JOB DESCRIPTION Post title: Fertility Department Manager (Band 7) Base: Department: Manager responsible to: Professionally responsible to: Fertility Services (Women and Children s Care Group) Fertility Unit Fertility Services Manager Lead Nurse for Women and Children s Requirements: Registered RGN or RM qualification with relevant specialist fertility nursing experience gained over a significant period strongly preferred. Evidence of appropriate CPD is essential. Qualification in teaching and assessing in clinical practice. Specialist training is desirable but not essential. Will be willing to undertake formal training in accordance with the HFEA requirements. Post purpose/summary The Fertility Nurse Manager provides a holistic approach to care, in a highly sensitive and emotive environment. Using specialist knowledge and expertise the post holder is responsible for providing highly complex sensitive information and advice where there may be significant barriers to understanding and acceptance. Will perform fertility treatments to the highest of standards whilst offering extensive support to patients at all times. Day to day work is unsupervised however, work may be monitored. The post holder will work in a MDT of nurses, doctors, scientists and administrative staff and will actively promote the development of the service. The post holder will provide the nurse lead for the department, ensuring that nursing practice and standards are effective and safe.
Organisational position Fertility Services Manager/ Person Responsible Lead Nurse, Women and Children s Care Group Postholder Specialist Fertility Nurse Registered Nurses Health Care Assistant Scope and range The Fertility Department Nurse Manager is accountable for their own professional actions in accordance with the NMC Code, Trust policies, Unit protocols and works within the clear boundaries set in statute by the Human Fertility and Embryology Authorities (HFEA) Code of Practice and adheres to it at all times. The post holder is responsible for planning complex activities where detailed planning is required and organises own caseload. Develops and provides specialist nursing programmes of care from the initial referral through to extensive assisted conception treatments. Will work independently, organising aspects of individualised treatment pathways whilst part of a multidisciplinary team. Clinical reporting is directly to Consultant / Staff Grade (no junior medical staff). All work must be evidence based. The post holder will report and document any clinical risks and report using the Datix Incident System and take appropriate action. The post holder will provide nursing leadership to the Fertility Department and act for the person responsible during periods of absence or leave and liaise with HFEA. Main duties and responsibilities of the post holder Provide leadership to the nurses including appraisals, sickness and absence monitoring and performance monitoring. Take full medical and social histories from patients and their partners using specialist knowledge and expertise. Impart lifestyle advice, recommending changes where appropriate when there are significant barriers to acceptance and referring on to internal and external services for support. Initiate, co-ordinate and explain the complexities of fertility investigations to high professional standards ensuring patient comprehension. Provide complex, sensitive information, specialised advice, support, empathy and reassurance to frequently highly emotional couples undergoing investigations whilst providing counselling face to
face and over the phone, especially following poor treatment outcome when there are significant barriers to acceptance. Refer on to counselling services if indicated. Make independent judgement on mental capacity with regard to offering fertility treatment to support HFEA welfare of the child issues and raise concerns at an MDT meeting. Liaise with external support agencies as indicated. Accurately dictate letters to GPs, medical doctors, scientific staff and patients. Review patients with their results and discuss further management in consultation with the fertility team. Take part in multidisciplinary case reviews Independently notify the Person Responsible of any potential breech to HFEA licence. Refer to consultant embryologist directly when indicated. Autonomous provision of a trans-vaginal ultrasound scanning service which impacts on clinical judgement and decisions regarding fertility treatment pathways. (If service need requires) Identify previously unidentified evidence of pathology and take appropriate action which may impact on scheduled treatment changing its course and outcome for the patient. Interpret ultrasound scanning results on fertility patients and report abnormalities to medical staff. Independently initiate further appropriate investigations to complement clinical picture within protocol. Arrange and deliver an information and consent signing session. Ensure patient comprehension of the complexities of treatment and the legalities surrounding embryo creation and gamete storage during their life and after death, prior to obtaining both unit and HFEA consents. Assess, develop and implement specialist nursing care programme with advice to patients. Teach injection techniques for patients and partners to self inject. Cannulate the cervix and perform intrauterine insemination Perform venepuncture and cannulation procedures. Administer prescribed IV sedation and controlled drug analgesia under the direction of the doctor performing oocyte recovery and surgical sperm retrieval (SSR). Assist medical and scientific staff in trans-vaginal and trans-urethral oocyte recovery, embryo transfer and surgical sperm retrieval procedure. Monitor and record heavily sedated patients vital signs during and post oocyte recovery and SSR procedures maintaining patient s airway at all times. Clinically assess the patient post-op and independently discharge when clinically indicated.
To undertake the role of scrub nurse for any intervention undertaken in either the Fertility department or within the Theatre environment Administer treatment as prescribed by the medical staff. Suggest alterations to drug doses according to unit protocol when required. Will make complex decisions according to protocol prior to consultation with a clinician and have those decisions confirmed. Lead the development and write own protocols within identified area of responsibility and participate and advise in the development of others. Lead any one of the following disciplines at any given time whilst assisting with the others. URGENT REFERALS Will co-ordinate a rapid multi-disciplinary response between Oncology, Surgical and Fertility Staff once referral has been received. GROUP INFORMATION SESSIONS Arrange and deliver a comprehensive information session to a group of up to 20 patients at any one time. SUPPORT GROUP Organise and co-ordinate the fertility support group. EGG SHARE AND EGG DONATION PROGRAMME Responsible for the implementation and co-ordination of the shared/donor and recipient egg programme. Independently act off referrals from clinicians and self referrals from general public Responsible for and manage both the private and NHS waiting lists for both egg sharer/donors and the recipients to both. Liaise with waiting list co-ordinator for all NHS treatments. Guide couples through the complexities of the legal, ethical and social considerations resulting in life long consequences for individuals prior to treatment. WAITING LIST Responsible for NHS waiting list Work within the interpretation of the policies and ensure the CCG criteria are fulfilled. Liaise with specialist from other disciplines where evidence of pathology exists prior to treatment and take appropriate action.
Inform fertility secretary of any changes to waiting list THE FERTILITY DEPARTMENT NURSE MANAGER WILL Supervise the work carried out by RN and nursing assistants and provide professional guidance and training to other trained nursing staff. Ensure that new staff nurses are orientated into the unit effectively. Work with the Person Responsible and the management team to ensure proper statutory governance of the department and adherence to the HFEA code of practice at all times. Regularly participate in training students from the medical, scientific, midwifery and general nurse forums. Chair the fertility nurse meetings. Attend regular departmental meetings, speciality Governance meetings and management meetings. Liaise with external drug companies and hospital pharmacy providing services to fertility patients. Inform relevant department if deficits or shortfalls in equipment become apparent. Independently initiating appropriate action as required. Prepare treatment and drug billing forms for finance. Liaise with patients and finance department regarding payments as required. Propose changes to working practices at nurse meetings and at MDT when necessary. Comply with the unit s requirements in regard to updating of personal competence including initial clinical training and maintain a current clinical portfolio. Use information technology to enter, review and audit data for treatment pathways and outcomes Liaise with external companies providing an assortment of equipment for the fertility unit. Actively participate in promoting fertility services through a variety of media channels e.g. internal news, live radio or local news papers. On call at weekends 1 in 4 for all fertility patients and occasional second on call for Scientific Team. Attend meetings as requested in the absence of the Fertility Department Nurse Manager Systems and equipment Regular computer use for retrieving results communicating with patients by email and submitting patients clinical details to treatment database.
Use of blood pressure, pulse, oxygen saturation levels monitor, oxygen cylinders and suction apparatus. Use of trans-vaginal ultra sound probe for a variety of treatment pathways (If service requires) Use of abdominal probe during embryo transfer procedures. Decisions, judgements and freedom to act Accountable for own professional actions in accordance with the NMC, HFEA, Trust and Unit protocols Propose changes to protocol and practice in the service which impact beyond own area of activity. Plan and organise on-going nursing activities, including the formulation and adjustment of plans and strategies with a broad range of complex activities. Analyse complex facts and situations with regard to fertility treatment and interpret these against a range of options. Expected results are defined and the post holder decides how this is best achieved within protocol. Specialist knowledge across the range of clinical procedures and practices, underpinned by relevant theoretical knowledge and relevant clinical experience. Effective organisation and time keeping of own caseload of work, prioritising work as necessary. Not directly supervised. Recognise potential child protection issues and act accordingly Act as change agent to bring about new patterns of practice Autonomous provision of a trans-vaginal ultra sound scanning service covering a range of treatment options (If service requires) Communication and relationship skills Provide highly complex, highly sensitive and contentious condition related information to couples in an empathic and reassuring manner where there are significant barriers to understanding and significant barriers to acceptance. These barriers are overcome using the highest level of motivational, interpersonal and communication skills. Receive highly complex and sensitive information from medical and scientific staff. Communicate complex information effectively to colleagues, patients, students and of the public. members Refer patients to other disciplines within the fertility team, other departments within the hospital when required and back to the GP when indicated.
Liaise with independent agencies outside the hospital e.g. cytogenetic, social services, GP s, other hospitals and assisted conception units both nationally and internationally. Act as a resource for all disciplines seeking specialist advice regarding the fertility issues Identify own learning development needs as part of professional development. Discuss objectives at annual appraisal and take steps to pursue the agreed targets. Represent the service as required when attending conferences, courses, external meetings and other fertility units. Assist co-ordination of support group. Physical, mental and emotional demands Manipulation of fine tools when performing IV cannulation, intravenous injections and phlebotomy procedures where accuracy is essential and requires highly developed physical skills. Cannulate the cervix and perform Intra Uterine insemination which requires the manipulation of fine tools and high degree of precision. Intense concentration whilst performing trans-vaginal scans and counselling patients regarding treatment progress over a long period of time. Scanning requires a high degree of precision and speed incorporating eye to hand and sensory co-ordination. Intense concentration whilst performing abdominal scan to enable medical staff to perform embryo transfer. Frequent requirement for concentration when seeing and treating patients. Frequent requirement for concentration where the work pattern is unpredictable with constant interruptions. Time keeping within nurse led clinics whilst ensuring the patient s needs are met. Frequent exposure to distressing and highly emotional circumstances whilst seeing patients undergoing fertility treatment and imparting news of infertility and treatment failure. Working conditions Unavoidable and frequent exposure to unpleasant working conditions. Direct contact with body fluids whilst assisting with IVF and performing IUI, Trans-vaginal scanning and SSR. Risk of blood contamination during venepuncture, IV cannulation, assisting with surgical sperm retrievals and contact with foul linen. Occasional face to face exposure to aggressive patients.
Decisions, Judgement and freedom to act: To work autonomously and independently to ensure delivery of quality services within area of responsibility. Is guided by broad polices and protocols, uses discretion and initiative for implementation of such polices. Seeks further advice and support for actions that effect areas outside their area of responsibility. To be accountable for decisions affecting their sphere of responsibility. To liaise with Matron and other senior managers on issues relating to financial, human resources and corporate quality and Governance issues that have wider service implications across the organisation Professional Standards and Performance Review: As an employee of the Trust you have a responsibility to: Participate in statutory and mandatory training as appropriate for the post Maintain consistently high personal and professional standards and act in accordance with the relevant professional code of conduct Take responsibility for the maintenance and improvement of personal and professional competence and to encourage that of colleagues and subordinates; and participate in the Trust s appraisal processes including identifying performance standards for the post, personal objective setting and the creation of a personal development plan in line with the KSF outline for the post Health and Safety As an employee of the Trust you have a responsibility to: take reasonable care of your own Health and Safety and that of any other person who may be affected by your acts or omissions at work; and co-operate with the Trust in ensuring that statutory regulations, codes of practice, local policies and departmental health and safety rules are adhered to; and not intentionally or recklessly interfere with or misuse anything provided in the interests of health and safety. Infection Prevention and Control The prevention and management of acquired infection is a key priority for the Trust. Any breach of infection control policies is a serious matter which may result in disciplinary action. As an employee of the Trust you have a responsibility to: ensure that your work methods are compliant with the Trust s agreed policies and procedures and do not endanger other people or yourself; and
be aware of infection prevention and control policies, practices and guidelines appropriate for your duties and you must follow these at all times to maintain a safe environment for patients, visitors and staff; and maintain an up to date knowledge of infection prevention and control, policies, practices and procedures through attendance at annual mandatory updates and ongoing continuing professional development; and challenge poor infection prevention and control practices of others and to report any breaches, using appropriate Trust mechanisms (e.g. incident reporting policy). Information Governance The Trust is committed to compliance with Information Governance standards to ensure that all information is handled legally, securely, efficiently and effectively. You are required to comply with the Trust s Information Governance policies and standards. Failure to do so may result in action being taken in accordance with the Trust s Disciplinary Procedure. Confidentiality and Security - Your attention is drawn to the confidential nature of information collected within the NHS. Whilst you are employed by the Trust you will come into contact with confidential information and data relating to the work of the Trust, its patients or employees. You are bound by your conditions of service to respect the confidentiality of any information you may come into contact with which identifies patients, employees or other Trust personnel, or business information of the Trust. You also have a duty to ensure that all confidential information is held securely at all times, both on and off site. Disclosure of Information - The unauthorised use or disclosure of information relating to the Trust s activities or affairs, the treatment of patients or the personal details of an employee, will normally be considered a serious disciplinary offence which could result in dismissal. Upon leaving the Trust s employment and at any time thereafter you must not take advantage of or disclose confidential information that you learnt in the course of your employment. Unauthorised disclosure of any of this information may be deemed as a criminal offence. If you are found to have permitted the unauthorised disclosure of any such information, you and the Trust may face legal action. Information Quality and Records Management - You must ensure that all information handled by you is accurate and kept up-to-date and you must comply with the Trust s recording, monitoring, validation and improvement schemes and processes. Professional Standards and Performance Review As an employee of the Trust you have a responsibility to: participate in statutory and mandatory training as appropriate for the post; and maintain consistently high personal and professional standards and act in accordance with the relevant professional code of conduct; and take responsibility for the maintenance and improvement of personal and professional competence and to encourage that of colleagues and subordinates; and participate in the Trust s appraisal processes including identifying performance standards for the post, personal objective setting and the creation of a personal development plan in line with the KSF outline for the post. Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults
We all have a personal and a professional responsibility within the Trust to identify and report abuse. This may be known, suspected, witnessed or have raised concerns. Early recognition is vital to ensuring the patient is safeguarded; other people (children and vulnerable adults) may be at risk. The Trust s procedures must be implemented, working in partnership with the relevant authorities. The Sharing of Information no matter how small is of prime importance in safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults. As an employee of the Trust you have a responsibility to ensure that: o you are familiar with and adhere to the Trusts Safeguarding Children procedures and guidelines. o you attend safeguarding awareness training and undertake any additional training in relation to safeguarding relevant to your role. Social Responsibility The Trust is committed to behaving responsibly in the way we manage transport, procurement, our facilities, employment, skills and our engagement with the local community so that we can make a positive contribution to society. As an employee of the Trust you have a responsibility to take measures to support our contribution and to reduce the environmental impact of our activities relating to energy and water usage, transport and waste. Review: This job description is an outline of the principal areas of responsibility and may be subject to periodic change. The job title is not restrictive and the job holder may at any time be required to undertake other duties within their competence beyond the confines of this job description. The post may change over time to reflect the developing needs of the Trust and its services, as well as the personal development of the job holder. All changes will be discussed with the post holder. Job Description Agreement I have read and understood the duties that are expected of me. Manager Name Signature Date Post holder Name Signature Date