Headache Specialist Practitioner

Ashford and St. Peter's Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Oct 28

Applications are closed

Job
Full-time
Senior Level
Research & Development
Healthcare

Requirements

Clinical or technical
Case management responsible for case management of adult patients with complex care needs. Provides comprehensive assessment using specialist experience and knowledge to discuss management options. Document advice given.
Delivery of a safe, effective, practitioner led service for patients receiving specific treatment for headache, e.g. Greater Occipital Nerve block, Botulinum injection, DHE infusion.
Works autonomously in providing clinical care using expert knowledge and highly developed clinical skills in assessing, implementing and monitoring both inpatients and outpatients to ensure that the quality of patient care is maintained at the highest standard.
Utilising skills acquired through competence achievement, to establish a patients management plan that may include transfer of patients.
Undertake clinical letters/summary dictation.
Utilise expert knowledge of headache to act as a specialist resource service by promoting the service and increasing the awareness of the condition in hospital and primary care settings to enhance standards of care.
Independently assess patients clinical condition, with the authority to alter or initiate treatment of the patient with headache ensuring a high degree of specific expertise and care which is in line with agreed guidelines.
Provide counselling regarding contraception and migraine, pregnancy and the use of medication.
Develop, review and lead the implementation of relevant protocols within boundaries of relevant code of conduct in order to optimise patient care and be aware of boundaries of responsibilities and limitations of clinical skills.
Leadership or managerial
Act promptly in conjunction with Lead Nurse to resolve complaints effectively through investigating and responding at local level and escalate as appropriate.
To work as an independent autonomous, practitioner, demonstrating ability to work effectively and flexibly in a changing environment, with a high degree of autonomy.
Establish and maintain collaborative working relationships with the public, healthcare workers and other agencies.
Maintain safe environment for patients, public and staff utilising quality assurance, risk management strategies and local and national policies, standards and guidelines.
Participate in the management and evaluation of change to improve quality of care.
Motivate self and others to achieve team and organisational goals.
Represent the service at appropriate professional forums.
Maintain accurate, timely and complete patient records ensuring safety and confidentiality of information at all times.
Effectively communicate within the organisation at all times maintaining good interpersonal relationships.
Manage written and verbal information in line with local and national policies.
Participate in the Clinical Risk Management System, Datix, by investigating, reporting and taking appropriate action on clinical incidents.
Contribute to strategic planning of future headache services
Influence decisions regarding service delivery through participation in meetings.
Act as a role model demonstrating high standards of holistic care.
Ensure that grievances, disputes and complaints are resolved speedily and at the lowest possible level of the organisation.
Act as professional lead and role model providing advice and support to all staff working in the field to promote best practice, including: medical students, nurses, and doctors in the out-patient and in-patient settings
Technology or system support
Ensure accurate recording of own duty roster, including annual/study leave
Maintain accurate, timely and complete patient records ensuring safety and confidentiality of information at all times
Computer literate
Conversant with Clinical Portal and HIS Systems- Laboratory and radiology- systems- access to clinical results.
Internet and Intranet - access to local and national NHS sites, government sites, and nursing or medical databases to continually develop evidence-based practice
Digital Dictaphone
Laptop and projector
Telecommunications
Service improvement
Maintain, develop and implement professional policies, standards and practices across the Trust.
Actively contribute to setting and monitoring standards in nursing practice and service provision.
Take responsibility for Policy and Service development, as delegated by Senior Management or as required, in line with changing legal or professional requirements.
Education and Research
Provide comprehensive statistics to inform the audit process associated with the service.
Contribute and take an active role in key clinical research projects for headache service
Interpret headache research and ensure all practice has a nationally accepted evidence base.
Responsible for maintaining and updating personal research knowledge through conference attendance, networking and reading.
Develop, deliver and contribute to multidisciplinary specialist education and training programmes to promote a wider understanding of headache management in the primary and secondary healthcare setting.
Promote and advise on health and lifestyle activities for patients, carers, healthcare professionals and the general public.
Responsible for the educational material that is provided for all patients ensuring that this is an appropriate format and taking into consideration cognitive decline, ethnic group, presence of learning disability.
Direct and support the provision of clinical practice for pre registration and post registration learners, to fulfil curriculum requirements and ensure that appropriate educational opportunities are provided.
Ensure that the ongoing personal development, professional education, research needs are identified and met.
Review and provide expert opinion on literature provided by voluntary agencies.
Promote the service by disseminating information in relation to audit findings.
To evaluate the impact of the role development and contribution to service delivery and patient satisfaction.
Communications and Engagement
Providing and receiving highly complex, highly sensitive or highly contentious information, where developed persuasive, motivational, negotiating, training, empathic or re-assurance skills are required. This may be because agreement or co-operation is required or because there are barriers to understanding.
The post holder works at an advanced level using highly specialised knowledge gained through clinical experience, training and further education within the speciality of headache to develop and deliver evidence based practice and clinical care. The post holder must demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills with patients, relatives and health professionals often delivering highly complex and highly sensitive information e.g. discussion with newly diagnosed patients.
Communicate with the patient, relatives and carers on the delivery of patient care.
Management of patients through chronic illness and acute illness.
Liaise with the multidisciplinary team on service needs and requirements.
Other relevant lines of communication will encompass the following internal and external groups to ensure the gathering and dissemination of information as appropriate.
Internal & External Communication
Liaise directly with other health professionals in both Primary and Secondary care.

Responsibilities

Case management responsible for case management of adult patients with complex care needs. Provides comprehensive assessment using specialist experience and knowledge to discuss management options. Document advice given.
Delivery of a safe, effective, practitioner led service for patients receiving specific treatment for headache, e.g. Greater Occipital Nerve block, Botulinum injection, DHE infusion.
Works autonomously in providing clinical care using expert knowledge and highly developed clinical skills in assessing, implementing and monitoring both inpatients and outpatients to ensure that the quality of patient care is maintained at the highest standard.
Utilising skills acquired through competence achievement, to establish a patients management plan that may include transfer of patients.
Undertake clinical letters/summary dictation.
Utilise expert knowledge of headache to act as a specialist resource service by promoting the service and increasing the awareness of the condition in hospital and primary care settings to enhance standards of care.
Independently assess patients clinical condition, with the authority to alter or initiate treatment of the patient with headache ensuring a high degree of specific expertise and care which is in line with agreed guidelines.
Provide counselling regarding contraception and migraine, pregnancy and the use of medication.
Develop, review and lead the implementation of relevant protocols within boundaries of relevant code of conduct in order to optimise patient care and be aware of boundaries of responsibilities and limitations of clinical skills.
Act promptly in conjunction with Lead Nurse to resolve complaints effectively through investigating and responding at local level and escalate as appropriate.
To work as an independent autonomous, practitioner, demonstrating ability to work effectively and flexibly in a changing environment, with a high degree of autonomy.
Establish and maintain collaborative working relationships with the public, healthcare workers and other agencies.
Maintain safe environment for patients, public and staff utilising quality assurance, risk management strategies and local and national policies, standards and guidelines.
Participate in the management and evaluation of change to improve quality of care.
Motivate self and others to achieve team and organisational goals.
Represent the service at appropriate professional forums.
Maintain accurate, timely and complete patient records ensuring safety and confidentiality of information at all times.
Effectively communicate within the organisation at all times maintaining good interpersonal relationships.
Manage written and verbal information in line with local and national policies.
Participate in the Clinical Risk Management System, Datix, by investigating, reporting and taking appropriate action on clinical incidents.
Contribute to strategic planning of future headache services
Influence decisions regarding service delivery through participation in meetings.
Act as a role model demonstrating high standards of holistic care.
Ensure that grievances, disputes and complaints are resolved speedily and at the lowest possible level of the organisation.
Act as professional lead and role model providing advice and support to all staff working in the field to promote best practice, including: medical students, nurses, and doctors in the out-patient and in-patient settings.
Ensure accurate recording of own duty roster, including annual/study leave
Maintain accurate, timely and complete patient records ensuring safety and confidentiality of information at all times
Computer literate
Conversant with Clinical Portal and HIS Systems- Laboratory and radiology- systems- access to clinical results.
Internet and Intranet - access to local and national NHS sites, government sites, and nursing or medical databases to continually develop evidence-based practice
Digital Dictaphone
Laptop and projector
Telecommunications
Maintain, develop and implement professional policies, standards and practices across the Trust.
Actively contribute to setting and monitoring standards in nursing practice and service provision.
Take responsibility for Policy and Service development, as delegated by Senior Management or as required, in line with changing legal or professional requirements.
Provide comprehensive statistics to inform the audit process associated with the service.
Contribute and take an active role in key clinical research projects for headache service
Interpret headache research and ensure all practice has a nationally accepted evidence base.
Responsible for maintaining and updating personal research knowledge through conference attendance, networking and reading.
Develop, deliver and contribute to multidisciplinary specialist education and training programmes to promote a wider understanding of headache management in the primary and secondary healthcare setting.
Promote and advise on health and lifestyle activities for patients, carers, healthcare professionals and the general public.
Responsible for the educational material that is provided for all patients ensuring that this is an appropriate format and taking into consideration cognitive decline, ethnic group, presence of learning disability.
Direct and support the provision of clinical practice for pre registration and post registration learners, to fulfil curriculum requirements and ensure that appropriate educational opportunities are provided.
Ensure that the ongoing personal development, professional education, research needs are identified and met.
Review and provide expert opinion on literature provided by voluntary agencies.
Promote the service by disseminating information in relation to audit findings.
To evaluate the impact of the role development and contribution to service delivery and patient satisfaction.
Providing and receiving highly complex, highly sensitive or highly contentious information, where developed persuasive, motivational, negotiating, training, empathic or re-assurance skills are required. This may be because agreement or co-operation is required or because there are barriers to understanding.
The post holder works at an advanced level using highly specialised knowledge gained through clinical experience, training and further education within the speciality of headache to develop and deliver evidence based practice and clinical care. The post holder must demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills with patients, relatives and health professionals often delivering highly complex and highly sensitive information e.g. discussion with newly diagnosed patients.
Communicate with the patient, relatives and carers on the delivery of patient care.
Management of patients through chronic illness and acute illness.
Liaise with the multidisciplinary team on service needs and requirements.
Other relevant lines of communication will encompass the following internal and external groups to ensure the gathering and dissemination of information as appropriate.
Liaise directly with other health professionals in both Primary and Secondary care.

FAQs

What are the main duties of the Headache Specialist Practitioner?

The main duties include case management of adult patients with complex care needs, delivering practitioner-led services for headache treatments, independently assessing patients, providing counselling, developing protocols, and maintaining accurate patient records.

What kind of treatments will the Headache Specialist Practitioner be responsible for?

The practitioner will be responsible for administering treatments such as Greater Occipital Nerve blocks, Botulinum injections, and DHE infusions.

Is this role autonomous?

Yes, the Headache Specialist Practitioner works autonomously to provide clinical care, utilizing expert knowledge and developed clinical skills.

What qualifications are required for this position?

A background in headache management with specialist experience is essential. Specific qualifications in healthcare practice may also be required, although not explicitly stated.

Will the practitioner be involved in patient education?

Yes, the practitioner will develop and deliver educational material for patients and contribute to multidisciplinary education and training programmes.

How important is communication in this role?

Extremely important; the practitioner must communicate complex and sensitive information to patients, relatives, and multidisciplinary teams effectively.

Is participation in clinical research part of the job?

Yes, the practitioner will actively contribute to clinical research projects related to headache services and promote evidence-based practice.

What type of skills are necessary for interacting with patients?

Skills in negotiation, empathy, and motivational communication are necessary for managing complex conversations with patients regarding their conditions.

Are there opportunities for professional development in this role?

Yes, ongoing personal development and professional education are crucial and will be supported within the organization.

How does the role contribute to service improvement?

The practitioner will participate in the management and evaluation of changes aimed at improving quality of care and help to set and monitor standards in practice.

Ashford and St. Peter's Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Together we care

Science & Healthcare

Industry

1001-5000

Employees

1998

Founded Year

Mission & Purpose

Ashford and St. Peter's Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides comprehensive healthcare services, including acute, elective, and emergency care at its hospitals and community locations. Their ultimate mission is to deliver exceptional, patient-focused care that improves health outcomes and enhances patient experiences. Their purpose is to serve and support their local communities by offering high-quality, accessible medical services and fostering a culture of excellence and compassion in healthcare.