Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification

This post is required to expand Hepatology services for the effective delivery of a program of work in the Liver Health Checks pilot. Working with existing team members the post holder will deliver clinics designed to identify people with undiagnosed cirrhosis within target populations at risk for metabolic liver disease, alcohol related liver disease or people at risk of viral hepatitis. 

This post has strategic and operational components and the post holder will be required to work with key stakeholders and patients across the network, to proactively support timely and rapid progression from diagnosis to cancer surveillance pathways for those identified on fibro scan assessment to have liver cirrhosis. 

The successful candidate will be trained to undertake fibro scans – a non-invasive diagnostic test to identify patients with advanced liver fibrosis or cirrhosis. Community based liver health checks clinics will recruit patients for assessment working closely with GPs, the HCV ODN van team, and other stakeholders. The post holder will have a key role in delivering education and health promotion advice to all patients enrolled in the program, including those with normal diagnostic investigations. 

The liver health checks practitioner will co-ordinate onward referral to secondary care liver clinics and Hepatocellular cancer surveillance pathways and will work closely with the lead clinician peer support workers and pathway navigators to retain patients in cancer surveillance pathways. There will be significant overlap with the existing HCV ODN, and the post holder will also collaborate with the existing clinical nurse specialists (HCV and HBV), hepatologists and HCV ODN MDT coordinator to ensure any patient with liver disease caused by viral hepatitis can access additional diagnostics e.g., HCV diagnostics and treatment. 

This is a very exciting new role to support the delivery of the Surrey Liver Health Checks ODN, which will integrate with the existing Hepatitis C ODN and the regional Hepatocellular Cancer MDT team at the Royal Surrey.  Working with existing team members, including another community liver health check nurse, the post holder will deliver clinics designed to identify people with undiagnosed cirrhosis within target populations at risk for metabolic liver disease, alcohol related liver disease or people at risk of viral hepatitis. 

The successful applicant, under the direction, guidance and supervision of the Hepatology CNS team and Consultants, will deliver liver health assessments in primary and secondary care including GP surgeries, hospital clinics, the mobile outreach van, and static clinics within drug services. Additional responsibilities will include co-ordination of care for patients engaged in hepatocellular cancer surveillance pathways and work to improve access to care for Hepatitis C positive patients.

A background in clinical hepatology oncology or research would be an advantage but induction and training will be available for the successful appointee. Whilst this post may appeal to a nurse seeking a CNS role candidates with research and case management experience with appropriate skills will be eligible for appointment.

This post has strategic and operational components and the post holder will be required to work with key stakeholders and patients across the network, to proactively support timely and rapid progression from diagnosis to cancer surveillance pathways for those identified on fibro scan assessment to have liver cirrhosis. Full training will be given in fibro scanning to ensure an ongoing comprehensive service for our patients.

The liver health checks practitioner will co-ordinate onward referral to secondary care liver clinics and Hepatocellular cancer surveillance pathways and will work closely with the lead clinician peer support workers and pathway navigators to retain patients in cancer surveillance pathways. There will be significant overlap with the existing HCV ODN, and the post holder will also collaborate with the existing clinical nurse specialists (HCV and HBV), hepatologists and HCV ODN MDT coordinator to ensure any patient with liver disease caused by viral hepatitis can access additional diagnostics e.g., HCV diagnostics and treatment.

Experience of substance misuse, especially alcohol would be an advantage in this role but a non-judgmental attitude is a must. The applicant must be self-motivated and organised; and treat people with compassion and empathy. A car to be able to travel to the outreach sites is also beneficial.