Job Description

OUTPATIENTS DEPARTMENT



Full time Band 6 - Virtual Fracture Clinic Practitioner



37.5 hours

Job Overview



We're seeking an energetic and self-motivated Band 6 practitioner to take a pivotal position within our multidisciplinary team. You'll work alongside leading orthopaedic consultants to deliver expert care and timely advice to patients following attendance at Urgent Care or the Emergency Department.

As part of this consultant-led service, you will:

Take responsibility for the smooth day-to-day running of the Virtual Fracture Clinic Lead and develop practitioner-led clinics Collaborate closely with consultants and other clinical professionals to ensure seamless care delivery

This role offers the opportunity to pioneer innovative approaches and enhance patient outcomes in a fast-paced and forward-thinking environment.

We're looking for a practitioner who:

Has a strong clinical foundation and a passion for patient-centred care Communicates with clarity and confidence across teams Is comfortable navigating IT systems and virtual care platforms Works independently with initiative and resilience

Liaising with the multidisciplinary team to organise appropriate follow up pathways for patient post review in the clinic



Coordinating the Virtual Fracture Clinic offering high quality and cost effective care



Managing, maintaining, auditing and presenting the virtual fracture clinic outcome information



Offering patient information and clinical advice following consultant review in the virtual fracture clinic empowering patients to manage their own conditions



Prioritising time for patient to review depending their own conditions



Promoting and maintaining effective communication with the multidisciplinary team, patients and their carers



Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of England's top-performing and safest trusts. We operate two main acute hospital sites--Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and West Middlesex University Hospital--along with award-winning clinics across North West London.



Our nearly 7,500 staff care for a diverse population of 1.5 million, providing full clinical services, including maternity, A&E, and children's services, plus specialist HIV and sexual health clinics. The Care Quality Commission rates us 'Good' in safety, effectiveness, care, and responsiveness, and 'Outstanding' in leadership and resource use.



We continually invest in our facilities, including a 30m expansion of critical care at Chelsea and Westminster and an 80m Ambulatory Diagnostic Centre at West Middlesex.



We welcome applications for flexible working arrangements, accommodating requests where possible to support our staff and patient needs.



The Trust is committed to equality and welcomes applications from all, regardless of background. Adjustments can be made for disabled candidates. Early application is advised as vacancies may close once sufficient applications are received. If you haven't heard from us within three weeks of the closing date, your application was likely unsuccessful. Employment is subject to a six-month probationary period.



Some roles may require weekend shifts at multiple sites.



Using CERNER, to coordinate the Virtual Fracture Clinic (VFC) caseload, liaising with UCC, A&E and Teddington Walk in Centre to ensure all referral notes are received in clinic To provide the Consultant leading the VFC with information about the clinical history and presentation of the patients discussed based on referral notes of the referring clinician Documenting outcomes of the clinic on Cerner so that outcome may be audited Telephone patients with the outcome of the clinic based on notes so that outcomes may be audited and providing them with a relevant follow up appointments in the fracture or plaster clinic if indicated To ensure information is communicated to patients in a manner that encourages and promotes understanding, taking into consideration any barriers or difficulties with language or hearing To be familiar with management of fractures and soft tissue injuries in order to be able to offer patient suitable advice including the management of plaster casts and associated problems e.g pressure ulcer Offer patient clinical and practical advice in relation to the management of their injury including recovery time, mobility, pain management and rehabilitation Demonstrate up to date knowledge of relevant conditions and rehabilitation Ensure patient is involved in decision-making regarding their care Actively participates as an effective and competent member of the multidisciplinary team Prioritise appointments depending on outcome of conversation with patients Liaise with administrative staff in musculoskeletal (MSK) team and with plaster technicians about appointments, booking appointments on Cerner as required Develop skills to minimise the potential for volatile and/or aggressive situations from occurring Develop effective communication strategies when dealing with anxious patients or carers Practice enhanced negotiation, influencing and conflict management skills Act as a patient advocate Check the patients have relevant information leaflet and check the usefulness of this information to them Handover the details of the patients who are required to re-attend the hospital for surgery following their injury to the Trauma Nurse Coordination or SHO, inform the patients of this process Discuss with patients any symptoms they need to observe and what to do if symptoms worsen or do not improve Document conversations with patients on Cerner notes Ensure appropriate diagnostic requests are ordered for patients including ordering imaging and/or blood requests as identified by lead VFC Clinician Identify patients who need physiotherapy or hand management unit (HMU) referral as part of their treatment plan and ensure referrals are completed and submitted Pre- assessing patient as part of the Outpatient nursing team. This may include MRSA swabs, urinalysis, observations and undertaking dressing changes, suture removal and or clip removal Follow the guidelines with regard to the use of visual display units

Leadership/Networking



Collaborate with the Trauma Nurse Coordinator to lead audits across all aspects of Virtual Fracture Clinic (VFC) services, evaluating areas such as patient satisfaction, surgical wait times, discharge rates, and the relevance and accuracy of current patient information leaflets. Provide assistance to all staff to enhance patient care relating to VFC Engage in effective communication, involving all members of the multidisciplinary team, demonstrating the ability to put forward own views and effectively listen to other's point of view Foster continued development of all Virtual Fracture Clinic related endeavours within the Trust Liaise with multiple care settings including A&E, the UCC and Teddington Walk in Centre to ensure continuity of care for the patient and optimised patient experience, providing feedback about referrals when required Act as a positive and effective role model To communicate and advise the MSK administrative and plaster clinic staff of all relevant aspects of patients' treatment plan to ensure appropriate appointment are booked and timely care provided Demonstrates ability to take responsibility for own workload, by effectively analysing, prioritising and organising own workload Demonstrates ability to address professional issues arising in a discreet manner, acknowledging one's own limitations and seeking advice and guidance as necessary

Service Development



Collaborate with the Trauma Nurse Coordinator to lead audits and drive continuous improvement within the Virtual Fracture Clinic (VFC). This involves applying a 360-degree approach to service evaluation and development, assessing outcomes such as patient satisfaction, VFC wait times, discharge rates, and the accuracy of patient information leaflets. Coordinate patient satisfaction surveys across all VFC services, presenting findings to the multidisciplinary team and facilitating data-driven actions with support from the Trauma Nurse Coordinator. Demonstrate a positive attitude to suggested changes in practice through the introduction of evidence based care Generate innovative ideas and suggestions regarding other medical conditions appropriate to VFC and streamlining the service Ensure that all patient leaflets are evidence based, up to date and market tested

Professional



Act in accordance with respective Professional Regulator (i.e. NMC, HCPC) and Local Trust Guidelines in being accountable for own actions at all times M aintains and develops personal and professional knowledge, demonstrating clinical and professional expertise as per professional guidelines (i.e. NMC guidelines, HCPC, Trust guidelines) Keep own knowledge and skill up to date and own competencies both statutory and mandatory training are maintained and kept up to date. Identify own personal development needs as part of annual professional development review Establish and maintain personal clinical supervision and mentoring Ensure awareness of all relevant policies in the trust when carrying out any duties, ensuring you are working within your competency and band level accordingly Be vigilant about effective and efficient use of resources and management of equipment and supplies within the Orthopaedic Department

These duties are not exhaustive and will be reviewed with the post holder, allowing for amendments within the broad scope and band level of the role.



All duties must be carried out under supervision or within Trust policy and procedure. You must never undertake any duties that are outside your area of skill or knowledge level. If you are unsure you must seek clarification from a more senior of staff.