PERSON SPECIFICATION FORM
Post
Better Breathing Nurse Specialist
Department
Clinical / Better Breathing Clinic
Criteria
Qualifications
(Core Value:
skills and
compassion)
Experience
(Core Value:
Creativity,
Compassion
and Time)
 NMC Level 1 registration
 Post registration
knowledge and training in
respiratory anatomy,
physiology and practice
 Knowledge and training in
oncology and palliative
care
 First Level
degree/advanced diploma
or relevant qualification
evidence of continuing
professional development
 Further post-graduate
training in relevant areas of
respiratory conditions and
breathlessness
management
 Training in End of Life
Care, psychological and/or
advanced communication
skills
 Minimum 5 years working
in palliative, oncology or
respiratory care
 Awareness of national
initiatives in palliative,
oncology and respiratory
care
 Awareness of
responsibilities and
legislation in providing
patient care – to include
record keeping
-1-
Essential or
Desirable
Essential
Essential
How Assessed
Application Form
PIN Number
(NMC)
Certificates
Essential
Essential
Desirable
Desirable
Essential
Essential
Essential
Interview and
application form
Score


Skills/Abilities/
Knowledge
(Core Value:
Skill)









Ability to demonstrate
sensitivity and
professionalism when
working with highly
emotive situations that
may involve patients and
carers
Experience of working
with people from varied
cultural backgrounds
High level of written and
verbal communication
skills, including reportwriting
Understanding of the
needs and difficulties of
people of all ages who
require support in
improving and maintaining
breathing function
Ability to communicate
sensitive information to
patients, carers and
colleagues in a way that
addresses psychological
emotions, anxieties and
barriers
Ability to apply existing
psychosocial knowledge
to health and social
contexts
Ability to work both
individually and within
group settings, facilitating
therapeutic interventions
An understanding of the
non-pharmacological
approach to
breathlessness, applied to
a variety of malignant and
non-malignant respiratory
conditions
An understanding of the
processes of rehabilitation
and social inclusion
An understanding of the
processes necessary to
maintain patient safety
Experience in using
-2-
Essential
Desirable
Essential
Essential
Essential
Essential
Essential
Essential
Essential
Essential
Desirable
Interview and
application form

Effort and
Environment
(Core Value:
skill and time)
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
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
Other

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
computers for databases
or data analysis
Training in basic nonpharmacological
approach, counseling
skills, motivational
interviewing or solutionfocused approaches
An interest in working with
people with malignant or
chronic respiratory
conditions
Ability to recognize and
manage any personal,
emotional impact or
working with people who
may be distressed
Ability to work
emphatically effectively
with people with a variety
of respiratory conditions
Ability to form good
working relationships
within multidisciplinary
teams
Ability to work
independently, reliably
and consistently, with
caseload agreed and
managed at regular
intervals
Ability to reflect on the
impact of work and make
use of supervision
To work professionally
within the Nursing and
Midwifery Code
Full driving licence
Car Owner
LMH is a no-smoking environment
Sue Higgins - Director of Nursing
October 2015
Review October 2016
-3-
Desirable
Essential
Essential
Essential
Essential
Essential
Essential
Essential
Desirable
Desirable
Interview and
application form