Cedar Ward is a 24-bedded surgical ward caring for a range of patients pre and post complex cardiothoracic surgery.

Our Practice Education Team will support you through a supernumery period during your orientation to the ward. You will have the opportunity to attend in-house study days and regular surgical team days to support your learning and keep you up to date with current practice. Following orientation and completion of relevant competencies, you will have the opportunity to access university-based post-graduate courses.

We are looking for a compassionate, motivated and highly skilled surgical nurse to join our friendly team. You should have great communication skills, be competent and keen to work at the leading edge of cardiothoracic practice in a fast-paced ward setting. You will need to be a highly motivated, committed to delivering high standards of care and be able to demonstrate excellent clinical and communication skills. You will work closely and deputise for the ward manager, monitor and maintain excellent clinical standards of nursing practice and staff development as part of the ward team. If you are looking to further your career in Cardiothoracic nursing, this is your chance to join a friendly and supportive team at Harefield Hospital.

Main duties of the job

1. Supporting and deputising for the Senior Sister/Charge Nurse in the clinical management of the clinical area. This will involve dealing with complex situations and having to take appropriate action in conjunction with the ward sister/charge nurse in emergency or unforeseen situations.

2. To be responsible for the continuing professional development and overall performance of a group of staff delegated by the Senior Sister/Charge Nurse.

3. Lead and direct the nursing care of other junior nurses, students and HCA's tomaintain a high standard of excellent nursing care.

4. To act as a role model and a leader to all staff dealing with complex situations involved in patients' level 0-3 in the critical care score, initiating treatment, and taking emergency action where appropriate.

About us

Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust comprises five of the UK's best known hospitals - Guy's, St Thomas', Evelina London Children's Hospital, Royal Brompton and Harefield - as well as community services in Lambeth and Southwark, all with a long history of high quality care, clinical excellence, research and innovation.

We are among the UK's busiest, most successful foundation trusts. We provide specialist care for patients including heart and lung, cancer and renal services as well as a full range of local hospital and community services for people in Lambeth and Southwark.

We have a long tradition of clinical and scientific achievement and - as part of King's Health Partners - we are one of England's eight academic health sciences centres, bringing together world-class clinical services, teaching and research. We have one of the National Institute for Health Research's biomedical research centres, established with King's College London in 2007, as well as dedicated clinical research facilities.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Main tasks & responsibilities:

Patient/customer care (both direct & indirect)

• To lead the provision of care in accordance with the Trust Policies reflecting current trends and developments in nursing and the NHS.

In conjunction with the staff team, to assist in developing and maintaining of the Ward/Department ethos and to the delivery of a standard approach to excellent nursing care.

To assess, plan, implement and evaluate programmes of care, actively seeking evidence-based practice which will improve the quality of care and meet the needs of the patient. 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. Planning for care pathways for discharge.

To act as patient advocate in line with the NHS plan and to actively apply knowledge of holistic/socio-economic and cultural aspects of the care to clients within your specific speciality.

• 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.

• To comply with and participate in the Trusts framework for Clinical Governance within the Ward or Department area, incorporating the trust core behaviours and the 6Cs and to work with the trust nursing strategy.

• To regularly take charge of the clinical area, utilising resources effectively and to ensure that safe staffing levels are maintained for their shifts.

• In conjunction with the Ward / Department Manager provide a suitable and safe environment for the physical and psychological wellbeing of staff, patients/clients and their relatives/carers.

• Identify clinical risks and ensure that appropriate action is implemented in accordance with the Trust risk management policy.

• Record and report all incidents/complaints involving staff, patients and visitors in accordance with the Trust policies and lead in any investigations where required to do so by the sister/charge nurse.

• Take charge of the clinical area in the absence of the sister/charge nurse.

• In the absence or as delegated by the sister/charge nurse initiate investigations of untoward incidents, accidents, complaints and other relevant information.

• Monitor the quality of nursing care and action audit information to achieve agreed standards under the direction of the Ward / Department Manager.

• Ensure that nursing documentation is maintained to the Trust standard (including electronic records)

• Ensure through good practice that customer care initiatives are improved and sustained. Act as a resource for advice to patients, relatives/carers and staff.

• To actively promote a healthy lifestyle for patients & staff in line with national strategy requirements.

Communication

• Provide support mechanisms for sharing good practice within the Ward/Department and Trust wide. Assist in the programme and provide preceptorship and supervision as required, for all registered nurses working in the Ward / Department.

• Delegate tasks and activities to a range of team members and evaluate outcomes in conjunction with the Ward / Department Manager.

• Maintain and promote effective communication with all members of the multi-disciplinary team and other Wards / Departments, including developing your formal presentation skills.

• To adapt communication skill to meet the needs of patients who may have barriers to understanding e.g. language

• Promote the corporate image of the Trust to all individuals, groups and organisations both within the Trust and to the community at large.

• Participate fully as a team member, sharing knowledge and information and supporting colleagues, including support staff to promote a cohesive ward team and the achievement of team objectives

• Contribute to the development and maintenance of a positive learning environment for colleagues, patients and visitors.

• To ensure self-development through own completion of Trust and specialist competencies as per the Trust educational policies, update through reading and contributing to update policies, procedures, guidelines and seeking advancement of clinical and knowledge.

Policy development

• Lead on delegated projects relating to local policy development.

• To be actively involved in the development and implementation of Trust policies and procedures at ward / department level and reinforce their use.

People management

• Assist in the management of staff attendance, poor performance, disciplinary and grievance issues in the clinical area.

• The post holder will work alongside the Senior Sister, Modern Matron and Management team to provide a high standard of clinical leadership to staff within the trust. You will ensure that all staff provide high quality services, patient centred care maintaining patient confidentiality at all times.

• To work closely with the Practice Educator and/or Facilitator to educate staff and undertake both formal and informal staff training as required.

Actively manage own annual leave in line with Trust and local Policy and Procedure and as delegated help others to do the same.

• Assist in the recruitment, retention and selection of staff.

• Participate in the Trust Appraisal and Personal Development Plan schemes by: meeting with the manager at least annually which includes feedback from a selection of internal staff and team members and undertaking staff appraisals.

• Actively deputise for the Ward Manager i.e. at meetings, workshops, visits etc.

Service development

• To participate in staff education and development, including orientation and supervision and act as a resource for learners and the nursing team and the multi-professional teams.

• Maintain, update and develop personal and professional knowledge and skills, using the Trusts Performance Review System, enabling standards of patient care to be constantly monitored and improved.

• To participate in the business planning process, helping to identify areas for service development.

• Design and undertake audit and implement research and quality audit cycles specific to the area.

Resource management

• Assist the ward / department manager in the effective and efficient use of resources by adhering to the procedures for the use of supplies. Ensure appropriate activation of Bank and Agency staff when permanent staff are unavailable. Have an awareness of budget management and budget setting.

• Ensure appropriate staffing levels and skill mix are scheduled to reflect the workload and meet the needs of the patient.

• To be a role model to other staff in adopting a flexible approach to personal duty rostering to ensure the needs of the service are met.

Information management

• Identify areas where local audit is needed, conduct the audit and analyse the data with support ensuring CQUIN targets are met.

• Arranges for the collection and analysis of audit and research data as required.

• To have an active and intranet and email account and adhere to the Trusts Information Service and Information Governance Policies.

• Participate in the collection of audit and research data as required.

• Use data which will contribute to the improvement of patient care.

• 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 PAS system.

Further sections

• To ensure all team members have a voice in the development of the (insert name) service to patients/customers.

• To maximise the potential of all team members.

• To ensure in conjunction with the ward/departmental managers that identified members have a meaningful appraisal/personal development plan that includes feedback to the individual from a selection of internal customers and team members.

• To provide a safe and attractive working environment for team members within available resources.

• To attend and play a major role in corporate groups as a representative of the directorate and team.

• To represent the clinical area on working groups as appropriate and at relevant conferences at regional and national level and on working groups as appropriate.

Person Specification

Education

Essential

• Management or leadership course

Desirable

• Management or leadership course

Post Grad courses

Essential

• Has completed a post grad Cardio-thoracic care course

Skills

Essential

• Proven communication skills both orally and in writing

Desirable

• Leadership skills

Employer details

Employer name

Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Harefield Hospital

Hill End Road

Harefield

UB9 6JH

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

196-NM11920