Staff Nurse

Job overview

** We welcome applications from those who currently hold a UK NMC registration. If you currently hold an overseas nursing qualification and require sponsorship we are not currently direct hiring Internationally Qualified Nurses **

Critical care which is a 10 bedded unit for children requiring a high dependency level of care. This includes children requiring respiratory support in the form of optiflow, bi-pap for either a short period of time or for children who require long term ventilation support

Main duties of the job

• We are looking for enthusiastic, professional nurses who want to make a real difference for the patients in our care. You should expect to be supported, supervised, challenged and mentored by our experienced staff.  As a new staff member you will complete an orientation period to the clinical area and as a newly registered practitioner will have the opportunity to complete a Trust wide preceptorship programme with bespoke paediatric sessions.As a member of the multi-disciplinary team provides the highest standard of patient care. Contributes to the smooth and efficient running of the Unit. Continues to develop own knowledge and skills through locally agreed development plans and contribute to the development of others. Contribute to working in partnership with other agencies. Requirement for post holder to work in rotation between day case services and in-patient wards.
• Contributes to the smooth and efficient running of the Unit.
• Continues to develop own knowledge and skills through locally agreed development plans and contribute to the development of others.
• Contribute to working in partnership with other agencies.
• Requirement for post holder to work in rotation between day case services and in-patient wards.
• We have options for full or part time hours, permanent or fixed term contracts (maternity cover) and could offer rotational posts if this is of interest to applicants.
• We are looking at holding an interview day offering posts in all areas on Monday the 11th March 2024. Please submit an application form and indicate in your supporting information which area would be your preference.
• You will have the opportunity to join our established preceptorship programme and will be supported by members of our paediatric education team.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please note: This role does not meet the minimum criteria for visa sponsorship under the current UK immigration rules, which set specific salary and skill thresholds. As such, we are unable to provide sponsorship for this post. Applicants will therefore need to already have the right to work in the UK to be considered. We include this information at the outset to provide clarity and avoid unnecessary inconvenience for applicants.

Duties and  Responsibilities

Clinical Responsibilites

Address the needs of individuals to bring about improvement in the health and wellbeing of patients through the delivery of evidence based care. Manage a designated group of patients on a shift by shift basis. Model excellent practice through the development of effective assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of care. Articulate source of evidence on which care is based. Articulate the decision making process underlying the management of own time and the patient workload. Use available technology and patient record and parent/carers knowledge to identify changes in condition of the child and initiate appropriate action whilst reporting changes to the appropriate individual. Include children and carers as participating partners in planned care activities. Initiate and develop plans for health promotion with individuals involving parents/carers and multidisciplinary teams. Demonstrate involvement in a multi-disciplinary approach to patient care. Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of nutrition to the health and well-being of children. Demonstrate an awareness of the needs of all children in designated area and communicate these to other members of the multi professional team. Demonstrate competency in specific clinical skills appropriate to the area this may include venepuncture, cannulation, ECG recording, and sweat testing. Support people’s equality, diversity and rights in accordance with UHSussex policy.

Communication

Maintain effective communication with carers about routine and daily activities of the children in designated area. Negotiate sensitively with children and their carers particularly if there are any barriers to understanding. Behave in a consistent manner with children and their carers, multi-disciplinary team and the public. Communicate with children in a manner appropriate to their age and stage of development and their carers. Articulate current status of all children in their care to nurse in charge on each shift, if in charge then to the children’s services bleep holder as required and to the multi-disciplinary team. Demonstrate use of basic IT skills to complete details of admission/discharge of patients. Write precise, accurate and timely nursing records. Listen actively and respond appropriately to information given. Take part in and leads shift handovers ensuring relevant detail is communicated to the team. Recognise when own and other’s (staff, children and carers) behaviour is not acceptable and take action to address this effectively.

Management/organisation

Maintain an age and development appropriate environment that promotes safety, security and optimal health for the child and his family. Undertake a designated link nurse role for the clinical area as required. Take part in mandatory audit as designated by Ward Manager, e.g. Essence of Care. Take part in Unit meetings. Demonstrate prudent use of resources in (stores, disposable equipment). Demonstrate an awareness of resource procurement for the children in their care. Take part in effective partnership working to facilitate timely transfers and discharges of children in accordance with UHSussex policy. Liase effectively with colleagues, the multi disciplinary team and other departments to enable timely management of patient throughput. Prioritise care and delegate duties to other staff as appropriate. Lead the shift on a regular basis and in the absence of a more senior nurse. Prioritise care and delegate duties to others as appropriate ensuring they are supervised taking into account knowledge, skills and abilities of others.

Education and Training

Accept responsibility for maintaining own professional development. Attend statutory and mandatory training days as required by UHSussex. Maintain up to date knowledge on issues pertaining to child protection. Undertake further training to enable development of role. Take part in own appraisal and the mentorship of others. Provide a learning environment for other staff/children/carers with a requirement to supervise and assess students on ward placement.  (Undertake further competency based training in order to achieve this.) Teach and assess staff, students ,children and carers using a competency based framework following appropriate training.

Service Development

Contribute to the implementation of the National Service Framework for Children. Take part in the UHSussex strategy for nursing. Adhere to Trust policies pertaining to Infection Control. Support people’s equality, diversity and rights in accordance with UHSussex policy. Complete locally agreed competency programme. Take part in the Essence of Care (Department Of Health). Demonstrate an understanding of clinical governance. Adhere to UHSussex Core Values.

Risk Management

Recognise and take action to prevent situations that may be detrimental to the health and wellbeing of the individual. Demonstrate an understanding of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. Demonstrate an understanding of Control Of Substances Hazardous to Health guidelines. Demonstrate an understanding of actions to be taken in the event of a fire or other emergency. Demonstrate an understanding of correct moving and handling procedures (this must be done with the key worker in the department in line with UHSussex policy). Adhere to all other UHSussex policies, guidelines and protocols. Complete documentation relevant to clinical risk management, e.g. safecode, statements, etc.