Stroke Specialist Nurse (Annex 21) in Knowsley

CLINICAL & PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• To maintain and enhance professional registration and uphold the NMC code of conduct.
• To provide evidence-based stroke specialist nursing service, which is responsive to users' needs. Care will reflect current local protocols and national guidelines and be delivered through face-to-face consultation on a day-to-day basis.
• Demonstrate advanced practice skills in the holistic assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of stroke patients. This includes history taking, physical examination with specialist knowledge and skill-set in neurological examination and the requesting of diagnostic procedures and investigations.
• Necessitates high levels of autonomy and advocacy using analytical and judgment skills in undertaking differential diagnosis.
• Administration of relevant medication under PGD.
• Following specialist assessment, facilitate and organise the direct admission of patients to the hyper acute unit ensuring seamless transfer of care.
• Assess and effectively manage individual devastating psychological and physical effects of stroke.
• Facilitate and co-ordinate the process of informed choice for patients in the provision of treatment and care, acting as a patient advocate to guide to treatment.
• Advise on the complex disease and symptom management for patients within the stroke speciality, in both the inpatient and outpatient setting.
• Evaluate response to interventions and advise on the adaptation of management.
• Act as a resource for the Medical & Nursing team and other health care professionals working within the Trust and Primary care, providing professional advice and support concerning stroke and TIA.
• In partnership with Consultant Staff, Consultant Nurse, Allied Health Professionals, and Head of Quality, develop robust governance systems by contributing to the development and implementation of evidence-based protocols, documentation processes, standards, policies, and clinical guidelines.
• Demonstrate advanced complex communication skills in supporting, informing, and advising patients and families through diagnosis and disease progression, frequently imparting significant news.
• Refer to other health professionals and outside agencies to ensure optimum care and ongoing support for individuals, patients/carers, and to ensure seamless transfer of care.
• Maintain links with local and national organisations that support the care of patients within the stroke speciality, representing the Trust at meetings with CCGs and community partners.

ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Maintain accurate and contemporaneous records/data on all matters pertaining to the planning, management delivery, and evaluation of the service.
• Maintain and input data that support reporting of the Trust CQUIN and performance measures.
• Ensure records are safeguarded and managed as per HSE policy and local guidelines.
• Ensure efficient action in response to complaints as per trust guidelines.

TEACHING & TRAINING RESPONSIBILITIES

• Undertake clinical competencies relevant to stroke service to demonstrate expertise in extended nursing roles, including completing the STEP training course.
• Identify and use advanced educational strategies to deliver complex information to patients and carers.
• Contribute to Trust-wide education and training of staff within this highly specialist area.
• Deliver formal and informal training and teaching as part of the stroke-specific speciality.
• Act as a mentor or clinical supervisor where appropriate.
• Identify own personal development needs to work as an advanced practitioner and be willing to work towards a degree or masters to enhance role or any other appropriate training or education.
• Contribute to promoting educational links with local providers of higher education.

LINE MANAGEMENT/SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Act as a role model demonstrating high standards of care and provide clinical leadership across the Trust for this specialist area.
• Ensure when patients are transferred to nursing teams that if appropriate overall supervisory responsibility of patient care.
• Contribute to clinical governance.
• Participate in operational and strategic planning for the development and delivery of the specialist stroke services locally and across the Mid-Mersey footprint.
• Attend Trust senior nursing meetings, deputise for the Stroke lead nurse and/or Directorate Manager.
• Represent the Trust by contributing to and participating in meetings locally, regionally, and nationally relating to the stroke speciality.

RESEARCH & AUDIT

• The post holder is expected to collect data that provides evidence within the specialist area of practice.
• To contribute towards research in the area of expertise and critically appraise, evaluate, and apply theoretical frameworks.