Job summaryThe Greater Peterborough Network (GPN) is commissioned to provide Outpatient Parenteral Antimicrobial Therapy (OPAT) and intravenous (IV) therapy services for housebound patients under the care of North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust (NWAFT).
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a highly motivated and enthusiastic Band 5 Registered Nurse to join the Community OPAT and IV Service. This innovative service enables patients requiring intravenous antimicrobial therapy to receive safe, effective treatment in their own homes and community settings, reducing unnecessary hospital admissions and length of stay while improving patient outcomes and experience.
The Community OPAT Nurse will be responsible for delivering intravenous antimicrobial therapy and other prescribed IV treatments via vascular access devices including PICC lines, midlines and peripheral cannulas. The role involves autonomous working within patients' homes whilst maintaining close collaboration with the multidisciplinary team.
The post holder will undertake patient assessment, administer prescribed therapies, monitor treatment effectiveness, identify and escalate clinical concerns, and support patients and carers to safely manage treatment plans at home. The role also includes blood sampling through vascular access devices or peripheral venepuncture and transporting specimens to designated hospital laboratories to support ongoing monitoring of therapy.
Main duties of the job- Deliver safe, effective and evidence-based OPAT and IV therapies within patients' homes and community settings.
- Assess, plan, implement and evaluate individualised patient care programmes.
- Administer intravenous antimicrobial therapy and other prescribed intravenous treatments in accordance with local policies and professional standards.
- Access, manage and care for vascular access devices including PICC lines, midlines and peripheral cannulas.
- Undertake peripheral cannulation where clinically appropriate and within competency.
- Perform blood sampling via vascular access devices and peripheral venepuncture.
- Monitor patients for therapeutic effectiveness, adverse reactions, complications and signs of deterioration.
- Recognise and escalate clinical concerns appropriately to senior clinicians, consultants or emergency services where required.
- Maintain accurate, contemporaneous and legally compliant patient records.
- Promote infection prevention and control practices at all times.
- Provide advice, education and support to patients, relatives and carers regarding treatment plans and vascular access devices.
- Encourage self-management and independence wherever appropriate.
- Ensure medicines management procedures are followed in accordance with organisational policies.
About usOur vision: To provide the patients of Greater Peterborough with high quality, sustainable healthcare that supports them to stay well and at home for as long as possible.
We are an ambitious at scale primary care organisation with a passion for integration and innovation.
We provide:- Enhanced evening and weekend access to General Practice.
- Deliver at scale services to improve the health and wellbeing of the populations we serve.
- Home visiting and community services.
- Virtual ward services.
- IV at Home Service.
- Advice to ambulance crews to help patients remain at home or to see the most appropriate secondary care team.
- Recruitment, induction and support of workforce through a team dedicated to supporting Primary Care Networks and hosting of the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Training Hub.
Our principles- To attract innovation and investment into primary care.
- To be dynamic always seeking out new opportunities.
- To be the primary care provider at scale -supporting delivery of services at place level that benefits our patients and members.
- To engage our clinical community identifying local clinical leaders to drive service redesign and delivery across our place.
- To face challenges head on, working collaboratively to deliver solutions.
Salary: £17.80 an hour unsocial hours paid 15% Saturdays, 25% Sundays/Bank Holidays
Contract: Bank
Working pattern: Flexible working
Reference number: U0088-26-0024
Job locations: Allia Future Business Centre, London Road, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, PE2 8AL, United Kingdom
Job responsibilitiesClinical and Patient Care- Deliver safe, effective and evidence-based OPAT and IV therapies within patients' homes and community settings.
- Assess, plan, implement and evaluate individualised patient care programmes.
- Administer intravenous antimicrobial therapy and other prescribed intravenous treatments in accordance with local policies and professional standards.
- Access, manage and care for vascular access devices including PICC lines, midlines and peripheral cannulas.
- Undertake peripheral cannulation where clinically appropriate and within competency.
- Perform blood sampling via vascular access devices and peripheral venepuncture.
- Ensure blood samples are transported to Peterborough City Hospital and Hinchingbrooke Hospital in a timely manner.
- Monitor patients for therapeutic effectiveness, adverse reactions, complications and signs of deterioration.
- Recognise and escalate clinical concerns appropriately to senior clinicians, consultants or emergency services where required.
- Maintain accurate, contemporaneous and legally compliant patient records.
- Promote infection prevention and control practices at all times.
- Provide advice, education and support to patients, relatives and carers regarding treatment plans and vascular access devices.
- Encourage self-management and independence wherever appropriate.
- Ensure medicines management procedures are followed in accordance with organisational policies.
Communication and Collaborative Working- Communicate effectively with patients, carers, GPs, consultants, pharmacists, microbiologists and other healthcare professionals.
- Liaise with acute and community services to ensure continuity of care.
- Maintain professional relationships that promote integrated working across healthcare organisations.
- Act as an advocate for patients and support shared decision-making.
Governance, Quality and Service Development- Adhere to NMC Code standards and all relevant clinical governance requirements.
- Report incidents, near misses and safeguarding concerns according to organisational procedures.
- Participate in audit, data collection and service evaluation activities.
- Contribute to the ongoing development of the OPAT and IV Service.
- Support the implementation of new pathways, protocols and quality improvement initiatives.
- Maintain compliance with organisational policies and procedures.
- Participate in competency assessments and clinical supervision as required.
Education, Training and Development- Maintain professional registration and meet NMC revalidation requirements.
- Participate in mandatory and statutory training.
- Undertake specialist training in OPAT, PICC line and midline management where required.
- Maintain competence in intravenous therapy, phlebotomy and vascular access management.
- Participate in reflective practice, clinical supervision and continuing professional development activities.
- Share learning and best practice with colleagues to support service development.
Person SpecificationQualificationsEssential- Registered Nurse (Adult) with current NMC registration.
- Degree in Nursing or equivalent professional qualification.
- Evidence of continuous professional development.
- Full UK driving licence.
- Access to a roadworthy vehicle for work purposes.
- Willingness to undertake specialist OPAT and intravenous therapy training.
Desirable- Recognised intravenous therapy competency.
- Training in PICC and midline management.
- Venepuncture and peripheral cannulation certification.
Skills and AbilitiesEssential- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
- Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
- Effective clinical assessment and decision-making skills.
- Ability to prioritise workload and manage time effectively.
- Ability to work autonomously and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
- Ability to recognise deterioration and escalate concerns appropriately.
- Accurate record-keeping and documentation skills.
- Competent IT skills and ability to use electronic patient record systems.
- Flexible and adaptable approach to service needs.
- Ability to travel independently across the service locality.
Desirable- Teaching and patient education skills.
- Experience supporting service development initiatives.
- Presentation and audit skills.
KnowledgeEssential- Knowledge of professional nursing practice and NMC requirements.
- Understanding of evidence-based practice.
- Understanding of safeguarding responsibilities.
- Knowledge of infection prevention and control practices.
- Understanding of medicines management principles.
- Awareness of clinical governance and risk management processes.
Desirable- Knowledge of OPAT pathways and antimicrobial therapies.
- Knowledge of vascular access device management.
- Understanding of community healthcare services.
Additional RequirementsEssential- Ability to work flexible bank hours, including 12-hour shifts (08:00-20:00).
- Ability to work weekends and bank holidays as required by the needs of the service.
- Capacity to undertake home visits across Peterborough and surrounding areas.
- Understanding of lone worker responsibilities and safe working practices.
ExperienceEssential- Minimum one year post-registration nursing experience.
- Experience in acute, community or primary care nursing.
- Experience of intravenous medication administration.
- Experience of venepuncture and blood sampling.
- Experience of patient assessment and care planning.
- Experience of working independently whilst managing clinical risk.
- Understanding of infection prevention and control principles.
- Knowledge of NMC standards and professional accountability.
Desirable- Previous experience working within an OPAT service.
- Experience accessing PICC lines and midlines.
- Experience delivering care in patients' homes.
Personal AttributesEssential- Commitment to delivering high-quality, patient-centred care.
- Professional, compassionate and caring approach.
- Motivated and enthusiastic with a positive attitude.
- Reliable and accountable practitioner.
- Demonstrates integrity and confidentiality.
- Commitment to continuous learning and development.
- Ability to work effectively under pressure.
- Resilient and adaptable within a developing service.
Disclosure and Barring Service CheckThis 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.
UK RegistrationApplicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer detailsEmployer name: Greater Peterborough Network
Address: Allia Future Business Centre, London Road, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, PE2 8AL, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://greaterpeterboroughgps.nhs.uk/
Employer contact detailsFor questions about the job, contact: Senior Nurse, Emilia Leydon, emilia.leydon2@nhs.net
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