Anticoagulation Clinical Nurse Specialist

Job overview

The Anticoagulation clinical Nurse Specialist is a critical role, responsible for the safe, effective, and evidenced-based management of patients requiring anticoagulation therapy.

This includes both initiation and ongoing monitoring of oral and injectable anticoagulants (Warfarin, direct oral anticoagulants, low molecular weight heparin) across a variety of settings, including inpatient admissions and outpatient clinics, to provide support to inpatient teams, community services and primary care.

This clinical role involves the assessment, initiation, monitoring and ongoing management of patients on anticoagulation therapy. They will be responsible for the complex case management of anticoagulation planning, bridging therapy, and management in cases of complexity in high-risk patients.

Main duties of the job

• Responsible for the safe management and review of patients on oral anticoagulants
• Administration of low molecular weight heparin to patients
• Lone working at Weekends and Bank holidays
• Current Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) registration.
• Evidence of study at degree level in Health/Nursing Related Studies.
• Mentorship module or have experience of teaching and assessing.
• Non-medical prescriber evidenced through NMC register (or working towards non-medical prescriber).
• Formal leadership and management training.
• Minimum of 3 years post registration experience to include at 1 year experience of taking charge of an area.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• Communication with a range of clinical and non-clinical staff. Communicate using a range of methods to ensure a caring, sensitive and empathetic manner to patients and relatives.
• Communicate sensitive information about patients to other members of the healthcare team and with the consent of the patient.
• To exchange verbal and written information with patients, staff and carers requiring tact and diplomacy. The post holder needs to ensure that all barriers to understanding are overcome by using differing strategies to meet individual need.
• Deputise for the Lead Anticoagulation Nurse at Directorate/Divisional meetings and working groups in relation to improvement in patient care.
• Ensure that patient concerns are addressed and work with the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) and patient forums. Participate in the resolution of complaints/adverse incidents and support the Lead Anticoagulation Nurse/Anticoagulation Service Manager in the development and implementation of actions plans to prevent re-occurrence.
• To co-ordinate the patients’ journey, acting as a key worker, and lead on patient communication issues.
• It is expected that ALL employees of the Trust will take part in the appraisal process each year with the first appraisal taking place within the first 6 months from appointment.
• Current Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) registration.
• Evidence of study at degree level in Health/Nursing Related Studies.
• Mentorship module or have experience of teaching and assessing.
• Non-medical prescriber evidenced through NMC register (or working towards non-medical prescriber).
• Formal leadership and management training.
• Minimum of 3 years post registration experience to include at 1 year experience of taking charge of an area.
• Ability to lead change and lead new ways of working.
• The post holder will be responsible for the assessment of needs, development, implementation and evaluation of programmes of care in line with the NMC and reflect the Trust’s policies, procedures, standards and guidelines
• The post holder will demonstrate the skills for assessing and interpreting specialist acute and other patient conditions, taking actions as appropriate.
• Excellent time management skills.
• Contribute to the principles of clinical governance ensuring that quality standards are set and monitored and to ensure adherence to relevant local and national policy and guidelines.
• To assist in the development of specialist information booklets and leaflets for the care of the patient.
• The post holder will be required to have the dexterity and accuracy required for procedure such as venepuncture and the administration of subcutaneous injections and is able to demonstrate clinical skills.
• The post holder will be required to have standard keyboard skills, use of presentation, projection/multimedia equipment and e-learning resources.
• To act in accordance with the NMC Code of Professional Conduct for Nurses, Midwives and Health Visitors and to always be accountable for own clinical practice and professional actions. Ensure continued and effective registration with the NMC.
• Prescribe medications within locally agreed formulary for Anticoagulation Management.
• Implements policies and procedures, and proposes changes to practices for own area, contributing to the development of specialist protocols.
• Support the development and implementation of local standard operating procedures, patient information and policies.
• Demonstrate safe working practices in the use of equipment and resources in the clinical areas.
• Working with the Lead Anticoagulation Nurse, provide leadership to the clinical team and identify innovation in clinical practice.
• Contribute to the formal induction of all new staff.
• Updates and maintains patient records.
• Participate as an individual in surveys.
• May participate in clinical research, audits and trials.
• Accountable for own professional actions: not directly supervised.
• Leads in the development of care in specific element of care as directed by the Lead Anticoagulation Nurse.
• Combination of sitting, standing, walking; occasional moderate effort for several short periods.
• Concentration on patient assessments / procedures
• May deal with distressed relatives and patients.
• The post holder will have exposure to bodily fluids.
• The post holder will be a lone worker at times (weekends / bank holidays).

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.