procedures for patients.
• Promote high quality clinical care and assist in the development of the specialist service, through the use of evidence-based practice and clinical standards
• Develop policies, protocols and clinical guidelines in support of the specialist service.
• Establish, develop and maintain effective working relationship between clinicians, practitioners and managers within the speciality, across the trust and in the community
• To prescribe and administer drugs, including those specific to the patient as a non-medical prescriber (upon completion of the non-medical prescribing course) or under the recognised PGD’s.

• Work in conjunction with a clinical consultant to lead a patient focused service
• Lead on and participate in key developments relating to the speciality so that high quality patient focused services are promoted.
• Attend relevant training opportunities and conferences to enable networking, gathering information and ensuring up to date clinical practice.

 For a more detailed job description, main responsibilities, and person specification, please refer to the job description document attached to this vacancy.