Detailed job description and main responsibilities

•       Assess, plan, implement and evaluate programmes of evidence-based nursing care.

•       Provide expert advice and support in clinical practice by varying methods of communication

•       Participate in the education and training of other staff members

•       Be a role model for all staff through provision of high standards of professional practice

•       Work collaboratively and co-operatively with clinical colleagues to develop services and quality of care delivered within varying environments

Clinical

•        To be an expert practitioner and role model in the field of Neurosciences ensuring the delivery of high standard patient care.

•        Perform comprehensive assessment of patient nursing needs, plan implement and evaluate care delivery according to changing health care needs.

•       Collect, collate, evaluate and report information, maintaining accurate patient records

•       Involve patients/carers and relatives in the planning and delivery of care.

•       Work collaboratively with other professionals and agencies to ensure patient needs are met, especially in relation to ongoing care needs and discharge arrangements.

•       Establish and maintain effective communication with patients and carers/relatives and professionals across health and social services.

•       Evaluate the effectiveness of interventions and treatment protocols.

•       Demonstrate specialist knowledge in relation to the CSF pathway, treatments and surgical procedures.

Leadership

•       Provide specialist, clinical knowledge to clinical colleagues, and support to patients and carers/relatives.

•       Provide people with information and support regarding their condition.

•       Participate in the development of services and assist the highly specialist nurse to implement change service delivery

•       Utilise clinical supervision from nursing colleagues within the Neurosurgical Nurse Specialist team.

•       Participate with regional links in the community to promote and increase awareness of the services provided to those patients who have a diagnosis of Hydrocephalus

•       Participate in the planning and delivery of an effective Hydrocephalus Service

•       Ensure the effective and efficient use of physical and financial resources.

•       Monitor health, safety and security of self and others and promote best practice in the clinical area.

•        Provide line management for the Hydrocephalus clinical nurse specialist team

Clinical Governance

•       Continually monitor standards of care and participate in the improvement of care, through benchmarking, audit and research.

•       Ensure compliance with policies, procedures and clinical guidelines for self and others.

•       Promote patient and public involvement activities in the specialist area, leading to service improvement.

Education and Development

•       Provide education and development opportunities for colleagues on the ward

•       Develop own “expert” clinical knowledge and skills and participate in the development of others clinical knowledge

•       Promote reflective practice by facilitating discussion about good practice and problem areas within clinical supervision environment

•       Provide information, education and support to recently diagnosed patients and their families.

•       Maintain up to date skills and knowledge and maintain awareness of professional issues

•       Identify and agree training and development needs as part of Personal Development Plans

•       Maintain registration and comply with NMC professional code of conduct

•       Ensure own compliance and compliance of others with regard to mandatory training and PREP requirements

•       Attend training sessions to build upon existing clinical skills to further enhance clinical practice.

Research:

•         Initiate and participate in any future projects that may occur within the area.

•         To evaluate and critique recent research, to be used to enhance best practice.

•        Actively investigate current practice, using research papers and evidence data.

•         To be involved in relevant research projects promoting the role of clinician and presenting appropriate papers.

•         To identify areas in which research is viable.

• To be competent in literature review techniques and research methodology.