Workforce Directorate
Human Resources
Recruitment Team
High East, Crichton Hall, Dumfries DG1
4TG
Fax: 01387 244043
Email: dg.recruitment@nhs.net
JOB DESCRIPTION for the following vacancy:
VACANCY REF No:
741.15
VACANCY (Post Title):
Respiratory Nurse Specialist
GRADE:
Band 7
SALARY:
£31,383 to £41,373
HOURS:
37.5hpw
Permanent
Description of the Role:
An enthusiastic, self motivated and dynamic individual is sought to join the existing Respiratory team
in NHS Dumfries and Galloway. This post will be based at the D&GRI and will work across the
primary and secondary care interface. Applications are invited for the above post from RGN’s with
the following qualifications:






RGN Level I – 3-5 years post registration working experience in respiratory disease.
Clear evidence of continuous professional development.
Further registration and/or Diploma level course in Respiratory disease/working towards.
1st Level Degree or Nurse Practitioner qualification
Non Medical Prescriber qualification desirable.
Intermediate life support status provider desirable.
The post holder will work with the existing respiratory team to provide a Community Respiratory
Nursing service to patients with chronic respiratory disease within NHS Dumfries and Galloway.
Following appropriate training/induction, the post holder will provide Pulmonary rehabilitation, Early
Supported discharge services, Nurse led diagnostic and Nurse led clinic follow up services for
individuals with Respiratory diseases improving current service provision through multi-disciplinary
team working across the boundaries of primary and secondary care. The post-holder will be
expected to work within the existing respiratory team, providing cover for his/her colleagues,
reporting to the Respiratory Nurse Consultant.
Informal enquiries can be directed to Phyllis Murphie, Respiratory Nurse Consultant at the D&GRI on
01387 241860.
Interviews will be held week commencing 5 October 2015.
Closing Date:
Thursday 17 September 2015 at 5.00pm
NHS Dumfries & Galloway
AfC Ref: NG078
Candidate Information Sheet
Return of Applications
It is preferable that applications are returned electronically to the following email address
dg.applications@nhs.net. Please ensure that you read the job description and person
specification carefully, complete all applicable sections of the application and that your
Statement in support of your Application clearly demonstrates how you meet the requirements
of the post. We do not accept Curriculum Vitae so any CVs or copies of certificates submitted
instead of, or in addition to the standard NHS Application Form will not be processed
We are unable to access late applications.
Decisions to shortlist candidates for interview are made ONLY on the contents of your
application form. If you are not shortlisted you will not receive any further communications.
Criminal Record Check
With effect from 28th February, 2011 posts considered to be within "Regulated Work" with
Children and/or "Regulated Work" with Protected Adults will require membership of the
Disclosure Scotland Protection of Vulnerable Groups Scheme (PVG Scheme) as a condition of
employment.
PVG
You do not have to do anything about PVG Membership when submitting your application form
for the post. Candidates selected for appointment will be advised on how to become a PVG
Scheme Member prior to taking up the position.
Further information on the PVG Scheme Membership can be found at the following
https://www.disclosurescotland.co.uk/index.htm
Standard Disclosure Check
For other roles not considered to be within "Regulated Work with Children" and/or "Regulated
Work with Protected Adults", a Standard Disclosure Check may be required and the cost of this
will be met by NHS Dumfries & Galloway.
Applicants who have lived outside the UK within the last five years, if offered a position, in
addition to a Disclosure Scotland Check, will be required to provide a completed police record
check (Certificate of Good Conduct) from the police authority in the country or countries in
which they were resident.
NHS Dumfries & Galloway
AfC Ref: NG078
1. JOB IDENTIFICATION
Job Title: Respiratory Nurse Specialist - Band 7
Department(s): Respiratory Medicine
Job Holder Reference:
No of Job Holders: 1
2. JOB PURPOSE
1. Provide a specialist respiratory nursing service to patients with Chronic Respiratory Disease,
their families and carers within NHS Dumfries and Galloway.
2. The post holder will work within the existing respiratory team, both in primary and secondary
care to facilitate early supported discharge for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease, linking with the existing services as appropriate and take a lead role in delivery of
Pulmonary Rehabilitation services for respiratory patients across NHS Dumfries and Galloway.
3. The post holder will be a resource of specialist knowledge for health care professionals,
improving services and the quality of care provision, through collaboration with primary and
secondary care providers and other allied agencies. The post-holder will take a lead role within
the integration of services and focus on service development and improvement.
4. Provide specialist respiratory nurse input through all stages of respiratory disease
management and clinical decision making.
5. The post holder will have the ability to initiate and support service developments and
empowerment of staff within the organisation and the delivery of care to patients within NHS
Dumfries and Galloway.
3.
ORGANISATIONAL POSITION
Direct of Nursing services
Critical Care Services Manager
Respiratory Nurse Consultant
Respiratory Nurse Specialists
4. SCOPE AND RANGE
The main elements of the post are:
1.
2.
Assessment, Diagnosis, Development, Implementation and Evaluation of programmes of
care for patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.
Development of Pulmonary rehabilitation programme within NHS Dumfries and Galloway.
NHS Dumfries & Galloway
AfC Ref: NG078
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Continuing development for the non invasive ventilation service.
Development of service provision and facilitation for patients with end stage disease in
COPD.
Monitoring of standards of care with evaluation and outcome.
Provision of advice, education and support to other agencies.
Network with other agencies Local and National.
Formulation of policies and protocols within area of expertise.
Development of scope of practice within Dumfries and Galloway.
Raise the standard of nursing and clinical effectiveness in conjunction with current
government respiratory disease health policies.
5. MAIN DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES
Facilitating the provision of the highest standard of care for patients with chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease across the spectrum of primary and secondary care.
Integrating evidence based practice and expert nursing care provision for patients with
Chronic respiratory disease.
Acting as a focus for nurse leadership and education within COPD management working with
the Department of Respiratory Medicine and Bell College.
Practice at an advanced level with autonomous clinical decision-making exercising independent
or delegated prescribing rights where local and national legislation and competency permits.
Provision of Expert Practice
Practice at an advanced level with autonomous clinical decision-making, advanced clinical skills,
assessment and exercising independent or delegated prescribing rights where local and national
legislation and competency permits.
Receive appropriate referrals within agreed protocols within a focused client population providing
technical and clinical interventions aimed at improving services and patient outcomes across
primary and secondary care.
Having the ability to initiate and support service developments and empowering staff in
the organisation and delivery of care.
Have an in depth knowledge of respiratory aetiology, care and management and be
able to assess individuals holistically using appropriate assessment methods and
reaching valid, reliable and comprehensive conclusions on care needs. This will involve
assessment of qualify of life measurements, ability to work, exercise limitation and ability to
engage in normal social activities and lead to individual therapeutic programmes.
Provide appropriate therapeutic treatments aimed at providing symptomatic relief and
improve quality of life, including prescribing /optimisation of medication and oxygen therapy
monitoring and where possible reducing disease progression.
COPD Education/Training
In provision of the expert practice role for COPD /Respiratory conditions the respiratory Nurse
Specialist will assist in education and training of other nurse groups responsible
for delivering care to this client group in primary and secondary care.
This will include the education and support of nurses/clients/carers delivering respiratory support
NHS Dumfries & Galloway
AfC Ref: NG078
in the form of CPAP therapy/non-invasive ventilation in primary care and end of life palliative
care for end stage respiratory disease.
Identify education and learning needs of patients, carers and Respiratory health care
professionals across NHS Dumfries and Galloway.
Take a lead role in patient assessment and the educational development of the
Pulmonary Rehabilitation Programme and COPD service.
Professional Leadership
Provide professional leadership and mentorship for colleagues, acting as a role model
for practitioners, and supporting and inspiring contemporaries. To be highly skilled in identifying
learning needs of patients, clients, families and carers; and health care professionals.
Develop local clinical policies/ protocols/procedures, which can be monitored by clinical
governance strategies, on respiratory management in accordance with the standards set by the
British Thoracic Society, for example Guidelines on the Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
NICE/BTS (20013).
Education, Training and Development
Play a supporting role in the co-ordination and delivery of pulmonary rehabilitation
across primary and secondary care interface by working with other respiratory care practitioners
and established organisations.
Identify learning needs of respiratory health care professionals in NHS Dumfries and
Galloway and where appropriate develop and deliver training programmes.
Help develop, implement and evaluate teaching programmes for primary and secondary care
staff, to help improve standards in respiratory care, participating in the provision of education at
an advanced level.
Act as a main focus for nurse leadership and education within the COPD/Respiratory service
across primary and secondary care.
Establish and maintain strong links with the University West of Scotland in the provision
of respiratory disease education for nursing, medical and allied professions.
Empower patients and clients to make the most appropriate decisions about health care
according to their individual needs. To provide appropriate teaching packages according to
learning needs of patients and clients.
Support public health role by raising the general population’s awareness on respiratory disease
prevention, in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and the effects of smoking (Saving lives
Our Healthier Nation 99).
Practice and Service Development
Work in partnership with respiratory care practitioners across Dumfries and Galloway in
identifying and developing strategies to address the needs of the population.
Play a lead role in planning and evaluating options for service provision to meet health care
needs and have the ability to lead the planning and co-ordination of the service development.
NHS Dumfries & Galloway
AfC Ref: NG078
Assist in identifying and evaluating options for service provision to meet health care
needs and have the ability to assist in planning and co-ordinating practice and service
developments.
To work in close partnership with community nursing and AHP teams and actively foster
development of integrated service provision to meet identified needs.
Actively monitor against Key Performance indicators.
Participate in audit, research, standard setting and monitoring of the quality and
outcome in service provision.
Practice preventative medicine, the prevention of disability and promoting positive health
for the individual, family and the community.
Responsibility for Financial and physical resource.
Responsibility for ordering and budgeting stationary up to £1000 and specialist supplies with
liaison within the respiratory team.
Professional and Competency Issues.
Be accountable at all times and work within the NMC governing body.
Practice at an advanced level with autonomous clinical decision making, exercising independent
or delegated prescribing rights where local and national legislation and competency permits.
Follow agreed Policies and Procedures as laid down by NHS Dumfries and Galloway and ensure
all nursing staff within the speciality adheres to these.
Practice in partnership and under the supervision of the Respiratory Nurse Consultant.
Maintain NMC registration and any other professional bodies.
Research and Evaluation
Assist in respiratory nursing research, working with the local Research and Development/Clinical
Audit teams to promote nursing research/audit.
Assist others as well as taking a lead in own respiratory nursing research. Working with the local
Research and Development/ Clinical audit team to promote nursing research
and audit.
Contribute to the promotion of evidence based respiratory nursing practice.
Promote and display evidence of developments in respiratory care, ensuring practice is research
based and evaluating the integration of theory and practice through all local
and national levels.
Evaluate the role and impact of the respiratory nurse specialist post in terms of outcome
measures relating to Early supported discharge and pulmonary rehabilitation and respiratory
NHS Dumfries & Galloway
AfC Ref: NG078
service delivery and personal and professional development.
6. SYSTEMS AND EQUIPMENT
Maintain knowledge and skills in the use of respiratory medical and nursing equipment.
Maintain up to date/expert knowledge in the use of specialist respiratory equipment e.g. CPAP
machines, non-invasive ventilators, lung function testing equipment, inhaler
devices and nebulisers and diagnostic/treatment equipment for sleep apnoea services.
Lap top computer/desk top computer with knowledge and skills in use of databases, PowerPoint
presentations. Software packages used include Windows, Microsoft
office software packages.
Responsibility for recording personally generated clinical observations and maintaining and
updating client records.
Car driver with valid licence.
7. DECISIONS AND JUDGEMENTS
Responsible and accountable for own practice, continuing professional development within own
area of expertise.
Possession of highly developed analytical and judgmental skills for assessing and
interpreting acute respiratory conditions and taking appropriate nursing action.
Work autonomously with supervision from the Respiratory Nurse Consultant and
Respiratory medical team.
Prioritisation of own workload reporting to Respiratory Nurse Consultant/
Critical care services manager/ Respiratory Physician where required.
8. COMMUNICATIONS AND RELATIONSHIPS
Develop and sustain robust communication pathways with: own team members, senior medical
and nursing directors, senior management, nurse managers and allied professionals across
NHS D&G.
Communicate highly sensitive information on diagnosis/condition to patients, relatives and carers
on a daily basis. Have ongoing responsibility for support/ reassurance of patients and their
relatives/cares throughout their journey of care.
Be proactive in seeking and aiming to improve communication on a longer term basis whilst
anticipating barriers and seek to improve and enable a constructive outcome
across primary and secondary care.
Receive appropriate referrals within agreed protocols within the respiratory service providing
technical and clinical interventions aimed at improving communication and services across
primary and secondary care to improve patient service.
Develop and sustain robust communication pathways with primary care practitioners
both medical and nursing, educational institutions, other respiratory nurse specialists
NHS Dumfries & Galloway
AfC Ref: NG078
and organisations out with NHS Dumfries and Galloway.
Provision of ongoing patient/relative, carer support in the primary care setting.
General Practitioners
Respiratory Medicine Consultants/RNS
Practice/District Nurses
Nurse Specialists
Hospital Nurses
University West of Scotland
Public Health
Pharmacists
Allied Health Care Professionals and other health and social care agencies
9. PHYSICAL (And Emotional ) DEMANDS OF THE JOB
Physical capability to perform nursing duties including moving and handling of patients.
Clinical practice requires ongoing knowledge of moving and handling techniques,
Occasionally moves/manoeuvres patients.
Lone worker implications and nursing functions in relation to patient needs
Requirement to transport respiratory equipment between locations.
Job requires intense concentration and mental effort in relation to carrying out highly specialised
respiratory nursing procedures that require considerable manual dexterity such as venepuncture
and cannulation, arterial blood gas sampling, advanced clinical procedures, advanced
respiratory assessment and prescribing/administration of prescribed drug therapies including
intravenous drugs and therapy where local and national legislation and competency permits.
Job requires intense emotional effort in relation to frequent exposure to highly distressing
circumstances when imparting news of terminal illness and bereavement.
Working conditions where there is frequent exposure to body fluids when delivering
direct patient care.
Willingness to undertake advanced practices including arterial/capillary blood
gases, spirometry, fitting of CPAP/NIV masks, adjustments to prescribed therapies.
delivery of nurse led clinics.
10 MOST CHALLENGING/DIFFICULT PARTS OF THE JOB
Counselling of terminally ill patients, imparting bad news, supporting terminally ill
patients and their relatives/carers.
Ensuring that the role continually evolves to meet the identified need of the service and
its development.
11. KNOWLEDGE, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED TO DO THE JOB
NHS Dumfries & Galloway
AfC Ref: NG078
Educational Qualifications
RGN Level I
Clear Evidence of continuous professional development.
Further registration and / or Diploma level course in Respiratory Disease.
1st Level Degree or Specialist Nurse Practitioner qualification.
Independent/Supplementary Nurse Prescriber desirable
Intermediate life support provider status desirable.
Work Experience
Post registration experience, with specific experience in respiratory nursing being desirable.
Research/Audit experience
Experience of teaching and developing staff
Intelligence and Special Aptitudes
Enthusiastic and the ability and drive to lead and motivate others
Able to facilitate change
Excellent communication skills
Critical analytical skills
Able to demonstrate clinical knowledge, skills and expertise
Report writing skills
Social Skills
Excellent communication skills and the ability to develop positive working relationships across
the spectrum of primary and secondary care.
Ability to develop communication and rapport with patients/relatives and carers.
Motivation
Enthusiastic and the ability and drive to lead and motivate others.
Excellent communication skills
Ability to achieve goals and meet deadlines
Ability to work on own initiative
12. JOB DESCRIPTION AGREEMENT
Job Holder’s Signature:
Head of Department Signature:
Date:
Date:
NHS Dumfries & Galloway
AfC Ref: NG078
FACTORS
QUALIFICATIONS
AND/OR
EXPERIENCE
ESSENTIAL
Registered Nurse on Part 1 of the
live NMC Register
Clear Evidence of continuous
professional development.
Further registration and / or Diploma
level course in Respiratory Disease.
1st Level Degree or Specialist Nurse
Practitioner qualification.
5 years post registration experience
dealing with a range of respiratory
conditions, 2 of which must include
experience as a Band 5-6 or above
dealing with a range of respiratory
conditions.
Experience of successfully working
with a range of stakeholders
In addition to the above:
Full current driving license and
access to a car is essential.
ORGANISATIONAL
KNOWLEDGE
DESIRABLE
Clinical Expertise related to area of
practice- respiratory
Provide evidence of personal and
professional development
Have sound knowledge of changing
trends within health and social care
Independent/Supplementary
Nurse Prescriber desirable
Intermediate life support provider
status desirable.
MSc desirable.
Formal Leadership Course
desirable.
FACTORS
APTITUDES/SKILLS
DESIRABLE
ESSENTIAL
Have effective communication skills,
written, verbal and IT to meet the
needs of the post in full. This
incorporates the development of
policies and procedures
Demonstrate the ability to work in a
team and to work autonomously,
promoting change and innovation
while engaging with a range of key
stake holders
Provide evidence of training and
educating staff which enhanced the
patient experience of care
Ability to influence and manage
change, including promoting
evidence based practice across a
range of multidisciplinary teams and
auditing clinical and patient
outcomes
Experience of assisting with service
and quality developments and
knowledge of resource management
Have the ability to work
independently and to make
decisions using clinical,
managerial, organisational and
analytical skills
TOTAL
Signed:
Date: