District Nurse

Responsibility for a defined caseload of patients Is the named District Nurse for designated GP practices and attends all GSF and MDT meetings Undertakes full nursing assessments of patients, including those with multiple pathology and complex health and social needs Responsible for agreeing the patients care plan, liaising with others and adapting the care and treatment delivered according to need and patient choice Responsible for the monitoring of medication regimes, assessing effects and advising patients on the safe storage and disposal of drugs Responsible for the correct use of aids and equipment supplied for patients and carers and for the security, care and maintenance of equipment ensuring standards of infection control and safety are maintained including equipment loaned to patients Recognises own limitations in the provision of clinical care and urgency of patients needs, referring to other health care professionals accordingly and is accountable for his/her own actions often without direct supervision Maintains accurate and legible patient records in line with professional and organisational requirements this includes contemporary paper records and electronic patient record system Accountable for making autonomous clinical decisions in planning and prioritising patient care for District Nurse caseload including referrals to other agencies and the admission / discharge from the service Responsible for recognising the needs of the service, identifying risk and making rapid autonomous decisions, escalating to the Team Lead and Clinical Lead as required Triaging within the District Nurse Referral Centre and promoting and embedding technology within the work place Operational line manager for District Nursing team (Band 5 RNs / Band 4 APs / Band 3 HCAs) Effectively communicates with others involved in patient care at all times including weekends / out of hours, through the use of mobile phone, emails and fax to enable a timely response to patients needs. Maintains strong working relationships and communicates effectively with GPs, practice nurses, social services, acute / community hospital colleagues, borough council staff and the local voluntary sector Responsible for completing all own mandatory training and for ensuring this is completed for all team members Participates in own annual appraisal and undertakes continuing professional development, clinical supervision and peer review for self in order to maintain and develop knowledge and skills. Supervising and appraising team members through annual appraisals, mid-year reviews and peer reviews within team Responsible for receiving and facilitating clinical supervision and undertaking peer reviews within the team Responsible for teaching, supervising and mentoring other members of the team and pre-registration students Undertakes formal student assessments and participates in the maintenance of an effective learning environment Participates in clinical audit and the implementation of changes to ways of working / clinical practice as a result of findings, recommendations and action plans Actively participates in and contributes to meetings and working groups that inform the organisation and the nursing service / profession Actively involved in the development and implementation of community nursing service developments and initiatives and acts as a role model for all 6Cs Acts as a link nurse for defined area e.g. tissue viability, end of life, diabetes Responsible for the ordering and stock management of dressings and other equipment