To provide a holistic, autonomous nursing service by attending physical, physiological and social needs of patients within the rheumatology service and where necessary to implement an agreed management plan for optimum care and treatment of their complex problems or potential problems
Main duties of the job
To provide specialist advice, education and nursing care to patients, carers and their families
To advise members of the multidisciplinary team, community nurses and General Practitioners with regards to diagnostic blood tests, analysis of blood results and treatment regimes as required
To provide specialist own case load clinics and supply and oversee administration of medicines within agreed framework
About Us
The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust (PAHT) provides a full range of general acute, outpatient and diagnostic services at The Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow, the Herts and Essex Hospital in Bishop's Stortford, and St Margaret's Hospital in Epping.
We employ 3, 500 staff and serve a local population of around 350, 000 people living in west Essex and east Hertfordshire, centred on the M11 corridor and the towns of Harlow, Bishop's Stortford and Epping. Our extended catchment area incorporates a population of up to 500, 000 and includes the areas of Hoddesdon, Cheshunt and Broxbourne in Hertfordshire.
Job Description Job Responsibilities
To provide nurse led clinics for patients with chronic rheumatic disorders. To enable more Consultant time to facilitate rapid review of urgent referrals and to help meet waiting list targets
To safely monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of specialised treatments and act upon findings
To assist in the delivery of NICE approved therapies to patients with inflammatory arthritis
These therapies will be unfamiliar with non-specialist healthcare professionals
To promote evidence-based practice and develop professional skills through education and training
To provide advice and support to the Rheumatology patients between appointments via education sessions and a dedicated telephone helpline
To provide support and education to Primary care, especially with regards to transfer of activity (e.g. monitoring of disease modifying drugs) back into Primary care. This is more convenient for patients and GPs
To improve knowledge and awareness for complex rheumatological diseases amongst other health care professionals
To play a central role in the provision of multidisciplinary care to patients with chronic rheumatic diseases
To be competent in venepuncture and IV cannulation and the administration of cytotoxic drugs
To safely monitor patients on disease modifying drugs including immunosuppressive treatments within department guidelines and initiate appropriate action as required
To be responsible and confident to make decisions regarding patients treatment and management following assessment with regard to continuing, discontinuing or changing treatment
To be responsible for appropriate action and medical referral for patients with signs of toxicity
To be proficient in assessing and calculating disease monitoring tools specific to a patients individual diagnosis i.e. disease activity scores and spondylitis disease activity index
To liaise as required with companies regarding the ordering and delivery of patient medication
To initiate and maintain an up to date computerised spreadsheet of disease progress of rheumatology patients on biologic therapy
To promote infection control standards in all duties and ensure that self follows all Trust infection control standards and practices
To participate in Rheumatology Department audit and research including compulsory national audits for patients on anti-TNF therapies
Person Specification Experience Essential
- Ability to undertake infusions
- Evidence of ongoing professional development
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab) .
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab) .
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details Employer name
The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust
Address
Princess Alexandra NHS Trust
Harlow
CM201QX
Employer's website
https://www.pah.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)
