Job summary
To promote within the department a learning environment that optimises each nurse's and healthcare assistants (HCA) clinical development and facilitates a 'best practice' principle for patient care that, whenever possible, is evidence based. To be responsible for the in-house education programme both co-ordinating and teaching on it.
To be responsible for the continuing specialist professional development and overall performance of all staff in the cardiothoracic services unit in conjunction with the ward managers.
Provide specialist nursing advice Trust wide to support and facilitate high quality, individualised care to patients /clients and relatives/carers in collaboration with the multi professional team, in line with the local and national targets.
To be flexible in the approach to the clinical area and provide cover for any area specified.
To take the lead on standard of care issues in relation to benchmarking, auditing and action planning, supporting the nursing team, and feeding back to the ward managers, matrons and clinical services manager.
Work closely with other clinical practice educators within the Hearth, Lung & Critical Care Directorate, ensuring a cohesive approach to practice education within the different clinical areas, rotating between the different areas in order to keep own clinical skills and knowledge up to date as necessary.
Main duties of the job
To promote within the department a learning environment that optimises each nurse's and healthcare assistants (HCA) clinical development and facilitates a 'best practice' principle for patient care that, whenever possible, is evidence based. To be responsible for the in-house education programme both co-ordinating and teaching on it.
Work closely with other clinical practice educators within the Hearth, Lung & Critical Care Directorate, ensuring a cohesive approach to practice education within the different clinical areas, rotating between the different areas in order to keep own clinical skills and knowledge up to date as necessary.
About us
Harefield Hospital's Critical Care Unit has 43 beds consisting of 24 ITU, 7 Recovery and 10 HDU beds.
We are looking for a highly motivated educator who has excellent core values, a strong sense of team spirit and is keen to develop their skills, delivering high quality patient care in this exciting area.
Applicants must have previous experience in a level 3 setting and proven clinical and management skills relevant to critical care. They must have experience in teaching and education.
In return successful applicants will be fully supported whilst leading our practice development team.
If you are enthusiastic, looking to develop your career in critical care nursing and have the ability to support others in a demanding clinical setting this is your chance to join a friendly supportive team at Harefield hospital. We can offer accommodation, and support with continued professional learning, study days with funding and other in-house training.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Main tasks &
responsibilities:
Patient/customer care (both direct & indirect)
To provide sound clinical leadership and develop support mechanisms
for sharing good practice within the Ward/Department and Hospital wide.
With the Ward Managers, Matrons, clinical services manager and fellow
clinical practice educators, monitor the quality of nursing care and action
audit information to achieve agreed standards and take the lead on
customer care initiatives.
Maintain study leave records and particularly monitor mandatory training
such as Manual Handling, Basic Life Support, and Fire Training.
Work clinically with staff according to their needs in the cardiothoracic services
unit.
Co-ordinate induction and orientation programmes with the Ward Managers.
Takes the lead in ensuring the provision of care is in accordance with the
Trusts Polices & procedures.
In conjunction with the staff team, to lead in developing, implementing, evaluating
and maintaining a Ward/Departmental ethos and a standard approach to the
delivery of excellent nursing care.
To act as patient advocate in line with the NHS plan and to actively apply
in depth knowledge of holistic/socio-economic and cultural aspects of the
care to clients within your specific speciality, acting as a role model
and resource for patients, relatives and staff.
Assess, plan, implement and evaluate programmes of care, actively seeking
evidence-based practice which will support clinical outcomes as appropriate.
Ensure that nursing documentation is maintained to the Trust standard(including
electronic records) and implement nursing audit of records to measure and
evaluate care planning.
To be aware of and champion current trends and developments in nursing
and in the NHS and be responsible for taking the lead in the continuing
professional development of ward/departmental staff and self.
To lead on the implementation of the Trusts framework for Clinical Governance
within the Cardiothoracic Services Unit.
In conjunction with the staff and the ward managers develop a mechanism
for setting goals and benchmarking standards of care.
Develop tools to
improve the quality of the service and co-ordinate clinical services across
the Ward/Department.
Have continuing responsibility for the provision of a suitable, clean, uncluttered
and safe environment for the physical and psychological well being of
staff, patients/clients and their relatives.
Identify clinical risks and
ensure that appropriate action is taken under the supervision of the
Matrons, in accordance with the Trust Risk Management policy.
In the absence of the ward sister/charge nurse and when required to do so,
take overall responsibility for the clinical area utilising resources effectively
and to ensure that safe staffing levels are maintained for their shifts.
Work in partnership with support staff to ensure that care, treatment and
service needs are met, ensuring a standard approach to the delivery of
excellent nursing care.
To investigate complaints, accident reports and untoward incidents within
the ward/ department in line with Trust Policies and procedures and in
conjunction with the Matrons; and implement recommendations for action.
To take the lead in ensuring compliance to Trust policies and procedures
amongst the multi-disciplinary team.
Provide information and support to relatives/carers as appropriate, following
consultation with members of the multi-disciplinary team.
Leading in
assessment, re-assessment and discharge pathways for patients.
To take a lead role in promoting a healthy lifestyle for patients and staff,
in line with national strategy requirements.
Ensure infection control policies are adhered to by yourself and those with
whom you work and address areas for action/improvement as necessary in
conjunction with the ward managers and matrons.
Communication
Delegate tasks and activities to a range of team members ensuring that staff
have the appropriate support to take on projects. Ensure that all outcomes
are evaluated.
Maintain and promote effective communication with ward teams and all members
of the multi-disciplinary team and other Wards/ Departments, including
formal presentation of information relating to the ward/Department
Promote the corporate image of the Trust to all individuals, groups and organisations
both within the Trust and to the community at large.
People management
In conjunction with the ward managers, provide effective orientation of staff,
including welcome to the department and early objective setting and
follow-up.
In the absence of the ward sisters/charge nurse ensure appropriate staffing
levels and skill mix are in place to reflect the workload and meet the
needs of the patient.
In conjunction with the ward sisters/charge nurse investigate and manage
staff issues that relate to sickness and absence, poor performance,
harassment, disciplinary and grievance issues using the relevant Trust
policies and in liaison with your Directorate management
team, implement recommendations for action.
To actively support the implementing of flexible working practice, in line
with Improving Working Lives Standards and Trust Change Management Policy.
Participate in the Trusts appraisal and personal development plans schemes
by meeting with the manager at least annually and to undertake appraisals
on a delegated group of staff and to ensure the implementation of personal
development plans for individuals.
To ensure that a suitable learning environment is maintained for all grades
of staff and implement ward teaching programmes.
To take the lead on planning, implementing and evaluating a programme
for clinical supervision for all registered nurses, as required, working
in the Cardiothoracic Services Unit in line with Trust guidance.
Service development
To set annual Ward/Departmental objectives with the Ward Sisters/Charge
Nurses and/or Directorate Senior Nurses ensuring that all staff are aware
of them and their implementation.
In conjunction with the Directorate Management participate in the Trust
Business Planning cycle, identifying areas of service development.
To involve staff in the developments and business of the Trust. Actively encourage
and promote, supporting where possible within the constraints of service
delivery, staff membership of Trust wide initiatives/committees,
professional organisations/forums and/or relevant Trade Unions.
Resource management
To assist with the recruitment, retention and selection of staff within the
budgeted establishment.
To manage the efficient and effective use of supplies, provisions and equipment
of the cardiothoracic services unit within the designated budget.
In conjunction with the Directorate Management team identify, analyse and
discuss cost pressure and financial constraints in a timely manner.
To act as a role model to others by adopting a flexible approach to personal
rostering.
Policy development
Plan and lead projects relating to local policy development.
To be actively involved in the development of Trust policies and procedures
at ward / department level, lead the implementation and reinforce their use.
To actively promote a healthy lifestyle for patients and staff appreciatingnational
strategy requirements.
Please see the job description for the full range of
duties
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Registered Nurse
- Critical Care Post Graduate Course
Desirable
- PGCERT Education/MA Education
- Leadership Qualification
Skills
Essential
- Extensive clinical and managerial experience within the field of cardiology/cardiothoracic surgery/Intensive Care at Senior Staff Nurse level.
- Evidence of teaching experience
Desirable
- Experience in change management
Qualities
Essential
- Kind and compassionate
- Motivated and able to motivate others
Desirable
- Ability to adapt to changing needs of service
- Experience in policy development
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website .
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants .
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website .
Employer details
Employer name
Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Harefield Hospital
Hill End Road
Harefield
UB9 6JH