Emergency Nurse/Care Practitioner

Job overview

The UTC team is passionate about getting it right for patients and their families – in order to achieve this we are looking to recruit Band 7 Emergency Nurse Practitioner/ Emergency Care Practitioner to complement our existing team. We are looking for enthusiastic individuals who have a proven background in minor injury/illness or Primary care and have the ability to provide a complete package of care to minor injury/illness patients whilst working under pressure.

You will work within a team of Practitioners to ensure a seamless high standard of service provision, currently over 16 hours of the day. You will be committed to excellent patient care and staff development with a desire to promote change and quality throughout the team.

There is opportunity for further development as the department is supported by a Nurse Consultant and Clinical Lead. You will be confident in your ability to assess and stream the full range of patients who present to a busy Urgent Treatment Centre.

Darent Valley Hospital has a 1st class reputation in the South East being one of the leading trusts for achieving good CQC standards and national target achievements. Its one of the fastest growing and developing areas and is committed to adapting to meet this growth. We are an organisation that knows that the more staff enjoy their work the better the care is for the patients.

For further information please contact Siobhan Corbett Nurse Consultant [email protected]

Main duties of the job

The post holder is professionally accountable for the efficient co-ordination of delivery of care for patients in the Urgent Treatment Centre  (predominantly Minors and Paediatric area), as an integrated part of the Emergency Department. This starts right at the front door streaming assessment through to assessing patients, planning their care, administer treatment and discharge or refer them as appropriate to  other healthcare professionals/external agencies.      The post holder will be required to work as an autonomous practitioner and as part of a multi-professional team, within a fast paced environment, to deliver emergency care to patients across the entire age continuum with minor injuries/illness in line with protocols and policies of the local service

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Clinical responsibilities:  1.01  To work within the relevant professional Code of Conduct at all times.  1.02 To offer an autonomous service for patients presenting with undifferentiated diagnoses of certain minor injuries/illnesses or complaints that self present, arrive by ambulance or who have been triaged for care in the Emergency Department and deemed appropriate to receive their care in the Emergency Department.  1.03 The post holder will be expected to practice within set policies and procedures  from assessment, diagnosis, planning  and management of immediate and long  term health needs of the patient, through  to discharge of patients using agreed  protocols, evidence based practice, National/Local Guidelines and National  Service Frameworks.  1.04 To initiate radiological and other diagnostic investigations, and interpret results within stated guidelines.  1.05 To be proficient in suturing and application of splinting materials  1.06 The post holder will treat, advise and/or refer patients appropriately in a collaborative manor internally or externally to other members of the multi professional team and GPs  1.07 To manage front door Streaming of patients and allocation to appropriate areas. If needed to contribute to the effective and timely management of triage when requested as part of a rotational team.  1.08 To be a clinical expert in the field of practice and to be a resource for clinical advice and to support clinically other members of the multidisciplinary team.  1.09 Ensure effective communication at all times with other members of staff including dissemination of information from team meetings and link nurse meetings.  1.10 Provide and receive highly complex and highly sensitive information to patients/carers/social workers/solicitors/police i.e. sexually transmitted diseases, child protection and abuse  1.11 Assist in the development of an integrated approach to the delivery of excellent patient care involving all relevant stakeholders.  1.12 To use and assist in the development and evaluation of patient group directives, clinical guidelines/pathways and competency tools.  1.13 Following completion of the non-medical prescribing course and professional registration, undertake non-medical prescribing in accordance with the Trust’s non-medical prescribing policy, if formulary expanded to meet clinical requirements.  1.14    To participate in review of policies and protocols affiliated to the department.  1.15 Promote clinical excellence and best evidence practice to assist in maintenance of high clinical standards at all times.  1.16 To maintain accurate electronic and paper patient records.  1.17 To be jointly responsible for ordering of clinical stores and some stationary.  1.18 Shared responsibility for the security and care of equipment.  1.19 Participate in audits designed to improve the service as required.  1.20 Act as a positive role model to staff and patients.  Managerial responsibilities:  2.01 Day to day efficient operational management of the service; deputising for the Clinical Nurse Manager in their absence.  2.02   Line management responsibility for assigned junior staff including their Professional Development Review, recruitment.  2.03 By means of role modelling, mentorship, supervision, education and facilitation, help to equip other Health Care Professionals to expand their roles.  2.04 To assist the Trust to meet National/Local targets in relation to the hospital four hour target, waiting times from arrival to admission, transfer or discharge. Together with early escalation of any arising problem  which may impede achievement of these targets.  2.06   Participate in the day to day management of the duty rota, arranging cover for sickness in the absence of the matron.  2.07   Take a lead role in the event of a major incident, following the instructions on the major incident card.  2.08   Respond to any clinical emergency within the department, including cardiac arrest  2.09   Follow the appropriate procedure in the event of the fire alarm sounding  2.10 Handling of verbal and formal complaints as required in accordance with Trust policy.  Professional responsibilities:  3.01 To treat everyone with whom you come into contact, with dignity and respect.  3.02 To promote equality and diversity and a non discriminatory culture in accordance with legislation and national and local policies; and to take action when other people’s behaviour undermines equality and diversity.  3.03 To ensure correct use of confidential and sensitive information in line with Caldecott  3.04 All staff must be familiar with and adhere to child/adult protection procedures and guidelines.  3.05 To identify and report actual or potential hazards/risks to yourself, others or to the Trust.  30.6  Participate in annual review of policies, protocols and pathways affiliated to the department     Education and development responsibilities:  4.01 The post holder will be expected to integrate theoretical advances and research findings into clinical practice.   4.02    To participate in and assist in the systematic monitoring, review and evaluation of nursing practice through clinical audit; providing feedback results to line manager and staff to improve patient care and to validate quality of practice.  4.03 To support the education of other staff, providing mentorship and clinical supervision to nurses who have been assigned  4.04    Facilitate team meetings, provide and circulate minutes, documents and presentations as appropriate.  4.05 To maintain clinical and professional competence by keeping up to date with nursing and health care trends, and developments.  4.06 Ensure attendance at department training sessions as required for  professional/personal/service development and maintain a professional portfolio making sure that it is kept up to date.  4.07 Attend regular link nurse meetings with designated department, and disseminate information back to the rest of the team   4.08  Be involved in health care initiatives and health promotion