Osteoporosis Nurse Specialist JD
Hours/Pay: WTE 1.0 NHS AFC Band 6
Reports to: Kingston Community Falls Coordinator (Public Health), Rheumatology Consultant
(Kingston Hospital)
Contract: Permanent (NHS terms & Conditions)
Main Purpose of the Post:

Assess and improve bone sparing agent prescribing and osteoporosis management in
Kingston by supporting Kingston GPs to identify and manage high risk patients.

Work closely with the Kingston Hospital Falls and Fracture Navigator and support the post
holder to set up referral pathways between the Fracture Clinic and local GPs and the
Kingston Falls Service.

Support the Kingston Falls Service to ensure all their patients receive sufficient osteoporosis
screening and bone health care plans and pathways are available when appropriate (one day
a week).

The post holder will be based in Kingston Hospital one day a week.
Duties will involve:
a) Working with the Rheumatology Consultant to support the care of high risk/ osteoporotic
outpatients.
b) Raise the profile and importance of osteoporosis in the hospital.
c) Support the work of the Hospital Falls and Fractures navigator to increase the rate of falls
and bone health referrals made to community service providers.

Educate and inform Kingston GP patients about osteoporosis prevention and management
and about how bone health can be maintained and improved.

Support people that live in sheltered housing accommodations and care home setting and
ensure practices and policy are in place to ensure high risk individuals receive Ca and Vit D
supplements.

Work closely with the Falls and Bone Health Exercise Specialist and Kingston Falls
coordinator to set up an integrated osteoporosis pathway in Kingston.
Duties and Responsibilities of Post
Providing assessment, screening treatment services and health education advice

Establish and assist with the organisation and co-ordination of the bone health promotion
activities in the Kingston

Work closely with GPs to help them to identify and manage patients at high risk of
osteoporosis/ osteopenia. Depending on the need/ requirement of individual GP practices
support and follow up their patients that have been identified as high risk or osteoporotic
during the Kingston Bone Health Audit. Ensure they comply with the osteoporosis
medications/supplements and refer them to osteoporosis specialist exercise interventions.

Provide specialist advice to GPs in the Royal Borough of Kingston on appropriate bone
protection prescribing.

Work with the Fracture Clinic and the Falls and Fractures Navigator in Kingston Hospital to
increase community service referral rates of those patients that have suffered from a fragility
fracture.
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
Work with Care Homes to ensure standard practice is in place for residents to receive
appropriate supplementation to reduce the incidence of falls and fractures.

Work with sheltered housing schemes and help to promote the Kingston Falls and Bone
health services and referrals to their various exercise interventions.

Provide education sessions to the local population on the importance of maintaining optimal
bone health and on how to prevent and treat osteoporosis. Refer to exercise programmes
when appropriate.

Assess, diagnose, plan, implement and evaluate treatment/interventions and care for patients
with osteoporosis/ osteopenia

Proactively identify, diagnose and manage treatment plans for patients at risk of developing
osteoporosis/ osteopenia.

Conduct medication reviews, appropriate to patient needs and in accordance with evidencebased practice for optimal osteoporosis management and falls prevention.

Work with patients and provide follow up in order to support compliance and adherence with
prescribed treatment

Provide information and advice on prescribed or over-the-counter medications, side-effects
and interactions to reduce the risk of falls

Prioritise health problems and intervene appropriately to assist the patient in complex, urgent
or emergency situations, including initiation of effective emergency care

Support patients to adopt health promotion strategies that promote healthy lifestyles, and
apply principles of self-care.

Utilise and demonstrate sensitive communication styles, to ensure patients are fully informed
and consent to treatment
Delivering a quality service

Recognise and work within own competence and professional code of conduct as regulated
by the NMC

Produce accurate, contemporaneous and complete records of patient consultation, consistent
with legislation, policies and procedures

Prioritise, organise and manage own workload in a manner that maintains and promotes
Quality

Deliver care according to NSF, NICE guidelines and evidence-based care

In partnership with other clinical teams, collaborate on improving the quality of health care
responding to local and national policies and initiatives as appropriate

Evaluate patients’ response to health care provision and the effectiveness of care

Support and participate in shared learning across Kingston
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Administrative and professional responsibilities

Participate in the administrative and professional responsibilities of the Kingston Bone Health
services.

Take responsibility for own learning and performance including participating in clinical
supervision and acting as a positive role model.

Take a lead role in planning and implementing changes within the area of osteoporosis care
in Kingston.

Contribute to the development of local guidelines, protocols and standards that promote bone
health.

Create clear referral and care pathway to meet patient need.
.

Work effectively with others to clearly define values, direction and policies impacting upon
care delivery.

Discuss, highlight and work with the team to create opportunities to improve patient care.

Ensure collection and maintenance of statistical information required for regular and ad hoc
reports.
Education and training

Hold regular education sessions for the over 50s about how to maintain and improve their
bone health
Liaison

Maintain effective liaison with the relative departments of Kingston Hospital, local GP
practices, relevant third sector organisations, the Kingston Falls Service and the Kingston
Public Health Team.
7. Professional Development

Maintain continued education by attendance at courses and study days as deemed useful or
necessary for professional development.

Disseminate learning and information gained to other team members in order to share good
practice and inform others about current and future developments (eg courses and
conferences)

Provide an educational role to patients, carers, families and colleagues in an environment that
facilitates learning
8. General

Staff must behave in a professional and discreet manner at all times.

Patient and professional confidentiality is of prime importance. Any breach of confidentiality
can result in immediate suspension/dismissal.

Full details of conditions of employment are shown in the contract of employment.
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9. Requirements of the post

Registered General Nurse

Membership of a professional body

Work in accordance with the UKCC Code of Conduct

Ability to self-motivate, organise and prioritise workloads

Excellent communication skills

Nurse prescriber qualification

Specialist interest in bone health and falls

Ability to motivate other members of the team
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PERSON SPECIFICATION Essential requirements
UK registered nurse with significant post registration experience
Nurse Practitioner qualification (desirable)
Nurse Prescriber qualification
Special interest in osteoporosis, bone health and falls
Experience in prescribing and administering bisphosphonates / supplements
Ability to maintain and monitor high standards of care
Ability to direct and co-ordinate programmes of care working autonomously and collaborative
Effective organisational skills
Evidence of experience in embracing and implementing change to provide high quality health
outcomes
The ability to work in a changing, demanding and stressful situation
Communication skills- both verbally and in writing at all levels
IT systems skills
Friendly and approachable
Good presentation of self, enthusiastic, innovative and flexible
Self motivated, positive and committed
Continue education by attending courses/study days as deemed useful for professional development
Ability to influence people and to promote positive change
Must keep abreast of changes and progress in nursing care.
Have ability to work on own initiative, acknowledging limitations and recognising when referral is
needed.
Maintain accurate, comprehensive records
This job description is not definitive or exhaustive. It is a reflection of the present requirement and
may be subject to review and amendment in light of future changes or developments.
The post holder may, therefore, be required to undertake other duties agreed with their line manager.
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