Senior Staff Nurse ITU

Job description

Job responsibilities

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Clinical Responsibilities

o Provides direct clinical care to critically ill adults (ITU and HDU Patients) within Critical Care across the trust.

o Will be developing specialist skills in the care of critically ill patient to include assessment, delivery and evaluation of care. May take direct responsibility for a patient or be supervising the work of other nurses.

o Ensures the implementation of protocols and practice guidelines within own nursing practice. Facilitating the delivery of high quality evidence based care while working in close relationship with the ICU MDT

o Will assist ICU LP and Team Leaders (TL) by acting as coach and mentor to named nurses, students or other health care workers (HCW) attached to the Unit. May be involved in formal teaching.

o May assist in setting up equipment in other wards and departments and giving nursing advice.

Leadership and Management

o Participates in the development of knowledge, ideas and work practices within ICU.

o Promotes a positive culture towards achieving a standard of excellence in own practice and specialty. Acts as a role model for other staff.

o May be required to supervise and co-ordinate the work of others in the absence of a more senior nurse.

o Reports any staff shortages, equipment or supplies issues to a Senior Nurse and assists in solving such shortages where possible.

o Reports any untoward incidents/complaints to Senior Nurse. Ensures the maintenance of a safe working environment for self and others.

o Contributes to the retention of staff within ICU.

o Acts as a member of the ICU Nurses group

Knowledge, Training and Skills

o Will be developing specialist knowledge in critical care nursing that is underpinned by sound theory as well as practical skills. Is able to adapt their knowledge and skills to a rapidly changing, highly technical environment.

o Is required to maintain professional registration and own personal development. Will attend regular mandatory training.

o Will develop management and leadership skills both through education and experience. Develops an understanding of the place of critical care within the Trust.

Working relationships and communication

o In day-to-day activity will undertake verbal communication with co- workers, patients and their families. Written reports will be made in clinical notes and ensures appropriate patient records are maintained.

o May co-ordinate daily activity in ICU, liaising with the ICU multidisciplinary team (ICU MDT) as well as with other departments and agencies to ensure optimum care.

o Will foster strong clinical relationships with medical practitioners, ward and site management teams as well as AHPs ensuring nursing input into clinical treatment.

o Will work with the LP ICU and Senior Nurse Critical Care to facilitate research based practice on the Unit.

o Will assist the Senior Nurse Critical Care together with the senior team in the overall management of the unit and the LP ICU in mentoring of nursing students.

o

Financial Responsibility

o Ensures that ICU is maintained in good order, that supplies are adequate and that equipment is clean and in working order.

o Encourages the economical use of resources including staff, supplies and equipment within ICU.

Service Development and Improvement

o Contributes to the development of critical care nursing within the Trust. May assist with specific improvement projects, practice developments or clinical protocols.

o Participates in Unit, Hospital or Trust forums and projects as required.

Responsibility for Dealing with Difficult Situations

o Learns to cope with variable, unpredictable workloads including medical emergencies or other highly charged situations.

o Deals with multiple inputs while coordinating individual patient care.

o In contact with critical illness and death among patient group. As well as supporting relatives in distress. Learns to recognise and support distress among co-workers.

o Reports to Senior Nurse Critical Care any untoward event. Recognises the need to seek advice or clarification from senior staff for the benefit of patient and staff safety.

Physical Working Conditions and Environment

o While based in ICU may work in other clinical locations on the site or within the Trust. Is able to escort patients to other Hospitals.

o Physical skills/tasks are based around the assessment, investigation and treatment of critically ill patients and the co-ordination of their care by the ICU MDT. Includes the administration of complex drug therapies, renal replacement therapy, respiratory support therapies, monitoring and transfer skills.

o May be exposed on an everyday basis to body fluids, harmful substances, infectious diseases and ionizing radiation.

o Is responsible for the maintenance of a safe environment for patients, staff and visitors to ICU.

Any Other Aspects of the Role

o Will support peoples equality, diversity and rights.

o Will carry out their duties with due regard to Unit and Trust policies and promote the compliance of others to do the same.

Person Specification

Essential Education / Qualifications

Essential

• Minimum of 6 months experience post successful passing of Critical Care Course
• Achieved grade (60 credits ) / 6 months experience post course
• Supervision and assessment experience
• Evidence of continual professional development
• Basic Life support compliance

Desirable

• Should be working towards a degree if not achieved on qualifying
• Valid ILS Certificate

Knowledge and experience

Essential

• Significant experience at Band 5 in Critical Care
• Up to date knowledge of Critical Care Practice
• Experienced in utilising and promoting sound clinical practice
• Understanding needs of learners in ICU/HDU

Desirable

• Previous ward management experience

Skills,Abilities and Attributes

Essential

• Organizational and leadership skills
• Proven Communication skills, both wirtten and oral
• Flexible to change
• Proven teaching and assessing skills
• Able to prioritise and meet deadlines and manage difficult situations effectively
• Able to use initiative and work well within a team

Other requirements

Essential

• Relaible work record
• Committed to providing the high standards of quality care through patient focused principles

HEART VALUES

Essential

• Demonstrates commitment to Trust HEART values-Honesty,Equality,Accountability, Respect and Team work

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.

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

London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust

Address

Intensive care / HDU, Ealing Hospital Site based

Uxbridge Road

Southall

UB1 3HW

Employer's website

https://www.lnwh.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)