Specialist Nurse - Stroke Service

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the Stroke Team/TIA Team. The role will ensure management plans and care pathways are completed on admission to the ECC and ASU. This role will also involve education and training for new staff joining the Trust and an ongoing educational package for existing staff including ensuring both the stroke and TIA pathways are commenced on admission to the Trust in line with national guidelines. The post holder will be required to link in with other hospitals and the tertiary centre to liaise and arrange the repatriation of patients, promote and deliver the highest standard of nursing care, ensuring all fundamentals of care are addressed and current, relevant policies and procedures are adhered to and regularly updated.

Main duties of the job

• To clinically assess patients with Acute Stroke throughout the Trust, provide management plans, ensure evidence based pathway and provide appropriate advice to patients, carers and staff.
• To clinically assess patients with acute stroke / TIA presentation and provide treatment plans and provide advice where appropriate.
• To provide specialist training to nursing/medical staff.
• To promote the service within the Trust.
• Able to work autonomously when required but also as part of a specialised multidisciplinary team.
• Deal with highly confidential and potentially contentious information.
• High level of communication skills.
• Collection and evaluation of data for analysis and audit purposes.
• Educational role promoting recognition and treatment of Stroke / TIA within the hospital environment.
• Complete real time data collection for related studies, audit, Advancing Quality and CQUIN data sets.
• Liaise closely with Acute Stroke Unit and support Ward when required.

Planning and Organisational Duties

• Act as Stroke Team bleep holder on a rota basis to provide rapid access to Acute Stroke management and treatment.
• Deliver Stroke and TIA care based on principles that are research and evidence based and which enhance the quality of patient care.
• Take direct referrals and manage patients / clients with undifferentiated or unstable problems.
• Assess, diagnose, discharge and refer patients within a defined area of competence.
• Manage patients with Acute Stroke liaising with other professionals as required including recommending changes to and the prescribing of other medication.
• Initiate subsequent referrals to appropriate MDT and other appropriate referrals.
• Responsible for joining MDT to monitor and adjust care / treatment plans for patients with Acute Stroke.
• Be a visible point of contact for patients, visitors, relatives, and staff, acting as a resource for problems and able to clearly present the patients’ / clients’ points of view to others.
• Organise meetings to discuss patient management as required.
• Lead in the development of evidence – based patient care policies and procedures.
• Develop and contribute to clinical guidelines and protocols and lead the implementation process as required.
• Provide specialist support to clinical teams in dealing with the complex needs of different patient groups and when imparting or receiving sensitive, complex or contentious information.
• Work with the Stroke Lead to identify and facilitate clinical audits to promote clinical effectiveness, as part of the Trust’s/Directorate’s Clinical Governance Framework.
• Provide evidence of improvement and consistency in Acute Stroke care delivery across inpatient and TIA / Stroke outpatient delivery.
• Identify and implement innovative ways of working within the speciality.
• Work at least 80% of time in clinical practice, with the emphasis on delivery of a quality service to patients.

Communications and Key Working Relationships

• Liaise closely with other health and social care professionals to ensure a coordinated approach and high quality care is provided for patients.
• Convey and present specialist information, written or verbal, formally or informally, as appropriate.
• Report appropriate clinical information to senior staff.
• Ensure that written documentation is kept in respect of all investigations and incidents.
• Establish professional relationships and maintain effective communication.
• Link with professional networks across the Trust and wider health community, in order to develop and exchange ideas for improving clinical care.
• Maintain professional links with the GMNISDN to develop and improve clinical care.
• Convey complex and sensitive information (eg. abnormal test results) in a comprehensible and empathic manner.
• Discuss all alternative treatment options and facilitate clinical management decisions.
• Obtain informed consent for procedures as required, in accordance with the Trust consent policy.
• Provide ongoing liaison and support for patients across functional boundaries.
• First line of contact for patients, relatives, GP’s and practice nurses for reassurance, expert advice and discussion of treatment plans.
• Take responsibility for direct written communication with GP regarding individual post treatment plans when required.

Responsibility for Finance

• Ensures the efficient and effective use of resources in providing and delivering the service.
• Liaises with the budget holder regarding stock control, maintaining equipment eg, patient information leaflets.

Responsibility for Human Resources

• Adheres to all Trust policies and procedures that pertain to area of practice.
• To practice within Code of Professional conduct to perform all duties in accordance with the NMC code of conduct.
• Participates in performance review in line with knowledge and skills framework, negotiating and agreeing own plan of personal development.
• Acts as a role model with their vision and values.
• Participates in professional and clinical supervision with the lead Stroke specialist nurse/Matron.

Qualifications

• NMC Registration.
• Experience relevant to Acute Stroke/TIA care.
• Evidence of professional / clinical knowledge in Acute Stroke/TIA Experience.
• Experience of proactive involvement in the development of professional clinical practice in Stroke Care.

Skills

• Excellent verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to maintain and improve standards of care.
• Ability to challenge unacceptable behaviour or practice in a professional context.

Knowledge

• Up to date knowledge of current Acute Stroke Guidelines and Care, Clinical and professional issues.
• Knowledge of evidence-based practice.
• Knowledge of current Local/National Audits within Stroke.
• Understanding of research with Stroke setting.

Additional

• Speak English to an appropriate standard relevant to their role, i.e. with confidence and accuracy, using correct sentence structures and vocabulary, and without hesitation.