Advanced Clinical Practitioner in Dermatology in Biologics

An exciting opportunity to work within a busy, friendly and dynamic dermatology department based over two hospital sites, Royal Blackburn Hospital and Burnley General Hospital has become available.

We are also fortunate to have a large number of highly skilled nurses and a clinical Pharmacist. At this time, there is 1 CNS and 1 advanced clinical practitioner in the department. They subspecialise within dermatology and operate independent clinics, e.g follow up clinics, acne clinics to consider and commence Isoretinoin and skin cancer surveillance clinics. Some of them also operate independent theatre lists and are part of the multi-disciplinary team.

Additionally, the department is very resourceful and our department sister and other senior nurses are trained and work as non-medical prescribers and some of them also have regular surgical lists in the department.

The department is proud to continue to offer outpatient intensive topical treatments in a dedicated Dermatology Treatment Room and this initiative has continued to reduce the number of hospital admissions required for patients with significant and very burdensome skin disease. The department also offers other nurse led activities including eczema education clinics, phototherapy assessment clinics and subsequent phototherapy as well as patch testing.

The Dermatology service at ELHT is progressive and forward thinking and this post presents an exciting opportunity to join a cohesive team of enthusiastic Dermatology professionals who are supported by high quality colleagues in the wider multi-disciplinary team.

East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust is an integrated care organisation formed by the merger of hospital and community services in East Lancashire. We provide a broad range of acute and community services to the local population in addition to some specialist services to a wider population. We are a clinically led, managerially supported organisation.

Established in 2003 East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust (ELHT) is a large integrated health care organisation providing high quality acute secondary healthcare for the people of East Lancashire and Blackburn with Darwen.

Our vision is to be widely recognised for providing safe, personal and effective care. We currently provide high quality services and treat over 700,000 patients a year from the most serious of emergencies to planned operations and procedures. We employ over 9,000 staff, many of whom are internationally renowned and have won awards for their work and achievements.

Candidates are requested to note that any person recommended for appointment in connection with this post will be referred to the DBS (Disclosure & Barring System) for their clearance.

We are a highly motivated and cohesive team dedicated to providing an excellent service for our patients. The programme of support for each individual will be flexible depending on his/her particular needs and experience.

We have a strong emphasis on training and have a strong commitment to support, mentorship and development of all of our staff and have regular multidisciplinary meetings.

To have a thorough understanding of immunosuppressive and biological therapies used within dermatology disease management.

To provide biologic and systemic therapy monitoring by undertaking clinical assessments of disease activity in psoriasis patients, including PASI, EASI, UAS, DLQI and PEST scoring, ensuring timely recording in patient care records and ensuring ongoing monitoring or patients eligibility criteria is met.

To respond to queries from patients in regard to biologic and systemic therapies, including delivery of repeat injections and issues relating to efficacy and safety, such as interruptions of treatment at times of inter current illness or prior to planned surgery

To provide holistic care to all patients, assessing the wider implications of their disease and therapies and supporting patients accordingly.

To recruit, input and monitor patients onto BADBIR where eligible criteria are met.

Be competent in assessing patients pre biologic therapy. To co-ordinate and undertake screening tests for co-morbidities (such as tuberculosis) and interpret and act on results, in liaison with clinical colleagues.

Advise on disease and symptom management for patients within the speciality, in an outpatient setting. Evaluate response to interventions and cascade to relevant colleagues

Support patients to self-manage their condition where deemed appropriate. Provide education for those who will need guided support to self-manage and those who will need ongoing face to face support. Be responsible for educating and teaching patients to safely self-administer injection therapies when necessary.

Identify and use educational strategies to deliver information to patients and carers. Participate in the development of patient focused education including training to support…