Job summary
Ward 18 is seeking two motivated Registered Nurses to join our friendly and enthusiastic team on a permanent contract of 23 hours per week. There may also be the opportunity to appoint one full-time candidate if the successful applicant is the right fit for the role.

Ward 18 is a 24-bedded surgical ward, including four enhanced care beds that provide specialist support for our multi-specialty patient group.

We care for elective post-operative patients undergoing a wide range of surgical procedures, including:

• Urology surgery
• Upper and lower gastrointestinal (GI) surgery
• Breast surgery
• Gynaecological surgery

This is an exciting opportunity to work within a supportive team committed to delivering high-quality, patient-centred care. We are looking for nurses who are passionate about providing excellent standards of care, enjoy working collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team, and are keen to develop their surgical nursing knowledge and skills.

If you are dedicated, compassionate, and ready for your next career challenge, we would love to hear from you.

Main duties of the job

• To work according to the NMC Code and relevant professional guidelines and frameworks including the 6 Cs as a named nurse / key worker for a defined group of patients and take responsibility for: The assessment of care and health education needs. The development, implementation and evaluation of programmes of care including discharge planning for each patient. To gain experience and skills in: Clinical Practice, Facilitation and teaching, Management
• To ensure effective communication with patients, relatives, carers and the multidisciplinary team.
• To participate in preceptorship programmes as appropriate and act as a facilitator / mentor / preceptor / role model to less experienced staff.
• To provide supervision, support and education to unqualified staff and students.

About us
Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust is a large acute and specialised hospital trust that provides a range of local acute services to the residents of Worcestershire and more specialised services to a larger population in Herefordshire and beyond.

The Trust operates hospital-based services from three sites in Kidderminster, Redditch and Worcester

Our workforce is more than 7,000 strong, and our caring staff are recognised as providing good and outstanding patient-centred care. You could be one of them.

We are committed to recruiting the best people to work with us. Our values, which we ask all staff to demonstrate, underpin our everyday work and remain firmly at the heart of all we do.

Being open and honest
Ensuring people feel cared for
Showing respect to everyone

We are committed to developing a culture of continuous improvement by embedding the principles of our Improvement System.

We are proud to have achieved Timewise accreditation - this means we are committed to embedding flexible working within our organisation as a flex positive employer.

DBS Checks and Costs
Any applicants who are offered posts requiring a DBS check as part of their employment check will have the cost of this check (at the current rate) deducted from their salary. Please see link in Supporting Information section for more details on DBS checks and costs.

Job responsibilities
1. Patient Care Responsibilities

• Acting as a Named Nurse, to maintain accountability for assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating programmes of care within the framework of team nursing.
• To co-ordinate the patients discharge arrangements in accordance with WAHT discharge policy.
• To promote a patient focused approach to care in collaboration with all relevant health professionals.
• To educate patients and their carers as required where a need has been identified.
• To provide information which enables patients to make choices about adopting a healthier lifestyle.
• To complete patient documentation correctly.
• To assist in establishing and monitoring protocols / care pathways.
• To participate in the promotion and maintenance of effective communication with patients, relatives and other staff.
• To support peoples equality, diversity and rights at all times.
• To safe guard vulnerable adults in accordance with agreed policies and procedures.

2. Professional Development and Education Responsibilities

• To develop own teaching skills and participate in staff / student education programmes.
• To help maintain a suitable learning environment for staff and act as a facilitator in the supervision and teaching of less experienced staff.
• To attend Trust / local orientation programmes and mandatory training sessions.
• To be responsible for developing and sustaining own knowledge, clinical skills and professional awareness in accordance with PREP requirements and to maintain a professional portfolio with evidence of reflective practice.
• To contribute to annual appraisal and be responsible for own Personal Development Programme.
• To participate in the Trusts Preceptorship Programme.
• To assist in the development and implementation of nursing practice guidelines, standards and policies.
• To assist in the training and development of student nurses and health care assistants and complete assessors training as required.

3. Research and Development Responsibilities

• To assist in promoting nursing practice in line with relevant research.
• To maintain an awareness of evidence-based practice.
• To contribute to research and development programmes within the ward / department.

4. Audit, Quality and Risk Management Responsibilities

• To contribute to the setting and monitoring of measurable standards of care and be accountable for maintaining standards.
• To maintain awareness of the national, professional and local quality issue relevant to the delivery of nursing services, e.g. Clinical Governance.
• To uphold quality initiatives that improve customer care and enhance the interface between staff, patients, and visitors.
• To participate in the audit process for monitoring and reviewing nursing quality.
• To be aware of personal responsibilities in relation to the maintenance of a safe environment and identification of potential risks for all personnel, patients and visitors, taking action as and when required.
• To be aware of the role of the nurse in handling complaints in accordance with WAHNT policy.
• To participate in maintaining a clean environment.
• The post holder will familiarise themselves with relevant Trust policies and procedures and comply with these at all times.
• To identify own training needs, to ensure individual competence in the use of all equipment provided for use.
• To maintain a safe ward environment and ensure all appropriate general risk assessments are carried out within 24 hours of admission document and plan care accordingly e.g. manual handling, pressure risks, slips trips and falls, nutrition, safeguarding.

5. Resource Management Responsibilities

• To develop and maintain an awareness of budgeting, exercising care and economy in the ordering and use of equipment.
• To assist in the assessment and monitoring of staffing requirements and report problems to the appropriate manager.
• In the absence of a more senior member of staff and as part of the individuals development programme, the post holder, with support, will be able to undertake clinical / shift management within the department.

Person Specification
Experience
Essential

• Can demonstrate a specific interest in area of work
• Will require a specific speciality related qualification / equivalent experience related to the post or willingness to work towards within 18 months of qualification

Desirable

• Significant proven knowledge and experience in the speciality

Personal Qualities
Essential

• Able to work in a team
• Ability to think clearly under pressure
• Provides leadership and support to junior members of the team
• Able to deal with the emotional aspects of the post e.g. pregnancy loss, terminal illness, trauma, chronic / critical illness
• Able to deal with exposure to bereavement and challenging behaviour
• Enthusiastic & assertive
• Demonstrates attention to detail
• Motivated
• Able to work under own initiative within boundaries of role

Knowledge and Understanding
Essential

• NMC Code, its application to practice and requirements of it for own practice and behaviour
• Knowledge of person centred care
• Understands actions necessary to promote peoples equality, diversity & rights
• To ensure actions contribute to quality
• Knowledge of the ageing process and related mental & physical health problems
• Understanding of Clinical Governance
• Knowledge of the individuals responsibility towards Health & Safety

Qualifications
Essential

• Registered Nurse on sub part 1 or 2 of the professional register
• Evidence of continuing education for more experienced Band 5 nurses in speciality
• NMC recognised Mentorship qualification or willingness to work towards within 18 months of commencement of post

Desirable

• Teaching and Assessing qualification

Knowledge and Skills
Essential

• Good organisational / time management skills
• Ability to record and deal with accurate facts, figures and information
• Able to interpret and adhere to Trust and departmental policies protocols, procedures and guidelines
• Effective communicator both written and verbal
• Ability to problem solve
• Ability to prioritise work
• Flexible to change in demands of service
• Willing to learn new skills
• Ability to identify personal development needs
• Computer literate
• Ability to support unregistered staff / students
• Ability to identify and manage risk

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.