Respiratory Nurse​/AHP

Job Summary

Applications are invited for this exciting post to provide specialist respiratory care to patients with chronic lung disease. It is an opportunity to develop further advanced skills, work autonomously and develop educationally. The service forms part of the Dorset Adult Integrated Respiratory Service (DAIRS) which serves all of Dorset.

The post holder will join two nurses in the team which also has five Consultant Respiratory Physicians providing inpatient and outpatient care. The team is supported by Clinical Physiologists, Cancer Nurse Specialists, a Respiratory Consultant Nurse and Physiotherapists.

The post requires the provision of integrated respiratory care within West Dorset, involving inpatient reviews, community visits, clinics, ward reviews and education for patients and other health care professionals. Candidates should have a COPD qualification and respiratory experience, though relevant post‑qualifying chronic disease management experience will be considered if a COPD qualification is absent. The successful candidate will be expected to complete a recognised COPD course as part of their specialist nurse training if not already completed.

Excellent communication skills are required for liaising with a range of health professionals to provide further support for patients across primary and secondary care.

• Provide evidence‑based care for respiratory patients and carers in the management of acute and chronic phases of respiratory conditions within acute hospital and community settings.
• Competently take a history, assess, examine, develop a management plan and monitor the response within the competency of respiratory medicine.
• Provide advice and support for the wider respiratory team and community/primary care staff.
• Work with the wider Multi‑Disciplinary Team (MDT) to review respiratory practice‑based data and outcomes achieved, providing feedback to the practices and DCHFT.
• Utilise highly developed nursing knowledge and skills to provide high standards of evidence‑based patient‑centred care, respecting dignity and privacy.
• Manage the care pathway of respiratory patients with clinicians; ensuring all discharge planning commences at the point of admission and follow up after discharge including referral to pulmonary rehabilitation where appropriate and follow up for those who need home oxygen.
• Ensure that the Trust’s organisational goals and values are reflected in all department and individual objectives.
• Assess and identify patients for home oxygen and action accordingly. Training will be provided to undertake oxygen assessments including arterial blood gases and order home oxygen.

The successful applicant will need to drive and therefore have a valid driving licence and insurance to cover visits to patients in their home if hospital vehicles are not available.

• Must be a registered Nurse/Midwife in the UK on part 2 of the NMC register or equivalent Allied Health Professional.
• Must have at least 2 years post‑registration experience at Band 5.

• Evidence of working within a clinical area.
• Ability to manage and deliver to deadlines and within resources.
• Ability to collaborate constructively with internal and external partners to create conditions for successful partnership working.
• Full UK driving licence and prepared to work across Dorset.

• Must participate in the teaching of respiratory conditions.
• Organisational abilities and excellent time management skills.
• Ability to manage own and team workload, prioritise work, delegate where appropriate and work well in a challenging environment.
• Sound knowledge of the use of IT resources relevant to the role.
• Decision making skills, both clinical and non‑clinical.
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally, in writing and electronically.
• Communicate with patients and families in an empathetic manner.
• Be flexible and multi‑skilled to ensure the priorities of the service can be met.
• Negotiation skills with practical expectation of what can be achieved.
• Able to work using own initiative and as part of leading a team.
• Excellent interpersonal…