Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced and enthusiastic nurse to join the Outpatient Parenteral Antimicrobial Therapy (OPAT) team at West Suffolk Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

We are a team of innovative clinical nurse specialist who work alongside a number of multi-professional teams including the virtual ward team, to support the delivery and coordinate the effective, efficient, and safe care of patients on defined IV Antibiotic/ Complexed oral antibiotic treatment pathways that are medically optimised across both the OPAT service and virtual ward platform to receive this care closer to home in the community setting. Supporting both early discharge and admission avoidance.

Main duties of the job

• To work alongside the multidisciplinary team including the virtual ward across the West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust to drive the delivery of effective, efficient, and safe antimicrobial treatment to patients in the community including their own homes.
• To undertake a range of duties to ensure the effective delivery of care to both OPAT and Virtual ward IV antibiotic/ complexed oral antibioic (COpAT) pathway patients including assessing, treating and monitoring them whilst on outpatient IV Antibiotics, complexed oral antibiotics and post antibiotic treatment. This can including visiting patients in their own home.
• After appropriate training you will be able to carry out venepuncture, cannulation and support the care and troubleshooting of central venous access devices to include PICC/ Mid lines, Hickman lines and porta Cath's.
• To deputise in the Lead OPAT CNS's absence

About us
#BeKnown at West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust. By us. By our patients. By our community

We are a busy, friendly, rural NHS Trust providing high-quality care and compassion to more than a quarter of a million people across west Suffolk. We care for, treat and support people in hospital, at home and in various community settings.

The West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds provides acute and secondary care services (emergency department, maternity and neonatal services, day surgery unit, eye treatment centre, Macmillan unit and children's ward). It has 500+ beds and is a partner teaching hospital of the University of Cambridge.

Adult and paediatric community services, provided in collaboration with West Suffolk Alliance partners, include a range of nursing, therapy, specialist, and ongoing temporary care and rehabilitation, some at our Newmarket Community Hospital.

We do our utmost to achieve outstanding clinical outcomes for patients and our values of fairness, inclusivity, respect, safety and team work guide how we work and behave as a team.

With nearly 5,000 staff, from all over the world, we strive to make our organisation a great place to work. Whatever your role or ambition, we want to help you be the best you can be.

We promote a diverse and inclusive community where everyones voice counts and you can #BeKnown for whoever you are.

Join us. What will you #BeKnown for?

Job responsibilities
Please see attached the full job description and person specification for the full details on this job role.

Person Specification
Education & Qualifications
Essential

• NMC Registration
• Mentorship and training
• Evidence of ongoing professional development
• Diploma in Nursing

Desirable

• Degree or working towards degree
• ILS

Experience & Knowledge
Essential

• Previous experience at Band 5 level
• Research Awareness

Desirable

• Management experience
• Teaching experience

Skills & Abilities
Essential

• Mentorship Skills
• IV Drug Administration
• IT Skills
• Communication Skills
• Organisational Skills
• Time Management Skills
• Willing to undertake further training as required.

Desirable

• Venepuncture
• Cannulation
• Care of central venous access devices

Personal Qualities
Essential

• Leadership Qualities
• Team Player
• Commitment to delivering high quality service
• Flexible approach to working hours
• Time management skills

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).