Chido Victoria Katsande

Qualifications

DipHE Adult Nursing Studies, V300 Nurse Prescriber, MA Medical Ethics and Law

Specialisms

Rheumatology Clinic Nurse specialist, includes cannulation & administering chemotherapy

Introduction

I qualified as an adult nurse in 2004. I worked on a surgical high dependency unit till 2010, gaining a lot of experience in surgical and acute nursing. In 2010, I started working as a clinical research nurse, covering several specialties including critical care, emergency medicine, surgery and rheumatology. It was then that I developed an interest in rheumatology. I worked in rheumatology research for a few years before I became a rheumatology clinical nurse specialist. I run independent nurse led clinics, providing education to patients regarding their conditions and medications, reviewing and adjusting treatments accordingly, monitoring them for adverse reactions to medication. I am also involved in administering different medications to patients, including cytotoxic medications, monoclonal antibodies, chemotherapy and bisphosphonates. I am experienced in venepuncture and cannulation and how to deal with drug reactions, spillages and extravasation. I am a non-medical prescriber, which means I have experience of prescribing medications, medicines management and dealing with drug errors. As a senior member of the team, I am also involved in mentoring, teaching and assessing junior staff members. I have undertaken a Masters degree in medical ethics and law, which gave me an insight into the legal and ethical issues in healthcare.

I accept instructions from both claimant and defendant solicitors and insurers. I have undergone formal training in the medico-legal process and am fully aware of my responsibilities under Civil Procedure Rules (CPR) pertaining to expert witnesses.