District Nurse Specialist
Job Description
Job summary
Up to 37.5 hours per week.
An exciting opportunity is available for a motivated District Nurse Specialist to join our community DN service in Plymouth, if you hold the relevant qualification and are ready to take on a new challenge, we want to hear from you!
You must possess a District Nurse Specialist Practitioner Qualification, enabling you to conduct advanced clinical assessments, diagnose, and independently practice non-medical prescribing while incorporating relevant research into their care delivery.
The position demands a positive demeanour, along with strong communication, leadership, and caseload management skills, requiring you to uphold integrity and initiative while effectively managing care as a Care Manager/Care Coordinator and utilising specialised skills to enhance risk management for patients and caregivers through evidence-based practice.
We work integrated with primary care, adult social care, therapists, urgent & intermediate care services ,alongside our specialist services informing our ageing well MDTs, Frailty Virtual ward which facilitates shaping our future to deliver great quality care for housebound individuals.
This role may not be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route.
All staff are expected to be able and willing to work across a 7 day service.
Please note that we may close the job advertisement earlier than the specified deadline if a high number of applications are submitted.
Main duties of the job
You will be required to be an autonomous practitioner, providing holistic patient centred care, expert advice and clinical support whilst promoting the effective and efficient delivery of high-quality service within the local community.
To advocate for patients, whilst demonstrating highly motivated leadership skills with ability to influence/inspire others. The candidate must have the knowledge and confidence to have delicate conversations around care planning, including advanced care planning in anticipation of end-of-life care, including treatment escalation and have the skills required to make clinical decisions around resuscitation status based on the persons clinical presentation.
As a specialist practitioner you will provide expert advice and clinical support whilst promoting the effective and efficient delivery of high-quality service within the local community.
As a specialist practitioner you will manage and coordinate a complex District Nursing caseload (or caseloads) in conjunction with caseload holders and operational manager, supporting delegation of nursing tasks within the skill mix of the team.
As a specialist practitioner you will actively support and take the lead where required for the DN team contributing to MDT meetings and working with multi professionals to achieve holistic management of patients.
Have a full driving licence/the ability to travel across Plymouth. All LWS staff are expected to able/willing to work across a 7 day service.
About us
Livewell Southwest is an independent, award-winning social enterprise delivering integrated health and social care services across Plymouth, South Hams, and West Devon, with specialist services in parts of Devon and Cornwall. Our teams work in community hospitals, GP practices, sports centres, and health hubs.
As an organisation with a strong social conscience we are guided by our values,kindness, respect, inclusivity, ambition, responsibility, and collaboration. We focus on transforming services to ensure sustainability, while empowering staff and those we serve.
We involve the people we care for, along with their families and carers, in shaping the care they receive, striving to deliver the right care at the right time and place. Centering our work on individual needs helps people lead healthy, independent lives.
We prioritise employees' development, offering protected CPD time, training pathways, leadership programs, and funding for qualifications like the Care Certificate and Nurse Training Scholarships. Our induction and preceptorship programs ensure a smooth transition into our organisation.
Livewell Southwest values diversity and encourages applications from all sections of the community, including those with armed forces experience, lived experience of mental health, neuro-diverse conditions and learning disabilities. If you need assistance or reasonable adjustments during the application process, contact the Recruiting Manager listed in the job advert.
Job responsibilities
SCOPE AND RANGE
Manage and coordinate a complex District Nursing caseload (or caseloads) in conjunction with caseload holders and operational manager, supporting delegation of nursing tasks within the skill mix of the Team.
The DNSPQ will actively support and take the lead where required for the DN team contributing to MDT meetings working with multi professionals.
Supervise, monitor, develop standards and audit care delivered to patients and carers by the multi-disciplinary team.
Maintain strong working relationships, communicate effectively with GPs, Practice nurses Social services, Mental Health, Acute and Community hospital colleagues.
Undertake, develop, and maintain nursing skills and competencies that are required for this role.
The DNSPQ will complement the skill mix of the nursing team and ensure that the ever-changing health needs of patients are met.
Act as advisor/professional leader in health care issues and clinical practice in the most complex and urgent cases.
Responsibility for People Management
Manage and prioritise a defined complex caseload of patients and delegate where appropriate.
Have a flexible approach to the working day to meet the needs of the patient and the service.
Be aware of pressures facing your work colleagues and offer support to ensure they are aware of the organisation support services available to them.
Take the lead in partnership with the Operational manager for investigating complaints, Patient Safety, Incident, Response framework (PSIRf), and support with implementing learning and actions, reporting to Practice Lead and Customer Services.
Responsibility for administration
To report and record all incidents and near misses relating to health, safeguarding, safety, security, fire, physical violence, aggression, and verbal abuse.
Review and sign-off clinical incident reports alongside supporting caseload management.
Maintain accurate records, which are confidential, up to date, legible and must ensure care given is documented at the earliest possible time.
Documentation records may be paper or IT system based and must be maintained as specified in the Trust Policies, NMC guidelines, and Government directives.
Responsibility for people who use our services
Be responsible for the provision of planned and unplanned care to patients and their
carers in a defined geographical area working across a 7-day period linking where required to the Urgent Care Nursing Service who provides the out of hours cover for district nursing
Be able to triage and respond to urgent referrals for patients, carers and the multi-disciplinary team received from PCNs to utilise advanced clinical skills and non-medical prescribing.
To triage and accept appropriate referrals directly from other disciplines, patients, carers, and members of the public and / or refer to other agencies where appropriate.
Case manage/Care coordinate packages of care and to work within the framework of the District Nursing Team by providing holistic care and demonstrate positive leadership skills.
Be responsible for assessing, diagnosing, planning, implementing, and evaluating complex packages of care including case conferences and reviews.
Provide holistic evidence-based care to a high standard to patients in accordance with National and organisational approved policies/procedures to promote individualised care plans.
Ensure privacy, dignity and human rights are respected for all patients and carers.
Take the lead in coordinating comprehensive risk assessments of all situations associated with the care of patients to ensure optimal safety is provided.
The DNSP will work with general practitioners and advanced care practitioners to act as a key role to prevent unnecessary or avoidable hospital admissions.
Assessments might include the provision of equipment ensuring it is used safely and within the manufacturers guidance and reviewed as per Livewell Southwest policy.
The post holder will be expected to oversee the standard of patients records by audit or peer review and have a regular open discussion with team members.
To monitor and maintain the health, safety and security of self and others.
Be responsible for organising own time management daily in line with caseload demands, balancing patient needs with the non-clinical aspects of the role, working in a variety of settings i.e., patient-facing, office base, including hot desks and home working where appropriate. ...
