Tissue Viability Nurse inWoking inWoking PUBLISHED WED 23 OCT 2024

The Tissue Viability Service is a team of 4 advanced level nurses who provided expert care to patients within the Northwest locality of Surrey. We have divided the locality into 3 key areas, Spelthorne, Runneymede, and Woking.

We provide specialist advance level assessments to people in their own homes, nursing homes, residential homes, GP surgeries, and our Community Hospital.

We are looking for an energetic and highly motivated individual to work as the named Tissue Viability Nurse for our Runneymede locality (although you will be expected to cover the other localities as required).

This is a full-time band 7 position. We understand that working full time does not suit everyone, so we are willing to consider flexible working requests.

The successful post holder will work independently within our well-established Tissue Viability Service and will be able to demonstrate an advance level of assessment and communication skills to those with complex or non-healing wounds, working with key partners and stakeholders.

You will support the team in ensuring the delivery of a high quality, clinically robust, evidence-based Tissue Viability Service.

This post is based in Walton Community Hospital; however, you will be expected to travel across the whole of Northwest Surrey as required.

Keen on this role, but do not meet all the essential criteria, then give me a call for an informal discussion as we are willing to consider a developmental role for the right candidate.

As a Band 7 Tissue Viability Nurse Specialist, we require you to have experience in working with adults managing complex wounds of different aetiologies.

The successful candidate will work across all CSH sites as an expert in clinical field to deliver specialist services to defined patient group (Tissue Viability patients). Provides specialist interdisciplinary education and training to other health care professionals and students. Clinically manages and develops pathways for patients with Tissue Viability. Works strategically to influences the development of the service both locally and nationally. Leads on clinical audits in own area of practice. Participates in research in specialist field.

Utilising wound, pressure ulcer and leg ulcer management skills to and knowledge to undertake the holistic assessment of patients, including the use of Doppler ultrasound techniques and using interpretation skills to diagnose and plan specialized care delivery. Act as the interface between medical and nursing disciplines whilst developing and supporting nursing practice. Supporting the delivery of care primarily within the Community Nursing Teams but may also be required to support the Complex Wound Clinics, in accordance with national and local priorities, CSH Surrey policies, procedures and guidelines and in accordance with the Nursing and Midwifery Council.

About us

Principal duties and Responsibilities Clinical Practice

Responsible for undertaking expert holistic patient assessments, including but not limited to wound, pressure ulcer and leg ulcer assessments, including Doppler ABPI and TBPI for patients across North West Surrey.

Deliver planned evidence-based care, including advanced compression bandage techniques and other high compression therapies as required.

Empower individuals and their families to reach their full potential in health promotion and health awareness.

Act as the patients advocate, raising any concerns.

Maintains strong working relationships and communicates effectively with the Community Nursing Teams, Diabetic Foot MDT, Vascular Services, GPs, Practice Nurses, Social Services, Acute/Community hospital colleagues, Borough Council staff and the local voluntary sector

Responsible for receiving and facilitating clinical supervision and undertaking peer reviews within the team

Responsible for teaching, supervising and mentoring other members of the team and pre-registration students

Undertakes formal student assessments and participates in the maintenance of an effective learning environment

Clinical and Technical

Use specialists nursing skills to assess the physical and psycho-social needs of patients within the defined caseload, providing both expert and clinical advice to patients and carers.

In partnership with the multi-disciplinary team develop and advise highly specialised programmes of care for patients, synthesising complex information whilst comparing a range of options based on the available evidence/best practice in order to support and empower patients and their carers to make informed choices.

Works autonomously examining and diagnosing peripheral vascular disease, making decisions about treatment, investigations, follow up and discharge, referring on to Consultant colleagues when reaching limits of own expertise.

Responsible for the delivery of a detailed, accurate and potentially complex handover.

Undertakes full nursing assessments of patients, including those with multiple pathology and complex health and social needs.

To provide holistic Doppler assessment to patients and provide teaching to junior co-owners.

Responsible for agreeing the patients care plan, liaising with others and adapting the care and treatment delivered according to need and patient choice.

Responsible for the correct use of aids and equipment supplied for patients and carers and for the security, care and maintenance of equipment ensuring standards of infection control and safety are maintained

Responsible for the ordering and lean stock management of dressings and other equipment

Effectively communicates with others involved in patient care at all times including weekends / out of hours, through the use of mobile phone, emails to enable a timely response to patients needs.

Analytical / Judgmental Skills

Recognises own limitations in the provision of clinical care and urgency of patients needs, referring to other health care professionals, such as Vascular Services, Diabetic Foot MDT, Lymphoedema, Dermatology accordingly and is accountable for his/her own actions without direct supervision

Maintains accurate and legible patient records in line with professional and organisational requirements regarding electronic patient record system and is responsible for ensuring all data within the service is completed within dates required for CSH Surrey reporting to the NWS ICP.

Accountable for making autonomous clinical decisions in planning and prioritising patient care and referrals to other agencies and the admission/discharge from the service

Responsibility for Policy and Service Improvement/ Development

Contribute to and implement policies and procedures for specialist area.

Acts on clinical incidents pertinent to area to reduce clinical risk.

Actively participates in clinical governance activities and works to maintain a high quality service.

Responsible for recognising the needs of the Tissue Viability Service, identifying risk and making rapid autonomous decisions, escalating to Head of Tissue Viability and or caseload holder.

To work closely with the Referral Hub and Administrators to ensure referrals are triaged and appointments allocated appropriately.

To have a positive attitude to change and have a flexible approach to work

Quality

Support achievement and maintenance of the necessary conditions to achieve high standards of professionalism and productive working.

Continually maintain standards of care and assist the improvement of care.

Contributes to data collection for National Wound Care Strategy.

Health, safety and security

Facilitate a clean work environment

for patient care and best practice in infection control.

Ensuring receive all mandatory training and maintain own records.

To support senior staff ensure that CSH Surrey policies, procedure and guidance are adhered to.

Ensure that an incident report is completed for all untoward incidents

To ensure confidentiality at all times, only releasing confidential information obtained during the course of employment to those acting in an official capacity. To comply with the requirements of the Data Protection Act.

To comply with CSH Surreys policies on equal opportunities, the consumption of alcohol and non-smoking.

Information Technology

IT skills including the use of email, databases, and word applications.

Able to input and retrieve patient information on computer-based systems.

To be competent at using the electronic patient record and ensure patient records are contemporaneous, accurate and timely

To participate in data collection and audit when required.

To manage own email and electronic communication in order to carry out the role.

Enhanced IT and analytical skills and maintenance of databases as appropriate

Responsibilities for human resources .

Supervising and appraising team members through annual appraisals, mid-year reviews and peer reviews within team

Responsible for completing all own mandatory training and for ensuring this is completed for all team members.

Participates in own annual appraisal and undertakes continuing professional development, clinical supervision and peer review for self to maintain and develop knowledge and skills.

Responsibility for Audit / Research & Development

Knowledge and understanding of research, audit and evidence-based practice, with the ability to participate in in audits and research and develop programs or activities within the framework of clinical governance at local level in order to advance and contribute to existing knowledge.

Participates in clinical audit/CQUIN and the implementation of changes to ways of working / clinical practice as a result of findings, recommendations and action plans

Actively participates in and contributes to meetings and working groups that inform the organisation and the nursing service / profession

Actively involved in the development and implementation of service developments and initiatives and acts as a role model for the 6 Cs of nursing.

Acts as a link nurse for defined area e.g., tissue viability, Vascular Team, Podiatry.

Other Responsibilities

Demonstrates excellent personal communication and team working skills.

Complies with the requirement to practice within data protection and confidentiality guidelines.

Attends departmental and organisation-wide staff meetings as appropriate.

Is aware of the limitations of the complex wound clinic remit and can refer problems or anomalies as appropriate

Any other duties, which may be requested by the manager, to facilitate the smooth running of the service.