Registered Nurse

Job overview

If you are a demonstrably experienced Registered Nurse currently working in an acute hospital setting and ready for your next challenge, Pencarrow could be the place to develop your career in Critical Care.

Pencarrow is a 10 bedded Neuro Critical Care Unit within UHPs wider Critical Care service. As part of a Major Trauma Centre and regional neurosurgical service, we care for some of the most critically unwell and injured patients in the South West, including patients following major trauma, brain and spinal injury, complex neurosurgery and neurosurgical emergencies.

Previous demonstrable Critical Care experience is not essential, but current post-registration demonstrable experience as a RN within an acute hospital setting is essential. We are looking for nurses with a good foundation in acute care who are ready to develop their specialist Critical Care skills.

You will have a structured supernumerary induction, support from our dedicated Education Team and follow the national Critical Care competency framework, with opportunities to undertake the 60-credit ICU course with the University of Plymouth.

This is a Band 5 post. Critical Care nursing roles are currently under review and we anticipate a future pathway which may enable progression to Band 6 following completion of national Step 1 competencies and other agreed criteria, subject to formal approval.

Main duties of the job

• As a Bd 5 Critical Care Nurse you will provide individualised care to patients with complex and rapidly changing needs, progressing towards greater independence as your knowledge, skills and competencies develop.

You will care for Level 2 and L3 patients requiring organ support and specialist neurosurgical critical care, including mechanical ventilation, cardiovascular support, vasoactive medications, renal replacement therapy, advanced neurological assessment, intracranial pressure monitoring and external ventricular drains.

You will recognise changes in a patient's condition, respond appropriately and escalate concerns, working closely with the wider multidisciplinary team.

Critical Care nursing is about much more than technology and organ support. You will provide high-quality fundamental nursing care, advocate for patients who are often unable to communicate for themselves and support patients and families through difficult and uncertain periods.

Pencarrow is part of the wider 28 bedded Critical Care service, providing experience of a broad range of general critical care needs.

***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.***

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

PRIMARY DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

You are responsible for: -

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 ongoing 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.

Carrying the cardiac arrest bleep and attending medical emergencies within the Trust.

• 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.

COMMUNICATIONS & WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

Demonstrate excellent communication skills with patients/relatives, nursing colleagues and members of the multi-disciplinary team, all of whom are concerned with supporting patient care and staff management

• To demonstrate effective written skills with patient assessment, goals, objectives, nursing care and evaluation, through the provision of a written care plan and advising more junior colleagues on how to do the same as appropriate
• Informing senior sister/charge nurse either verbally or in writing of any problems with patient care, colleagues, or other departments, or any area where communication may be enhanced to improve quality of care, working relationships or the working environment for staff
• Modern matron
• Ward manager
• Ward sisters/charge nurses within the trust
• Divisional nurse manager
• Director of nursing
• Directorate manager
• Divisional director
• Consultants in area of responsibility/within the trust
• Educational staff
• Clinical nurse specialists, nurse consultants, nurse practitioners
• External agencies as required i.e. Police, social services

All Job Holders are required to…

• Work to the Trust values - Put patients first, Take ownership, Respect others, Be positive, Listen, learn and improve.
• Adhere to Trust policies and procedures, e.g. Health and Safety at ork, Equal Opportunities etc.
• Maintain personal and professional development to meet the changing demands of the job, participate in appropriate training activities and encourage and support staff development and training.
• Attend statutory, essential and mandatory training.
• Respect the confidentiality of all matters relating to their employment and other members of staff. All members of staff are required to comply with the requirements of the Data Protection Act 1998.
• Comply with the Corporate Governance structure in keeping with the principles and standards set out by the Trust.
• Comply with the codes of professional conduct set out by the professional body of which registration is required for the post.
• Ensure they are familiar with the Risk Management Framework, follow policies, procedures and safe systems of work, make known any hazards or risks that they identify and take all necessary actions to reduce risk.
• Ensure the welfare and safety of children within their care. This includes staff who come into contact with children and families in the course of their work as well as those staff who have a specific role with children and families.
• Ensure they attend Child Protection training at the appropriate level within the specified time frame.
• Staff must comply with Safeguarding Policies and Procedures in order to promote safeguarding and prevent abuse to vulnerable people sing Trust services.
• Maintain the prevention and control of infection and fully comply with all current Trust Infection Control policies and procedures.
• Take responsibility for any records that they create or use in the course of their duties, in line with the Public Records Act and be aware that any records created by an employee of the NHS are public records and may be subject to both legal and professional obligations.

Note

This job description is neither definitive nor exhaustive and is not intended to be totally comprehensive. It may be reviewed in the light of changing circumstances following consultation with the post holder. This job description is to be read in conjunction with all current Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust policies, procedures & guidelines.

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.