Detailed job description and main responsibilities

·         The lead nurse will provide evidenced based service through regular literature review, British transplant society & NICE guidelines and update Trust / Transplant departmental guidelines & protocols to ensure high quality of care.

·         Independently undertakes a complete clinical assessment (in accordance with RCN competencies for the advanced nurse practitioner, 2008) of Transplant patients seen in both routine and emergency situations and use his or her own judgement to establish an appropriate management plan through assessment, diagnosis. Undertake telephone triage.

·         He/she will manage a defined case load of patients with acute / chronic Transplant disease. To incorporate management of the waiting list and local and regional transplant assessment clinics.

·         Lead on delivery of nursing care to Transplant patients throughout the Trust, promoting best practice by ensuring leadership and an effective change management strategy, designed to enhance nursing care

·         Request appropriate laboratory and radiological investigation as required, interpreting the results and initiating appropriate treatment or management of patients.

·         Act as an expert resource providing advice and support to colleagues across Primary and Secondary Care.

·         Promote evidence-based practice in Transplantation and use this to inform and develop protocols for nurse-led and regional services in conjunction with regional units in Exeter and Cornwall.

·         Takes the nursing lead for the development of clinical expertise (advanced roles) in kidney disease enabling nurses to develop assessment and decision-making skills.

·         Line manages junior members of the team and undertakes appraisals.

·         Communicate with the patients, their families and carers to empower them to understand and make informed choices about their care and treatment and promotes health for the future.

·         Take responsibility for regular reviews of the roles within the Transplant Nursing service, developing a structure that meets the needs of the service and patients with kidney disease.

·         Lead a five-year strategy with a view to redesigning and improving the service whilst contributing to clinical governance strategies that relate to transplant services.

·         Contribute to the Directorates work on clinical governance.  They will take a lead on risk management and clinical and cost effectiveness issues as they relate to patients in the renal department.  They will also develop strong patient and public involvement methodologies to ensure services are developed and delivered with user involvement.

·         Manage the renal transplant budget.

·         Sit on the transplant trust committee which is accountable to the trust board.

·         Facilitate and complete agenda for monthly regional steering group.

·         Undertake regular risk assessment and review incidents reporting, trust risk register and manage any complaint relating to transplantation.

·         Maintain staff training, annual leave, and sickness absence records for all members of the Transplant Nursing service and also be responsible for recruitment, retention and disciplinary procedures.

·         Participate in the review and update of clinical policies and protocols in order to reflect the latest evidence.

·         Identify areas of clinical practice for audit and participate in the audit process, taking responsibility for the implementation of change leading to the standards of best practice.

·         Contribute to relevant local and national policy setting for Transplantation to include NHSBT and the Human Tissue Authority. Implement national strategies.

·         Provide inter-professional support and education for staff of all disciplines, studying at undergraduate and postgraduate level. Provide a rolling educational programme for medical students/junior doctors /medicine and surgery.

·         Facilitate and chair a SW senior nurses transplant network with yearly study day

·         Provide inter-professional support and education for staff of all disciplines, studying at undergraduate and postgraduate level

·         Maintain an up-to-date knowledge of current advances in transplantation and to disseminate this knowledge, using a range of media, to relevant health professionals, patients and the public.

·        Maintain an output of professional posters and publications with involvement at national and international conferences. Prepare for IPR and Professional Development Planning, incorporating clinical supervision and mandatory training.

·         Participate in a 1:6 on-call rota to cover donor referrals and kidney offers from NHSBT-UK Transplant, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, coordinate the process from initial referral to the admission of the patient. Liaison and referral to all relevant departments and members of the multi-disciplinary team to deliver a planned and seamless service.

·         To respect the confidential information, in line with Trust policy Data Protection Act, obtained in the course of work and not disclose this information.

·         To be familiar with and adhere to Trust and Departmental policies and procedures mindful of responsibilities to self, colleagues and patients.

• Report untoward incidents, complaints, and clinical emergencies to senior staff.

• Ensure the welfare and safety of children within their care. This includes staff who come into contact with children and families in the course of their work as well as those staff who have a specific role with children and families.
• Ensure they attend Child Protection training at the appropriate level within the specified time frame.
• Staff must comply with Safeguarding Policies and Procedures in order to promote safeguarding and prevent abuse to vulnerable people using Trust services.