Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Specialist Nurse

Job overview

This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a small specialist nursing team, caring for patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD).

The post holder will be an autonomous member of the Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Specialist Nursing Team providing specialist clinical assessment, care, support, advice and information for patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). The post holder will support and contribute to improving standards of care, acting in a professional manner and working within the specialist nurse framework.

Support will be provided by the existing nurse specialists. Academic qualifications within the specialty will be offered, along with more informal teaching, relevant study days and external conferences.

Personal attributes you will need are excellent communication and interpersonal skills with an ability to maintain accuracy and attention to detail even when working under pressure. You must also be proactive and motivated to learn this specialist field to high standard and deliver high-quality, safe, evidence based and compassionate patient care, with excellent organisational skills.

The IBD nursing team at GWH currently consists of three clinical nurse specialists, an IBD coordinator and a DAWN administrator. We are a small team of friendly, dedicated individuals, working closely with our wider MDT.  There is the opportunity for flexible working arrangements, as per trust policy, and remote working depending on service needs.

Main duties of the job

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• Demonstrate a senior level of autonomy and clinical expertise in the assessment and management of patients with IBD.
• Exercise responsibility and accountability for care of patients on different pathways including clinical assessment, symptom analysis and triage of patients via a telephone / email advice line and in nurse led clinics.
• Participate in risk management, by counselling and screening of patients and ensuring that communication regarding monitoring is explicitly understood by patient and community care partners for patients undergoing advanced therapy.
• Deliver holistic patient care improving patient empowerment through health promotion/education to promote supported self-management of long-term conditions.
• Work closely with members of the multi-professional team to ensure pro-active communication to provide effective care management for patients.
• Maintain and develop standards of care in line with national recommendations, current best practice and research.
• Provide a telephone advice line for patients, their carers and General Practitioners (GPs.) offering expert clinical advice, support and direct access to the IBD service.
• Provide appropriate advice for patients with IBD experiencing an exacerbation of their disease initiating or changing medication as per protocols, requesting first line investigations and expediting for medical review as appropriate, demonstrating a senior level of responsibility and accountability.
• Assess patient’s response to medical treatment by telephone, demonstrating an analytical approach to assessment and recommending the appropriate management.
• Undertake nurse led clinics for follow up of patients with IBD, either in the outpatient setting or via telephone as appropriate according to department protocols.
• Provide patients with written and verbal information on immunosuppressant and biologic therapies to promote both their understanding and involvement in the decision-making process and on-going management.
• Participate in the monitoring of patients on immunosuppressant and biologic therapies as per protocols and maintaining relevant databases, ensuring accurate documentation in patient’s records and communication with primary care as necessary to ensure patient safety.
• Communicate appropriately and support patients and their relatives during distressing emotional episodes following consultation and diagnosis.
• Advise and counsel patients in line with British Society of Gastroenterology (BSG) guidelines on the role and necessity of colorectal cancer screening.
• Provide support for ward staff and junior medical staff in the assessment and care of patients with IBD during admission.
• Promote and develop pathways of care for patients with IBD to facilitate prompt referral and investigation and effective long-term care.
• There is a need to manage complex and demanding tasks relating to patient care and pathways that requires advanced decision making and communication skills and flexibility.