Ophthalmic Nurse Practitioner

JOB SUMMARYThe post holder will be required to provide autonomous assessment and care of macula clinic patients within agreed guidelines. When based in the Macula Clinic the holder will be required to coordinate the department on a rostered basis. The post holder will be required to perform intravitreal injections and work alongside medical staff and advanced clinic practitioners to support the management of patients with macular disease.KEY JOB RESPONSIBILITIESClinicalUndertake comprehensive assessment of patients, using a range of ophthalmic equipmentInitiate and/or undertake clinical investigations, where appropriate, i.e. visual acuity, applanation tonometry, OCT Scans, optometry referral, fluorescein angiography, including cannulation, in accordance with current protocols.Establish diagnosis, within set guidelines, and record clinical findings using the department information systems e.g. MediSight and CareFlow and/or refer to the senior clinical colleagues as appropriate.Obtain formal written consent for procedures carried out in the department following current principles and Trust policy on consent to treatment.Work autonomously to carry out intravitreal injections, incorporating the use of Patient Group Directions, prescribing rights, agreed protocols and Working in New Ways packages.Discharge patients following both local and Trust wide protocols.Ensure thorough and accurate completion of patient written and electronic documentation, using electronic patient administration systems.Act as a source of information and advice to patients, their relatives and other healthcare professionals/agencies.Participate in the care of patients attending all ophthalmology clinics held in the macula clinic as required.Professional Leadership.Carry out formal and informal teaching within the hospital to a range of health care professionals and contribute to educational and training programmes as requested / appropriate.Create a positive learning environment within clinical settings to encourage and facilitate individual and shared learning and professional development.Participate, where appropriate, in the education of patients and the general public.Maintain an awareness and understanding of relevant, up to date research studies within the clinical field.Critically analyse and evaluate research findings and apply these to clinical practice.3Participate in research studies in conjunction with the specialty team.Take a supportive role in developing practice through specific research and audit projects.Collect and analyse information related to patient and carer satisfaction and evaluation of the service.Share and promote good practice through involvement with local groups, including presentations, publication and dissemination of role evaluation.Respond and contribute to clinical governance initiatives including infection control audits.Actively support the department in monitoring and improving quality through essence of care benchmarking and use of quality metrics.ManagementCoordinate the department on a rostered basis.Maintain effective channels of communication with all members of the multidisciplinary team.Contribute to the work of time limited committees and project groups.Support clerical/admin staff when necessary by keeping patient information system updated e.g. admitting and discharging patients for day case laser treatment and completing outcomes for patients having retinal laser treatment as outpatients.When co--ordinating the department ensure that all admin processes are being undertaken.Professional DevelopmentFollowing individual performance management, liaise with line managers on how identified training needs and development are to be met.Ensure that ones own practice is kept updated, using an acceptable model of clinical supervision.The post holder will be expected to fulfil the professional expectations required of a registered nurse by the Nursing and Midwifery Council and the Trust. This will include taking every opportunity to expand his/her own practice in line with the principles contained within the Nursing and Midwifery Councils document The Code of Professional Conduct (2002), adhering to the elements contained within this document, in particular those related to professional accountability and undergoing individual performance management to establish training needs and using clinical supervision as a means to update practice.GENERAL DUTIESIn addition to the key job responsibilities detailed in this job description all employees at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust are expected to comply with the general duties detailed below:Infection ControlTo maintain a clean, safe environment, ensuring adherence to the Trusts standards of cleanliness, hygiene and infection control.4For senior/clinical managers the following statement must also be includedThe post holder is accountable for minimising the risks of infections and for the implementation of the Code of Practice for the Prevention and Control of Healthcare Associated Infections as outlined in the Health Act 2006. This includes receiving assurance of risk and embedding evidence based practice into daily routines of all staff.Safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adultsNottingham University Hospitals is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. All staff and volunteers are therefore expected to behave in such a way that supports this commitment.Information GovernanceAll staff have an individual responsibility for creating accurate records of their work and for making entries into and managing all NHS records effectively in line with the Health Record Keeping Policy and other Health Records and Corporate Records Management policies and procedures in order to meet the Trusts legal, regulatory and accountability requirements.Health and SafetyTo take reasonable care to prevent injury to themselves or others who may be affected by their acts or omissions.To co--operate fully in discharging the Trust policies and procedures with regard to health and safety matters.To immediately report to their manager any shortcomings in health and safety procedures and practice.To report any accidents or dangerous incidents to their immediate manager and safety representative as early as possible and submit a completed accident/incident form.To use protective clothing and equipment where provided.Whilst the aim of the Trust is to promote a co--operative and constructive view of health and safety concerns in the organisation, all staff must be aware that a wilful or irresponsible disregard for safety matters may give rise to disciplinary proceedings.GovernanceAll staff are expected to actively participate in governance activities, to ensure that the highest standards of care and business conduct are in place and working to ensure the Trust operates in an effective, honest and open way.Health and WellbeingEmployees are expected to take all reasonable steps to look after both their physical health and mental health. To support employees to achieve this NUH offers a wide range of health and wellbeing activities and interventions. The full programme can be viewed at on the staff intranet.Line managers are expected to encourage and support staff to look after their health and wellbeing, including the release of staff to attend health and wellbeing activities and interventions.General Policies