PERSONNEL SPECIFICATION
POST:
Tuberculosis Specialist Nurse Band 7
DEPARTMENT:
Primary Care & Older People
LOCATION:
Community
DATE:
May 2014
FACTORS
QUALIFICATIONS
AND/OR
EXPERIENCE
(Length and Type)
ORGANISATIONAL
KNOWLEDGE
ESSENTIAL
DESIRABLE
Part 1 Registered Nurse (Adult) on the
live NMC Register.
Recognised post registration
qualification in Tuberculosis ie
need an example here
AND
5 years post registration experience –
2 of which must have been working
with respiratory conditions including
Tuberculosis.
-
Have sound knowledge of
changing trends within health
and social care.
-
Be conversant with current
professional issues in relation
to Tuberculosis to include the
public health priorities in the
event of a positive diagnosis.
FACTORS
ESSENTIAL
-
Demonstrate how you have
managed a service to ensure
successful achievement of
service objectives.
-
Demonstrate ability to work
effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team.
Evidence of training ie train
the trainer qualification
DESIRABLE
PERSONAL QUALITIES /
COMPETENCES
-
Data collection and analysis,
record keeping including audit
and research
-
Presentation and speaking at
larger scale meetings, eg
regional, specialist practitioner,
multidisciplinary, professional
etc.
Have effective communication
skills to meet the needs of the
post in full.


FACTORS
SPECIAL
CIRCUMSTANCES
ESSENTIAL

Ability to influence and manage
change, including the promotion
of evidence based practice.

Ability to provide effective
leadership to meet the needs of
the post in full.
Ability to work flexible hours on day
duty.
Have a full clean driving licence and
access to a form of transport
DESIRABLE
JOB DESCRIPTION
TITLE:
Tuberculosis Nurse Specialist
(Respiratory Team Leader)
BAND:
Band 7
LOCATION:
Altnagelvin Hospital or South West Acute Hospital
(The post holder will be based at one of the two Trust Acute
Sites. The post holder will have a Trust-wide responsibility)
REPORTS TO:
Long Term Conditions Manager
PROFESSIONALLY
ACCOUNTABLE TO:
Executive Director of Nursing
JOB SUMMARY
The post holder will be responsible for the implementation and coordination of
strategies
aimed at the prevention, control and treatment of Tuberculosis (TB). They will work in
partnership with the Lead Respiratory Consultant for TB and in collaboration with the
Consultant in Communicable Disease Control (CCDC) and the Health Protection Team at
the Public Health Agency (PHA). The post will lead in the development and provision of
a quality service for patients with TB and provide support and expert specialist nursing
advice.
Key Relationships
 Lead Respiratory Consultant for TB
 Consultant in Communicable Disease Control (CCDC)
 Lead Nurse Infection Prevention and Control and IP&C Team
 Consultant Microbiology and Microbiology Department
 Health Protection Department – PHA
 Environmental Health Officers
 Occupational Health Departments
 GPs
 Patients diagnosed with TB and their Families
PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES
1. To work independently and in collaboration with the Consultant Respiratory
Physicians, CCDC, other consultants, General Practitioners, Nurses and Midwives
and other health care professionals to provide a comprehensive contact tracing and
follow-up system for the prevention, control and treatment of tuberculosis.
2.
To lead in the preparation of contact tracing lists in collaboration with Lead
Respiratory Clinician and CCDC.
3.
To take the lead in setting up a contract tracing processes ensuring that all
necessary screening is carried out and ensure that contacts that do not respond are
followed up. Provide the CCDC with a report on the investigation and management
of all contacts linked with each notified case of pulmonary TB.
4.
To maintain an effective information system for managing data relating to contact
tracing for incidence of TB.
5.
To liaise with and support Public Health Nursing Teams in the screening of
immigrants and ethnic minority groups.
6.
To liaise with Occupational Health Departments and other Multi-disciplinary Teams
regarding the management and treatment of people diagnosed with TB.
7.
To work as part of the specialist respiratory team and lead in the development of
nursing practice in the care of clients with TB and other infectious processes eg
Infective Bronchiectasis.
8.
To lead in the application of public health principles and is knowledgeable about
social, economic, and ecologic issues related to the needs of populations at risk for
TB.
9.
To provide leadership to the Respiratory Team and assist them in the prevention of
healthcare associated infection and to minimise its effects on the quality of client
and patient care.
10. To participate in and lead as required on the preparation of operational plans and
reports for example annual infection reduction plans, annual reports, audit reports
and business cases.
11. To ensure that Trust policies and procedures relating to the safe and effective
management of TB are updated and reflect regional guidance and best available
evidence.
12. To evaluate the compliance with policies and procedures and the effectiveness of
the service through regular audits and present the findings to appropriate forums
within the Trust and regionally as appropriate.
13. To take personal responsibility for developing and maintaining competence in
clinical skills required for the full execution of the duties of the role. Examples are
listed below.








Phlebotomy for blood sampling and processing/transport
Mantoux Tuberculin Skin Test (TST)
Sputum AFB smear/culture
Recognition and reporting of abnormal findings
Expertise in using Interferon Gamma Release Assays (IGRA)
Knowledge of other diagnostic tests and how to educate/prepare clients for tests
Assess barriers to adherence and need for DOT
Provide and/or supervise DOT

14.
Evaluate response to treatment, documenting resolution of symptoms, weight
gain, bacteriologic examinations and other clinical markers based on site of TB
disease.
To lead in the design and delivery of education programmes for Health and
Social Care Colleagues and members of the public as required.
MANAGERIAL RESPONSIBILITIES
1. To report to and provide regular updates to the Long Term Condition Services
Manager.
2. To establish a supportive, fair and open culture that encourages and enables
staff, within your area of responsibility, to meet required performance
standards.
3. To manage staff within sphere of control in line with Trust Policies and
Procedures.
Including Induction Training, Appraisal, Clinical Supervision, Absence
Management and Grievance and Disciplinary Procedures.
4. To hold regular Team meetings with staff and ensure that records are
maintained of these meetings.
5. To maintain the skills, knowledge and competence of all members of staff within
sphere of control through the application of an annual Learning Needs Analysis
in line with Trust and Strategic objectives for the service.
6. To liaise with the Trust Nursing Education Lead to ensure that the identified
learning needs are commissioned through the education commissioning
processes.
7. To encourage good practice and act as a role model, provide leadership and
support to staff and encourage effective teamwork within your area of
responsibility.
8. To establish effective communication mechanisms within the Team and with
other Teams, Agencies within the Key Relationships.
9. To participate as required in Selection and Recruitment processes within the
Trust.
10. To contribute to the collation of evidence to ensure Trust compliance with
Quality, Safety and Governance Systems e.g Controls Assurance and Corporate
Accountability for IP&C.
11. To assist in the development of responses to complaints, freedom of information
requests, press enquiries and assembly/parliamentary questions in a timely
manner.
12. To engage with external stake-holders public and community groups in infection
prevention decision making.
13. Review regional and national guidance/legislation and make recommendations
in relation to implementation of such guidance within the Trust.
14. To manage all assigned budgets accurately and in accordance with the Trust
SODA procedures.
PROFESSIONAL NURSING RESPONSIBILITIES
1. To always act in accordance with the NMC Code of Conduct and Ethics.
2. To take personal responsibility for maintaining professional registration with
the NMC.
3. To promote the principles of person centred care in the design and
implementation of policies and procedures to manage and treat people
diagnosed with TB and within the wider Respiratory service.
4.
To ensure that Trust policies developed to enable staff meet their professional
and regulatory responsibilities are adhered to. Examples include – Professional
Registration, Clinical Supervision, Mandatory Training, Health and Safety, Safe
Storage and Administration of Medicines, Recording Care.
5. To ensure that all information and records held about staff and patients is
managed in accordance with NMC guidance and Trust Policies.
6. To communicate highly complex and sensitive information to a range of
professionals and others in a safe and confidential manner.
7. To develop a culture of hold team members to account for their behaviour and
practice.
8. To strive to ensure that people who come in contact with TB and Respiratory
Services have a positive experience of care and treatment.
FINANCIAL & RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
1. To develop and monitor appropriate controls within scope of responsibility in
accordance with the Trust’s Schedule of Delegated Authority
2. To adhere to agreed policies and procedures including standing financial
instructions.
3. To authorise mileage forms and stock and non-stock requisitions in concordance
with the Schedule of Delegated Authority.
4. To ensure that the Trust’s funds are effectively used, that financial commitments
represent value for money and comply with standing financial instructions and
Trust protocols.
5. To manage and monitor service standards, contracts and agreements arising
from relationships with internal and external suppliers.
GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
Conduct
Employees must at all times abide by Trust policies and procedures and the terms of
their contract of employment. They must conduct themselves with impartiality,
integrity, objectivity and honesty and maintain high standards of personal and
professional accountability.
Performance
Employees are expected to demonstrate commitment to the Trust by ensuring regular
attendance at work and efficient completion of duties.
Risk Management
Employees must ensure that they comply with any risk management responsibilities
specific to their post, and as set out in the Trust’s Risk Management Strategy.
Governance
The Trust is committed to the development and implementation of systems under
Integrated Governance to ensure continuous improvement in the quality of services
provided. Employees will be expected to co-operate and work with such systems.
Records Management
All employees of the Trust are legally responsible for all records held, created or used as
part of their business within the Trust including patient/client, corporate and
administrative records whether paper based or electronic and also including emails. All
such records are public records and are accessible to the general public, with limited
exceptions, under Freedom of Information Act 2000, the Environmental Information
Regulations 2004 and the Data Protection Act 1998. Employees are required to be
conversant with the Trust’s policy and procedures on records management and to seek
advice if in doubt.
QUALITY
Patients’ satisfaction must be at the forefront of your concern, every patient is to be
treated as an individual and provided with high quality service in terms of courtesy,
kindness, interest and efficiency.
Confidentiality
All information concerning patients and staff must be held in the strictest confidence
and may not be divulged to any unauthorized person.
Equality & Human Rights
Employees must ensure that equality and human rights issues are addressed within the
post holder’s area of responsibility in accordance with the Trust’s Equality Scheme.
Health and Safety
Employees should note that under Health & Safety at Work Legislation they are required
to take all reasonable steps while at work to ensure their own health and safety and the
health and safety of those who may be affected by their acts or omissions at work.
Infection Prevention and Control
Employees must know where to access be familiar with and adhere to all Infection
prevention and Control guidance related to their area of work. All Trust staff are
responsible for infection prevention and control and are expected to understand and
apply good basic hygiene procedures in all interactions with patients and clients.
Smoking, Alcohol & Health
The Trust operates policies on smoking, alcohol and health.
Environmental Cleanliness
The Trust promotes a culture of cleanliness and has adopted a partnership and
collaborative approach that recognises cleanliness as the responsibility of everyone,
cascading throughout every level of the organisation.
The Trust is an Equal Opportunities Employer.
The duties and responsibilities outlined in the above job description are not intended to be
definitive nor restrictive, and may be amended to meet the changing needs of the Trust.
May 2014