Liver Support Worker

The post holder will work throughout the ODN and build links with the four provider trusts. The work will also involve outreach work in GP surgeries, Drug and Alcohol facilities, Homeless centres, hospital-based outpatient settings and prisons. The role will include conducting outreach clinics and performing Fibroscans on clients at risk of developing chronic liver disease. The postholder will be offered training to become proficient in performing Fibroscans and there will be clear pathways to follow depending on the results of the scan. The role will also include responsibility for data collection and feedback to the ODN and Cancer Alliance. With the support of the wider team, the data will be collated, managed and submitted to NHSE on a monthly basis. MAIN DUTIES: The post holder will work as part of the multi-disciplinary liver outreach team comprising of Nurses, clerical administrators, Pharmacists and Doctors. The team aims to provide assessment of liver fibrosis to all patients across the ODN who have been identified as being at risk of developing chronic liver disease. There will also be an expectation to work collaboratively with the Hepatitis C outreach team to ensure all opportunities for testing for both liver fibrosis and viral hepatitis are fully utilised., To obtain informed consent, undertaking a range of clinical interventions according to set protocols under the guidance of the registered professional as appropriate, ensuring compliance with trust policies and procedures. 1. To perform Fibroscan testing on all designated patients highlighted to the service as being at risk of liver disease 2. To deliver testing for viral hepatitis where indicated and in line with the policies of the roaming hepatitis C team 3. To follow ODN guidelines for onward referral depending on the results of the Fibroscan tests 4. To collect data according to ODN policy and share with the Cancer Alliance and NHSE as required, within the data protection guidelines of ELHT and the ODN 5. To refer all patients diagnosed with liver cirrhosis into designated liver surveillance pathways 6. To offer support to patients who are finding it difficult to engage with services, and refer to local peer support services as appropriate 7. To maintain good relationships with Drug and Alcohol services across the ODN, with homeless services and with Hep C Trust peer support team 8. To engage with continuous professional development and education 9. To provide outreach Fibroscan services within the prisons of the ODN footprint, alongside the Hepatitis C outreach roaming team and the prison healthcare teams 10. To work closely with the ODN liver surveillance data collection support worker / co-ordinator to ensure accurate and up-to-date information is submitted 11. To provide cross-cover for some of the data collection and co-ordination roles during annual leave 12. To monitor supplies needed to deliver the outreach service and re-order as needed 13. To ensure the Fibroscan and associated equipment is maintained in a safe and clean manner in accordance with trust policy 14. To be aware of and respect differing cultures and backgrounds of patients within the population served. 15. To exhibit professional behaviour and attitude at all times, and demonstrate excellent customer care skills with respect for privacy, dignity, security and confidentiality. 16. To organise patient records and carry out clerical duties as and when required. This is to include use of the prison health system "System One" and hep c databases. 17. To answer the telephone in a professional manner, to take messages and follow them up with the appropriate person. 18. To ensure appropriate referrals are made to secondary services once diagnosis has been confirmed. 19. To maintain clinical and administrative records in line with Trust Policies. Patient Pathway 1. To plan and organise clinical workload, managing this efficiently and effectively considering clinical priorities. 2. To follow the liver fibrosis, NAFLD and cirrhosis pathways and refer patients into local hepatology services accordingly 3. To explain the process and the results to the patients ensuring that they have access to ODN approved patient information where needed 4. To ensure that all testing activity is accurately recorded 5. Support and attend all relevant meeting associated with the patients journey. Ensure all recommended actions are dealt with expediently and escalation procedures followed. Project Support 1. engage with key stakeholders using persuasive, negotiations and motivational skills to influence the delivery of the project. 2. Proactively support the delivery and prioritisation of project plans in conjunction with ODN Programme manager and the Cancer Alliance project management team 3. Escalate any issues within the projects to the Programme manager /project manager / Directorate Manager quickly and effectively 4. Identify any risks and take appropriate mitigating action 5. Actively engage and manage relationships with senior internal and external stakeholders 6. Collaborate throughout the ODN to maintain a wide, and flexible support function 7. The Post holder will be expected to show improvised thinking and propose changes where appropriate. Look out for new opportunities to access at-risk and under-served patient groups and negotiate means to offer testing 8. Support the submission of quarterly CQUIN reports ,annual reports and other quality improvement processes as required 9. Be responsible for the delivery of specific actions as identified within the ODN Projects. Communication 1. To maintain communication with registered professionals. 2. To implement and modify communication skills as appropriate when there are barriers to understanding, resistance or compliance issues e.g. where English is second language, patients are dysphasic, blind or deaf, cognitively impaired, or who may have behavioural problems. This will require effective use of both verbal and non-verbal skills. 3. Liaise with Key personnel at each provider trust including Consultants, secretaries, specialist Nurses, commissioners, public health 4. Liaise with key personnel at other organisations outside of the NHS such as substance misuse service, prison, sexual health 5. Be the point of contact for all routine enquiries facilitating communication and information flows, initiating and responding to correspondence and resolving enquiries 6. Provide basic telephone advice to the ODN and refer on / signpost to other sources for support Resource Management 1. To take the lead on all maintenance and stock control of equipment for the liver surveillance outreach team 2. To take the lead on ordering of stock and equipment to the ODN liver surveillance outreach team 3. To report fault or damage to appropriate department and Programme manager / Directorate manager as appropriate. Additional Duties 1. Develop and maintain effective working relationships throughout the ODN 1. To adhere to security requirement of each individual prison establishment 3. Collect, collate and report routine and simple data 4. Support the development of patient literature and surveys 5. Collect and collate patient satisfaction surveys for the ODN and produce associated reports 6. Take an active part in team meetings 7. Attend local and national events to develop own knowledge, sharing best practice and ensuring the ODN is fully informed 8. General administrative duties to support the liver surveillance team as appropriate.

This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a new team developing a service to deliver community liver health checks across Lancashire and South Cumbria. The role will be varied, rewarding and will require initiative and commitment. The new team will work closely with the existing Hepatitis C elimination outreach team to develop new pathways for liver health checks. There will be a requirement to perform Fibroscan and other health checks and full training will be provided. Travel across the region will be necessary. A non-judgemental approach, excellent communication and organisational skills and an understanding of data protection are required. Previous experience of NHS systems and building relationships with patients would be helpful.,

• Experience of working with patients / clients in a healthcare setting
• experience of NHS systems
• Basic IT skills
• Excellent communication skills
• Achieved Grade C or equivalent in GCSE Maths and English
• Experience of organising a workload and working to deadlines
• Willing to learn new skills and work flexibly in an evolving service
Desirable criteria
• Experience of working in varied healthcare settings
• Experience of communicating with hard to reach groups of patients
• Experience of working with multi-disciplinary clinical teams
• Insight into principles of liver health
• Insight into the risk factors that can adversely affect the liver
  
  At East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust our vision is to be widely recognised for providing safe, personal and effective care. We currently provide high quality services and treat over 600,000 people across East Lancashire and the surrounding area. We employ over 9,500 staff, many of whom are internationally renowned and have won awards for their work., The Trust is an equal opportunities employer, committed to improving the working lives of our staff and operates a 'Zero Tolerance' policy to aggression, violence, bullying and harassment. In addition, our aim is to help protect children and vulnerable adults by providing a first-class service to the recruitment of people into positions of trust.
We aim to employ a workforce that reflects the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from everyone irrespective of ethnic origin, gender, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, marital status, disability or social background. We especially welcome applications from members of our black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) communities, as we have identified that ELHT has an under-representation of BAME employees. Appointments will be made on merit.

It is important you are made aware of the following as regards your application to East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust
• Please note that the salary advertised is for full time hours. If this post is less than 37.5 hours per week, the salary will be pro-rata. For posts on Agenda for Change pay-scales, new entrants to the NHS will normally commence on the first pay point of the relevant band.
• This vacancy may close before the closing date if the recruiting manager deems sufficient applications have been received. Therefore it is advised to complete your application as early as possible to avoid disappointment.
• Please ensure you check the email account from which you apply regularly as we will use this to contact you regarding your application.
• Please note that shortlisting is completed anonymously with candidates being assessed against the essential criteria for the post. Therefore only applicants, who can clearly demonstrate how they meet our person specification criteria in their application, will be short-listed.
Disclosure and Barring Scheme (DBS) If the role you are applying for is identified as either controlled or regulated activity as defined in in the Safeguarding vulnerable Groups Act (2006) any offer of employment is provisional upon a satisfactory DBS check being obtained. The healthcare sector is exempted from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. In line with other NHS organisations in the North West Region, the Trust is now passing the charge for undertaking a DBS check on to candidates in the event they are successfully appointed into the post for which they have applied. Candidates can choose whether to pay this over 1-3 months as a deduction from the monthly salary. However, if you are applying for a post as a BANK worker, the payment must be made in full at the time of employment checks. By applying for this vacancy you are agreeing to this undertaking in the event you are successfully appointed. The cost of an Enhanced Disclosure will be £55.38 and for a Standard Disclosure will be £27.38.