Nurse Specialist - Tuberculosis Service

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; Oxford; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a TB Nurse Specialist to support the Lead TB Nurse Specialist and Consultant in managing TB patients, coordinating care and latent TB screening in Oxfordshire. The post holder will work autonomously with a TB caseload and contribute to prevention and public health duties.

The role includes teaching, clinical governance, and developing services within a multidisciplinary team, with a focus on safe, evidence‑based TB care across hospital

Qualifications

• 2 years post qualifying experience in any medical setting.
• UK professional registration (or relevant registration).

Responsibilities

• Investigation, diagnosis and treatment of suspected TB, active and latent.
• Co-ordination of care and support for patients on treatment for TB.
• Prompt identification of new cases.
• Timely start and support for patients to complete treatment.
• Prevention of new cases.
• Provision of support and advice to other services and the public in TB related issues.
• Notification and public health responsibilities in TB related issues.
• Education and training in TB related issues.
• Develop the National Latent TB screening programme, Practice in compliance with their respective code of professional conduct, being responsible and accountable for their decisions, actions, or omissions at this level of practice.
• Work towards demonstrating a critical understanding of their broadened level of responsibility and autonomy, recognising the limits of their own competence and scope of practice, to include when working with complexity, risk or uncertainty.
• Develops own professional judgment skills identifying when to escalation and seek help/guidance, critically reflecting on practice, self-awareness, emotional intelligence and their willingness to change or challenge thought processes.
• Learn to work in partnership with individuals, families and carers, using a range of assessment methods as appropriate (e.g. may include history-taking and physical assessments, holistic assessments, identifying risk factors, mental health assessments, requesting/undertaking and/or interpreting speciality‑specific diagnostic tests or procedures, and conducting health needs assessments).
• Develops effective communication skills, supporting people in making decisions, planning care or seeking to make positive health changes, promoting person‑centred approaches in health and care.
• Develops effective communication skills with colleagues both internally and/or externally, in verbal, non‑verbal and written communication methods, adapting to changing parameters as required; this includes thorough accurate documentation in patient records as required.
• Provides and receives sensitive, complex or contentious information relating to patient care, and communicates information to patients, families or carers with respect, compassion and empathy.
• Develops proficiency and clinical acumen in relation to decision‑making skills, to inform clinical reasoning approaches when dealing with specialty‑specific presentations; synthesising information from multiple sources to make appropriate, evidence‑based judgements within own scope, knowing when to refer or elevate to seniors.
• Works towards increasing knowledge and skills, in order to initiate, evaluate and modify a range of interventions.
• Develops professional judgement to manage risk appropriately with support and clinical supervision, especially where there may be complex and unpredictable events, promoting the safety and wellbeing of individuals, families and carers.
• Begins to act as a clinical role model/advocate for developing and delivering care that is responsive to changing requirements, informed by local service and local population health needs, external agencies and/or wider networks, acting as a key worker for own case‑loads or service as required.
• Demonstrates expertise underpinning Tuberculosis speciality‑specific role capabilities and competencies, relevant to the clinical setting and own scope of practice, through the development of a professional portfolio, and in line with any relevant service specific curriculum/frameworks for training.

Job description

The post holder will work in a team, assisting the Lead TB Nurse Specialist in the management of notified cases of Tuberculosis in collaboration with the Consultant, in the care of TB patients and in preventing the spread of TB. The post holder will work autonomously in managing a TB caseload and will also support the Latent Screening service., The TB nurse specialist daily work will involve:

• Investigation, diagnosis and treatment of suspected TB, active and latent
• Co-ordination of care and support for patients on treatment for TB
• Prompt identification of new cases
• Timely start and support for patients to complete treatment
• Prevention of new cases
• Provision of support and advice to other services and the public in TB related issues
• Notification and public health responsibilities in TB related issues
• Education and training in TB related issues
• Develop the National Latent TB screening programme, Practice in compliance with their respective code of professional conduct, being responsible and accountable for their decisions, actions, or omissions at this level of practice
• Work towards demonstrating a critical understanding of their broadened level of responsibility and autonomy, recognising the limits of their own competence and scope of practice, to include when working with complexity, risk or uncertainty
• Develops own professional judgment skills identifying when to escalation and seek help/guidance, critically reflecting on practice, self-awareness, emotional intelligence and their willingness to change or challenge thought processes.
• Learn to work in partnership with individuals, families and carers, using a range of assessment methods as appropriate (e.g. may include history-taking and physical assessments, holistic assessments, identifying risk factors, mental health assessments, requesting/undertaking and/or interpreting speciality‑specific diagnostic tests or procedures, and conducting health needs assessments).
• Develops effective communication skills, supporting people in making decisions, planning care or seeking to make positive health changes, promoting person‑centred approaches in health and care.
• Develops effective communication skills with colleagues both internally and/or externally, in verbal, non‑verbal and written communication methods, adapting to changing parameters as required; this includes thorough accurate documentation in patient records as required.
• Provides and receives sensitive, complex or contentious information relating to patient care, and communicates information to patients, families or carers with respect, compassion and empathy.
• Develops proficiency and clinical acumen in relation to decision‑making skills, to inform clinical reasoning approaches when dealing with specialty‑specific presentations; synthesising information from multiple sources to make appropriate, evidence‑based judgements within own scope, knowing when to refer or elevate to seniors.
• Works towards increasing knowledge and skills, in order to initiate, evaluate and modify a range of interventions.
• Develops professional judgement to manage risk appropriately with support and clinical supervision, especially where there may be complex and unpredictable events, promoting the safety and wellbeing of individuals, families and carers.
• Begins to act as a clinical role model/advocate for developing and delivering care that is responsive to changing requirements, informed by local service and local population health needs, external agencies and/or wider networks, acting as a key worker for own case‑loads or service as required.
• Demonstrates expertise underpinning Tuberculosis speciality‑specific role capabilities and competencies, relevant to the clinical setting and own scope of practice, through the development of a professional portfolio, and in line with any relevant service specific curriculum/frameworks for training.

Leadership and Management

• Initiate and develop effective relationships, fostering clarity of the role within teams, to encourage productive and efficient working.
• Role‑model the values of the OUH, demonstrating a person‑centred approach to service delivery and improvement.
• Upholds own individual scope of practice, within legal, ethical, professional and organisational policies, governance frameworks and procedures; with a focus on managing risk, upholding safety and delivering high quality care.
• Evaluates own practices, participating in MDT and team evaluations, recognising the impact of enhanced and advanced practice on service function, effectiveness and quality (e.g. care outcomes, patient experience and safety).
• Will actively engage in peer review to inform own and other’s practice, working towards formulating and implementing strategies to act on learning and making improvements, with support from peers and clinical supervisors.
• Actively seeks feedback and involvement from individuals, families, carers and colleagues to inform own development and/or service developments in practice.
• Where appropriate, demonstrates team leadership and supervision, with resilience and determination for peers (including juniors), whilst developing management skills for situations that are unfamiliar, complex or unpredictable, seeking to build confidence in self and in others.
• Remains adaptable to change, continually developing own practice in response to changing health policies, new treatments, population needs or social challenges.
• Participates in clinical governance reviews and the investigation of clinical incidents and serious incidents; leads and facilitates others to share lessons learned adapt systems and processes accordingly.
• Supports team members from a team leader perspective (if required for role) including supporting wellbeing, absence management, appraisals and conduct or performance management.
• Recognises the critical importance of wellbeing in self and others, seeking to identify and manage stressors or pressures to promote health and wellbeing.
• Will actively participate in the development of the team and the service to continuously improve patient care, participating in implementation of relevant national standards and frameworks at a local level.
• Network locally, regionally, nationally and internationally (as required) and seek opportunities to develop the specialist role or service within scope., Critically assess and address own learning needs, working to a personal development plan that reflects the breadth of professional development across the four pillars of practice, relevant to the practitioner’s own clinical service and scope.
• Engages in relevant professional Higher Education Institution (HEI) post‑graduate studies, and self‑directed learning as needed, meeting the academic requirements of the course to achieve required training and qualifications; this may include a range of classroom‑taught and blended learning approaches, and a range of assessments methods (e.g. Observed Structured Clinical Examinations, exams, written assignments or other methodologies as set by the HEI).
• Critically reflect to maximise own clinical skills and knowledge development, with evidence demonstrated in own professional portfolio of evidence.
• Engage with performance reviews and appraisal processes, as required in own clinical service area and in line with OUH requirements: Additionally, participating in Clinical Supervision and/or tripartite review meetings with both Clinical Supervisors, Academic Supervisors from the HEI and Line Managers, if undertaking any apprenticeship.
• Advocate for, and contribute to, a culture of departmental, service, and organisational learning, to inspire future and existing staff.
• Where appropriate act as an advisor or educator within own scope of capability and competence, to develop teaching skills (with supervision or support where required) and seeking to instil confidence in others and share best practices.

Research

• Develop and support a 'knowledge rich enquiry culture' where research values are fostered, promoted and encouraged.
• With support as required, engages in research activities, upholding good research practice guidelines, in order to develop evidence‑based strategies that can be applied to enhance quality, safety, productivity, value or wellbeing.
• Evaluate and audit own clinical practice, selecting and applying valid, reliable methods, then acting on the findings as appropriate with support as required.
• Begin to critically appraise and synthesis the outcomes of relevant research and evaluations, using results to underpin own practice and inform that of others.
• Begin to identify gaps in knowledge or evidence bases and explore how these may be addressed via safe and pragmatic solutions, seeking to understand needs for further research to strengthen evidence.
• Links professional capabilities in clinical practice to relevant, robust and valid research, evidenced in own professional portfolio of practice (relevant to level of practice).
• Contribute to service or organisational research activities, which may include being involved as an educator, recruiter, investigator, and/or developing bids to apply for research funding.
• Participate in ongoing service review and evaluation, including seeking and monitoring patient experience and quality outcomes, addressing any opportunities or concerns identified
• Support collaborative links between clinical practice and research, through proactive engagement, and networking with academic, clinical and other active researchers.
• Disseminate best practice research findings and quality improvement projects.

This post requires a dynamic person with excellent communication skills, and at least 2 years post qualifying experience in any medical setting. The successful applicant will hold a community qualification or have relevant experience in this area of nursing. The successful candidate will benefit from a personal development programme to broaden knowledge and skills in return for commitment to delivering a seamless care pathway to the TB patients in the Oxfordshire area.

• Experience in B 6 role
• Demonstrable evidence of ability to achieve post‑graduate study at Level 6 or 7 study.
• Demonstrates knowledge or transferrable skills within the Tuberculosis speciality

Desirable criteria

• Experience in working in the community and patient with a variety of backgrounds
• Existing technical clinical procedural skills relevant to clinical service, You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest NHS teaching trusts in the country. It provides a wide range of general and specialist clinical services and is a base for medical education, training and research.

The Trust comprises of four hospitals - the John Radcliffe Hospital, Churchill Hospital and Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre in Headington and the Horton General Hospital in Banbury. Our values, standards and behaviours define the quality of clinical care we offer and the professional relationships we make with our patients, colleagues and the wider community. We call this Delivering Compassionate Excellence and its focus is on our values of compassion, respect, learning, delivery, improvement and excellence.

Watch how we set out to deliver compassionate excellence via the OUH YouTube channel.

Sexual Safety Charter: In 2023 NHS England launched its first sexual safety charter, and our Trust proudly signed it. We pledge zero tolerance for inappropriate sexual behaviour and commit to the ten core principles Oxford University Hospitals promotes a safe, respectful hiring environment. If you want to make a difference with us, come and join our team. Together, we will uphold the highest standards of care and professionalism.

The post is week days only, enabling the successful candidate to pursue their nursing vocation in a speciality area while been able to develop life pursuits outside work in a healthy work life blend. As a TB nurse you will be part of a dynamic multidisciplinary team working in an outpatients setting, as well as sharing expertise knowledge for the care of the TB patient in Oxfordshire.