Job Overview
It is known that people with a learning disability (LD) have greater health needs than the general population, with the LLR LeDeR Annual Report (2023) reporting the median age of death for people with a LD in LLR to be 62 years old. This is 20 years younger than the national median age for men and 24 years younger for women (LeDeR Annual Report 2022). CIPOLD (2013) recommends that people with a LD have access to the same investigations and treatments as anyone else, but acknowledging and accommodating that they may need to be delivered differently. Timely blood tests are essential for preventing illness, monitoring health and observing effects of medication in people with a LD. A blood test not being taken when identified as required can lead to avoidable harm, prolonged experience of ill health, reduced life expectancy and significant health inequity. Having a blood test for some people with a LD can cause distress and consideration needs to be given to desensitisation, reasonable adjustments, the Mental Capacity Act (2005) and ensuring to work within legal frameworks. This is a commissioned service, requiring expert clinical skills; using extended time and confidence in operating within complex legal frameworks for venepuncture. Individuals involved require good judgement, patience, and a willingness to work in partnership with other staff, families and carers.
Job Description Summary
This post will work alongside phlebotomy colleagues but have a clear caseload of patients with a LD referred to the service. Patients will require enhanced levels of reasonable adjustments to undertake their required blood test which cannot be achieved in generic services. This role will lead the team working alongside LD Phlebotomy Nurse Associate colleague, undertaking required venepuncture for patients with a learning disability (LD) requiring LD clinical speciality support.
Role Includes
- Assess capacity to consent and best interest meetings have been held and made. Confirm the relevant documentation is complete.
- Carry out initial assessment, triage and prioritise referrals.
- Complete risk assessment and assess risk of harm to patient. Detail clearly the need for blood test and the risk of not completing and the required potential restrictions and the risk associated with each restriction e.g. chemical, environmental, mechanical, physical interventions.
- Implementation of risk management strategies. Assessment of risk, clinical and operational variables within a community setting. A tool to support this process is attached in the resources section.
- Assess and work with the patient and where required wider MDT to formulate appropriate pathway.
- Complete care plans for safe venepuncture.
- Act as lead clinician and care‑coordinator.
- Attendance meetings.
- Outpatient pathway management.
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