Lipid Nurse Specialist

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a band 7 Lipid Nurse specialist to join the Endocrine and chemical pathology team.

The clinical Nurse specialist will join the team in the provision of management and delivery of the Lipid disorders clinic and management of those patients that have a genetic cause; working closely with the Consultant, pharmacist and other clinical colleagues.  The post holder will be accountable to the Supervising Consultant.

The post holder will deliver follow up appointments for patients, manage and maintain the familial hypercholesterolaemia patient database and provide educational support to clinicians and patients in relation to lipid disorders.

Main duties of the job

The Specialist Nurse will be responsible for assisting the Lead Consultant in the management of patients attending the Lipid clinic, advice and guidance related to the service and the education of healthcare colleagues in the treatment of patients with lipid disorders.

The Specialist Nurse will provide:

Information on lipid disorders

• Information on related genetics of known lipid disorders
• Genetic counselling
• General advice on management of cardiovascular risk factors
• General support not only for the patient but for their family as well

The above would empower the patient, with the patient having increased knowledge about their condition enabling them to make informed choices about their care. Increased patient participation will lead to increased compliance with the regime agreed between clinician and patient, showing the benefit of shared care.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• ·   The post holder will provide a comprehensive, high quality, specialist genetic counselling service for patients which is scientifically and diagnostically up to date as well as caring in its approach
• ·         The post holder will provide a high quality, cascade testing service for the families of index patients identified from within the targeted population
• ·         The postholder will support the management of information and service outcomes through utilisation of agreed clinical systems and processes for patients and families where cascade testing is undertaken
• ·         The post holder will utilise clinical information systems to record relevant information such as blood pressure, diabetes and smoking history
• ·         The post holder will ensure that for those patients discharged back to primary care a database/patient clinical system is maintained to generate a reminder for FH annual reviews
• ·         The post holder will provide general advice in relation to cardiovascular disease to those discharged from the service back to Primary Care.
• ·         The postholder will demonstrate specialist knowledge of FH and its implications for developing CHD
• ·         The post holder will be expected to deliver highly complex and sensitive information to patients and their families in relation to lipid disorders including FH
• ·         Work with Primary Care staff; Consultant Lipidologists; Physicians; Nurse Specialists and other related professionals to develop high levels of care for patients with lipid disorders
• ·         To initiate diagnostic testing for FH using genetic and biochemical tests. This will involve discussion of complex information to inform and counsel individuals on the significance of such investigations
• · To provide patients with lipid and genetic testing results and to discuss/provide initial advice re the implications relating to CHD and the relevant treatment options
• · Undertake clinical physical patient assessment; provide further specialist advice and education re treatment options and prescribe medication as appropriate

• The post holder will be expected to demonstrate professional initiative, independence and autonomy in the development of a service for a targeted patient population.