TB nurse specialist

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a motivated and enthusiastic nurse to join our TB Team at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust.

The post holder will be based at the Churchill Hospital. 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 post is weekdays only, enabling the successful candidate to pursue their nursing vocation in a specialty area while being 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 outpatient setting, as well as sharing expertise knowledge for the care of the TB patient in Oxfordshire. This post requires a dynamic person with excellent communication skills, and at least 12 months 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.

Main duties of the job

The TB nurse specialist daily work will involve:

1. Investigation, diagnosis and treatment of suspected TB, active and latent
2. Co-ordination of care and support for patients on treatment for TB
3. Prompt identification of new cases
4. Timely start and support for patients to complete treatment
5. Prevention of new cases
6. Provision of support and advice to other services and the public in TB related issues
7. Notification and public health responsibilities in TB related issues
8. Education and training in TB related issues
9. Develop the National Latent TB screening programme

About us

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. These values put patients at the heart of what we do and underpin the quality healthcare we would like for ourselves or a member of our family. Watch how we set out to deliver compassionate excellence via the OUH YouTube channel.

Job responsibilities

Detailed job description and main responsibilities:

1. To practice as a specialist nurse both independently and with colleagues in the development of a patient centred TB service.
2. To provide a TB service consistent with the latest Department of Health Recommendations and according to local needs.
3. To act as a competent and efficient decision-maker within and on behalf of the service.
4. To provide expert clinical advice, dissemination of information and sharing of experiences with other health care professionals.
5. To provide a nurse-led outpatient clinic to screen people for TB, including TB contacts, new entrants to the UK from areas with a high prevalence of TB, others referred by GPs and Hospital Doctors as appropriate.
6. To ensure sound knowledge of drugs, the side effects and contraindications.
7. To undertake independent or supplementary prescribing for patients receiving TB medication or prophylaxis, in agreement with the consulting physicians.
8. To provide nurse-led outreach clinics for TB screening in hospital and community settings as and where appropriate.
9. To provide a domiciliary service to patients as required.
10. To provide Directly Observed Therapy (DOT) as appropriate and take appropriate action if problems arise.
11. To provide appropriate referral of patients for further medical assessment as required.
12. To be responsible for developing standards of care and monitoring clinical practice in partnership with the nursing team, Respiratory and Infectious Diseases doctors.
13. To maintain accurate documentation and audit in line with Trust Clinical Governance Policy.
14. To adhere to the NMC Code of Conduct and Scope of Professional Practice at all times.
15. Autonomously plan, co-ordinate and monitor care for patients requiring enhanced case management.
16. Demonstrate ability to adjust treatment and interventions for standard and enhanced case management according to the patients' needs throughout the investigation and treatment pathway.

Person Specification

Qualifications as per person specification

• Registered Nurse (Adult or General)
• Nurse prescriber

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

£37,338 to £44,962 a year Per Annum / Pro Rata