Clinical Nurse Specialist Dermatology

Job overview

This is an exciting opportunity for a qualified nurse with post registration experience to join our supportive Dermatology Nursing Team. You will be a dynamic, enthusiastic nurse who is keen to expand their existing knowledge of Dermatology and progress in their career. Full training will be given to the successful candidate, and the expectation is that you will complete your non-medical prescribing within one year of commencing the post. If you are interested in this post please contact Nikki Cooper Advanced Practitioner in Dermatology via email before applying.

Main duties of the job

The Post holder will provide high quality specialist nursing care to a pre-determined range of dermatology patients within The Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, with the support of a team of Consultant Dermatologists. He/she will provide specialist advice and support to patients and their families/carers attending the Trust with dermatological conditions either as outpatients or inpatients. The post holder will manage their own clinical nurse-led Outpatient clinics including clinical assessment and treatment planning.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

1. Takes responsibility for own nurse-led clinics for patients with inflammatory skin disease. Assess and monitor patients who attend the dermatology nurse led clinic needing topical and/or systemic therapies. 2. Ensure effective communication of highly complex, sensitive patient information, between patients, hospital and community professionals; this will include overcoming communication difficulties (e.g. hearing/language). 3. Evaluate disease activity using appropriate assessment tools and treatment goals for dermatology conditions utilising NICE Guidance and British Association of Dermatology Guidelines. 4. Liaise with colleagues at GWH Day Therapy Centre and other external healthcare providers for patients receiving cytotoxic and biological therapy. 5. Respond to patient telephone queries for advice, support and information, responding quickly to patient concerns, assessing and providing guidance. This may involve liaising with Dermatology medical colleagues, organising urgent review in Dermatology outpatient clinic or arranging blood tests. 6. Network with clinical nurse specialists both internally and externally to develop and promote the clinical nurse specialist role. 7. Be a resource for outpatients, inpatients, carers and other healthcare professionals within the organisation. 8. Implement evidence based nursing practice for patients with dermatological conditions including use/development of protocols/competencies to ensure appropriate, specialist clinical interventions/care is provided for improved patient outcomes. 9. Undertake audits when required. 10. Work within the NMC Code of Conduct updating own knowledge to promote excellence in clinical practice. 11. Membership and participation in national professional groups to facilitate updating and development of own professional practice within specialist field. 12. Ensure own clinical credibility through professional accountability and maintenance of clinical skills. 13. Collaborate with medical colleagues in ensuring appropriate investigations are performed as part of a patient’s treatment. 14. Undertake Mandatory Training as required to maintain personal and professional development. 15. Acknowledges and has awareness of Departmental Clinical Governance issues which underpin all clinical practice. Participates in clinical Governance initiatives. 16. Undertakes formal education programmes, conferences and study days to enhance personal development and knowledge. 17. Maintain clear, concise, legible and contemporaneous patient records at all times in line with Trust policy and the NMC Standard for Record Keeping.

Please refer to JD for full responsibilities.