ENT Triage Clinical Nurse specialist

Lewisham & Greenwich NHS Trust; Lewisham; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A community-focused healthcare provider in Lewisham seeks a Clinical Nurse Specialist for ENT services. The role involves telephone triaging of ENT referrals and collaboration within a multidisciplinary team to ensure high-quality patient care. Candidates should have experience in clinical triage and strong communication skills. This position offers an opportunity to improve patient experiences and develop best practice in line with NICE guidance.

Qualifications

• Experience in clinical triage and referral management.
• Ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.
• Excellent communication skills for patient interactions.

Responsibilities

• Triaging patients referred into the ENT service and booking into the relevant clinic.
• Pre-screening referrals to determine suitability for assessments.
• Improving patient experience through effective communication.

Job description

Overview

The post holder will be responsible for providing a telephone triage service for ENT referrals from general practice, and for referrals upgraded to the ENT pathway by other specialties within the hospital (likely via email). The post holder will pre-screen referrals received via email or via the electronic referral service (eRS) to determine, based on the refer/GP assessment, whether patients are suitable for telephone assessment and whether they would benefit from a face-to-face review in clinic or review by another specialty. Transfer of referrals or onward booking of appointments will be the responsibility of the ENT Triage Clinical Nurse Specialist. Under the support and guidance of ENT Consultants, clinical judgements will be made that require assessment, planning and implementation of treatment, ensuring that all specialist patients and their carers have access to appropriate advice and support.

Responsibilities

• Triaging patients referred into ENT service and booking into the clinically relevant clinic using an agreed proforma.
• Pre-screen referrals received via email or eRS to determine suitability for telephone assessment and identify the most appropriate subsequent pathway (telephone, clinic, or other specialty).
• Transfer referrals or arrange onward booking of appointments as appropriate.
• Review and action results of investigations within the post holder's scope of practice.
• Improve patient experience by ensuring effective communication and acting as a point of contact within the team.
• Work with the multidisciplinary team across an integrated pathway of care to deliver quality standards in line with NICE guidance.
• Collaborate with the nurse specialist team to ensure equitable access to investigations, treatment and follow-up care.
• Work with the nurse/midwifery specialist team to develop best practice in line with NICE guidance.
• Develop guidelines to enhance optimal management of patients.
• Collect appropriate data against NICE guidance and use audit as a tool to improve practice and evaluate services.
• Implement recommendations from National audits and benchmarking with the team.

About the organisation

Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust (LGT) is a community-focused provider of local and acute care, delivering high-quality services to over one million people across the London boroughs of Lewisham, Greenwich, and Bexley. We employ almost 7,500 colleagues (Team LGT) and provide services at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Woolwich, University Hospital Lewisham, and community sites. We are a training centre for doctors, nurses, midwives and allied health professionals, and we are committed to Equality, Diversity & Inclusion initiatives with active staff networks and programmes. We aim to recruit locally and reflect the communities we serve. Our vision and values emphasise Respect, Compassion, Inclusion, accountability, collaboration, and patient-centered care.