Specialist Community Practitioner Student (District Nursing)

Whittington Hospital NHS Trust

This job is now closed

Job summary

Specialist Community Practitioner Student (District Nursing), Band 5 - Nurse Training Post

Whittington Health District Nursing Service would like to sponsor registered nurses with community experience to undertake the Specialist Community Practitioner District Nurse programme, PGDip. This is an accelerated Post Graduate Diploma and requires commitment and focus.

Do you have leadership potential?
Are you interested in service improvement?
Are you highly motivated and seeking career development?

We offer a fully funded training opportunity to qualify as a District Nursing Specialist Practitioner. This is a salary supported post for academic year 2023 - 2024. Successful applicants will be offered Band 5 intermediate step point salary. Through this application process you are also applying for a place at University of Greenwich and a NHS sponsored placement in one of our District Nursing teams allowing you to train as a District Nurse.

Main duties of the job

The post of Specialist Community Practitioner Sponsorship Student is a development post building on existing knowledge, skills and competencies to achieve a higher level of practice resulting in an academic qualification as well as a recordable qualification with the Nursing and Midwifery Council.

The fundamental responsibilities of the post holder are to attain the academic credentials and the clinical skills required to practice as a NMC registered Specialist Practitioner in District Nursing on a defined pathway.

Please see the Job Description and the Persons Specification for further details about the job role. If you are unable to access the PDF, the details of the job description can also be found in the 'Detailed Job Description and Main responsibilities' section.

About us

Whittington Health serves a richly diverse population and works hard to ensure that all our services are fair and equally accessible to everyone. Nowhere is this more obvious than in the way we look after our staff. We aim to employ a workforce which is as representative as possible of this population, so we are open to the value of differences in age, disability, gender, marital status, pregnancy and maternity, race, sexual orientation, and religion or belief. The Trust believes that as a public sector organisation we have an obligation to have recruitment, training, promotion and other formal employment policies and procedures that are sensitive to these differences. We think that by doing so, we are better able to treat our patients as well as being a better place to work.

Date posted

31 October 2023

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£32,720 to £39,769 a year per annum inclusive of HCAS

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

220-WHT-1592-A

Job locations

Haringey & Islington Community Sites

London

N19 5NF

Job description

Job responsibilities

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

To fulfil the requirements of the Specialist Community Practitioner programme by attending university course dates and practice placement days in accordance with the University regulations.
To work with the Specialist Community Practice Teacher and Experienced Practitioners to develop the skills and competencies to achieve NMC Registration Standards for Specialist Community Practice.
With the support of the Specialist Community Practice Teacher to link the theoretical knowledge gained through the university programme to the practice situation.
To demonstrate an understanding of current and emerging National, Regional and local healthcare legislation, policies and guidelines as the pertain to chosen pathway.
To develop/build skills of caseload and team leadership and management.
To work within University Regulations pertaining to academic work and student conduct.
To work within employing organisation policies as they pertain to the relevant clinical setting.
To work within employing organisation policies relating to employee responsibilities.

MANAGING RESOURCES

To participate in managing and coordinating the work of the junior staff, offering support and development as appropriate.
To assist in the recruitment and selection of staff for the team and to participate in induction and orientation programmes as appropriate.
To promote good communication, employment practices and relationships within the team.
To participate in (and lead where appropriate) team meetings.
To be aware of and utilise appropriate resources within the district nursing team and in the provision of total patient care.
To act as a link nurse to Primary and Social Care sectors as well as the wider community multi-professional teams as necessary.

PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

To be aware of and act in accordance with agreed policies, procedures, legislation and NMC standards.
To adhere to Whittington Health policies and procedures at all times.
To ensure that records are kept and maintained in line with NMC guidelines, Trust record keeping and information governance policies.
To adhere to national and local infection control procedures and standards at all times.
To be willing to expand nursing knowledge/skills by undertaking further professional training, to keep up to date with professional developments and maintain current PREP portfolio.
To set appropriate objectives and review them regularly with the District Nurse Team Manager.
To meet regularly with the District Nurse Team Manager in order to review own performance.
To take part in clinical supervision on a regular basis according to Whittington Health requirements.
To participate in clinical audit in order to promote the development of patient centred evidence based practice.
Whittington Health is an integrated care organisation and there may be occasions when members of staff are required to rotate between clinical environments to meet service need. This could be on a long or short term basis.

Job description

Job responsibilities

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

To fulfil the requirements of the Specialist Community Practitioner programme by attending university course dates and practice placement days in accordance with the University regulations.
To work with the Specialist Community Practice Teacher and Experienced Practitioners to develop the skills and competencies to achieve NMC Registration Standards for Specialist Community Practice.
With the support of the Specialist Community Practice Teacher to link the theoretical knowledge gained through the university programme to the practice situation.
To demonstrate an understanding of current and emerging National, Regional and local healthcare legislation, policies and guidelines as the pertain to chosen pathway.
To develop/build skills of caseload and team leadership and management.
To work within University Regulations pertaining to academic work and student conduct.
To work within employing organisation policies as they pertain to the relevant clinical setting.
To work within employing organisation policies relating to employee responsibilities.

MANAGING RESOURCES

To participate in managing and coordinating the work of the junior staff, offering support and development as appropriate.
To assist in the recruitment and selection of staff for the team and to participate in induction and orientation programmes as appropriate.
To promote good communication, employment practices and relationships within the team.
To participate in (and lead where appropriate) team meetings.
To be aware of and utilise appropriate resources within the district nursing team and in the provision of total patient care.
To act as a link nurse to Primary and Social Care sectors as well as the wider community multi-professional teams as necessary.

PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

To be aware of and act in accordance with agreed policies, procedures, legislation and NMC standards.
To adhere to Whittington Health policies and procedures at all times.
To ensure that records are kept and maintained in line with NMC guidelines, Trust record keeping and information governance policies.
To adhere to national and local infection control procedures and standards at all times.
To be willing to expand nursing knowledge/skills by undertaking further professional training, to keep up to date with professional developments and maintain current PREP portfolio.
To set appropriate objectives and review them regularly with the District Nurse Team Manager.
To meet regularly with the District Nurse Team Manager in order to review own performance.
To take part in clinical supervision on a regular basis according to Whittington Health requirements.
To participate in clinical audit in order to promote the development of patient centred evidence based practice.
Whittington Health is an integrated care organisation and there may be occasions when members of staff are required to rotate between clinical environments to meet service need. This could be on a long or short term basis.

Person Specification

Skills & Abilities

Essential

Academic ability to study independently at postgraduate level 7
Good computer literacy skills e.g. Microsoft Office, Word, Excel, Power Point, Outlook
Excellent, adaptable communication skills both written and verbal
Numeracy and literacy skills
Ability to support people to make informed decisions in relation to their health and well-being
Accurately records all intervention and decisions around patient care within relevant time frames
Demonstrate ability to adapt to working within a changing environment
Demonstrate knowledge of research - based practice
Evidence of supporting equality and valuing diversity in own practice
Evidence of working with and within a diverse community
Evidence of current clinical competencies relevant to community nursing

Literacy and Numeracy

Essential

Literacy and Numeracy at the level of the National Qualifications Framework at level 1-2 for Numeracy (equivalent of GCSE) and 3-4 for Literacy (equivalent of A level)

Experience

Essential

Minimum two years' post qualifying experience working as a registered nurse in a community nursing role
Experience of working within multi-disciplinary teams
Evidence of involvement in the management of difficult situations and conflict resolution
Evidence of working without direct supervision and managing own workload

Desirable

Experience of the audit process and clinical governance
Experience of managing staff within a team

Knowledge

Essential

An understanding of the role of Specialist Practitioner (District Nursing)
Able to demonstrate understanding of current practice and policy issues relating to District Nursing
Knowledge of long-term conditions management
Knowledge of health promotion
Knowledge of safeguarding vulnerable adults
Knowledge of the NMC Code of Professional Conduct, standards of conduct and ethics and its application to nursing practice

Desirable

Knowledge of assessment of health needs of the local population
Background knowledge of current policy relating to public health and primary care
Knowledge of local and national policies which influence the provision of primary care services
Knowledge of how to manage budgets and resources

Education / Qualifications

Essential

Current NMC Registration for nursing (Adult Branch)
DipHE (or above) qualification equivalent to 120 credits at level 5 (of the Higher Education Credit Framework for England) or evidence of previous education and learning to this level
Evidence of post registration study/learning over the last two years

Desirable

Evidence of continual professional development at level 6
Degree
Recognised teaching and mentoring qualification

Other

Essential

The ability to travel to a variety of sites within the Trust is essential

Person Specification

Skills & Abilities

Essential

Academic ability to study independently at postgraduate level 7
Good computer literacy skills e.g. Microsoft Office, Word, Excel, Power Point, Outlook
Excellent, adaptable communication skills both written and verbal
Numeracy and literacy skills
Ability to support people to make informed decisions in relation to their health and well-being
Accurately records all intervention and decisions around patient care within relevant time frames
Demonstrate ability to adapt to working within a changing environment
Demonstrate knowledge of research - based practice
Evidence of supporting equality and valuing diversity in own practice
Evidence of working with and within a diverse community
Evidence of current clinical competencies relevant to community nursing

Literacy and Numeracy

Essential

Literacy and Numeracy at the level of the National Qualifications Framework at level 1-2 for Numeracy (equivalent of GCSE) and 3-4 for Literacy (equivalent of A level)

Experience

Essential

Minimum two years' post qualifying experience working as a registered nurse in a community nursing role
Experience of working within multi-disciplinary teams
Evidence of involvement in the management of difficult situations and conflict resolution
Evidence of working without direct supervision and managing own workload

Desirable

Experience of the audit process and clinical governance
Experience of managing staff within a team

Knowledge

Essential

An understanding of the role of Specialist Practitioner (District Nursing)
Able to demonstrate understanding of current practice and policy issues relating to District Nursing
Knowledge of long-term conditions management
Knowledge of health promotion
Knowledge of safeguarding vulnerable adults
Knowledge of the NMC Code of Professional Conduct, standards of conduct and ethics and its application to nursing practice

Desirable

Knowledge of assessment of health needs of the local population
Background knowledge of current policy relating to public health and primary care
Knowledge of local and national policies which influence the provision of primary care services
Knowledge of how to manage budgets and resources

Education / Qualifications

Essential

Current NMC Registration for nursing (Adult Branch)
DipHE (or above) qualification equivalent to 120 credits at level 5 (of the Higher Education Credit Framework for England) or evidence of previous education and learning to this level
Evidence of post registration study/learning over the last two years

Desirable

Evidence of continual professional development at level 6
Degree
Recognised teaching and mentoring qualification

Other

Essential

The ability to travel to a variety of sites within the Trust is essential

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.