Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Key Job Responsibilities

·         Work closely with the Lead Endoscopy Nurse and Lead UGI & Colorectal Specialist Practitioner in the development of new services/initiatives.

·         Act as a role model, employ professional behaviour that encourages and coaches others to their current competencies, whilst seeking opportunities to enhance their roles.

·         Provide highly skilled endoscopy ensuring interventions are undertaken in line with best practice guidance.

·         Ensuring yours and others clinical practice is patient centred and evidence based in accordance with the NMC Code of Practice & other professional codes and standards.

·         Monitoring and maintaining high standards of documentation and record keeping in line with the NMC Standard for Record Keeping, having systems and processes in place for daily checking and challenging any inaccuracies or omissions.

·         At all times adhering to and ensuring adherence to Trust policies and procedures.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

   CLINICAL PRACTICE

•        To perform weekly effective gastrointestinal endoscopy within agreed protocols and guidelines.

•        Provide up to 5 lists a week including some backfilling lists during times of other endoscopists absence.

•        To have highly developed specialist knowledge underpinned through theory and experience.  Professional knowledge at degree level and supplemented by specialist training at Masters Level.

•        Develop pathways and protocols to operate at departmental level, Trust level and beyond, to inform diagnosis and treatment, utilising evidence based practice throughout the process and the delivery of care

•        To deliver nursing care in accordance with NMC code of conduct, and hospital policy, in collaboration with medical staff and other members of the multi-disciplinary team.

•        Obtain informed consent from patients undergoing gastrointestinal endoscopy.

•        Identify clinical abnormalities and act upon them within agreed protocols.

•        Ensure all patients have a plan of care which has been discussed with them. The plan must include a comprehensive assessment of clinical risks.

•        Ensure effective multi-disciplinary team-working to achieve effective care and treatment and efficient resource use.

•        To ensure that treatment and care is documented, including variances.

•        To work with the Endoscopy Administration Co-ordinator to ensure that access to diagnostic tests and treatment is co-ordinated.

•        Provide clinical and managerial leadership that promotes an effective multi – disciplinary contribution to the provision of service delivery.

•        Deal with highly complex clinical situations; recognise and instigate treatment in patients experiencing an adverse event or reaction.

QUALITY AND DEVELOPMENT

•        Initiate, lead and contribute to developing strategies to promote and improve endoscopy services working with the endoscopy management team

•        Evaluate service delivery, identifying areas within the service needing improvement and initiate change.

•        Be an active member of the endoscopy user group and have responsibility for designated audits.

•        Envisage future service/ patient needs and take a lead in developing practice/ services as appropriate

•        Monitor and review the standards of care delivered by the Nurse Endoscopists.

•        Maintain accurate records both on paper and electronically of procedures performed and input provided within the NMC, Trust and professional medico-legal requirements

•        Ensure that feedback mechanisms are used to improve the quality of care and service delivery. This includes responding to, reporting, and investigating concerns, enquiries and complaints from patients, and adverse events.

•        Identify and intervene proactively where circumstances contribute to an unsafe environment for patients and staff; escalate such instances to assist the department lead and Head of Service with investigating and responding to formal complaints, maximise opportunities for learning and ensure action is taken to address weaknesses identified as a result of complaints.

•        Assist in investigating untoward incidents and support the trust to provide an ‘open and fair’ culture which encourages the reporting of errors and untoward incidents and in which all staff can learn from their mistakes

•        Attend any relevant Trust based meetings, ensuring feedback to the team and representing the views of the Endoscopy team and/or patients as appropriate.

WORKFORCE AND EDUCATION

•        Identify own learning needs, plan, implement and evaluate programmes of education to meet identified needs.

•        Address specific health targets e.g. cancer waits related to own area of practice through education.

•        Ensure own compliance with regards to mandatory training requirements.

•        Ensure minimal numbers for JAG accreditation are performed, ensure JAG and GRS key performance indicators are In line with recommended minimal standards.

•        Provide support and education to associated staff and other agencies as a clinical expert, in particular relation to endoscopy services, including adherence to policies and guidelines.

•         Have involvement and responsibility for the endoscopy department input into the national endoscopy nursing training (GIN) electronic portfolio.

•        Provide a leadership role model, developing and demonstrating expert knowledge and high standards of clinical practice.

•        Maintain own professional development through annual/bi-annual appraisal of clinical performance and the production of a professional development plan.

COMMUNICATION

•        Ensure all communication, which may be complex, contentious or sensitive, is undertaken in a responsive and inclusive manner, focusing on improvement and ways to move forward. 

•        Ensure all communication is presented appropriately to the different recipients, according to levels of understanding, type of communication being imparted and possible barriers such as language, culture, understanding or physical or mental health conditions.

These duties are not exhaustive and will be reviewed with the post holder, allowing for amendments within the broad scope and band level of the role.

All duties must be carried out under supervision or within Trust policy and procedure. You must never undertake any duties that are outside your area of skill or knowledge level.  If you are unsure you must seek clarification from a more senior member of staff.

Appointment to this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act and the post holder is required to undertake a Disclosure & Barring Service Check (DBS).