JOB TITLE: Community Respiratory Nurse

JOB DESCRIPTION
JOB TITLE:
Community Respiratory Nurse
BAND:
6
REPORTS TO:
Service Lead for Cardiac & Respiratory Services
RESPONSIBLE TO:
Respiratory Specialist Nurse
LOCATION:
Hull and East Riding
JOB PURPOSE
To work closely with the Respiratory Nurse Specialists, Service Leads, Respiratory
Physicians, Secondary Care Specialist Nurses, General Practitioners, Integrated
Community Nursing Teams, Practice Nurses, other Health Professionals and the oxygen
provider to support and deliver a home oxygen assessment and review service in the
community for those people with respiratory disease.
The post holder will consult patients in a variety of settings including home visits and
clinics across Hull and East Riding.
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Communication

Support patients and their families through communicating with people on
complex matters, issues and ideas

Develops and maintains communication processes in complex situations that
support the delivery of high standards of care

Ensure effective communication is maintained between members of the multidisciplinary team to ensure appropriate individuals are informed of changes that
impact on service delivery, patient care and risk management

Communication sensitive information concerning patient’s condition

Apply computer skills for the purpose of communication by e-mail and access to
electronic health records and data collection

Plan, deliver and review interventions to enable people to learn and develop
including supporting patients and carers in the provision of self-care

Maintain accurate and contemporaneous records in accordance with Trust
standards
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Analytical Tasks

To provide a holistic, autonomous and clinical home oxygen assessment and
review by attending to referrals and self-referrals of patients

Maintain a caseload of patients requiring oxygen assessments

Provide a high standard of assessment, management and advice to patients
referred to the service who are in need of oxygen therapy and arrange
appropriate follow-up according to local/national guidelines.

Interpret findings through the use of a variety of tests/equipment (including
patient capillary blood gas sampling and spirometry) and act upon these
accordingly

Be responsible for the effective operation and safe use of all equipment and its
maintenance and quality control testing. Be part responsible for replenishment of
stock of consumables

Organise the initiation of new oxygen therapy orders and act appropriately on
changes to this oxygen prescription following review

Provide training to healthcare professionals across primary and secondary care
to improve the management of home oxygen service users across Hull and East
Riding.

Provide support to service users and their families/carers and provide suitable
written and verbal information to enhance understanding of self-management,
therapy and compliance with equipment

To set standards of care by implementing national and local guidance and
policies, contributing to proposals for change and development of guidance and
policies
Planning and Organisational Skills

To prioritise and plan daily clinical workload with the team

Attendance at planned team meetings

Participate in the development of the skill mix required within the team

Participate in the recruitment and selection of staff
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Physical Skills

To implement treatment interventions required by the patient following
assessment of their respiratory condition

The use of medical equipment to monitor, assess, evaluate, treat and diagnose
patients e.g patient testing of blood gases, knowledge of different types of
oxygen equipment

Commute around geographical area

Practice safe moving and handling procedures when involved in the delivery of
patient care
Responsibility for Patient Care

To provide a high standard of professional conduct and nursing care at all times
in accordance with the NMC and local policy and guidelines

To have responsibility for a defined caseload and to ensure care delivered
meets the local standards, policy, procedures and guidelines

To prioritise and plan and delegate when required the daily clinical workload to
team members

To maintain accurate patient records in accordance with the Nursing, Midwifery
and Health Visiting Council guidelines and the Primary Care Trust Guidance.

To undertake annual caseload review

To complete data collection as per policy

To follow policy when reporting untoward incidents

To ensure Service Lead is aware of workload constraints and problem situations
Policy and Service Development Implementation

Plan, participate and co-ordinate teaching programmes for Health
Professionals and students

Lone working- The ability to work alone in clients own home and to have
knowledge of and adhere to Trust policy

Actively assist the Respiratory Nurse Specialists in using specialist
knowledge to inform service/policy developments as appropriate
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
To provide a high standard of professional conduct and nursing care at all times
in accordance with the NMC

Adheres to local standards, policy, procedures and guidelines

To set standards of care by implementing protocols and policies, contributing to
proposals for change and development of nursing and community policies

Participate and support with practice and service developments

Promote, monitor and maintain best practice in health, safety and security

Participate in a cultures that improves quality
Responsibilities for Financial and Physical Resources

Maintain stock control of equipment and clinical support material

To promote cost effectiveness using research based evidence and within local
and national prescribing guidelines.
Responsibilities for Human Resources

Participate in the supervision/mentoring of junior staff

To demonstrate a flexible approach to duties and responsibilities as the need
arises to provide an effective service delivery
Responsibilities for Information Resources




Responsibilities of the job for information resources (e.g. computerised, paper
based, microfiche) and information systems (both hardware and software (e.g.
medical records)
Nature of responsibility (security, processing and generating information,
creation, updating and maintenance of information databases or systems) and
degree to which it is shared with others. Assumes that all information
encountered in the NHS is confidential
Responsibilities for Research and Development Responsibilities of the job for
informal and formal clinical or non-clinical research and development activities
underpinned by appropriate methodology and documentation, including formal
testing or evaluation of drugs, or clinical or non-clinical equipment
Nature of the responsibility (initiation, implementation, oversight of research and
development activities), whether it is an integral part of the work or research for
personal development purposes, and the degree to which it is shared with others.
e.g. Undertakes surveys or audits as necessary to own work
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Freedom to Act

The post holder remains accountable for their own actions and decisions

Has responsibility for those that they supervise and manage

Uses own initiative and acts independently in accordance with local and National
Standards, Policy, Procedures and Guidance

The post may involve weekend working, on a Rota base
STANDARD PARAGRAPHS
1. City Health Care Partnership CIC is embedding a culture of restorative practice
(RP) throughout the organisation. This is known as the CHCP way. All staff are
expected to embrace RP which embodies a set of values and principles and a
way of working with people that provides a common language and approach that
enables collaborative working and respect for each other within the organisation.
2. City Health Care Partnership CIC is committed to providing high quality care
within all services and therefore expects all employees to follow the nationally
recognised seven values – care, compassion, courage, communication,
competence, commitment and candor. These values, known as the Seven C’s,
are embedded within the culture and working practices of all services regardless
of whether the service provides direct patient care or not.
3. It is the responsibility of each member of staff to maintain confidentiality at all
times and abide by the CHCP policies and procedures.
4. Staff must be aware of and adhere to the provisions of the Health and Safety at
Work Act and any associated legislation in order to to ensure their own safety
and that of colleagues, patients and visitors. Staff must also be aware of the
action to be taken in the event of fire and must complete Fire Awareness Training
on an annual basis.
5. Basic moving and handling training must be attended on induction. Staff who are
required to move patients are also required to attend further training in addition to
this, and will be required to refresh at this level bi-annually. Other mandatory
training requirements that are relevant to the post must be decided during
Personal Development Review and a training plan developed.
6. Staff should be aware of their individual responsibilities under the Equality Policy
and ensure that they comply to the policy which requires that all colleagues and
service users are treat with respect.
7. CHCP CIC is committed to a policy of zero tolerance of abuse. The organisation
recognises its responsibility to prevent the abuse of vulnerable adults at risk and
all employees have a duty of care to safeguard those in their care. Staff should
ensure that their actions support the aims of the organisation and ensure that all
children up to the age of 18 are protected from significant harm, abuse and
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neglect within the framework of multi-agency Child Protection services
established in the Guidelines and Procedures issued by the Local Safeguarding
Children Board and must comply with the responsibilities identified in Section 11,
Children Act 2004. All staff have a duty to contribute to the detection, reporting
and prevention of abuse and to safeguard those in our care. Safeguarding is
everybody’s business and is core business for CHCP CIC.
8. Infection Control (these paragraphs relate to clinical staff)
Maintain and enhance standards of patient care, through the implementation of
continuous quality improvement initiatives such as NICE Guideline 139 and
associated quality standards to support the prevention of Health Care Associated
Infections and compliance with the Health & Social Care Act 2008 Code of
Practice for health and adult social care on the prevention and control of
infections and related guidance July 2015 .
Ensure high standards of environmental cleanliness are maintained across the
Organisation through involvement in audit and regular feedback through
service governance frameworks and liaison with the Domestic contact Monitoring
Officer.
9. Infection Control (this paragraph relates to both clinical and non clinical
staff)
Infection Prevention and Control is everybody’s responsibility. All staff, both
clinical and non-clinical are required to adhere to CHCP’s Infection Control
policies and make every effort to maintain high standards of infection control at
all times, thereby reducing the burden of Health Care Associated Infections. Staff
have a responsibility to ensure they attend mandatory infection control training
provided by CHCP.
10. This job description is not meant to be exhaustive. It describes the main duties
and responsibilities of the post. It may be subject to change in the light of
developing organisational and service needs and wherever possible change will
follow consultation with the post holder.
EFFORT AND ENVIRONMENT
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Physical Effort



To manage patient care, equipment and handling of patients on a daily basis.
To manage difficult situations and support staff on a daily basis.
To adapt to change in planned workload due to unforeseen circumstances on a daily
basis.
The nature, level, frequency and duration of the physical effort (sustained effort at a
similar level or sudden explosive effort) required for the job.
Mental Effort
Ability to concentrate on a daily basis






Patient assessments
Unpredictable work patterns
Allocation of work load
Deal with urgent issues/situations
Allocation of off duty
Supervision and Training

The nature, level, frequency and duration of the mental effort required for the job (e.g.
responding to unpredictable work patterns, interruptions and the need to meet
deadlines)
Working Conditions



Exposed to bodily fluids on a daily basis
Ability to cope with unpleasant conditions
Difficulties around safety and lone working policy to be followed

Nature, level frequency and duration of demands arising from inevitably adverse
environmental conditions (such as extreme heat/cold, smells, noise, and fumes), and
hazards which are unavoidable (even with the strictest health and safety controls) such as
road traffic accidents, spills of harmful chemicals, aggressive behaviour of patients, clients,
relatives, carers.
Emotional Effort



Exposed to patients suffering from terminal illness on a daily basis
Ability to manage distressing and unpleasant situations daily.
The role involves supporting themselves, staff and carers in the development of coping
strategies
Job Holder Signature ……………………………………... Date ……………………………
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PERSON SPECIFICATION
Community Respiratory Nurse
Essential
Desirable How
assessed
Qualifications
Be a registered Nurse.
X
Demonstrate you have completed a related respiratory
course.
X
Demonstrate you have completed a diagnostic and
consultation course.
X
Essential
Application
Form
Application
Form
Application
Form
Desirable How
assessed
Knowledge
Demonstrate excellent consultation and assessment skills.
Demonstrate excellent communication skills with patients
as well as team members and other staff.
Demonstrates the ability to work independently using own
initiative.
Demonstrate knowledge of guidelines regarding long-term
conditions and oxygen therapy as well as other relevant
guidelines.
Demonstrate knowledge of oxygen therapy and its
application.
Demonstrate knowledge of arterial blood gas analysis.
Demonstrate an up-to-date knowledge of long-term
condition management.
Interview /
Reference
Interview/
Reference
Interview/
Reference
X
X
X
X
Interview
X
Interview
X
Interview
X
Interview
Demonstrate a basic ability to use Word, PowerPoint, email, Excel (or similar spreadsheet or database
packages).
X
Essential
Application
Form /
Interview
Desirable How
assessed
Experience
Demonstrate working within a relevant field of respiratory
care.
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X
Interview
Demonstrate experience working within long term
condition management.
Demonstrate experience working autonomously within a
home/clinic environment.
X
Interview
X
Interview
Demonstrate experience of teaching patients and a
variety of Health Care Professional’s.
X
Essential
Interview
Desirable How
assessed
Personal Attributes
Demonstrate excellent personal and people skills, able to
consult with patients and their carers sensitively and
empathetically.
Demonstrate you are driven by enthusiasm to work in the
field of respiratory care.
X
Interview
X
Interview
Essential
Desirable How
assessed
Personal Circumstances
Ability to commute effectively across the service area
when necessary.
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X
Interview