We have an exciting opportunity within our team.
The Osteoporosis Service is part of the Rheumatology department. The service is primarily nurse led, with oversight from two Rheumatology consultants and supported by secretarial staff.
* To provide diagnostic and management clinics for patients being referred to the Osteoporosis service
To provide education, advice and support to patients and health professionals in the management of bone health.
To assess bone density by use of a bone density scanner (DXA scan).
Our Specialist Nurses carry out Osteoporosis Management clinics at Torbay Hospital and Paignton HWBC both in person and on the telephone. We have regular MDT meetings for discussion of complex patients.
DXA scans are also carried out at Paignton HWBC by Specialist Nurses who have been trained in this role.
* To work within the multidisciplinary Osteoporosis Team.
* Excellent written and verbal communication skills to ensure that correspondence is of a high standard.
* Maintain effective communication with a range of people across all levels, both within and outside the organisation.
* To liaise and work collaboratively with colleagues within the department.
* Deliver information to patients in an appropriate format at a level understood by the patient.
* Ability to take a medical history and decide with the patient on the most appropriate course of action/treatment for their bone health in a clinic situation.
* Recognise when a condition is outside of the scope of the role/knowledge/experience and seek appropriate advice.
* To ensure DXA scans are acquired to a high standard to allow appropriate diagnostic reporting of bone density results.
* To analyse bone density examinations using manufacturer specific software or in-house analysis techniques according to departmental protocols or as instructed.
* Undertake independent Osteoporosis Management Clinics.
* Prioritise and adapt approach to situations as they arise.
* Undertake unsupervised and be accountable for, bone density scans of patients and maintain the highest possible standard of radiography.
* Able to exercise initiative and act with autonomy when dealing with issues within own specialist areas of competence.
* Be able to travel between Torbay Hospital and Paignton Health and Wellbeing Centre
* Assist patients onto and off the scanner bed.
* Regular need to move and position patients when performing bone density scans as a single operator.