Senior Nurse Practitioner in Widnes

To act as a senior clinical professional within Widnes Urgent Treatment Centre, liaising with the UTC team and colleagues across the wider social and health care environment to promote, maintain and enhance effective multidisciplinary patient care. To act as the lead specialist and independent practitioner who provides advice to patients and staff which contributes to assessment, diagnosis, care and treatment of clients. Possess and demonstrate extended skills in the management of a wide range of health care problems i.e. minor illness and injury. Exercise professional independent and clinical judgement in managing or referring clients to a variety of primary and secondary care services as appropriate.

Responsibilities

• Co-ordinate and deliver the day-to-day supervision of the team as shift leader.
• Act as a resource for other members of the Urgent Treatment Centre clinical team.
• In collaboration with the Team Leaders promote the development and effectiveness of the nurse-led service utilizing a multi-skilled team approach.
• Maintain effective channels of communication within the Urgent Treatment Centre and across the wider health and social care economy.
• Promote and maintain the quality and standards of the Urgent Treatment Centre services in accordance with organisational and Trust Clinical Governance requirements.
• Facilitate a culture which promotes best practice using current and best evidence, and a culture of civility and respect.
• Supervise and maintain high standards of professional care in accordance with the NMC Code of Professional Conduct, Scope of Professional Practice and ethical considerations.
• Provide a supportive environment for staff; perform clinical supervision and personal development planning.
• Assist the Clinical Lead/Operational Manager in shaping and developing a nurse-led service that is welcoming and effective to the needs of service users.
• Participate in the development of an effective nurse-led service utilising a holistic health needs approach.
• Participate in the development, implementation and monitoring of policies, procedures and clinical guidelines as appropriate; propose changes where necessary.
• Supervise the supply of medicines by junior staff as appropriate via PGD.
• Manage and co-ordinate medicine stock control.
• Day-to-day supervision of the team, including allocation, planning and organisation of the workforce and work planning for the UTC; reallocate work and tasks as required to meet service demands.
• Fulfil the role of coordinator on a day-to-day basis and assist the Clinical Lead in fulfilling operational requirements within budgetary limits.
• Delegate responsibility where appropriate and encourage a culture of flexibility and adaptability.
• Support and maintain the focus of the nurse-led service and promote positive change.
• Actively participate in and promote the development of professional nursing practice.

Clinical role

• Exercise a high degree of clinical independence and professional judgement; provide highly specialised advice when reviewing patients with undifferentiated and undiagnosed health care problems.
• Assess health care needs, diagnose, treat and manage as appropriate; refer to care services as appropriate.
• Manage a wide range of health care problems (minor illness and injury, wound care, chronic disease management) and provide health promotion education.
• Undertake clinical procedures (e.g., suturing, venepuncture, cannulation, ear syringing, slit lamp use, removal of foreign bodies) as appropriate.
• Participate in triage to ensure smooth progress of patients through the system.
• Initiate and conduct clinical investigations as appropriate.
• Supply and administer medications as appropriate via PGD.
• Exercise independent and delegated prescribing rights in accordance with current law and local criteria.
• Identify at-risk patients and manage appropriately in line with national and local policy (e.g., vulnerable children, adults, and child protection).
• Collaborate with the Clinical Lead/Operational Manager in coordinating services and patients within the UTC.
• Act as an advocate for patients and provide a complementary service to other health care providers; empower colleagues and clients; promote evidence-based clinical practice.
• Understand legal and ethical issues, professional accountability and responsibility; apply judgement when reviewing complex cases, results, and imaging; adjust treatments as required.
• Adopt safe manual handling techniques when manoeuvring patients.
• Maintain concentration and handle highly specialist care; work in challenging environments with patients displaying difficult behaviours or with body fluids exposure.
• Be a registered prescriber (if applicable) and apply knowledge of drug actions in prescribing practice; understand legislation relevant to nurse prescribing and the roles of others involved in prescribing, supplying and administering medicines.
• Communicate with education and training needs of the team; deliver on-the-job specialist training; support medical and postgraduate students.

Training, Education and Research

• Maintain and develop clinical and professional expertise through Clinical Supervision and Personal Development Planning, in accordance with the NMC Code of Conduct and Scope of Professional Practice.
• Participate in formal and informal teaching sessions to promote clinical excellence within the UTC team.
• Promote a research culture within the UTC; actively promote use, publication and dissemination of research evidence.
• Initiate and participate in audits and evaluations of the service (e.g., ED feedback, demographic service needs, laboratory results) to promote change in practice.

Communication

• Engage in collaborative working with colleagues in primary, secondary and social care; maintain effective communication across the local health economy.
• Maintain effective systems of communication and referral within the UTC and across primary and secondary care.
• Promote comprehensive clinical documentation in line with local and NMC guidelines; maintain confidentiality and manage sensitive situations with professionalism.
• Demonstrate cultural competence; utilise Trust email and a variety of systems to communicate clinical information in accordance with data protection requirements.
• Provide and receive highly complex communication related to highly specialised advice for UTC patients, including patients with learning disabilities, mental health issues, or barriers to understanding.