Job summary
This is part of the national Virtual Wards Programme, an exciting transformation in how care is planned and delivered in England, building on the innovative Covid-19 Virtual Wards work over the first two years of the pandemic.
In West Suffolk our Virtual Ward provides specialist led care for a variety of patients including those with respiratory conditions, frailty, acute kidney injury and heart failure, but with anticipated expansion in areas such as women's, children's and surgical patients. This care is provided to them in the comfort of their own homes using an advanced personal remote monitoring platform, enabling them to safely leave hospital sooner (or not come into hospital at all).
The Virtual Ward team includes community nurses, specialist nurses, advanced care practitioners, consultants, therapists, healthcare assistants and a range of other health and social care staff. They work together to assess and provide support enabling early discharge from hospital or avoiding admission to hospital. The team also supports patients residing in care homes.
Main duties of the job
As a clinician working in the Virtual Ward, you will require an ability to work closely with professionals from other organisations to enable integrated working. As a registered nurse, you will have competence in assessment of patients who may be in distress, and proven skills in delivering care in the community such as delivery of intravenous medications, nebulised therapy and wound care. You will be an experienced practitioner who is able to support patients and their families in challenging situations.
The post holder will spend their time reviewing referrals and assessing patients in the hospital (across ED, AAU and inpatient wards) for suitability for the Virtual Ward, and then following these patients up in their own homes - including initial home visits, follow up visits (as required) and discharge visits.
The post holder will support them to manage their condition through regular remote monitoring. All of this will be supported by expert clinicians in their field.
If you are motivated and passionate about providing excellent patient care, we would love to hear from you.
The team operates from 0800-2000 hours, seven days a week, covering the West Suffolk community locality. Base will be West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds.
Applicants will need the ability to travel to rural locations.
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?c
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Registered Nurse is accountable to the Virtual Ward Manager and will have continuing responsibility for the nursing care given to patients with sub-acute conditions in identified community settings, without direct supervision. They are personally accountable for the nursing standards of such delegated duties. They are also responsible for demonstrating procedures for qualified and/or unqualified staff. The post will provide evidence-based care, advice and information to patients and carers enabling them to enjoy maximum independence and optimum quality of life. Support to access and utilise the digital remote monitoring that is key to the virtual ward work will be provided.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Registered Nurse is accountable to the Virtual Ward Manager and will have continuing responsibility for the nursing care given to patients with sub-acute conditions in identified community settings, without direct supervision. They are personally accountable for the nursing standards of such delegated duties. They are also responsible for demonstrating procedures for qualified and/or unqualified staff. The post will provide evidence-based care, advice and information to patients and carers enabling them to enjoy maximum independence and optimum quality of life. Support to access and utilise the digital remote monitoring that is key to the virtual ward work will be provided.
Person Specification
Education and Qualification
Essential
- RN Qualification (Part 1 of register) or equivalent
- Current NMC registration
- Evidence of ongoing Professional Development
Experience and Knowledge
Essential
- Experience post registration
- NHS Experience
- IV medication competence
Skills and Abilities
Essential
- Willingness to learn and participate in self-directed study
- Good Organisational Skills
- Good Communication skills
- Ability to grasp new concepts
- Able to prioritise care
- Able to use initiative
- Able to work under pressure and keep calm in stressful situations
- Good time management skills.
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Passionate
- Evidence of good attendance and time keeping
- Identifies role within the multi-professional team
- Good team player
- Patient, conscientious and caring
- Flexible approach to working hours and duties to meet the needs of the service
- Willingness to rotate across areas
- Ability to travel to rural locations to meet the needs of the service
Person Specification
Education and Qualification
Essential
- RN Qualification (Part 1 of register) or equivalent
- Current NMC registration
- Evidence of ongoing Professional Development
Experience and Knowledge
Essential
- Experience post registration
- NHS Experience
- IV medication competence
Skills and Abilities
Essential
- Willingness to learn and participate in self-directed study
- Good Organisational Skills
- Good Communication skills
- Ability to grasp new concepts
- Able to prioritise care
- Able to use initiative
- Able to work under pressure and keep calm in stressful situations
- Good time management skills.
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Passionate
- Evidence of good attendance and time keeping
- Identifies role within the multi-professional team
- Good team player
- Patient, conscientious and caring
- Flexible approach to working hours and duties to meet the needs of the service
- Willingness to rotate across areas
- Ability to travel to rural locations to meet the needs of the service
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
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).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
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).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details
Employer name
West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust
Address
West Suffolk Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Hardwick Lane
Bury St Edmunds
IP33 2QZ
Employer's website
https://www.wsh.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)
