Staff Nurse - Intensive Care Unit (ICU)

Job overview

As a Registered Nurse, the post holder is responsible for delivering safe, effective and evidence-based nursing care to critically ill and acutely unwell patients in our 16 bedded intensive care unit. Working within the NMC Code and Trust policies, they will undertake comprehensive patient assessment, develop and evaluate individualised care plans, coordinate discharge planning, and contribute to positive clinical outcomes.

The role requires the provision of high-quality clinical care within a multidisciplinary team, whilst maintaining patient safety, promoting health education, and supporting continuous service improvement. The post holder will also contribute to the development of nursing practice through education, audit, clinical governance and professional development activities.

Main duties of the job

• Provide comprehensive assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of patient care as a named nurse.
• Deliver safe, evidence-based nursing interventions for a defined patient group.
• Recognise, escalate and respond appropriately to changes in patient condition.
• Coordinate and facilitate effective discharge planning and continuity of care.

Promote patient safety, dignity, comfort and holistic wellbeing.

• Educate patients, relatives and carers to support understanding, recovery and self-management.
• Maintain accurate and contemporaneous clinical documentation.
• Work collaboratively within the multidisciplinary team to optimise patient outcomes.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of clinical guidelines, care pathways and protocols.
• Supervise and support students, healthcare support workers and newly qualified nurses.
• Participate in audit, quality improvement, clinical governance and risk management activities.
• Maintain clinical competence through mandatory training, clinical supervision and continuing professional development.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Job Summary To work according to the NMC Code of Professional Conduct and relevant professional guidelines as a named nurse for a defined group of patients and take responsibility for:

• The assessment of care and health education needs.
• The development, implementation and evaluation of programmes of care including discharge planning for each patient. To gain experience and skills in:
• Clinical practice
• Facilitation and teaching
• Management (as appropriate) To work in accordance with the RUH Nursing Strategy and contribute towards achieving its objectives and maintain effective communication. To participate in clinical supervision as appropriate and to teach and act as a facilitator/mentor/preceptor/ role model to less experienced staff and students.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Acting as a named Nurse, to maintain accountability for assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating programmes of care within the framework of team nursing.
• To co-ordinate the patients’ discharge arrangements in accordance with RUH Discharge Policy.
• To promote a patient focused approach to care in collaboration with all relevant health professionals.
• To educate patients and carers as required where a need has been identified.
• To provide information which enables patients to make choices about adopting a healthier lifestyle.
• To complete patient documentation correctly.
• To maintain a safe department environment.
• To assist in establishing and monitoring protocols/care pathways.
• To participate in the promotion and maintenance of effective communication.
• To ensure patient confidentiality.

Professional Development and Education Responsibilities

• To develop own teaching skills and participate in staff/student education programmes.
• To help maintain a suitable learning environment for staff and act as a facilitator in the supervision and teaching of less experienced staff.
• To attend Trust/local orientation programmes and mandatory training sessions.
• To be responsible for developing and sustaining own knowledge, clinical skills and professional awareness. Within 12-18 months completion of the online Adult Critical Care Foundation Course along with Step 1 of The National Competency Framework for Registered Nurse in Adult Critical Care (CC3N) as specified in The Guidelines for the Provision of Intensive Care Services (GPICS, 2022).
• To contribute to annual appraisal and be responsible for own Personal Development Programme.
• To participate in a programme of clinical supervision.
• To assist in the development and implementation of nursing practice guidelines, standards and policies.

Development Responsibilities

• To assist in promoting nursing practice in line with relevant research.
• To maintain an awareness of evidence-based practice.
• To contribute to research and development programmes within the department.

Audit, Quality and Risk Management Responsibilities

• To contribute to the setting and monitoring of measurable standards of care and be accountable for maintaining standards.
• To maintain awareness of the national, professional and local quality issues relevant to the delivery of nursing services, e.g. Clinical Governance.
• To uphold quality initiatives that improve ‘customer care’ and enhance the interface between staff, patients and visitors.
• To participate in the audit process for monitoring and reviewing nursing quality.
• To be aware of personal responsibilities in relation to the maintenance of a safe environment and identification of potential risks for all personnel, patients and visitors, taking action as and when required.
• To be aware of the role of the nurse in handling complaints in accordance with RUH policy.
• To participate in maintaining a clean environment
• Identify own training needs, to ensure individual is informed and competent in the use of all equipment provided for use (Pegasus).

Resource Management Responsibilities

• To develop and maintain an awareness of budgeting, exercising care and economy in the ordering and use of equipment.
• To assist in the assessment and monitoring of staffing requirements and report problems to the appropriate manager.

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.