JOB DESCRIPTION
Clinical Nurse Specialist - Diabetes
Position Title:
Clinical Nurse Specialist - Diabetes
Organisation Unit:
Chronic and Complex Care – Diabetes Service
Location:
Whangarei, Northland District Health Board
Responsible to:
Clinical Nurse Manager - Diabetes, Chronic and Complex Care
Northland District Health Board
Primary Functions of
the Position:
To provide specialist diabetes advice / education / case
management for primary & secondary service clients with
complex issues, either directly with the client or via another
health provider
To Participate as an effective member of the Diabetes Service
Functional Relationships
The Clinical Nurse Specialist - Diabetes will develop and maintain excellent relationships with:
Internal
External
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Members of the Diabetes Service NDHB
Diabetes Specialist Physicians
Maori Health Unit NDHB
NDHB Hospital Ward and Department
Staff and support services throughout
the organisation
General Outpatient staff
Health Promotion Unit
Director of Nursing and Midwifery
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Patients & their family / whanau
Primary Healthcare providers – PHO’s
& Iwi providers / Northland wide
Schools / pre-school centers
Community Health
Social support agencies
Consumer advocates
Diabetes Northland
Local & Regional Councils
NZNO Diabetes Nurse Specialist
Section
Key Responsibilities and Expected Outcomes
Northland District Health Board has established a set of values by which the organisation will
respond, in part, to achieving its goals and objectives through their workforce. The following
Values and supporting statements are expected behaviours of each individual employed with
NDHB:
Values
Supporting Statement
People First
Tangata I te tuatahi
Respect
Whakaute (tuku mana)
Caring
Manaaki
Communication
Whakawhitiwhiti korero
Excellence
Taumata teitei (hirangi)
People are central to all we do
We treat others as we would like to be treated
We nurture those around us, and treat all with dignity and
compassion
We communicate safely, openly and with respect to promote clear
understanding
Our attitude of excellence inspires success, competence,
confidence and innovation
The position of Clinical Nurse Specialist - Diabetes encompasses the following major
functions or key result areas:
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Provision of Clinical Leadership in Northland for diabetes care
Provision of Educational Leadership in Northland for diabetes care
Professional development & maintenance of Expert practice
Continuous Quality improvement
Treaty of Waitangi
Health and Safety
The outcome requirements of the above key responsibility areas are outlined below:
Key Responsibility Area
Expected Outcomes
Provision of Clinical
Leadership for those
patients with complex
or special needs
relating to diabetes
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Receives, triages & actions direct referrals from other health
professionals, providing care as per nursing process and
incorporating the principles of holism, empowerment &
cultural safety.
Plans & conducts nurse led clinics for clients with specialist
needs re their diabetes management
Collects and records accurately demographic information as
a patient is referred and accepted for treatment in the
Diabetes Service. Documentation is maintained within
Northland DHB Policy Guidelines
Utilises advanced assessment skills in ascertaining a clients
overall health status re diabetes and related complications,
& / or co-morbidities.
Role models application of evidence –based, best practice,
& reflective practice principles in all care delivery.
Demonstrates expert & autonomous practice in the clinical
setting.
Works collaboratively with MDT members in a leadership
role in diabetes management
Provides clinical leadership for other health practitioners in
both primary & secondary care throughout Northland,
offering advice, education and support in case management.
Acts as client advocate for those on clinical caseload, or
requiring specialist secondary care services.
Key Responsibility Area
Expected Outcomes
 Provides counseling & support for patients & whanau for
those newly diagnosed with diabetes, or in crisis.
 Refers directly to other practitioners both within & outside
multi-disciplinary team, including General Practitioners.
 Discharges patients from caseload when considered
appropriate.
 Works in accordance to NDHB policies
 Acts with delegated medical authority from Physician in
ordering blood tests, & adjusting medications (including
Insulin)
 Effective time management, priority setting, co-ordination
and communication skills are practiced.
Provides leadership in
diabetes education for
the Northland Region
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Professional
Development
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Continuous Quality
Improvement
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Acts as a resource for medical, nursing & related health
practitioners re evidenced-based, best practice in diabetes
providing leadership for the region of Northland
Works in a leadership role with physician & other members
of Diabetes Team to maintain policies for NDHB that reflect
best practice.
Leads in developing & delivering formal diabetes education
programmes, applying the principles of adult teaching, for
other health personnel working in both primary & secondary
service.
Attends & presents at Regional & / or National Conferences
Leads & facilitates Regional / Peripheral Team days
Works collaboratively with Primary Care providers to
increase public awareness & understanding of diabetes
through Diabetes Awareness Week projects.
Works with other agencies & health providers in developing
a collaborative, regional approach to diabetes management
Coordinates and facilitates orientation of students allocated
for clinical experience to the unit.
Maintains currency in Diabetes Care best-practice through
attending Conferences, literature review, & liaison with other
Diabetes practitioners.
Achieves & maintains advanced practice in diabetes care &
education
Participates in peer review & reflective practice processes, &
MDT client review
Demonstrates competency in applying delegated medical
authority to practice.
Reviews / evaluates current practices & systems regularly
against consumer feedback, other models of practice, &
current research in diabetes care
Identifies areas for improved efficiency or quality of service
delivery
Creates & innovative solutions in conjunction with other
MDT members
Trials solutions & evaluates outcomes, incorporating
professional / peer, & consumer feedback as appropriate
Demonstrates commitment to implementing agreed
outcomes of the Team
May lead in the development of protocols, clinical guidelines,
Key Responsibility Area
Expected Outcomes
quality improvement projects, audits and research.
 Participates in policy planning.
 Provides reports as requested by Clinical Nurse Manager.
Treaty of Waitangi
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Health & Safety
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Contribute to the promotion of the principles of Treaty of
Waitangi and the involvement if Maori within the decision
making process for their health and independence, within
District Health Board management processes and
procedures
Include the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi within all
aspects of the role and its outcomes
Ensure that consultation and engagement processes include
appropriate mechanisms to meet the need of Maori in a
culturally appropriate and safe manner
Attend the Northland District Health Board Treaty of
Waitangi Training
Seeks peer review & cultural audit of practice
Ensure compliance with designated responsibilities detailed
in Northland District Health Board’s Health and Safety Policy
Promote an environment of physical, occupational, cultural,
ethical and legal safety
Observe safe work practices, rules and instructions relating
to work, and be pro-active in hazard management
Willingly co-operate in the achievement of all health and
safety goals and initiatives by:
 Practicing and observing safe work methods;
 The use of safety equipment;
 Reporting unsafe conditions or equipment; and
 Reporting and documenting all accidents or incidents
Attend Good Stuff Day annually
Variation of Duties
Duties and responsibilities described above should not be construed as a complete and
exhaustive list as it is not the intention to limit in any way the scope or functions of the
position. Duties and responsibilities can be amended from time to time either by additional,
deletion or straight amendment by the Clinical Nurse Manager, Diabetes to meet any
changing conditions, however this will only be done in consultation with the employee.
Person Specification
Education and Qualifications
Essential
 RGON / RCN with Current practicing
Certificate
 Current Driving License
 Evidence of continuing commitment to
Professional Development.
 Post Grad Diploma or working towards
Desirable
Post graduate study in
 Diabetes or NZNO Diabetes Nurse
Specialist pathway or assessment and
/or education
 Expert Level Diabetes Knowledge and
Skills framework
Experience
Essential
 Minimum 5 years postgraduate
experience
 18 months recent experience in diabetes
 Current drivers license
Desirable
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Range of general medical / surgical /
emergency nursing
Experience in adult teaching or
counseling
Awareness and Understanding of
Essential
 The Treaty of Waitangi and its application
to the health setting
 Privacy Act (1993) and Health
Information Privacy Code (1994)
 Health and Safety in Employment Act
(1992)
Desirable
 Health and Disability Commissioner
(Code of Health and Disability Services
Consumers’ Rights) Regulations (1996)
 New Zealand Council of Healthcare
Standards
Skills & Personal Attributes
Skills
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Able to work both autonomously & collaboratively within a wider team & community
Advanced assessment skills
Advanced communication skills
Personal Attributes
 Ability to form therapeutic relationships with people from a wide variety of social / ethnic
/cultural backgrounds
 Ability to assess & manage crisis situations & refer appropriately as indicated
 Genuineness & concern for the wellbeing of clients & whanau with diabetes
Performance Development Review
An initial review of performance will be conducted after three months, with an annual review
thereafter.
An individual Development Plan will be developed to reflect the contribution this position is
expected to make towards achieving the team’s objectives and measures. Key result areas
will be developed and agreed at this time.
Authorised by:
Signature:
Date:
Acceptance
Acceptance of the position implies acceptance of this position description.
Position Title:
Signature of employee:
Date: