University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)

Critical Care Staff Nurse (ICU/HDU)

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Job summary

Are you interested in developing your nursing skills and have a desire to care for critically ill patients? The Critical Care Unit (ICU/HDU) can provide you with a comprehensive induction programme to help you develop these skills. You must have some recent acute ward experience post registration. Previous experience in Critical Care is not necessary. We have 31 beds currently and have plans to increase to 55 beds when our brand new Unit opens in a few years' time.

We will offer you five weeks supernumerary time when you join us. The Critical Care steps one programme will include five full in house study days. We will provide study days with a variety of topics including ventilation, cardiac, neuro and a simulation day. You will also be allocated to one of our practice educators to support you.

University Hospitals Sussex are one of the leading acute Trusts on the South Coast. The Royal Sussex County in Brighton is located just a few minutes from the sea and close to our lively town centre! The Unit is within easy access to the seaside, countryside and a frequent train service to London and Gatwick airport. We are the Major Trauma Centre and Teaching Hospital for our area.

Main duties of the job

To plan, provide and evaluate skilled evidence based care for the critically ill patient under the supervision of Band 6 and Band 7 critical care nurses. To complete the Network Critical Care Foundation Programme and progress towards the adult Critical Care Course if appropriate.

About us

Join us at UHSussex, every day is different, you can be the change, better never stops

At UHSussex we're proud to be at the heart of the NHS. As one of the UK's largest acute Trusts, we're a leading example of the excellence, the ambition and the values that have embodied the NHS for over 70 years.

Improving lives: We are a vibrant and inclusive organisation, with hardworking, talented and dedicated individuals, who work together towards a common goal, to always put our Patient First. Our mission is summed up by our 'where better never stops' motto and no matter the role at UHSussex, you will play a part in driving us forwards and in improving the lives of patients across Sussex. We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We're here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our wellbeing programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.

Build a career with us: As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.

Date posted

11 October 2023

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£28,407 to £34,581 a year per annum pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

279-5718627-OCT23

Job locations

Royal Sussex County Hospital

Brighton

BN2 5BE

Job description

Job responsibilities

COMMUNICATION

Maintains effective communication with people about routine and daily activities overcoming any differences in communication between the people involved.

Attends Unit meetings / Team Away days in order to communicate needs and discuss problems with senior staff.

Identifies needs and provides support for patients, relatives and friends with support from the shift coordinator

Behaves in consistent manner with visitors, patients and the MDT.

Articulates current status of patients in their care to shift coordinator.

Informs shift coordinator when assistance is required / support needed

Maintains communication with people about routine and daily activities constructively overcoming any differences in communication between the people involved, and modifying communication accordingly e.g. using tact, diplomacy, discretion, empathy.

Participate in ensuring effective multidisciplinary communication links both upwards and downwards within Critical Care and the rest of the Trust. This involves all staff members, relatives and patients.

Adhere to NMC guidelines on documentation; accountability and responsibility for accurate, professional record keeping either on paper and/ or the electronic system.

Display competent use of; Trust e-mail, CIS message centre (where applicable), visitors intercom system, and telephone.

Responsible for effective shift handovers ensuring relevant detail is communicated and identifies and challenges any unprofessional or subjective comments made about patients.

Participate in medical ward rounds showing a thorough knowledge of the patients medical history, current condition and recent clinical events. Ability to present this concisely, at the appropriate time, and in the appropriate manner.

Involvement in complex patient case conferences when discussing future treatments for patients which could involve withdrawal of treatment in situations of poor prognosis.

Participate in mortality and morbidity meetings (where appropriate).

Support families on a 1:1 basis using knowledge, experience and skill to explain complicated medical conditions. Provide adequate and appropriate information and education, whilst ensuring this information is understood.

Provide and receive highly complex information on clinical conditions, which could be sensitive and occasionally contentious. Information given to patients and relatives could involve breaking bad news and may result in conflict with relatives understanding of the critically ill patient. E.g. communicating withdrawal of treatment, deterioration in condition, or sudden death. This must be done with great tact and skill.

Ability to guide relatives through withdrawal of treatment, tissue / organ donation in conjunction with relevant personnel e.g. Trust Donation Nurse Specialist, Transplant Co-ordinator, Trust personnel available for distressed / bereaved relatives.

Recognition of poor standards of care among MDT. Ability to highlight these to appropriate personnel, at an appropriate time, and in an appropriate manner.

PERSONAL AND PEOPLE DEVELOPMENT

At no time should the post holder work outside their defined level of competence. If the post holder has concerns regarding this they should immediately discuss this with their Team Leader. The post holder has the responsibility to inform those supervising their duties if they are not competent to perform a duty

To practice in accordance with the NMC Code of Professional Conduct and Professional Practice.

To complete Trust orientation objectives including IV drug administration

To attend statutory/mandatory training/updates as required by Unit/Trust.

To complete Network Critical Care Foundation Programme

To provide effective, safe evidenced based care to a standard prescribed by the Unit/Trust Policies and Procedures under the supervision of the shift coordinator

To assess, plan, implement and evaluate individual patient care in consultation with the shift coordinator and Primary Nurse.

To perform and record observations appropriate to the patients condition, where possible interpreting their significance, and where not informing the shift coordinator of any relevant change.

To manage and prioritise your patients workload after a period of training under the supervision of Practice Educator/shift coordinator.

To undergo further training that enables the use of specialised critical care equipment.

After agreement with your Team Leader, to take on the role of associate nurse to support primary nurses.

To have a working knowledge of KSF / eKSF and take part in Development Reviews as required by Team Leader, producing a Personal Development Plan which shows responsibility for own development in line with KSF/PREP and supported with portfolio evidence.

To make use of educational facilities offered by the Unit/Trust in maintaining personal and junior colleagues development.

Develop own knowledge and skills and contribute to development of others.

To complete and maintain Band 5 competencies.

To have successfully completed adult care of the critically ill course (level 2 or 3)

To be responsible for own personal, clinical and professional development in line with NMC/PREP/ KSF supported with portfolio evidence.

To have applied for or completed Mentorship course at level 2 or 3 with annual updates as applicable.

To demonstrate the ability to work without supervision and to accept additional responsibility as agreed with Team Leader.

To practice in accordance with the NMC Code of Professional Conduct and scope of Professional Practice. At no time should the post holder work outside their defined level of competence. If the post holder has concerns regarding this they should immediately discuss this with the Shift Co-ordinator / Team Leader. The post holder has the responsibility to inform those supervising their duties if they are not competent to perform a duty.

To assist with orientation and supervision of new members of staff, Critical Care course students, Pre Registration Nursing Students and provide mentorship for this group of staff in conjunction with the Practice Educator whilst acting as a role model.

To undertake the Primary Nurse role

Participate in teaching in the clinical area providing records of same. Provide written / verbal feedback from study days / courses to team members.

To participate in competency based assessments and ongoing reviews of scope of professional practice within Critical Care.

To promote evidence based practice within Critical Care with portfolio evidence.

To partake in annual Development Reviews in line with KSF by producing a Personal Development Plan in conjunction with your Team Leader.