Vascular Staff Nurse Portfolio of Competency

This portfolio of competencies has been designed by the Society of Vascular Nurses to be used to identify your development needs. This portfolio can be utilised to guide your current and future professional practice within the arena of vascular nursing. The SVN advises that you if you decide to complete this portfolio you should discuss this with your manager/supervisor, so that they are aware of your needs and can support your future development.

This portfolio is designed for nurses working in a ward or clinic setting, who are involved with the care of the vascular patient. Vascular nursing is varied and not every aspect of the competencies will be pertinent to your practice, for these areas there is an opportunity to mark that particular competency as not applicable.

The portfolio has 11 set areas of knowledge and practice, each area has a space for comments to be made, as this is a working document and it is expected that some of the competencies will take time to achieve. By making notes, your assessor can see progress made and also evidence of practice. The SVN advises that your assessor is a senior nurse with vascular experience or a senior member of the vascular team.

But please remember this document is only a guide and the user must ensure that their practice is in adherence with their employers’ policies and documents.

Anatomy and Physiology

An Awareness of the Anatomy and Physiology of: / Applicable/
Not Applicable / Comments/Evidence / Date Achieved / Signature/ Name of
Assessor
The Arterial System
The Venous System
The Lymphatic System
Aetiology of peripheral arterial disease
Aetiology of leg ulceration
Diabetes and peripheral arterial disease

Vascular Risk Factor Control

Be able to give advice and support in the following: / Applicable/
Not Applicable / Comments/Evidence / Date Achieved / Signature/ Name of
Assessor
Smoking cessation
Diabetes
Hypercholesterolaemia
Exercise
Hypertension
Weight
Best medical therapy

Pain and Symptom Control – Part 1

Knowledge of Physiology/ Pharmacology of Pain / Applicable/
Not Applicable / Comments/Evidence / Date Achieved / Signature/ Name of
Assessor
Pain assessment
Management of rest pain
Management of acute pain post operatively
Management of the epidural
Management of nerve block

Pain and Symptom Control – Part 2

Knowledge of Physiology/ Pharmacology of pain / Applicable/
Not Applicable / Comments/Evidence / Date Achieved / Signature/ Name of
Assessor
Management of PCA
Positioning and moving patients in pain
Phantom limb pain
Management in end stage vascular disease
Claudication pain

Nutrition

To show understanding in the following: / Applicable/
Not Applicable / Comments/Evidence / Date Achieved / Signature/ Name of
Assessor
Nutritional assessment
Pre operative fasting
Promoting post operative nutrition
Nutrition in diabetes
Nutrition in wound healing
Effects of pain on appetite
Liaison with nutritional services

Assessment - Part 1

Holistic nursing assessment of the patient with peripheral arterial disease / Applicable/
Not Applicable / Comments/Evidence / Date Achieved / Signature/ Name of
Assessor
Examination of peripheral pulses
Capillary refill
Temperature
Colour
Pain
Parasthesia

Assessment - Part 2

Holistic nursing assessment of the patient with peripheral arterial disease / Applicable/
Not Applicable / Comments/Evidence / Date Achieved / Signature/ Name of
Assessor
Use of hand held Doppler and interpretation of signals
Performing ABPI
Interpreting ABPI
An understanding of vascular tests and examinations
E.g.; Duplex/ CT angiogram/MR angiogram etc.

Decision Making and Planning

Evidence based nursing care: / Applicable/
Not Applicable / Comments/Evidence / Date Achieved / Signature/ Name of
Assessor
Understanding rationale for medical/surgical decisions
Supporting patients to participate in decisions about their treatment
Discharge planning
Following protocols and pathways
Nursing involvement in medical /surgical decisions
Recognising and acting on deterioration in patients condition

Care Of The Patient Undergoing The Following Procedures

Be able to give advice and support in the following: / Applicable/
Not Applicable / Comments/Evidence / Date Achieved / Signature/ Name of
Assessor
Open AAA
EVAR
Carotid surgery
Limb arterial bypass
Limb amputation
Angiogram/Angioplasty
Fistula formation
CAPD catheter

Tissue Viability and Wound Care – Part 1

Evidence based nursing care: / Applicable/
Not Applicable / Comments/Evidence / Date Achieved / Signature/ Name of
Assessor
Wound assessment
Dressing selections
Factors leading to delayed healing
Venous ulceration
Compression bandaging

Tissue Viability and Wound Care – Part 2

Evidence based nursing care: / Applicable/
Not Applicable / Comments/Evidence / Date Achieved / Signature/ Name of
Assessor
Pressure ulcer risk assessment
Pressure ulcer prevention
Surgical wound care
Infection control in relation to wound management
Pain management during
dressing change

Patient/ Relative Education and Support – Part 1

Evidence based nursing care: / Applicable/
Not Applicable / Comments/Evidence / Date Achieved / Signature/ Name of
Assessor
Advice on vascular conditions, and invasive procedures
Advice on surgical wound care
Advice about leg ulcer care
Advice following lower Limb bypass
Advice following limb amputation
Pressure ulcer prevention advice

Patient/ Relative Education and Support – Part 2

Evidence based nursing care: / Applicable/
Not Applicable / Comments/Evidence / Date Achieved / Signature/ Name of
Assessor
Knowledge of the multi disciplinary approach
Setting shared goals for rehabilitation
Encourages to discuss feelings
Counselling around amputation
Discharge planning
Medication advice

Research

Evidence of: / Applicable/
Not Applicable / Comments/Evidence / Date Achieved / Signature/ Name of
Assessor
Conducting/participating in local audit/research
Awareness of national audit

Final Completion of Portfolio Date

Comments

Assessor - Signature and Printed Name/ Designation

Nurse - Signature and Printed Name/ Designation