An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the newly established West Suffolk Virtual Ward and be part of a friendly, supportive multi-disciplinary team. This is part of the national Virtual Wards Programme, an exciting transformation in how care is planned and delivered in England, building on the innovative Covid-19 Virtual Wards work over the first two years of the pandemic. In West Suffolk our Virtual Ward provides specialist led care for a variety of patients including those with respiratory conditions, frailty, acute kidney injury and heart failure, but with anticipated expansion in areas such as women's, childrens and surgical patients. This care is provided to them in the comfort of their own homes using an advanced personal remote monitoring platform, enabling them to safely leave hospital sooner (or not come into hospital at all). The Virtual Ward team includes community nurses, specialist nurses, advanced care practitioners, consultants, therapists, healthcare assistants and a range of other health and social care staff. The team also supports patients residing in care homes. We are looking for a number of team minded and nurses who are able to work in the community on a shift pattern to cover 8.00 am to 8.00 pm, seven days per week. Ability to travel essential as the role will work across West Suffolk including in rural areas.

Main duties of the job

As a clinician working in the Virtual Ward, you will require an ability to work closely with professionals from other organisations to enable integrated working. As a registered nurse, you will have competence in assessment of patients who may be in distress, and proven skills in delivering care in the community such as delivery of intravenous medications, nebulised therapy and wound care. You will be an experienced practitioner who is able to support patients and their families in challenging situations. The post holder will spend their time reviewing referrals and assessing patients in the hospital (across ED, AAU and inpatient wards) for suitability for the Virtual Ward, and then following these patients up in their own homes - including initial home visits, follow up visits (as required) and discharge visits. The post holder will support them to manage their condition through regular remote monitoring. All of this will be supported by expert clinicians in their field.

Base will be West Suffolk Hospital.

This is an exciting opportunity to: Be part of a newly established, forward looking service. Join our friendly, supportive and dynamic team. Work in a multi-disciplinary team with a range of health and care professionals.Use innovative digital technology in the provision of care.Develop new skills. Help shape, develop and expand clinical pathways which directly benefit patient care. Contribute to the development of the Virtual Ward model.

About us

#BeKnown at West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust. By us. By our patients. By our community

Were a busy, friendly, rural NHS Trust providing high-quality care and compassion to more than a quarter of a million people across west Suffolk. We care for, treat and support people in hospital, at home and in various community settings.

The West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds provides acute and secondary care services (emergency department, maternity and neonatal services, day surgery unit, eye treatment centre, Macmillan unit and childrens ward). It has 500+ beds and is a partner teaching hospital of the University of Cambridge.

Adult and paediatric community services, provided in collaboration with West Suffolk Alliance partners, include a range of nursing, therapy, specialist, and ongoing temporary care and rehabilitation, some at our Newmarket Community Hospital.

We do our utmost to achieve outstanding clinical outcomes for patients and our values of fairness, inclusivity, respect, safety and team work guide how we work and behave as a team.

With nearly 5,000 staff, from all over the world, we strive to make our organisation a great place to work. Whatever your role or ambition, we want to help you be the best you can be.

We promote a diverse and inclusive community where everyones voice counts and you can #BeKnown for whoever you are.

Join us. What will you #BeKnown for?

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please see supporting information for full Job Description.

JOB PURPOSE:

The Registered Nurse is accountable to the Virtual Ward Manager and will have continuing responsibility for the nursing care given to patients with sub acute conditions in identified community settings, without direct supervision. They personally accountable for the nursing standards of such delegated duties. They are also responsible for demonstrating procedures for qualified and/or unqualified staff. The post will provide evidence based care, advice and information to patients and carers enabling them to enjoy maximum independence and optimum quality of life. Support to access and utilise the digital remote monitoring that is key to the virtual ward work will be provided.

KEY TASKS:

To provide a holistic assessment of patients admitted to the virtual ward and ongoing daily assessments supported by the ward band 6 and 7 team.

To be accountable for own nursing practice and work autonomously and on own initiative, but to be responsible to the Virtual Ward Manager for all aspects of his/her work.

To deliver a high standard of comprehensive skilled and evidence based nursing care to patients.

To be responsible for a delegated caseload of acute patients and provide case management under the guidance of the Virtual Ward Leads.

To contribute to and be competent in the assessment of needs of the clients on all matters and to provide total patient care using evidence based nursing models.

To assist patients, carers and their families to identify health and well being goals.

To support and empower patients, carers and their families to achieve their health and well being goals.

To utilise digital remote monitoring as part of the virtual ward model, accurately record observations in electronic patient records,changes in clients' conditions and report back to the responsible team leader.

To assist in assessing and caring for patients with complex and ongoing health and social needs, self-care and health promotion.

To possess a UK driving licence to enable assessment of patients in their own homes/ care homes.

To assist in planning and implementing methods of rehabilitation for patients and their carers.

To liaise with colleagues in AAU, A& E, wards and community settings, to ensure a multidisciplinary and seamless approach to patient care.

To be willing to extend his/her nursing knowledge/skills by undertaking further professional training that may be required in addition to keeping up to date with professional developments.

To attend ward MDTs, staff and other relevant meetings.

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To maintain accurate, contemporaneous records are kept that ensure safety and continuity of patient care.

To be computer literate.

To ensure that all appointments and interventions are recorded accurately on appropriate database

To utilise appropriate resources in the provision of total patient care.

To be aware of and act in accordance with agreed policy procedures legislation and NMC standards.

To participate in the orientation of new staff and nursing students, and act as a mentor to nursing students and healthcare assistants where appropriate.

To demonstrate practice to nursing students and other staff.

To undertake other relevant duties arising from the work of the Virtual Ward service.

Managing Resources

To participate in managing and co-ordinating the work of the junior staff, offering support and development as appropriate.

To assist in the recruitment and selection of staff for the team and to participate in induction and orientation programmes as appropriate.

To promote good communication, employment practices and relationships within the team.

To participate in (and lead where appropriate) team meetings.

To be aware of and utilise appropriate resources within the Virtual Ward team and in the provision of total patient care.

To act as a link nurse to consultants, GPs, Social Services, Community Nurses and other relevant professional areas as necessary.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• RN Qualification (Part 1 of register) or equivalent.
• Current NMC registration
• Evidence of ongoing Professional Development

Desirable

• Nursing degree or equivalent

Personal Qualities

Essential

• Passionate
• Evidence of good attendance and Time keeping
• Identifies role within the multi-professional team
• Good team player
• Patient, conscientious and caring
• Flexible approach to working hours and duties
• Occupational Health Clearance to meet the needs of the role
• Willingness to rotate across areas

Experience

Essential

• Experience post registration NHS experience

Skills & Abilities

Essential

• Willingness to learn and participate in self-directed study
• Good Organisational Skills
• Good communication skills
• Ability to grasp new concepts
• IV medication competence
• Able to prioritise care
• Able to use initiative
• Able to work under pressure and keep calm in stressful situations
• Good time management skills

Employer details

Employer name

West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust

Address

West Suffolk Hospitals Nhs Trust

Hardwick Lane

Bury St. Edmunds

Suffolk

IP33 2QZ

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

C9179-23-1080-M