Registered Nurse - General Critical Care

Job overview

Would you like to join a fantastic team of nurses? Are you looking for a challenge of working in a dynamic innovative Critical Care unit as part of a Major Trauma Centre?

We value the personal skills, experience and qualities that every member of staff brings, creating a diverse, knowledgeable and supportive team. If you are passionate about delivering high standards of patient care and making a difference then we want to hear from you.

Penrose Ward is an 18 bedded General Critical care unit supporting a variety of specialties for both elective and emergency admissions, including medicine , surgery, major trauma and paediatrics, with a planned expansion of this service to become a 28 bedded unit.

All successful candidates will benefit from a structured orientation and induction programme run by our established Education team which consists of bedside facilitators supported by our Band 7 Critical Care Educator.  Staff will follow an education pathway, which is competency based (using the Critical Care National Competency Framework).  There will also be opportunity to undertake a 60 credit Critical Care course in conjunction with the University of Plymouth.

***Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as ‘Priority’ and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon who are able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.***

Main duties of the job

You will be responsible for co-ordinating and delivering effective quality nursing care for level 1-3 patients within the critical care area, utilising a patient centred model of practice and all available resources to provide excellence in practice, provide clinical expertise and work as part of a multidisciplinary team.

Supervision and direction of junior nursing staff, healthcare assistants and learners.

Manage care on a day-to-day basis for all patients in the clinical area in the absence of more senior colleagues, utilising knowledge of standards, policies and procedures outlined by the hospital.

Although budgetary responsibilities remain in the control of the modern matron, the post holder will be aware of the effective use of resources and cost implications and will work to ensure that a high standard of care is provided in the most cost effective way.

To be professionally accountable and responsible for the nursing care of a group of patients  requiring critical care nursing, with an understanding of the potential risks involved to ensure patient safety.

Opportunities are available for a structured progression, with potential rotational posts at B5 within the 2 Critical Care units, and at B6 with the Acute Care Team. Registered Nurses have options for further professional development with roles in Research, Assistant Critical care Practitioner or Education.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

PRIMARY DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

• Ensure high standards of care in accordance with agreed policies, procedures and standards.
• Provide and deliver a high standard of nursing care by initiating and co-ordinating the assessment, planning and evaluating of individual patient needs based on evidence and use of relevant nursing models.
• Coordinate, report and document any relevant nursing/patient needs, communicating changes with other health care professionals with on-going responsibility for patient care as they occur.
• Promote and deliver health education within the clinical area and advise patient, family and others in health promotion issues
• Engage and interact with carers/family encouraging them to be actively involved in patient’s care planning as outlined in the unit philosophy.
• Demonstrate a commitment to evidence based practice and clinical excellence and play an active role in the introduction of this evidence to improve patient centred care.
• Supervise, assess, mentor and support all health care professionals including bank, agency staff, and learners after appropriate training.
• Increase the level of knowledge and skills within the trust through sharing best practice and supporting others to develop their professional abilities.
• Implement and share good infection control practice
• Undertake manual handling assessments and ensure identified actions are met.
• Develop key skills in patient management to assist medical staff in the assessment and resuscitation of critically ill patients.
• These skills will involve:
• - The setting up, calibration and use of critical care specific equipment including advanced haemodynamic and neurological monitoring, ventilators, dialysis machines and intra-aortic balloon pumps.
• - Inter and Intra hospital transfer of level 1-3 patients                                     -Near patient testing e.g. Blood and urine testing
• Following appropriate training in basic/advanced life support and child protection provide critical care nursing to paediatric patients.
• At all times comply with legal and Plymouth NHS Trust requirements to administer prescribed medication/intravenous fluid effectively and safely, and use autonomy and skill to titrate medication according to the patient’s condition.
• Contribute to decisions on life supporting treatment using knowledge of ethical and legal issues, and when appropriate contribute to discussions on withdrawing treatments from patients. Support patient, relative and colleagues through the bereavement emotions and practicalities.
• Disseminate knowledge through report writing, reviewing and taking full responsibility for clinical accuracy, reliability and being sensitive to the wider implications of that dissemination.
• Ensure that expertise within your area is seen as a resource within and outside the trust and working partnerships with other health and social care service providers.

For further details please see attached JD&PS