Job summary

• The post holder will work under the guidance of the Sister/Charge nurse and multi-disciplinary team members in monitoring and maintaining excellent standards of nursing care and staff development, as part of the ward team.
• To assist in the continuing professional development and overall performance of learners and junior staff in the clinical area.
• The post holder is expected to carry out all relevant forms of care with the guidance and support of more senior staff.
• To be flexible in the approach to the clinical area and provide cover according to experience for any area specified.

The post holder will be accountable for their nursing practice, adhere to the policies and protocols of the Trust and the NMC. He/she will have a responsibilityfor their own personal and professional development.

Main duties of the job

Please refer to job description.

Patient/customer care (both direct & indirect

• Seeking advice/guidance as necessary:
• Assess, plan, implement and evaluate programmes of care, actively seeking evidence based practice which will improve the quality of care and meeting the needs of the patients.
• A holistic approach to caring should be planned that will include the appropriate level of physiological, pathological, spiritual, socio-economical and cultural aspects which influence the care of clients within your specific speciality.
• Implement a nursing plan for an assigned group of patients indicating assessment and re-assessment formulated for individual care pathways and discharge planning.

About us

Due to our everchanging and evolving critical care service we have band 5 vacancies. We are currently one of the UKs largest and most experienced cardio-thoracic centres providing care for a variety of complex patients. Since March we have been one of the highest performing cardiac centres in the UK providing urgent/emergency surgery whilst continuing with the transplant programme.

Our ITU consists of 24 level 3 beds and the recovery unit consists of 5 cardiac recovery and 2 thoracic recovery beds. Staff work in both units. We care for a variety of patients with complex healthcare needs providing services such as mechanical support (ECMO, LVAD/Impella), IABP and hemofiltration. We care for patients pre and post heart/lung transplant, cardiac/thoracic surgery and post primary coronary intervention (PCI).

Our new starters are supported by our exceptional practice education team. We aim to provide staff of all grades with the essential knowledge and skills required in our busy, friendly department. New starters will be given a period of supernumerary time.

Successful applicants will be fully supported whilst gaining experience in the care of critically ill patients undergoing a variety of critical care interventions.

Following orientation and completion of step one Clinical competencies, staff will have the opportunity to access university-based post-graduate courses.We welcome newly qualified nurses who previously have had an acute nursing placement/s.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Patient/customer care (both direct & indirect

• Seeking advice/guidance as necessary:
• Assess, plan, implement and evaluate programmes of care, actively seeking evidence based practice which will improve the quality of care and meeting the needs of the patients.
• A holistic approach to caring should be planned that will include the appropriate level of physiological, pathological, spiritual, socio-economical and cultural aspects which influence the care of clients within your specific speciality.
• Implement a nursing plan for an assigned group of patients indicating assessment and re-assessment formulated for individual care pathways and discharge planning
• Prioritise workload according to changing clinical need for shift.
• Maintain excellent clinical standards of nursing practice.
• Act as a patient advocate in line with the NHS plan.
• Contribute to setting goals and benchmarking standards of care. Develop tools to improve the quality of the service and co-ordinate clinical services across the ward/department.
• Ensure that nursing documentation is maintained to the Trust standard (including electronic records)
• Participate in conducting nursing audit to achieve the agreed standards.
• Contribute to and participate in the process of setting goals and benchmarking
• standards ensuring CQUIN targets are met.
• In conjunction with the staff team contribute to developing and maintaining a ward /department ethos and provide a standard approach to the delivery of excellent nursing care.
• To demonstrate awareness and compliance with Trust policies, procedures, guidelines, standards, core behaviours, the 6Cs and the Trust Nursing strategy.
• To be aware of the Trusts framework of clinical governance and patient safety walk rounds within the ward or department area, seeking advice or guidance where necessary.
• Identify and report clinical risks to the ward/departmental Sister/Charge nurse, Modern Matron so that appropriate action can be taken in accordance with the Trust risk management policy.
• To provide a suitable and safe environment for the physical, psychological and spiritual well being of staff, patients/clients and their relatives/carers, seeking guidance or advice where necessary.
• Record and report all incidents/complaints involving staff, patients and visitors in accordance with Trust policies and assist in any investigations as required.
• Collaborating with other members of the ward team to ensure the patients needs are met to a consistently high standard.
• To delegate tasks and activities to a range of team members in relation to patient care. (for example when taking supervised charge or as a link nurse)
• To actively promote a healthy lifestyle for patients and staff in line with national strategy requirements.

Communication

• To demonstrate politeness, courtesy respect and sensitivity in dealing with patients/clients, visitors/relatives and colleagues, maintaining good customer relations.
• Maintain and promote effective communication with all members of the multidisciplinary team and other Wards/Departments.
• To adapt communication skills to meet the needs of patients who may have barriers to understanding e.g. language.
• Contribute towards sharing good practice within the ward/department and Trust wide.
• To promote a positive image of the Trust at all times.
• To work cohesively with all members of the ward team in ensuring that the very best services to patients are provided at all times.

People management

• Take active responsibility for own annual leave in line with Trust and local Policy and Procedure.
• Participate in the Trusts appraisal and personal development plan schemes by meeting with the team leader/appraiser at least, to include feedback from a selection of internal staff and team members.
• Participate in the programme for preceptorship and to be a support to new and junior staff as required.
• Maintain a personal, professional profile, identifying role and skill developments in line with the Scope of Professional Practice.

Information management

• Participate in the collection of audit and research data as required.
• Use data which will contribute to the improvement of patient care.
• To have an active Trust and email account and adhere to the Trusts Information Services and Information Governance Policies.
• Use the Trust internet to enhance care and for professional development.
• Undertake relevant training for electronic information systems in place and under development.
• Following Trust/local guidelines to access results from the electronic databases

Resource management

• To work together with the ward team to ensure effective use and maintenance of resources and adequate stock levels.
• To actively engage with rostering in clinical ward or departments and adopt a flexible approach to personal rostering to ensure the needs of the service are met.

Service development

• To contribute to the development and maintenance of a positive learning environment for colleagues, patients and visitors.
• To participate in staff education and development, including utilising appropriate learning opportunities and to act as a resource for learners and the nursing team as/ when required.

Policy development

• Under the supervision of the ward / department Sister/Charge Nurse to work on delegated projects relating to local policy development.
• To be actively involved in the implementation of Trust policies and procedures at ward / department level, reinforcing their use.

Further sections

• To work towards a senior staff nurse level the staff nurse will be expected to complete relevant clinical competencies, and would need to be at least one year post qualification.
• To ensure all team members have a real voice in the development of the clinical service to patients/customers.
• To ensure a safe and attractive working environment within available resources.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• oRegistered Nurse oTraining to a diploma/degree level
• ITU/HDU/Acute/critical care experience or placements

Experience

Essential

• oAbility to practice within the scope of the NMC Code of Professional Conduct
• oAbility to demonstrate application of the NHS Plan to own sphere of practice

Desirable

• oDepending on previous experience the candidate may be expected to supervise junior staff
• oAwareness of the structure and organisation of the wider NHS

Skills

Essential

• oGood basic level of English and excellent verbal communication skills

Desirable

• Able to manage difficult situations

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

196-HH-NR-0029