Job Description

An outstanding opportunity has emerged for a qualified, conscientious, enthusiastic, and highly motivated candidate to join the distinguished Gastroenterology Service at West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospital. This pivotal role encompasses cross-site coverage across St. Albans Hospital, Hemel Hempstead Hospital, and Watford General Hospital, providing a comprehensive and engaging professional environment.



This represents a significant opportunity for a senior nurse to play a lead role in the advancement of care for patients with fatty liver disease and alcohol-related liver disease. This will be achieved through a newly established diagnostic centre for liver disease, sponsored by the local CDC. The multifaceted nature of this position offers considerable scope for the development of entirely novel provisions of patient care.



The successful post-holder will collaborate closely with the Hepatology Team, Gastroenterology consultants, the Multidisciplinary Team (MDT), immediate colleagues, and other administrative and clinical members of the Gastroenterology service.



This is a one year fixed-term position with the strong possibility of extension, offering stability and growth. If you're ready to embrace cross-site working and elevate your nursing career, we want to hear from you!



This post is 37.5 hours per week (5 days per week Monday- Friday)



This position is primarily based at St. Albans Hospital, focusing on outpatient care, however, there is an expectation of delivering clinics cross-site.



The core objective is to streamline the diagnostic pathway and deliver holistic care for patients at risk of fatty liver disease who are referred directly from their GPs.

Key responsibilities include:

Conducting outpatient clinics for patients with abnormal liver function and other liver conditions, including liver cirrhosis. Managing MASLD (Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease) through telephone and virtual clinics. Performing Fibroscans and supporting the Fibroscan Technician in performing Fibroscans (training will be provided) Actively participating in multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings. Ensuring effective liaison with primary care and direct communication with patients. Excellent communication, organisational, and IT skills are essential for this role.

With a new hospital planned for Watford and work underway to update theatres at St Albans City Hospital, this is an exciting time to join us.



We are building on the success of our award-winning virtual hospital and re-imagining models of care, working ever more closely with partners and making the most of advances in digital healthcare.



Staff wellbeing and development are a priority at our Trust, as is the role of innovation in improving clinical care, outcomes and patient experience.

Our vision is Excellent patient care, together and our values are to be empowered, compassionate, professional and inclusive. They capture an important balance across what we must all do as individuals and to support others.



We offer a variety of flexible working options as we recognise the importance of a good work life balance.



www.westhertshospitals.nhs.uk/flexibleworking



If you have a disability or long-term health condition and should you require support or guidance please contact westherts.recruitment@nhs.net



If you are a Service Leaver, Veteran, Military Reserve, Cadet Force Adult Volunteer, or partner/spouse of those serving please tick "Member of the Armed Forces Community" on the application form.



We reserve the right to close this advert early due to the volume of applicants. Please apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.



If you do not hear back within 3 weeks of your application, please assume you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.



Practice autonomously and be self-directed, manage own workload. Undertake assessment of individuals using a range of different assessment methods, which may include physical examination, ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests or advanced health needs assessment. Work with the named Lead Clinician and Lead Nurse ensuring new specialist clinical services are developed according to local needs, policies and within an agreed time frame. Ensuring abnormal imaging is acted upon in a timely manner to progress patient care Independent clinics for patients with MASLD, ALD, Liver cirrhosis, managing independent caseload cross site. Management and provision of telephone nurse-led clinics for new and follow up patients Perform Fibroscan examinations to assess/monitor severity of liver disease for outpatients. To design develop and implement evidence-based policies, guidelines and patient care pathways in collaboration with key stakeholders. To perform advanced specialist clinical skills in the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of patients. After a period of training undertake face to face and virtual clinics. Attend the local hepatology MDT meetings every week, and present patients in this setting. Liaise with hepatology, oncology, gastroenterology, and primary care team as necessary. To collect, evaluate and report information maintaining accurate patient records of all care delivered Provide specialist expert clinical knowledge to clinical colleagues, patients and carers/relatives. Involve patients and carers/relatives in the planning and delivery of care as appropriate Establish and maintain effective communication with clinical colleagues, multidisciplinary teams, patients, carers/ relatives and external agencies as appropriate. Promote collaborative relationships with other health care professionals for the benefit of quality patient care. Act as a role model for nurses in the designated clinical area, promoting and demonstrating the standards of care and behaviours expected and challenge as appropriate. Draw on a diverse range of knowledge in their decision making to determine evidence based therapeutic interventions. Actively seek and participate in peer review of their own practice. To acknowledge any personal limitations of competence in accordance with the 'NMC Code of Professional Conduct' (2002). To support the development of a dynamic and interactive learning environment. To make sure all mandatory training is completed within deadline. Contribute to the data collection and maintenance of Hepatocellular carcinoma surveillance database, ensuring patients attend regular screening Development and provision of training for medical and nursing students Create a culture based on staff involvement where staff feels valued, supported, developed and able to take responsibility Liaising with and supporting the multidisciplinary teams locally and regionally Participate in policy development, implementation, and ongoing compliance both at a local and corporate level, using multi-professional collaboration to ensure service development and continual improvement. Lead in development, implementation and evaluation of patient information and local monitoring database Participate in clinical research and if required clinical trials Liaise with relevant CCG groups when required Aware of team dynamics and escalate to Lead Consultant, Head of Nursing and Service Manager poor collaborative practice. Liaise with line manager regarding annual leave/sickness in accordance with the Trust policy. Plan and organise straightforward activities, schedules clinics; arranges meetings; manages diaries Attendance of any meeting when requested by management team. Liaise with Lead consultant and Service Manager regarding any proposed changes to working practices. Implement these changes if agreed by management team. * Contribute alongside the team leaders towards the service and budget development plans.