Job overview
As a Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) Nurse Imager you will work peripatetically to provide a northwest regional ROP screening service, covering allocated HUB & SPOKE units.
• Maintaining a high standard of clinical care, by competently performing ROP screening using a WFDRI camera and ensuring a high quality of digital image with visibility of the retinal anatomy.
• Transferring the image into the digital system to enable clinical review and diagnosis.
• Working both solely and alongside the Regional ROP Coordinator, ROP Link Nurses, Local Ophthalmology teams, Neonatologists, Local Nursing teams and Parents/ Carers.
• The post holder must be able to drive and have access to a car. The role will require travel between hospital sites, with the potential to cover geographically a wider area in exceptional circumstances.
Main duties of the job
·Work and engage constructively with internal and external stakeholders.
·Nurture key relationships and maintain networks internally and externally.
·Complete standardised ROP imaging training & education.
·Utilise acquired specialist knowledge across a range of ROP-related work procedures and practices.
·Communicate effectively with all relevant teams and MDT members across trusts, in addition to engaging with families to provide an equitable service.
·Responsible for maintaining nursing practice within the scope of professional guidelines and organisational policies within a team.
·Use analytical skills to make safe decisions about care.
·Use organisational skills to maintain an efficient service.
·Assess, plan, implement and evaluate ROP screening management of patients.
·Actively participates in service development to improve quality and safety for service users.
·Take responsibility for specialist equipment and consumables required for completion of accurate ROP imaging.
·Maintain a high standard of education and proficiency in order to provide high quality care
·Demonstrates proficiency in information sharing and quality documentation and record keeping regarding patients’ clinical condition.
·Takes an active role in ROP research and development.
Working for our organisation
Our Trust Values
Being Caring and Compassionate
Being caring and compassionate is at the heart of everything we do, it is about understanding what each person needs and striving to make a positive difference in whatever way we can.
Recognising Individuality
Appreciating differences, making staff and patients feel respected and valued.
Seeking to Involve
Actively gets involved and encourages others to contribute and share their ideas, information, knowledge and skills in order to provide a joined up service.
Building Team Spirit
Working together as one team with shared goals doing what it takes to provide the best possible service.
Taking Personal Responsibility
Individuals are accountable for achieving improvements to obtain the highest standards of care in the most professional way, resulting in a service we can all be proud of.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
·Understand ocular anatomy and physiology, ROP pathogenesis, risk factors and predisposing factors associated with prematurity of the neonate.
·Understanding of the classification of ROP.
·Understand the severity of ROP and understand what constitutes referral warranted and treatment warranted ROP.
·Is competent to perform ROP screening using a WFDRI system and has awareness of the health and safety requirements for the user and baby during such a procedure.
·Maintain safety of the neonate throughout the ROP screening process
·To demonstrate ability to process images digitally for review by ROP teams within the HUB / Reading Centres.
·Awareness of own limitations regarding screening and can identify the need to escalate when required.
·Can work under the direction of the ROP Coordinator and Lead Ophthalmologist to ensure a high standard of care is maintained and equitable to all babies.
·Utilise and complete all relevant documentation required in the role. Including awareness of Data Protection and Information Governance policies.
·Acts in such a manner as to preserve the Health & Safety of themselves and others, including colleagues, parents and patients who might be at risk.
·Co-operate with the host organisation regarding any matter affecting safety. Have awareness of the agreed Safety Policies and Procedures relevant to the individual employee and their department.
·Brings to the attention of the ROP Coordinator any matter which appears to suggest a health and safety hazard and is aware of the correct method for reporting.
·Acts as a role model within the team developing and sustaining team working.
·Supports and promotes a team concept in the delivery of patient care by liaising effectively with ROP Coordinator and all members of the MDT.
·Can work independently and within expectations of the role. Awareness of limitations.
·Demonstrates responsibility and shows initiative in the workplace.
·Awareness of the impact of the ROP Model on the wider neonatal network long-term objectives, and demonstrates enthusiasm and commitment to providing a high standard of care and equitable service
Person specification
Qualifications and Education
Essential criteria
1. Registered Nurse (Paediatric / Adult)
2. •Neonatal Qualification in Speciality
3. •Post Graduate Diploma or equivalent specialist knowledge and experience
Desirable criteria
4. •Nurse Imager Qualification
5. •Mentorship Qualification
Knowledge and Experience
Essential criteria
6. •Neonatal Nursing
7. •Retinopathy of Prematurity
8. •Operational Management, Leadership or Mentorship of a clinical team in a neonatal setting
9. •Needs to have a thorough understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships both in terms of day-to-day working practices, but also in relation to management systems
10. • Experience of identifying and interpreting National policy
11. • Specialist knowledge of Retinopathy of Prematurity
12. • Extensive knowledge of specialist area
Desirable criteria
13. •Working as part of a local ROP Team
14. •Previous Nurse Imager experience