BSGE endorsed recommendations to support the endometriosis CNS role

Agenda For Change Banding

Endometriosis CNS should be banded at AFC 7 (or above), or, as AFC 6 with a clear pathway to progress to AFC 7.

Time allocated to the CNS role within a BSGE Specialist Endometriosis Centre

This must be at least 10 hours per week, protected time dedicated solely to the endometriosis CNS role. The amount of CNS hours required should be agreed locally according to the needs of the service and the expected role of the CNS.

The expectation from the BSGE is that the amount of protected hours would increase in line with:

• the size/activity of the BSGE Endometriosis Centre
• the number of specialist consultants within the service

Key elements to the CNS role

It is expected that the CNS holds a regular endometriosis CNS clinic weekly.

It is expected that CNS develops resources/ services accessible to patients and the multidisciplinary team for primary and secondary care.

It is expected that the CNS is responsible for BSGE patient data management and reporting.

It is expected that the CNS has a strong background in gynaecology nursing.

The BSGE advises each centre follows the recommendations in the RCN guidance on the role of the Endometriosis CNS

https://www.rcn.org.uk/professional-development/publications/pub-007239

The BSGE advises each centre follows the guidance set out by NICE

https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng73/resources/endometriosis-diagnosis-and-management-pdf-1837632548293

Mentoring

A register of approved mentors is being set up.

Please email BSGE if you would be interested in joining this at bsge@rcog.org.uk

The aim is that each endometriosis CNS new to the role is attached to a mentor who will support the CNS in their role and ensure and sign off BSGE set competencies, within an agreed time frame between the CNS and their mentor.  More information specific to mentoring will be provided in due course on the BSGE website.

Education and professional development

It is a requirement that each endometriosis CNS attends the BSGE ASM at least biannually.

We are in the process of developing an educational programme that will be accessible virtually through the BSGE. It will facilitate acquiring essential core competencies for the CNS role (this is not an exhaustive list):

• History taking
• Expert knowledge of endometriosis and treatment options
• Undertake consultations independently
• Counselling skills (basic level)
• Refer and signpost to other services
• Knowledge of complimentary therapies
• Ordering and interpreting diagnostic tools
• Data collection and management
• IT skills and maintaining BSGE database
• Communication skills

Completion of these essential core competencies will become a requirement for each CNS (more information once available will be posted on the BSGE website).

As this is a multiskilled role with options for development as required locally, options of additional education and skills include formal and informal training on (this is not an exhaustive list):

• Sonography: transvaginal scanning; rectal beam scanning
• Advanced knowledge in pain assessment; evaluation and management
• Non-medical prescriber
• Consent and legality
• Enhanced Counselling skills; basic intermediate and advanced counselling (formal and informal); psychosexual counselling
• cognitive behavioural therapy
• Enhanced knowledge and understanding of alternative therapies e.g. reflexology; acupuncture; massage
• Diet, nutrition and exercise
• Bowel and bladder function: assessment; evaluation and management
• Pelvic neuropathy: assessment; evaluation and function.
• Leadership
• Implementing change skills and knowledge
• Teaching/ presenting
• Audit and research

Here are 3 examples of such job description:

Example 1

Example 2

Example 3

Please be aware that these are examples and whilst it captures all the nursing skills and duties of such a post, each Trust will have to ensure their own job description captures all the information required for their own employees.