Job summary
Staff Nurse, Band 5- Medical Day Unit (22.5 hours a week)

This is an exciting opportunity to join the Medical Day Unit (MDU), a busy and friendly outpatient service currently based at Cheltenham General Hospital (CGH). MDU is a nurse-led unit providing a wide range of planned treatments and procedures, including intravenous infusions, diagnostic endocrine tests and blood transfusions. We provide care to patients with a variety of medical conditions and work closely with medical teams, Pharmacy and the wider multidisciplinary team to deliver safe, effective and patient-centred care.

We are looking to recruit a Staff Nurse for 22.5 hours per week. The current service operates Monday to Saturday, 07:00-17:00, with shifts planned according to the needs of the service.

We are a supportive and welcoming team and are looking for someone who is enthusiastic, compassionate and keen to develop their skills within a specialist outpatient environment. We value teamwork, kindness, professionalism and a positive approach to patient care.

Previous experience in cannulation and venepuncture would be beneficial, but this is not essential. Full training, support and opportunities to develop your clinical skills will be provided.

We would encourage interested candidates to visit the Medical Day Unit before applying, where possible, to gain a better understanding of our service, the role and the team.

Main duties of the job
During a normal working day staff cannulate patients on arrival, carry out observations and assessments to ensure patients are well enough for the infusion. Following assessment for the infusion, we often have discussions with specialist nurses or consultants in regards to issues relating to the treatment, therefore; putting our assessment skills into practice. The drugs are mostly mixed on the unit, so an IV qualification would be essential. Infusions run over differing times and observations are recorded as per protocol for each specific infusion. Ideally we would like someone who can cannulate, but this is not essential as training and support will be given. It is essential to have a relevant NMC ~ Sub-Part 1 RNA (Adult) registration.

About us
We are a nurse led department, but a supportive team to work with. Our days can be very busy, but we all work together to make a great environment for our patients. We use a lot of different intravenous drugs and are always keen to expand the services we can offer to both patients and specialities. Our patients can be returning patients for treatment on a regular basis or patients who attend for a one off treatment. Our aim is to put patients in a relaxed environment and ensure an explanation is given to them of what will happen during their visit, especially if they are with us just for one treatment. Shadowing opportunities with Specialist Nursing teams can be arranged. Along with regular in house training on new and changing treatments will be provided. We work closely with the drug brand reps that visit the unit and inform us of changes and also offer support. We also have a designated co-ordinator per shift that will support and guide the staff on the unit each day.

Job responsibilities

• Hold current NMC registration as an Adult Registered Nurse and work within the NMC Code and Trust policies.
• Assess patients before treatment, including observations and clinical assessment, to ensure they are fit to proceed.
• Recognise when treatment should be delayed or withheld and escalate concerns appropriately to specialist nurses, consultants or the medical team.
• Safely administer intravenous medicines and specialist treatments in accordance with prescriptions and treatment protocols.
• Demonstrate good clinical skills, dexterity, accuracy and attention to detail, including cannulation and venepuncture.
• Monitor patients during treatment and recognise and respond promptly to infusion reactions, adverse drug reactions and clinical deterioration.
• Provide clear information, reassurance and compassionate care to patients throughout their visit.
• Maintain accurate clinical documentation and electronic records, including Trak Care.
• Follow infection prevention, ANTT, medicines management and patient safety procedures.
• Work effectively with consultants, specialist nurses, Pharmacy and the wider multidisciplinary team.
• Participate in emergency procedures and maintain relevant resuscitation and mandatory training.
• Once established in the department, act as a clinical resource for colleagues, sharing knowledge and supporting staff development.
• Participate in audit, research-informed practice, quality improvement and clinical governance.
• Contribute to the development of new treatments and services within MDU.
• Maintain professional competence through ongoing learning and development.
• Contribute positively to teamwork, patient flow and the smooth running of the unit.

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• Registered Nurse with active NMC registration
• Evidence of relevant continued professional development

Desirable

• Relevant IV therapy, venepuncture or cannulation training.

Experience
Essential

• Good knowledge of safe medicines management and intravenous therapy.
• Ability to recognise and respond appropriately to patient deterioration and emergency situations
• Good clinical assessment, observation and decision-making skills.
• Knowledge and understanding of infection prevention and control, including ANTT and hand hygiene.

Desirable

• Experience (through placement or employment) of working in an acute clinical environment
• Previous experience in a relevant speciality
• Cannulation and venepuncture experience.
• Experience administering biological therapies, IVIG, iron infusions or other specialist infusions.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities
Essential

• Self-motivated and able to work under own initiative and prioritise workload
• Personally resilient and able to manage complexity and work in an ambiguous or changing environment
• Excellent presentational, communication and interpersonal skills
• Demonstrates ability to use clinical reasoning skills and techniques to assess, diagnose, plan and offer a range of treatment options; deliver, evaluate and amend the treatment plan
• Acts as a role model and are able to lead by example to ensure the Trust's values and behaviours are reinforced throughout their area of practice
• Able to supervise non-registered and less experienced staff to ensure effective service and care delivery
• Able to effectively and appropriately escalate concerns to reduce risk and promote patient safety
• Show commitment to developing competencies to include specialist skills
• Understanding of professional accountability, confidentiality, safeguarding and patient dignity.
• Ability to prioritise. and organise workload effectively within a busy, fast-paced clinical environment
• Understand and be committed to good record keeping using the Trusts electronic and paper methods

Desirable

• Experience supporting students, new starters or junior colleagues.
• Experience caring for patients receiving complex or specialist treatments.

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.
Applicants must have current UK professional registration.