Specialist Respiratory Integrated Nurse/AHP

Specialist Respiratory Integrated Nurse/AHP The Band 6 Staff Nurse within the Acute Respiratory Assessment Unit (ARAU) will provide high-quality, evidence-based nursing care to patients with acute and complex respiratory conditions. The postholder will act as a role model and clinical leader, supporting the Band 7 in the day-to-day management of the unit, supervision of junior staff, and co-ordination of patient care.

The role involves expert assessment, initiation and monitoring of treatment plans for patients presenting with respiratory failure, COPD exacerbations, asthma, pneumonia, and other acute respiratory presentations. The Band 6 nurse will support non-invasive ventilation (NIV), oxygen therapy, and contribute to early recognition of deterioration and escalation of care.

The post holder will liaise with the referring clinician, therapy Lead and will take responsibility to effectively assess, develop, implement, monitor and evaluate patient care.

As part of role, you will assist in the day-to-day management of the service, providing specialist nursing input to assist in a multi-disciplinary team approach.

The post holder will assess and triage the suitability of referred patient for admission to the services and arranges seamless transfers between care settings.

The Teams work on a flexible rota shift system. The service covers 8am-8pm, seven days a week.

Main duties of the job Clinical Responsibilities

• Deliver and coordinate safe, effective, and compassionate care to patients in the Acute Respiratory Assessment Unit.
• Undertake comprehensive respiratory assessments, including oxygen saturation monitoring, arterial blood gas sampling and interpretation, and lung auscultation.
• Initiate and titrate oxygen therapy and non-invasive ventilation (NIV) as per protocol.
• Monitor patients for signs of deterioration and escalate promptly according to local escalation procedures.
• Support timely patient flow through admission, assessment, treatment, and discharge planning.
• Liaise effectively with the multidisciplinary team, including respiratory physicians, physiotherapists, and community services, to ensure seamless care transitions.
• Administer and monitor prescribed medications safely in line with Trust policy.

About us We are a people business - where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure. PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY. If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process please contact the recruitment manager for this post who will put you in touch with the recruitment team. We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission. We commit to giving this full consideration in each case. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams. It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.

Job responsibilities Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as Priority and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon who are able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.

Clinical

Deliver specialist respiratory care within the Acute Respiratory Assessment Unit and/or community settings

Provide clinical assessments of patients with respiratory issues, including physical examination, ordering and interpreting investigations, and developing individualised patient centred treatment plans

Willingness to work towards / act as an independent prescriber, initiating and adjusting treatment plans in line with clinical guidelines and capabilities

Support admission avoidance strategies and facilitate early supported discharge.

Provide respiratory education, self-management plans, and personalised care planning for patients and their families.

Support the coordination of patients within the ARAU and throughout their journey back into the community.

Deliver evidence-based care, including non-pharmacological interventions such as pulmonary rehabilitation support, and oxygen management.

Work in partnership with hospital teams, GPs, community services, and other allied health professionals to ensure continuity of care.

Act as patients advocate in raising concerns around health and social care when required

Ensure patients views are considered in the decision-making process

Recognise and support the needs of carers and family members

Ensure documentation is accurate and up to date, recording all activities and communications. Consistent with legislation, policies and procedures and utilising all necessary paper and electronic forms.

Be responsible for and facilitate others in the knowledge and awareness of appropriate use of digital health/care solutions for patients with long term conditions

Advises and supports other staff in their planning of patient care.

Provides support and advice to patients carers and relatives (with consent) on patients conditions and prognosis where appropriate.

Works as part of a multi-disciplinary team lLead on service development initiatives and contribute to quality improvement projects

Communicate effectively with all staff across the MDT, community teams and patients

MANAGEMENT AND LEADERSHIP

Have on-going responsibility and duty of care for patients, staff, self and others in all aspects of Health, Safety and Risk

Act as a role model, promoting good performance and practice.

Report all incidents and near misses

Support team manager in investigations of incidents

Inform managers of any on-going nursing/management issues affecting patient care or working capacity

Deputise for line manager in absence

Place the patients experience at the core of service delivery through implementation and continued monitoring of Essence of Care Standards, Patient Involvement & Experience Strategy and Patient Satisfaction Surveys

PROFESSIONAL

Work within the NMC code and or HCPC code of practice

Remain updated and competent and ensure that clinical practice is evidence based

Have an up to date personal development plan and professional portfolio

Participate in an annual appraisal of their work in line with the Knowledge and Skills Framework (KSF) where the job description will be reviewed and objectives set. In line with the annual development plan the post holder will be expected to undertake any training or development required to fulfil their role

EDUCATION AND TRAINING

Support the team manager in providing and maintaining a learning environment and maximise opportunities for education and development in the clinical are to enhance individual development and performance in the delivery of high standards of care

Take responsibility for your own personal and professional development; maintain competence, knowledge and skills commensurate with role

Maintain attendance at mandatory and statutory training as per organisation guidelines. Integrate theory into practice by bringing new knowledge around acute care from training into the practice environment

Act as a mentor for students and fulfil requirements of a practice placement

Facilitate induction for new members of the team

Act as a link nurse for speciality to enhance team education

RESEARCH

Actively participate in audit and research as directed by the Team Lead

Collect, collate and evaluate a range of information to support clinical and service audit

Maintain accurate and up to date patient records, data bases and specialist reporting in accordance with organisation policy and professional guidance

Support the team manager in working towards the achievement of specific performancetargets related to the team

COMMUNICATIONS & WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

Use a high level of communication skills on a daily basis with patients, carers and relatives to encourage concordance with care planning and agreed outcomes.

Use a high level of communication/negotiation skills on a daily basis with other health and social care professionals. To inform each, as appropriate, of the highly complex and sensitive information related to patients condition required to achieve the best outcomes and care pathways.

Person Specification Knowledge and Experience

• oPost registration experience in respiratory nursing across acute and/or community settings
• oUnderstanding of Clinical Governance
• oProven ability to work autonomously and within multidisciplinary teams
• oExperience in managing long-term conditions such as COPD, asthma, bronchiectasis
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