We currently have a vacancy for sister/charge nurse role on the Acute Stroke Unit. Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells Trust. We take patients from Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells area as well as Medway and Swale. There are plans well underway to develop a Hyper Acute Stroke Unit on the Maidstone Site.The Stroke Department is a friendly and caring environment providing care to the most acutely ill patients and patients starting their rehabilitation pathway. The aim of Stroke Unit is to provide holistic care for stroke patients, utilising a co-ordinated multidisciplinary approach, resulting in optimal patient outcomes. Excellent communication skills and time management are vital as we work with a mixture of specialist nursing teams, medics, therapists, discharge coordinators, families, carers, the stroke association and stroke survivors. We aim to provide an individualised and supportive environment for patients in which to deliver this specialised care during the acute and rehabilitation phase following a stroke.

Main duties of the job

Our stroke unit has recently been reviewed to manage admissions from Maidstone, Tunbridge Wells and the Medway towns. We have very recently reviewed and introduced discharge pathways including rehabilitation in community hospitals and discharges home supported by therapists from MTW and Hilton Carers who we work very closely with.

The department compromises of up to 46 beds in addition there is also an Assessment Bay led by the Stroke Specialist Nurses Monday to Friday 8am too 10pm. In addition we also have Stroke Assessors for rapid assessment of stroke admissions in the Emergency Department and these staff members are not included in the ward staffing establishment.

We are looking for nurses who have experience working on a stroke unit who are self-motivated and dynamic and seeking to increase their stroke nursing experience and manage the unit and maintain patient flow. In return we will offer you excellent learning and developmental opportunities we will support your personal growth through regular personal development planning and our educational programmes. The stroke unit has a full time dedicated Practice Development Nurse to support staff in new roles, and professional development and ward managers working a seven day week. .

About us

Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust is a large acute hospital Trust in the county of Kent.

The Trust provides a full range of general hospital services and some areas of specialist complex care to around 760,000 people living in the south part of West Kent and the north part of East Sussex.

The Trust's core catchment areas are Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells and their surrounding boroughs. We work from two main clinical sites: Maidstone Hospital and Tunbridge Wells Hospital at Pembury. Tunbridge Wells Hospital opened in 2011 and provides single rooms with en-suites for all in-patients - the first of its kind in the country.

We employ more than 7,000 full and part-time staff in a huge range of clinical and non-clinical roles across both of our hospital sites.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Once your pre-employment checks have been completed you will be contacted by Recruitment to arrange your start date which will be in line with one of our Corporate Inductions.

Following your Corporate Induction you will be expected to attend the Trusts 2-week Induction Programme for RNs, NAs, RMs, ODPs and Paramedics. The programme is full-time (please email mtw-tr.professionalstandards@nhs.net if this is problematic)and will involve travel to both Trust sites. The programme includes supernumerary shifts in the clinical area, classroom-based sessions and e-learning.

Please note that appointment to this post will be subject to a satisfactory Disclosure & Barring Service Check at Enhanced Level. (Enhanced level now includes regulated checks against vulnerable adults and children)

At MTW, we seek to develop a culture where everyone can reach their full potential with opportunities to grow and develop their career. We recognise and value the unique contributions that each of our staff bring, delivering the best quality care and service to our patients. We are committed to being a diverse employer and strive to reflect everyone in our local communities. We welcome applications from people of diverse backgrounds, perspectives and experiences and celebrate the diversity of thought, viewpoints and ideas that will make our Trust the best place to work.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• RGN
• Three years first level nursing registration and evidence of further study since qualification
• ENB998 (or equivalent) knowledge skill

Desirable

• Evidence of continuing education - diploma/degree level
• Advanced Life Support provider

Experience and Knowledge

Essential

• oExperience in acute hospital setting.
• oExperience at Senior Staff Nurse Band 5 within stroke services.
• oIV drug therapy, IV cannulation & venepuncture skills
• oEvidence of insight and understanding of current issues in nursing and NHS
• oExpert clinician
• oUnderstanding of different types of strokes and their effects on the brain.

Desirable

• oKnowledge and experience in a Stroke setting Acute or rehabilitation
• oExperience of managing naso gastric tubes and feeding plans.
• oKnowledge of stroke specific discharge Pathways

Skills

Essential

• oLeadership skills
• oEvidence of problem solving and decision-making skills

Desirable

• oComputer/IT skills

Employer details

Employer name

Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust

Address

Maidstone Hospital

Hermitage Lane

Maidstone

ME17 4DS

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

359-EMS13481