Specialist Nurse - Women's Health
The post holder will assess patients formulating a diagnosis and if appropriate initiating treatments thus being clinically responsible for the whole patient episode of care. The post holder will be involved in the development and delivery of education and training of other staff.
The post holder will take the lead and be responsible for the development and updating of clinical standards, procedures. The working hours will be predominantly out of hours, evenings and weekends. As this specialised service develops there may be the scope to expand to other services.
Key Objectives and Requirements To provide a specialist and advanced nursing contribution to the clinical management of patients with contraceptive, genitor urinary or sexual health conditions whilst working autonomously but in collaboration with other health professionals.
To undertake contraceptive and sexual health clinical sessions independently assessing patients, formulating diagnoses and if appropriate initiate treatments under patient group directions, agreed protocols or non-medical prescribing. To be responsible for the follow up care of patients with contraceptive, sexual health or other sexual health issue to include common STIs, HIV testing (using venepuncture or point of care testing) and first and subsequent issuing of methods of contraception.
To assess patients taking sexual histories, carrying out comprehensive clinical examinations on patients including cervical cytology, making presumptive diagnoses of STIs and other related conditions via completing direct microscopy results and clinical examination and then provide treatment, education and advice to the patient undertaking partner notification as needed.Following training and assessment of clinical competence undertake independent assessment of patients to assess their suitability to use Intrauterine device , levonorgestrel intrauterine device as a method of contraception and fit and remove these as appropriate.
To administer medications, vaccinations and immunisations, for example hepatitis B in conjunction with clinical protocol and Patient Group Directives. To independently assess patients in order to supply emergency contraception, start and re-issue combined oral and progesterone only contraceptive methods (including the insertion and removal of contraceptive implants) To provide leadership by acting as a role model for other nurses within the service and provide specialist and up to date relevant information to other Nurses and Health Professionals.
To ensure that clinical and educational practice within the service adheres to recent research findings, clinical governance and professional guidelines. Respond to daily problems faced by the service and ensure issues are resolved as swiftly as possible.This may include analysing complex situations and making independent decisions and identifying longer-term solutions as required. To support and encourage the clinical supervision process for all nurses within the service and actively be involved in the process.
Adhere to the NMC Code: Standards of Conduct, Performance and ethics for nurses and midwives at all times. Maintain your own professional and personal development, attending mandatory training as required. Training and Education Participation in an annual individual performance review, including taking responsibility for maintaining a record of own personal and/or professional development Taking responsibility for own development, learning and performance and demonstrating skills and activities to others who are undertaking similar work