Advertised role location: WITHERS
Official document: Band 7 Scoliosis and Spinal Liaison Nurse 210926 PGJ (doc)
JOB DESCRIPTION

POST: Specialist Scoliosis & Spinal Liaison Nurse

LOCATION: Orthopaedic Service, Specialist Hospitals and Women’s Health, Belfast HSC Trust

BAND: 7

REPORTS TO: Assistant Service Manager, Orthopaedics

ACCOUNTABLE TO: Divisional Nurse

* Please note that specialist will only be included in the title of the post if the successful candidate has an NMC recorded Specialist practice qualification in Trauma and Orthopaedic Nursing related area of practice (i.e. Fractures, Trauma and Orthopaedics) at the time of appointment.

Job Summary / Main Purpose

In order to meet the overall mission of the organisation the post holder will:

Be a highly experienced resource providing clinical expertise in care, advice and support within the specialist area of scoliosis and spinal treatment/ surgery.
Lead and/or work within the multi-disciplinary team in order to ensure a seamless, coordinated approach to person-centred care, across the clinical pathway, and timely onward referral to other professionals and agencies as appropriate;
Lead and/or participate in the provision of expert advice in developing, implementing and monitoring policies, procedures and protocols which meet national, regional and local requirements.
Proactively advance the modernisation agenda of the Scoliosis & Spinal Treatment /Surgery for patients and the development of the nursing service to achieve person centred care.
The post-holder will work closely with other members of the scoliosis and spinal treatment/ surgery team to deliver evidence-based care to patients.
Will be to deliver specialist nursing care and treatments, education and counselling to patients/families/carers

MAIN DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES

The post-holder will assist in the co-ordination of the multi-disciplinary team involved in the provision of care to and management of patient undergoing Scoliosis & Spinal Treatment/Surgery.

CLINICAL PRACTICE

Lead in providing a person-centred holistic approach to assess both the physical, psychological and social needs of the patient/client, families and carers.
Act as an expert resource in the planning and communicating complex/ highly complex programmes of care to all disciplines and in partnership patients/clients, families and their carers, to support timely access to relevant care.
Lead and/or act as a key member of the multidisciplinary team across all aspects of care both internal and external to the organisation to provide collaborative care and to achieve an optimum level of service for patients/clients, families and carers.
Lead on the delivery and promotion of evidence-based practice in line with local and national guidelines
Will have a responsibility as a teacher for the staff involved in the Scoliosis & Spinal service, as well as ensuring their own continuing education in the many facets of the treatment programmes including developing a knowledge of the use, requirement and ordering of spinal instrumentation for individual surgery.
Will be responsible for the co-ordination of the multi-disciplinary team involved in treatment programmes and will liaise with staff cross site with particular regard to the organisation of inter hospital transfers, bed reservations ward and ICU.
Will have a major responsibility for ensuring the physical, psychological and social preparation of the patients and their families for treatment/surgery.
Will liaise with the ward staff regarding the implementation and planning or in-patient care and with Community Services and patients to co-ordinate early pre and post-operative out-patient care and emergency referrals into the system.
Will collate outpatient management of spinal wound problems.
Will have a key role in the development and maintenance of a database of patients referred to the Spinal service including outcomes.
Will order and collate set pre and post-operative investigations.
Will monitor the patients early port-operative nursing and medical progress look for early common complications in co-operation with the ward staff.
Participate in and co-ordinate clinics as required.

Clinical Leadership

Provide professional, clinical leadership in all issues related to Scoliosis & Spinal Treatment /Surgery and to patients, carers, nurses and other professionals throughout the Trust.
Deliver nurse led clinics, utilising expert nursing skills
Demonstrate clinical expertise in the specialty of Scoliosis & Spinal Treatment /Surgery
Promote multidisciplinary team liaison and collaborate care in order to achieve an optimum level of service to patients and carers.
Act as a role model demonstrating professional standards of leadership, supervision and clinical management.
Develop and facilitate the implementation of new procedures and techniques.
Benchmark with other hospitals to ensure Person Centred practice.
Network with local and national organisation pertaining to Scoliosis & Spinal Treatment /Surgery
Create and promote nurse led clinics in the provision of skilled specialist nursing care.
Promote excellence in clinical practice advising and supporting colleagues in best practice.
Assists in the management of waiting list times and improved access to the service.
Adhere to DHSS&PS and MNC Guidelines for the safe handling, administration, storage and custody of medicines.
Develop, implement and review policies and protocols in relation to the care of Scoliosis & Spinal Treatment /Surgery patients.
Act at all times within the NMC Code of Professional Conduct

LEADERSHIP & MANAGEMENT

Appropriately delegate, supervise and support others within the scope of each individual’s role and in line with the NMC Code of Conduct (2018 ) and HPSS Code of Conduct (DoH 2016 ) retaining responsibility and accountability for outcomes and act as a role model and change agent.
Lead in the analysis of areas of need, working collaboratively to identify gaps in service provision, providing leadership in the co-design and development of new initiatives and management of services that takes account of the needs of patients/clients, their families and carers.
Contribute to the development of relevant clinical guidelines, agreed protocols and procedures for the service ensuring that they are embedded within the service and communicated to relevant personnel.
Build, sustain and maintain multidisciplinary relationships, through effective links with the key professional groups concerned with the provision of the service within HSC and regional, national and international fora.
Ensure confidentiality on all matters relating to clients and information obtained during the course of employment.
Work within the guidelines set out in the Trust’s policies and procedures.
Demonstrate effective decision making that is person centred and consistent with Trust policies.
Ensure effective internal and external communication channels are established and maintained to ensure dissemination of good practice.
Act as a change agent and innovator.
Participate in selection and interviewing of staff as required.
Meet regularly with the Assistant Services Manager reporting on developments of the service.
Participate in the development of the Scoliosis & Spinal Treatment /Surgery management plan ensuring objectives and targets are in keeping with the overall divisional strategic plan.

EDUCATION AND DEVELOPMENT

Lead in the development, delivery and evaluation of education and learning activities specific to the area of expertise, both internal and external to the organisation, as required.
Lead and/or support the development, delivery and evaluation of patient education, working in collaboration with the multidisciplinary team and colleagues as appropriate.
Work in collaboration with Education Providers as appropriate.

RESEARCH

Facilitate a research culture to support continuous improvement activities.
Facilitate the use of evidence-based practice, audit and peer review to enhance patient/client care and/or the service and disseminate relevant findings.
Lead and/or participate in research and clinical practice development projects, using appropriate research methodologies.
Lead and/or participate in analysing health and care technologies providing feedback to inform selection and use in own area of practice.
Facilitate the advancement of the body of knowledge through audit, service improvement, education, research and develop the practice of others.
Collates and records quantitative and qualitative data to demonstrate evidence of outcomes and quality and produces relevant reports.
The post-holder will work closely with other members of the Scoliosis & Spinal Treatment /Surgery team in primary and secondary care to deliver evidence based care to patients.
Support patients with identified significant Scoliosis & Spinal Treatment /Surgery conditions, providing nursing care, support and education of these patients and their careers.
Support and collaborate with key members of the primary and secondary care Health Visiting and Midwifery team in the provision of education, advice and support in relation to this specific group of patients.

Continually pursue their own personal/professional development to provide an expert knowledge base on which clinical excellence can be supported.

S/he will be responsible for the development and coordination of the Scoliosis Spinal Treatment /Surgery nurse service within the local health economy, where based. The post holder will establish and maintain links with a broad range of healthcare professionals, managers and support workers within both primary and secondary care.

Develop strategies for
The development of care pathways for Scoliosis & Spinal Treatment /Surgery children and adults with Scoliosis Spinal Treatment /Surgery and Scoliosis Spinal Treatment /Surgery steering groups.
To engage regionally and nationally in the development and implementation of multi-professional standards and clinical management guidelines for the care of patients regarding Scoliosis & Spinal Treatment /Surgery.
Effective communication with patients and their relatives as appropriate regarding their diagnosis, treatment, chronic disease management, risk management, lifestyle changes, crises management, in a form and manner that is consistent with their level of understanding, culture, background and preferred method of communication.
Provision of information leaflets and education materials to relatives/carers.
Establishing and maintaining communication links with other teams internally and with other external agencies.
Evaluate highly complex information and implementing effective communication skills to disseminate this to other members of the multidisciplinary team.
Communication between members of the multidisciplinary team, primary and secondary care ensuring an effective and holistic approach to patient care; the post holder will be required to use a variety of advanced verbal, written and computerised communication methods to develop internal and external networks to promote the Scoliosis & Spinal Treatment /Surgery service, the nursing profession, and the organisation.
Proficiently acts as both patient and staff advocate through the knowledge and application of ethical, legal and professional skills whilst providing support, empathy, and reassurance to all parties in the delivery of patient care.
Ensure adherence to DHSSPS and NMC guidelines for safe handling, administration, storage and custody of medicinal products.

Management
Ensure confidentiality on all matters relating to clients and information obtained during the course of employment.
Work within the guidelines set out in the Trust’s policies and procedures.
Facilitate monitoring, audit and research in the field of Scoliosis & Spinal Treatment /Surgery
Develop a programme of setting, monitoring and auditing standards.
Audit effectiveness of role and set realistic objectives and work towards achieving them within an agreed timescale.
Demonstrate effective decision making that is person centred and consistent with Trust policies.
Ensure effective internal and external communication channels are established and maintained to ensure dissemination of good practice.
Act as a change agent and innovator.
Participate in selection and interviewing of staff as required.
Meet regularly with the Assistant Service Manager and Specialist Services Group Manager reporting on developments of the service.
Participate in the development of the Scoliosis & Spinal Treatment /Surgery management plan ensuring objectives and targets are in keeping with the overall divisional strategic plan.

General Responsibilities

Employees of the Trust are required to promote and support the mission and vision of the service for which they are responsible and:
At all times provide a caring service and to treat those with whom they come into contact in a courteous and respectful manner.
The post holder will promote and support effective team working, fostering a culture of openness and transparency. The post holder will ensure that they take all concerns raised with them seriously and act in accordance with Belfast Trust’s Whistleblowing Policy and their professional code of conduct, where applicable.
Demonstrate their commitment by their regular attendance and the efficient completion of all tasks allocated to them.
Comply with the Trust’s Smoke Free Policy.
Carry out their duties and responsibilities in compliance with the Health and Safety Policies and Statutory Regulations.
Adhere to Equality and Good Relations duties throughout the course of their employment.
Ensure the ongoing confidence of the public in-service provision.
Maintain high standards of personal accountability.
Comply with the HPSS Code of Conduct.

Information Governance  

All employees of Belfast Health & Social Care Trust are legally responsible for all records held, created or used as part of their business within the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, including patient/client, corporate and administrative records whether paper based or electronic and also including e-mails.  All such records are public records and are accessible to the general public, with limited exceptions, under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, the Environment Regulations 2004, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

Employees are required to be conversant and to comply with the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust policies on Information Governance including for example the ICT Security Policy, Data Protection Policy and Records Management Policy and to seek advice if in doubt.

For further information on how we use your personal data within HR, please refer to the Privacy Notice available on the HUB or Your HR

Environmental Cleaning Strategy

The Trusts Environmental Cleaning Strategy recognizes the key principle that “Cleanliness matters is everyone’s responsibility, not just the cleaners” Whilst there are staff employed who are responsible for cleaning services, all Trust staff have a responsibility to ensure a clean, comfortable, safe environment for patients, clients, residents, visitors, staff and members of the general public.

Infection Prevention and Control

The Belfast Trust is committed to reducing Healthcare associated infections (HCAIs) and all staff have a part to play in making this happen. Staff must comply with all policies in relation to Infection Prevention and Control and with ongoing reduction strategies. Standard Infection Prevention and Control Precautions must be used at all times to ensure the safety of patients and staff.

This includes:-
Cleaning hands either with soap and water or a hand sanitiser at the appropriate times (WHO ‘5 moments’);
Using the correct ‘7 step’ hand hygiene technique;
Being ‘bare below the elbows’ when in a clinical environment;
Following Trust policies and the Regional Infection Control Manual (found on intranet);
Wearing the correct Personal Protective Equipment (PPE);
Ensuring correct handling and disposal of waste (including sharps)  and laundry;
Ensuring all medical devices (equipment) are decontaminated appropriately i.e. cleaned, disinfected and/or sterilised;
Ensuring compliance with High Impact Interventions.

Personal Public Involvement

Staff members are expected to involve patients, clients, carers and the wider community were relevant, in developing, planning and delivering our services in a meaningful and effective way, as part of the Trust’s ongoing commitment to Personal Public Involvement (PPI).

Please use the link below to access the PPI standards leaflet for further information.

http://www.publichealth.hscni.net/sites/default/files/PPI_leaflet.pdf

Clause: This job description is not meant to be definitive and may be amended to meet the changing needs of the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust.

PERSONNEL SPECIFICATION

JOB TITLE / BAND: * Specialist Scoliosis & Spinal Liaison Nurse

DEPT / DIRECTORATE: Orthopaedic Service- Trauma, Orthopaedic Rehabilitation Services

* Please note that specialist will only be included in the title of the post if the successful candidate has an NMC recorded specialist practice in Trauma and Orthopaedic practice (ie Fractures, Trauma and Orthopaedics) at the time of appointment.

Notes to applicants:
You must clearly demonstrate on your application form under each question, how you meet the required criteria as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. You should clearly demonstrate this for both the essential and desirable criteria.
Shortlisting will be carried out on the basis of the essential criteria set out below, using the information provided by you on your application form. Please note the Trust reserves the right to use any desirable criteria outlined below at shortlisting. You must clearly demonstrate on your application form how you meet the desirable criteria.
Proof of qualifications and/or professional registration will be required if an offer of employment is made – if you are unable to provide this, the offer may be withdrawn.

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA

The following are ESSENTIAL criteria which will initially be measured at shortlisting stage although may also be further explored during the interview/selection stage.
You should therefore make it clear on your application form whether or not you meet these criteria. Failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. The stage in the process when the criteria will be measured is stated below.

Factor
Criteria
Method of Assessment

Experience
Qualifications
Registration
Registered Nurse Part 1 Level 1 (Child) or Registered Nurse Part 1 Level 1 (Adult) on the live NMC Register
NMC recorded Specialist Practice Qualification in related area of practice (ie Fractures, Trauma and Orthopaedics)
or
If the individual doesn’t have the NMC recorded Specialist Practice Qualification (SPQ) s/he must be willing to undertake and successfully complete the SPQ, within a timescale as agreed by the Manager.
2 years post-registration experience as a Band 6
or
3 years post-registration experience within a Trauma or Orthopaedic environment.
Provide evidence of personal and professional development which impacts on clinical practice.

Shortlisting by Application Form

Other (e.g. Driving etc.)

Must have access to a car or form of transport that will enable the post holder to carry out duties.
‘Where disability prohibits driving, this criteria will be waived if the applicant is able to organize suitable alternative arrangements.’
Shortlisting by Application Form

Knowledge
Skills
Abilities
Provide evidence of an ability to deliver change within the clinical environment and work across boundaries.
Possess excellent clinical and organisational communication skills.
Experience in working in a multidisciplinary stream across organisational facilities.
Evidence of counselling and educating patients and their relations.
Demonstrates organisational and leadership skills.
Possess report writing skills
Must be computer literate.
Interview

DESIRABLE CRITERIA

Desirable criteria will ONLY be used where it is necessary to introduce additional job related criteria to ensure files are manageable. You should therefore make it clear on your application form how you meet these. Failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted.

Factor
Criteria
Method of Assessment

Experience
Qualifications
Registration

Training in advanced communication skills

Degree in Nursing or health related subject

Shortlisting by Application Form

NOTE:
Where educational/professional qualifications form part of the criteria you will be required, if shortlisted for interview, to produce original certificates and one photocopy of same issued by the appropriate authority. Only those certificates relevant to the shortlisting criteria should be produced. If educational certificates are not available an original letter and photocopy of same detailing examination results from your school or college will be accepted as an alternative.

If successful you will be required to produce documentary evidence that you are legally entitled to live and work in the United Kingdom. This documentation can be a P45, Payslip, National Insurance Card or a Birth Certificate confirming birth in the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland. Failure to produce evidence will result in a non-appointment.

Where a post involves working in regulated activity with vulnerable groups, post holders will be required to register with the Independent Safeguarding Authority.

HSC Values

Whilst employees will be expected to portray all the values, particular attention is drawn to the following values for this role