Job summary
If you are an experienced Registered Nurse currently working in an acute hospital setting and ready for your next challenge, Pencarrow could be the place to develop your career in Critical Care.

Pencarrow is a 10 bedded Neuro Critical Care Unit within UHPs wider Critical Care service. As part of a Major Trauma Centre and regional neurosurgical service, we care for some of the most critically unwell and injured patients in the South West, including patients following major trauma, brain and spinal injury, complex neurosurgery and neurosurgical emergencies.

Previous Critical Care experience is not essential, but current post-registration experience as a RN within an acute hospital setting is essential. We are looking for nurses with a good foundation in acute care who are ready to develop their specialist Critical Care skills.

You will have a structured supernumerary induction, support from our dedicated Education Team and follow the national Critical Care competency framework, with opportunities to undertake the 60-credit ICU course with the University of Plymouth.

This is a Band 5 post. Critical Care nursing roles are currently under review and we anticipate a future pathway which may enable progression to Band 6 following completion of national Step 1 competencies and other agreed criteria, subject to formal approval.

Please note that applications from temporary workers who have been engaged with the Trust for a minimum of 3 months are welcome.

Main duties of the job

• As a Bd 5 Critical Care Nurse you will provide individualised care to patients with complex and rapidly changing needs, progressing towards greater independence as your knowledge, skills and competencies develop.

You will care for Level 2 and L3 patients requiring organ support and specialist neurosurgical critical care, including mechanical ventilation, cardiovascular support, vasoactive medications, renal replacement therapy, advanced neurological assessment, intracranial pressure monitoring and external ventricular drains.

You will recognise changes in a patient's condition, respond appropriately and escalate concerns, working closely with the wider multidisciplinary team.

Critical Care nursing is about much more than technology and organ support. You will provide high-quality fundamental nursing care, advocate for patients who are often unable to communicate for themselves and support patients and families through difficult and uncertain periods.

Pencarrow is part of the wider 28 bedded Critical Care service, providing experience of a broad range of general critical care needs.

You will contribute to effective communication, documentation, meds management, infection prevention and patient safety. As you develop, you will also support students and newer members of the team.

You will be supported to develop your clinical knowledge, skills and confidence through supervised practice, education and completion of the national Critical Care competencies.

About us
We are a people business - where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure. PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY. If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process please contact the recruitment team on 01752 432100. We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission. We commit to giving this full consideration in each case. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams. It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.

Job responsibilities
PRIMARY DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY
You are responsible for: -
Ensure high standards of care in accordance with agreed policies, procedures and standards.

• Provide and deliver a high standard of nursing care by initiating and co-ordinating the assessment, planning and evaluating of individual patient needs based on evidence and use of relevant nursing models.
• Coordinate, report and document any relevant nursing/patient needs, communicating changes with other health care professionals with ongoing responsibility for patient care as they occur.
• Promote and deliver health education within the clinical area and advise patient, family and others in health promotion issues.
• Engage and interact with carers/family encouraging them to be actively involved in patients care planning as outlined in the unit philosophy.
• Demonstrate a commitment to evidence based practice and clinical excellence and play an active role in the introduction of this evidence to improve patient centred care.
• Supervise, assess, mentor and support all health care professionals including bank, agency staff, and learners after appropriate training.
• Increase the level of knowledge and skills within the trust through sharing best practice and supporting others to develop their professional abilities.
• Implement and share good infection control practice
• Undertake manual handling assessments and ensure identified actions are met.
• Develop key skills in patient management to assist medical staff in the assessment and resuscitation of critically ill patients.

These skills will involve:
The setting up, calibration and use of critical care specific equipment including advanced haemodynamic and neurological monitoring, ventilators, dialysis machines and intra-aortic balloon pumps.
Inter and Intra hospital transfer of level 1-3 patients.
Near patient testing e.g. blood and urine testing.
Carrying the cardiac arrest bleep and attending medical emergencies within the Trust.

• At all times comply with legal and Plymouth NHS Trust requirements to administer prescribed medication/intravenous fluid effectively and safely, and use autonomy and skill to titrate medication according to the patients condition.
• Contribute to decisions on life supporting treatment using knowledge of ethical and legal issues, and when appropriate contribute to discussions on withdrawing treatments from patients. Support patient, relative and colleagues through the bereavement emotions and practicalities.
• Disseminate knowledge through report writing, reviewing and taking full responsibility for clinical accuracy, reliability and being sensitive to the wider implications of that dissemination.
• Ensure that expertise within your area is seen as a resource within and outside the trust and working partnerships with other health and social care service providers.

COMMUNICATIONS & WORKING RELATIONSHIPS
Demonstrate excellent communication skills with patients/relatives, nursing colleagues and members of the multi-disciplinary team, all of whom are concerned with supporting patient care and staff management

• To demonstrate effective written skills with patient assessment, goals, objectives, nursing care and evaluation, through the provision of a written care plan and advising more junior colleagues on how to do the same as appropriate
• Informing senior sister/charge nurse either verbally or in writing of any problems with patient care, colleagues, or other departments, or any area where communication may be enhanced to improve quality of care, working relationships or the working environment for staff
• Modern matron
• Ward manager
• Ward sisters/charge nurses within the trust
• Divisional nurse manager
• Director of nursing
• Directorate manager
• Divisional director
• Consultants in area of responsibility/within the trust
• Educational staff
• Clinical nurse specialists, nurse consultants, nurse practitioners
• External agencies as required i.e. Police, social services

All Job Holders are required to

• Work to the Trust values - Put patients first, Take ownership, Respect others, Be positive, Listen, learn and improve.
• Adhere to Trust policies and procedures, e.g. Health and Safety at ork, Equal Opportunities etc.
• Maintain personal and professional development to meet the changing demands of the job, participate in appropriate training activities and encourage and support staff development and training.
• Attend statutory, essential and mandatory training.
• Respect the confidentiality of all matters relating to their employment and other members of staff. All members of staff are required to comply with the requirements of the Data Protection Act 1998.
• Comply with the Corporate Governance structure in keeping with the principles and standards set out by the Trust.
• Comply with the codes of professional conduct set out by the professional body of which registration is required for the post.
• Ensure they are familiar with the Risk Management Framework, follow policies, procedures and safe systems of work, make known any hazards or risks that they identify and take all necessary actions to reduce risk.
• Ensure the welfare and safety of children within their care. This includes staff who come into contact with children and families in the course of their work as well as those staff who have a specific role with children and families.
• Ensure they attend Child Protection training at the appropriate level within the specified time frame.
• Staff must comply with Safeguarding Policies and Procedures in order to promote safeguarding and prevent abuse to vulnerable people sing Trust services.
• Maintain the prevention and control of infection and fully comply with all current Trust Infection Control policies and procedures.
• Take responsibility for any records that they create or use in the course of their duties, in line with the Public Records Act and be aware that any records created by an employee of the NHS are public records and may be subject to both legal and professional obligations.

Note
This job description is neither definitive nor exhaustive and is not intended to be totally comprehensive. It may be reviewed in the light of changing circumstances following consultation with the post holder. This job description is to be read in conjunction with all current Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust policies, procedures & guidelines.

Person Specification
Knowledge and Experience
Essential

• Current post-registration demonstrable experience working as a Registered Nurse within an acute hospital setting
• Demonstrable experience caring for acutely unwell patients, including recognising and escalating clinical deterioration
• Proven evidence of recent continuing professional and clinical development
• Understanding of evidence-based practice and its application to patient care

Desirable

• Critical Care skills in a L1/2/3 area
• Intravenous therapy skills
• Demonstrable experience caring for patients requiring enhanced monitoring or organ support
• Competent in the use of electronic clinical/patient record systems

Qualifications
Essential

• Current Registered Nurse (Adult) registration with the NMC

Desirable

• Relevant post-registration acute/critical care qualification or accredited study
• Current recognised adult resuscitation qualification
• Practice Assessor/Mentorship qualification

Aptitude and Abilities
Essential

• Effective written and verbal communication skills, including communication with patients, relatives and the multidisciplinary team
• Ability to recognise own limitations, seek appropriate support and escalate concerns
• Ability to prioritise and organise care in a busy, changing clinical environment
• Demonstrates motivation and aptitude to develop within Critical Care

Desirable

• Proven evidence of supporting students, new staff or colleagues in clinical practice
• Proven evidence of contributing to service improvement, audit or quality improvement

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 (Opens in a new tab).
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 (Opens in a new tab).
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).