Job Description

This post is part of the new COPD pathway with the aim of reducing hospital admissions in patients having an acute exacerbation of their COPD. The post holder will be responsible for reviewing patients in ED, optimising inhaled therapy & prescribing acutely to manage COPD exacerbations. The post holder will be a key decision maker in the admission or discharge from ED and ensuring the patient has appropriate follow up in place.

The post holder will also be a key figure to support the development of new team members, the upskilling of the band 6's & the wider respiratory team & be available to liaise with and advise primary care colleagues as service develops on best care for complex COPD patients.



To perform a full physical health assessment on patients in ED having an exacerbation of thei r COPD.



To assess the suitability for discharge home vs admission & safeguard accordingly.



To discuss potential treatment changes, including inhaled therapy, mucolytics, antibiotic s , steroid & ne buliser treatment with the patient/carers & make a shared decision with the patient on treatment changes & prescribe appropriately.



To educate patients and carers around self-management.



To ensure appropriate follow up is in place to facilitate discharge from ED.



Ensure that appropriate patients are considered for medical follow-up, pulmonary rehabilitation, smoking cessation , long-term oxygen therapy assessments and hyperinflation interventions & complete onward referral to these services .



Work with the Virtual ward team to highlight patients appropriate for referral



University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust is one of the largest and most modern in the country. Based across two sites, Royal Stoke in Stoke-on-Trent and County Hospital in Stafford, we are proud to serve around three million people and we're highly regarded for our facilities, teaching and research. We are the specialist centre for major trauma for the North Midlands and North Wales.



All of our employees make a valuable contribution regardless of role here at UHNM and we are proud of our wide range of development packages aimed at ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to fulfil their true potential.



UHNM create and encourage a culture of inclusion, providing equal opportunities for career development that are fair and transparent. We are committed to being a diverse and inclusive employer and foster a culture in which all staff feel valued and respected. In return we ask all of our employees to make a commitment to the values, co-created by or staff, patients and carers, and that unite us as a Trust.



At University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust we know that investing in, supporting and developing our staff has a direct impact on the quality of care that we deliver. Our employees are as important as our patients and the population that we serve.



The postholder will be responsible for ensuring that Iportal entries are up to date, accurate and saved on to the patients' record.



The post-holder will be expected to work autonomously but will have support from Senior Colleagues and the Lead Clinician.



Responsible for holding multi-disciplinary team meetings, with key professionals ( both primary & secondary care ) who are responsible for providing se rvices to ensure robust plans are in place to prevent f uture admissions .



Provide advice and support for practice nurses & community matrons in primary care in the management of complex patients.



The postholder will be expected to have excellent communication skills and be willing and able to communicate with the patients, medical staffing and the wider health economy.



The post-holder will be key in mapping change in the Trust and the wider health economy in managing COPD patients.



The post holder will need to be flexible & prepared to provide a 7-day service as the needs of the service change.



Although working autonomously, the post holder will be required to have daily 'huddles' with the team lead & wider COPD team to ensure good communication & handover.