The post holder is a core member of the North Thames Regional Clinical Genetics Service based at Great Ormond Street Hospital, which has responsibility for
providing genetic services throughout North-East London and Essex. This is a new position, funded by the Department of Health, to deliver genetics in the community in the Colchester region, raising the level of awareness and improving the utilization of genetic services. The post involves working with community nurses and GPs, dealing with enquiries regarding the inheritance of common diseases, establishing protocols for appropriate referrals, improving equity of access to genetics services, and establishing clinics in the community for common genetic conditions. Facilitating education of community based health professionals forms is integral to this post. There is some flexibility regarding hours of work. Attendance on Tuesday morning at Great Ormond Street for the weekly Genetic department meeting will be compulsory.
1. CLINICAL
¾ The post holder will provide counselling, support and information for individuals and their families seeking genetics advice within a primary care setting.
¾ Establish community-based clinics to deal with the common genetic disorders ¾ Refer appropriately to other members of the multi-disciplinary team and be
familiar with specific care protocols.
¾ Plan appropriate management in conjunction with parents and relevant health professionals depending on the presenting problems, test results and
decisions of the families.
¾ The post holder will be required to liaise effectively between the genetic department at Great Ormond Street Hospital and the referring GP, health professional, and community services.
¾ Participate in consultant led general genetic clinics at 'hub and spoke' to provide specialist nursing management and advice.
¾ Undertake regular clinical discussions with the wider team.
2. EDUCATION
¾ Make a specialist contribution to the teaching of; GPs, practice nurses, health visitors, midwives, nurses, nursery nurses and other healthcare workers including students who may be undertaking research projects.
¾ Provide education and educational materials for locally-based community teams, support groups, hospices, schools and health resource units, thereby fostering public understanding of genetics in general.
3. PROFESSIONAL
¾ Maintain high standards of care and work within the guidelines laid down by the NMC in their Code of Professional Conduct and the Scope of Professional Practice documents.
¾ Maintain accurate records.
¾ Provide written reports to other health professionals where necessary. ¾ Liaise with voluntary organizations.
¾ Maintain professional update by reading journals, attending study days/conferences.
¾ Attend team meetings in genetics and participate in continuing development of the services.
4. AUDIT/RESEARCH
¾ Monitor trends and evaluate effect of interventions on an on-going basis. ¾ Evaluate the educative role in community with knowledge based
questionnaire
¾ Evaluate improved efficiency of referral to genetics service by comparing clinic waiting times, DNA rates, appropriateness of referral and case mix from practices taking part in this initiative with those practices with a similar
population mix who do not have access to a community-based genetic counsellor.
¾ Compare the age, gender and social class of all patients seen between practices with comparable populations (as above).
¾ Survey patients attending community-based, genetic counselor led clinics and others referred from participating practices to the regional genetics center to determine the level of satisfaction with the service offered.
¾ Innovate and participate in nursing audit and research relating to the specialist area.
5. MANAGEMENT
¾ To work closely with colleagues and the lead clinicians to ensure that high quality care is provided efficiently and cost effectively within the resources available.
¾ To foster good working relationships and to ensure effective communication between all members of primary, secondary and tertiary health care
professionals, enhancing multidisciplinary team working. ¾ Manage the caseload effectively.
¾ To be familiar with and work collaboratively to achieve targets outlined in the government Modernisation agenda.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Post: Clinical Nurse Specialist - Clinical Genetics and Fetal Medicine
Grade: H Division: Diagnostics and Therapeutics
REQUIREMENTS CRITERIA E/D* HOW ASSESSED? AF/IV/T** Education/ Qualifications/ Training RSCN/Rnchild/Health Visitor/Midwife Evidence of post basic education Genetic Counselling Course
E E D A A A Skills/Abilities Proven ability to teach and educate
professionals and families. Experience of genetic/antenatal counselling
Good communication skills both written and oral
Ability to work across a variety of teams and on own initiative
Understanding of different cultural and religious beliefs
Ability to be non-judgemental Teaching and assessing course Counselling course Car Driver D E E E E E D D D A/I A/I A/I A/I A/I A/I A A A Experience Experience of dealing with families with
genetic disorders and/or 'high risk' pregnancies
Experience of managing individual case load and providing quality service at G grade or equivalent
Experience of dealing with families undergoing prenatal diagnosis
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A/I
A/I
PERSON SPECIFICATION …… cont
Post: Clinical Nurse Specialist - Clinical Genetics and Fetal Medicine
Grade: H Division: Diagnostics and Therapeutics Knowledge Understanding of the difficulties
experienced by families with genetic disorders.
Understanding of professional issues related to prenatal and genetic testing. Understanding of best practice and innovation
Research awareness
Member of relevant professional groups E E E D D A/I A/I A/I A/I A
Other Requirements Accountability – Takes responsibility for own actions and promotes good
teamworking
Openness – Shares information and good practice appropriately
Mutual respect – Treats others with courtesy and respect at all times
E A/I A/I E A/I E *Essential/Desirable