Tissue Viability Nurse – Redhill

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Provide Tissue Viability training and clinical advice to patients, nurses and allied health professionals working within the multi-disciplinary environment. The main aim of the post is to develop wound prevention and treatment skills of staff in accordance with evidence-based policies and guidelines. It will also involve assessment and interventions for complex wounds and training of local staff to continue plans of care.

In partnership with the lead TVN nurse the post holder will play a key role in improving standards of care based on clinical outcomes identified through case review and clinical audit. The post holder will promote and implement high standards of tissue viability care within the hospital with the aim of maintaining patients within their own home, reducing hospital admissions, facilitating early hospital discharge and promoting and enabling patients to enjoy maximum independence

Communication and relationship skills

Tissue viability work often requires multidisciplinary working together at the ‘bedside’ and always feeding back to the professionals taking overall care of the patient. Therefore good relationships and effective communication skills are necessary for an effective service.

The post holder requires advanced communication skills to effectively receive and advise on complex clinical matters. Empathy and re-assurance skills are needed as part of this role when communicating in difficult situations to patients and staff.

Analytical / judgement skills

As part of the TVN team, analyse and investigate relevant incident reports and support the wider team in patient safety management.

Be aware of other relevant clinical data such as model hospital data, clinical coding data.

Use and maintain a method to produce clinical outcomes for patients who have been referred to the service.

Assess complex clinical conditions and provide advice and guidance based on the presenting information.

Utilise advanced analytical skills when reviewing patient referrals and deciding the appropriate intervention, in the best interest of the patient. 

Planning and organisational skills

The post holder will plan and organise their own day within the context of team work.

The post holder is expected to plan and organise straight forward tasks/programmes such as clinics and case conferences.

Patient care

To provide highly specialised clinical advice for non-complex and complex Tissue Viability referrals.

In partnership with the primary nursing team devise and evaluate care plans regarding non-complex and complex Tissue Viability needs of individual patients, developing specialised programmes of care and care packages for patients.

Provide feedback to the primary nursing team regarding patient referral

Maintain accurate documentation of assessments in the electronic patient record and in departmental records in line with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) guidance and Trust policies.

To provide activity data regarding patient and non-patient activity

To provide advice on the selection and appropriate use of pressure relieving equipment

Policy and service development

To work with or as delegated by the TVN team leader on the development and review of relevant policies, standards and guidelines for tissue viability, implementing policy and proposing changes to working practices for own work area.

Advise individual areas/personnel with production of specific local protocols/standards in the tissue viability aspects of their work.

To promote current evidence-based practice, including guidance issued by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) with the aim of improving the quality of tissue viability and wound management.

Financial and physical resources

Be aware of and adhere to the Trust standing financial instructions.

To be aware of the TVN budget and contribute to robust budgetary control 

Human Resources

Ensure own educational needs are raised with line manager as necessary.

Take part in regular performance appraisal.

Act in accordance with the NMC Code of Professional Conduct.

Be aware of and work within the policies and procedures at SASH.

Carry out other duties as may be required and which are consistent with the responsibilities of the post.

Undertake any training required in order to maintain competency including mandatory training, e.g. Manual Handling.

You must also take responsibility for your workplace health and wellbeing:

When required, gain support from Occupational Health, Human Resources or other sources.

Familiarise yourself with the health and wellbeing support available from policies and/or Occupational Health.

Research and development

In conjunction with the TVN team leader, undertake case studies where they would add something new to the literature for example with complex or unusual cases, and in the evaluation of new products.

Participate in any relevant research activities in conjunction with the TVN team leader as identified by the wider Tissue Viability service.

To disseminate audit results trust-wide and externally as required.

Contribute to national audit and prevalence studies whenever appropriate.

Key attitudes and behaviours

Key attitudes and behaviours

Collaborative

• Excellent/advanced communication skills

• Caring and compassionate

• Respond positively and act promptly

• Good leadership, management and co-ordination

• Takes ownership of issues and ensure timely conclusion

Professional responsibilities – NMC

1. Be accountable for own professional practice in accordance with NMC Code of Conduct

2. Ensures own and other practice is in line with NMC Code of Professional Conduct at all times.

Person specification