Job Summary:
The Lead Specialist nurse role has been developed in response to changing healthcare provision, with the emphasis on developing expert clinical skills including advanced assessment and diagnostic skills. The ANP supports the junior medical team and increases the skills of the nursing workforce. The ANP role challenges the traditional workforce boundaries; the ANP will frequently undertake tasks and decisions, which have traditionally, be within the remit of medicine, therefore the ANP is a highly skilled clinical expert nurse working within a defined specialty or clinical area.

The ANP will use their specialist knowledge, skills and experience in providing Dermatology care to differential patients in dermatology. They will work as a self-directed independent practitioner managing a defined caseload of patients with complex needs and they will also support the 2 week USC (Urgent suspected Cancer) pathway and Faster Diagnosis Standard (FDS), interacting with the Clinical Nurse Specialist and Consultants within the Dermatology department.

Main Duties and Responsibilities
1. Professional and Clinical

• 1.1 To be professionally and legally accountable for all work undertaken and to practice at an advanced level of professional autonomy and accountability that is within local and national guidelines, Croydon hospital policies and NMC Code of Conduct.
• 1.2 To deliver evidence based expert nursing care exercising a high degree of professional autonomy, demonstrating ability to make sound decisions based on knowledge and experience.
• 1.3 To assess individuals holistically using a range of different assessment methods and reach valid, reliable and comprehensive patient and client centred conclusions, which manage risk and are appropriate to need, context and culture.
• 1.4 To independently receive patient referrals utilising highly developed expert knowledge, diagnostic and clinical skills to carry out assessment and initiate diagnostic and treatment pathways.
• 1.5 To perform health assessments including obtaining a clinical history, conducting the physical examination and assessment of psychological wellbeing

Service Development

• 2.1 Develop robust governance systems by contributing to the development and implementation of evidence-based protocols, documentation processes, standards, policies and clinical guidelines through interpreting and synthesising information from a variety of sources and promoting their use in practice.
• 2.2 To promote the improvement of quality and clinical effectiveness within resource constraints.

About us
Croydon Health Services NHS Trust provides hospital and community services across Croydon through a range of clinics and specialist centres. Formed in August 2010 from the integration of Croydon Community Health Services and Mayday Healthcare NHS Trust, we employ around 4,100 staff serving a diverse population of over 360,000 people.

Our main site, Croydon University Hospital, is one of the busiest in London. We are also leading the way in delivering more healthcare in community settings and people's homes. Our district nursing teams, Allied Health Professionals and community matrons care for people of all ages across the borough.

Like the wider NHS, we are working hard to meet increasing demand. With the right people on board, we continue to innovate and transform our services to provide the highest quality care for local residents. We place strong emphasis on education, training and career development for all staff.

If you want to make a real difference, challenge yourself and be part of a Trust that's shaping local healthcare, Croydon Health Services could be the place for you.

At Croydon Health Services NHS Trust, we are committed to supporting flexible working arrangements. Applicants are encouraged to discuss any flexibility they may need during the recruitment process.

Job responsibilities
Please see the attached supporting document (Job Description) which contains more information about the role.

Person Specification
Knowledge and skills
Essential

• Dermatology experience at senior level

QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE and SKILLS
Essential

• Experienced Dermatology Advanced nurse practitioner
• Bachelor's Degree in nursing, health or management related studies with a relevant Masters level qualification (or in progress)
• Leadership and management course with experience of leading a small team
• Teaching and Assessing qualifications
• Independent Prescribing course and Experience of working as a Non-Medical Prescriber
• Advanced communications and psychological support training
• Experience of undertaking audit and research

Disclosure and Barring Service Check
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.

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

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.

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).