•      To be an expert resource that provides sound clinical advice and     judgement to patients and their families, nurses and doctors in          secondary and primary care.   

• To hold regular nurse-delivered clinics where patient assessments, treatment plans are completed and using their clinical judgement request investigations or make onward referrals. 

•  To develop, implement monitor and review the service against national, network and local asthma audit recommendations and outcomes

•       To facilitate appropriate education resources with provision at varying levels to meet the needs of different teams (nurses, doctors, health care assistants) and teach and act as a facilitator to other staff.

•   The post holder will work collaboratively with the multi-disciplinary teams in hospital and community to ensure continuity of care.

•  The post holder will utilise skills of clinical expertise, leadership and management to promote a quality service for Children, Young People and their Carers.

•       The post holder will facilitate and support healthcare teams to implement evidence into practice and will promote/participate in research, audit and education relevant to the speciality.

•       To act as a key resource and source of specialist support to colleagues across Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Care settings.

Clinical Duties: 

•       To support the Paediatric consultant leads and the cross-site nursing lead supporting safe early discharge of asthma patients by providing, education and supervision and provide domiciliary follow up clinics post discharge (within 4 weeks of discharge) to avoid readmission.

•       To undertake comprehensive assessments of patients with unstable asthma, changing treatment plan as necessary, including assessment of patients when on an inpatient ward and at post discharge through clinics. 

To be skilled in the assessment and basic management of patients with asthma, developing autonomous clinical decision making and prescribing via Patient Group Directions and/or Non-Medical Prescribing.

•       To support the clinical leads to establish a nursing service within secondary care for newly diagnosed and unstable asthma by receiving direct referrals from A&E, Inpatient wards and GPs/Practice nurses.

•       To work closely with the Ward Sister and Consultants to facilitate the repatriation process of patients to their local established centre.

•       Working closely with the Multidisciplinary team to attend Discharge planning meetings and safeguarding conferences where necessary.

•       To provide non-emergency telephone advice and education as appropriate for patients, carers and healthcare professionals.

•       The Nurse Specialist must assess, plan, implement and monitor care according to the needs of each patient at every admission. 

•       To ensure that each patient has access to all members of the

Multidisciplinary team as often as their needs dictate.

•       To act as an expert resource for Children, Young People and their families, giving advice, education and support that is appropriately planned to meet each individual’s needs and empowering them to manage their treatment regimes.

•       To help facilitate a seamless service between hospital and community.

•       To assess and review patients independently at nurse led clinics and liaise with the Respiratory multidisciplinary team to facilitate an appropriate management plan as required.

•       To participate in transition of care for adolescent patients with Asthma and their families from the Children and Young People Service to the Adult Service.

•       To work effectively within the Respiratory multidisciplinary team including attending ward rounds, out-patient clinics and weekly multi-disciplinary meetings.

To have an active involvement in the collection of clinical information for the national asthma registry.

•       To follow Adult and Children’s Safeguarding Trust procedures and ensure any Safeguarding concerns are escalated appropriately.

Education:

•       To act as a role model and clinical expert for all members of multidisciplinary team.

•       To mentor pre-registration and post registration students as required.

•       To work together with the Practice Development Nurses and Ward Sisters to identify, develop and facilitate staff induction, learning and development.

•       To provide specialist education, training and supervision to nursing staff, junior doctors and allied health professionals in hospital and the community.

•       To develop professional practice through supervision, participation on post registration courses and attendance at meetings and conferences.

•       To identify and be responsible for own professional and managerial development in liaison with the Matron and Head of Nursing.

•       To work with and support Ward Sisters and other Clinical staff to identify areas where changes to practice are required.

Leadership:

•       To facilitate multi-disciplinary practice development initiatives within the respiratory field, including QI projects.

•       To demonstrate a high level of communication skills and act as an advocate for patients and staff.

•       To assist in the development of policies, procedures and clinical protocols related to the provision and development of Respiratory services.

•       To be involved in maintaining clinical stocks through appropriate ordering and resource management.