Anticoagulation Nurse Specialist

Job overview

The Anticoagulant Nurse Specialist will lead the nurse-led anticoagulation service in collaboration with the Consultant Haematologists. The service provided will cover the fast track DVT service, fast track PE service, fast track anticoagulation service, ward dosing service and computer INR dosing support service for GP’s.

The post holder will act as a resource by providing information, advice and guidance on anticoagulation for patients, their carers/relatives and other health professionals. The post holder will co-ordinate the management of the clinical caseload and will link closely with the primary care team and other health professionals to ensure continuity of care through all health care settings. The post holder will also co-ordinate and contribute to the provision of specialist education and training programmes for junior doctors, nursing staff and students in the Trust and for GP surgery staff.

Main duties of the job

• To undertake initial assessment of patients including physical examination and assessment and investigations of symptoms (includes venepuncture, requesting blood tests and ultrasound scan).
• To evaluate test results and initiation of treatment, including the prescribing and supply of anticoagulants according to patient Group Directives.
• To refer to medical staff if clinically indicated.
• To coordinate the care of patients by liaising with a wide range of hospital and community professionals and adjust care package on a daily basis.
• To discharge patients to care of GP when appropriate.
• To give advice to patients regarding what to expect before, during and after procedures and to ensure this is supported by appropriate written information.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

To support the delivery of a high quality, safe and compassionate healthcare service, all staff are expected to act as a role model to others in all aspects of their work and consistently demonstrate NNUH’s ‘PRIDE’ values of People focused, Respect, Integrity, Dedication and Excellence and demonstrate behaviours that support and encourage an inclusive culture.

• To provide a comprehensive nurse-led anticoagulation service for the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital Foundation Trust and NHS Norfolk.
• To provide specialist clinical advice, initiate treatment and provide information and support to patients, their families, and carers.
• To act as a resource for advice and education to the multi-professional team including nursing staff, medical staff, pharmacists, laboratory staff, radiology, and other health care professionals.
• To co-ordinate patient anticoagulant care to ensure continuity throughout the patient’s care pathway.
• To participate in the review and development of the haemostasis and thrombosis service, and to reflect the needs of the patient group.
• To liaise closely with the health care teams of in-patient wards, outpatient departments and primary care, including consultant physicians and GP’s.
• To monitor and improve standards of anticoagulant care through clinical audit, leading the development of practice through research.
• To demonstrate wide and in-depth expertise of all aspects of the speciality by exercising clinical leadership and effective education

Ward dosing service

• To supervise and prescribe the dosing of anticoagulants for patients on oral anticoagulant therapy, according to PGD’s and nurse prescribing guidelines, for all patients commenced on the inpatient dosing scheme. To order blood tests as clinically indicated.
• To liaise with ward staff, to ensure that patients on anticoagulation have received appropriate advice/education prior to discharge and that follow-up arrangements have been made.

Fast track discharge service

• To initiate and facilitate safe early discharge of patients on anticoagulation from hospital, thereby improving patient flow and increasing bed availability within the trust.

Computer dosing service

• To ensure the nurse-led computer INR dosing service for GP Practices works effectively and safely, liaising closely with GP’s and primary health care staff.
• To communicate high INR results by phone and fax to GP surgeries and provide appropriate advice.
• To use Dawn software to individually dos patients using INR blood samples sent from GP practices