Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a dynamic and experienced nurse, who is enthusiastic and highly motivated with an interest in Hepatology to join our clinical nurse specialist team.

The successful applicant will be experienced in caring for Hepatology patients with proven clinical skills and knowledge in this field. They should possess excellent communication skills and an ability to provide expert professional advice and support to Hepatology patients and their families throughout their journey.

The successful candidate will be involved in working with patients with Liver conditions including cirrhosis monitoring MASLD/ALD/Hepatitis B & C/ fibro scan and new patient referrals. The successful candidate will need to have knowledge of the goals set out within the Liver Plan for Wales.

The clinical nurse specialist (CNS) team works in close collaboration with Gastroenterology Consultants and other clinical nurse specialists within the Hospital. The post holders will play a key role in developing the Hepatology service including nurse-led clinics and supporting other areas of Hepatology including day case and in-patient services.

Successful candidates will be expected to perform autonomously both in clinic and ward environment running nurse-led clinics, patient/staff education and specialist screening/investigations/procedures for Hepatology patients.

Main duties of the job

• To work as an autonomous practitioner
• To provide evidence-based care, demonstrating knowledge and expertise in the care of patients with hepatology diseases.
• Be responsible for managing a defined caseload and implement development of nurse led clinics in line with Board approved protocols for patients with liver disease. 
• Be an expert in the clinical field and have to make judgements within their daily role, which are highly complex. 
• To autonomously initiate, order and perform appropriate investigations and tests, interpreting, acting on and communicating the results sensitively to the patient.
• Undertakes and is responsible for the operational management of nurse led clinics in line with health board approved policies and protocols. 
• Attend Consultant Outpatients Clinics and ward areas as appropriate to provide advice and support to patients and their families. 
• Participate in scheduled nurse led clinic in hospital and develop community-based services.
• Take accountability and responsibility for prescribing of treatments in line with evidence-based practice and health board policies and processes (in holding an non-medical prescribing qualification).
• Clarify and modify medication according to individual treatment plans for patients with Blood borne viruses and other liver disease treatments. 

Working for our organisation

Hywel Dda University Health Board is the planner and provider of NHS healthcare services for people in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire and its bordering counties. Our 12,000 members of staff provide primary, community, in-hospital, mental health and learning disabilities services to almost 400,000 people across a quarter of the landmass of Wales. We do this in partnership with our three local authorities and public, private and third sector colleagues, including our volunteers, through:

Four main hospitals: Bronglais General in Aberystwyth, Glangwili General in Carmarthen, Prince Philip in Llanelli and Withybush General in Haverfordwest.

Five community hospitals: Amman Valley Hospital and Llandovery Hospital in Carmarthenshire,  Tregaron Hospital in Ceredigion and Tenby and South Pembrokeshire Hospital Health and Social Care Resource Centre in Pembrokeshire.

Two integrated care centres (Aberaeron and Cardigan, Ceredigion).

Community facilities, including:

48 General Practices (GP surgeries), 49 Dental Practices, 98 Community Pharmacies (chemists), 44 General Ophthalmic Practices (including eye health and low vision services), 38 sites providing mental health and learning disability services, care within your own homes

Highly specialised and tertiary services commissioned by the Welsh Health Specialised Services Committee, a joint committee representing seven health boards across Wales.