Acute Frailty Specialist Nurse

Job overview

An exciting opportunity for a qualified and highly motivated registered nurse to join the expanding Frailty team.

The successful post holder will work as a dynamic and proactive specialist nurse within our very successful and developing Acute Frailty service. The service operates over 7 days and provides the frail population of Calderdale and Huddersfield the benefit of a holistic Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment.

You will be based at the front end of the hospital, working collaboratively to start the assessment process from the moment the patient arrives in the emergency department or our assessment wards, including the frailty same day emergency care unit.

As a team member you will be part of a friendly, supportive, and professional integrated team which comprises of Consultants , Geriatricians, Nurses, Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapist, Co-ordinators, Advanced Clinical Practitioners, Pharmacists, Social services and Community services.

Whilst high quality patient care is at the forefront of our decision making, we are also enthusiastic about welcoming new ideas of working and service improvement enabling the successful candidate to take an active role in the ever-changing development of our service and providing an opportunity to develop personal leadership skills and professional development.

Main duties of the job

• To act as specialist clinician for the Acute Frailty Service within the Acute Medicine directorate. Work autonomously within Trust policies and professional practice, maintaining accurate and comprehensive up to date records. To manage own specialist caseload in these areas, demonstrating excellent skills in effective prioritisation. Provide and develop the core components of the specialist Frailty nurse role including clinical practice, management and education. Act as a clinical role model ensuring best practice in all assessments. To support the Team Leader in the day to day running of the Acute Frailty service. To support and advise in the wider MDT, and within CHFT on the delivery of excellent care of the frail patient. To participate in the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of individualised programmes of care for frail older adults. To recognise the changes in patients conditions which require the intervention of others and refer on as appropriate To clearly present the patients point of view, including promoting and protecting the interests and dignity of patients.
• To act as specialist clinician for the Acute Frailty Service within the Acute Medicine directorate.
• Work autonomously within Trust policies and professional practice, maintaining accurate and comprehensive up to date records.
• To manage own specialist caseload in these areas, demonstrating excellent skills in effective prioritisation.
• Provide and develop the core components of the specialist Frailty nurse role including clinical practice, management and education.
• Act as a clinical role model ensuring best practice in all assessments.
• To support the Team Leader in the day to day running of the Acute Frailty service.
• To support and advise in the wider MDT, and within CHFT on the delivery of excellent care of the frail patient.
• To participate in the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of individualised programmes of care for frail older adults.
• To recognise the changes in patients conditions which require the intervention of others and refer on as appropriate
• To clearly present the patients point of view, including promoting and protecting the interests and dignity of patients.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

To provide specialist nursing input and to support the care provision for patients with frailty.

To effectively carry out a Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment on frail patients presenting to CHFT.

To assess, plan and implement specialist interventions, ensuring that each patient has a coherent and comprehensive management plan. These plans will be developed with the patient and relatives/carer according to their needs and include referral to other disciplines and services, observing the principles of holistic care.

Promotes and provide effective communication; with other professionals, patients, carers and with other care settings.

To maintain accurate, appropriate and concise patient records, involving documentation on electronic patient management systems.

To promote and provide relevant and clear information, education and advice for patients, carers and families, according to their needs.

Act as the patient’s advocate, supporting and promoting their involvement in decision making.

To provide specialist advice and information to professional colleagues, patients, carers and the public.

To take an active role in risk assessment, supporting implementation of strategies to minimise risk; ensuring incidents and near misses are reported, through promoting a no blame culture.

To establish and maintain effective communication, both verbal and written.

To be aware of team members’ skills / competency and be able to delegate tasks and skill share appropriately.

Act as an innovative and enthusiastic role model, providing leadership, guidance and advice to staff on operational and professional issues.

Attend and participate in clinical meetings as required including providing feedback and disseminating information as appropriate