Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Clinical Practice

· To work as a nursing expert in endoscopy.

· To deliver a minimum of 4 regular sessions of endoscopy per week in addition to providing backfill for dropped endoscopy sessions where clinically appropriate to do so.

· To perform safe and effective, highly technical, upper and lower diagnostic endoscopic procedures within agreed protocols and guidelines.

· To contribute to the reading colon capsule endoscopy

· To contribute to transnasal gastroscopy performances

· To run one stop rectal bleeding clinic alongside colorectal consultants in the hospital outpatient by using LumenEye technology

· To contribute to train medical/nurse endoscopist

· To perform some therapeutic, high risk, upper and lower endoscopic procedures within agreed protocols and guidelines.

· To assess and prioritise patient care on an individual basis according to urgency of procedure and patient requirements daily

· To obtain fully informed consent prior to the investigation including appropriate alternative investigations.

· Utilise advanced clinical history taking skills to assess the patient including appropriateness of sedation and procedure and recognising any limitations to scope of practice.

· To provide IV interventions as per Trust guidelines e.g. cannulation and IV fluids

· To have the expertise to deal with the emotional demands of the role performing intimate invasive procedures on highly anxious emotional patients.

· Administer local anaesthetic or conscious sedation as per Trust policy as a nurse independent prescriber

· To apply highly developed assessment and diagnostic skills to recognise abnormalities and make differential diagnoses.

· Demonstrate advanced clinical decision-making skills related to the necessity for therapeutic intervention during the procedure.

· Adapt to changes in the patients’ physical status, recognising potential complications and acting on them immediately on a potential daily basis.

· To provide a comprehensive report of the findings of the investigation and suggested follow up

· To apply advanced skills to assess the patient’s level of understanding about their clinical condition taking potential barriers such as language, culture, physical or mental health conditions into consideration.

· To simplify complex medical information for patients giving explanations of the possible diagnoses and negotiate with patients on the appropriate investigations required to establish and confirm a clinical diagnosis.

· To use advanced interpersonal counselling skills to inform patients and their relatives of a diagnosis of cancer or other gastrointestinal disorders providing empathy and support and act as a resource for information and support to patients, relatives and carers.

· Review histology for professional development and, where appropriate, inform relevant referring Consultant to ensure follow up is arranged.

· To attend all relevant MDT meetings and actively contribute.

· To ensure all care is given in accordance with agreed protocols.

· Negotiate with the medical teams to instigate appropriate relevant haematology, endoscopy, radiology and other investigation referrals to aid diagnosis and plan care pathways based on the nursing clinical assessment of the patient.

· Fast track suspected malignancies to the relevant team as per Trust policy.

· Act as patient’s advocate and counsel when informed discussion may lead to choices being made concerning treatment options or quality of life issues. 

· To ensure all communication, which may be complex, contentious or sensitive, is undertaken in a professional manner.

· To ensure appropriate information and educational literature is available to help patients make informed choices as to their treatment plan and continuing management.

· To maintain and improve the quality of written and verbal patient information through questionnaires, review of materials and training.

· To actively involve service users in providing feedback of their experience of the current service and suggestions for improvements.

· To participate in relevant forum at Care Group or Trust Level to represent the service perspective.

· Plan and prioritise own workload.

· Maintain up to date knowledge of the function of medical devices being used to ensure the safety of the patient e.g. endoscopes, diathermy, accessories etc.

· To safeguard the welfare and safety of staff, patients and visitors during working hours in accordance with the requirements of the Trust’s Health and safety policy.

· To act as a suitable clinical role model and mentor to all staff and as a clinical supervisor to selected professionals, offering support and professional guidance.

· Motivate and empower staff to perform their roles to facilitate a competent, confident, questioning, enthusiastic workforce.

· Champion change and support all staff to understand, participate and contribute confidently in an ever-changing environment to ensure innovative, positive approach to health care.

· Actively contribute towards the induction process of new staff.

· Ensure that through the KSF appraisal process, staff are given the opportunity to discuss their role, plan their personal objectives and receive feedback on their performance.

· Work with the Endoscopy Matron and Endoscopy Practice Development Nurse to undertake an annual training needs analysis to ensure that commissioning of internal and external courses meets the needs of the workforce.

· Support in conjunction with the Matron the strategic direction of training for endoscopy staff and facilitate its implementation including rolling out of the GIN Programme and the design of educational packages to meet training needs.

· Ensure that all staff are competent in the use of all equipment necessary to deliver care in the clinical area. Maintain records for audit purposes.

· To facilitate the learning of nursing or medical trainee endoscopists through supervision of lists, informal and formal competency-based training.

· To establish links with key educational providers enabling maximum learning opportunities for all staff. Research and Audit

· Initiate and conduct research to advance knowledge in own specialist field, including gathering, collating and interpreting data and information using a wide range of specialist methodology.

· Keep up to date with current research, identifying how this could be translated to the service to improve care for patients.

· Identify areas of good practice from other endoscopy departments and work to implement these within the Denmark Hill site.

· Undertake a wide range of audits as required for JAG.

· Continuously monitor standards of care and identify risks, undertaking ad-hoc audits as required in order to improve the service.

· Work closely with departmental staff and the MDTs to identify strategies for risk reduction in line with the Trust’s Risk Management policy.

· To highlight and act upon any hazards / unsafe practices and ensure all accidents / untoward incidents are reported in accordance with the laid down procedures.

· To maintain a high profile with patients and staff informing, advising and using counselling skills where required, actively promoting and demonstrating the benefits of the post.

· To attend and actively participate in managerial meetings and EUG. 

· To utilise and maintain information systems to aid audit and to provide regular active analysis reports.

· Maintain contemporaneous and accurate treatment records, submitting relevant statistics, reports and activity data that will profile the service, inform strategy development and measure clinical outcomes.