Nursing Associate - NICU

Job overview

· To be responsible for the professional leadership of a defined team and role modelling exceptional standards of nursing practice

· To act as a clinical expert within a sphere of work and champion a culture of professional development and quality improvement

· To lead the delivery of high quality, safe and effective care focused on improving outcomes and experiences for patients, families and carers.

· To be responsible for the professional development of a defined team ensuring a high level of expert, technically skilled and competent practice in general and acute medicine.

· To be a proactive member of the multi-professional leadership team in general medicine.

· To be responsible for the quality of the patient’s environment in order to improve the patient’s experience.

· To maintain the focus of joined up working across all sites of KCH, be a role model and lead for KCH (as delegated) including the wider King’s Health Partners (KHP).

Main duties of the job

Ensure high standards of patient care at all times challenging and ensuring others challenge poor practice, in accordance with the NMC Professional Code (2015).

In collaboration with senior members of the nursing team, provide assurance that the standards set out in the relevant Nursing & Midwifery strategy and direction of Nursing & Midwifery for the Trust is delivered at ward level.

Through visible clinical leadership ensure that the delivery of kind, compassionate and respectful care takes place, and that the ward team develop relationships with patients that involve better listening and decision making; ‘no decision without me’

Ensure that all patient care is assessed, planned, prioritised and high quality, both physical and psychological, delegating to support staff as required. Seek advice and support from other staff as required.

Working for our organisation

The Trust provides a full range of local and specialist services across its five sites. The trust-wide strategy of Strong Roots, Global Reach is our Vision to be BOLD, Brilliant people, Outstanding care, Leaders in Research, Innovation and Education, Diversity, Equality and Inclusion at the heart of everything we do. By being person-centred, digitally-enabled, and focused on sustainability, we aim to take Team King’s to another level.

We are at a pivotal point in our history and we require individuals who are ready to join a highly professional team and make a real, lasting difference to our patients and our people.

King’s is committed to delivering Sustainable Healthcare for All via our Green Plan. In line with national Greener NHS ambitions, we have set net zero carbon targets of 2040 for our NHS Carbon Footprint and 2045 for our NHS Carbon Footprint Plus. Everyone’s contribution is required in order to meet the goals set out in our Green Plan and we encourage all staff to work responsibly, minimising their contributions to the Trust’s carbon emissions, waste and pollution wherever possible.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

To assist in the resolution of any conflicts within the clinical area, resolving informal complaints locally and assisting in the investigation of and response to formal complaints as required

Ensure nursing practices comply with Trust procedural documents

To have local open and transparent communication channels that support the ward team to do the right thing for people we care for, to be bold when they have good ideas and to speak up when things go wrong.

To ensure the Trust’s risk management policy is appropriately utilised in the ward.

Manage the designated medical wards/units when on duty with overall continuing clinical responsibility, and lead a team of staff, in order to carry out delivery of care to a complex group of patients.

Support ward managers to manage the delegated budget for the ward/department, working closely with the Head of Nursing, Lead Nurse and Finance managers, working to achieve financial balance and contributing to cost improvement initiatives.

Develop the ward/department team, ensuring a learning environment, leading by example and to be aware of the effect of change upon all bands of staff.

Ensure the health and safety of all staff, patients and visitors, reporting any incidents, hazards, or defects and taking responsibility to minimise risk. To implement action plans to ensure improvement if an incident has occurred. At all times adhering to and ensuring adherence to Trust policies and procedures.

Lead improvement / transformation projects on the ward as indicated by local and national initiatives while working closely within the service triumvirate.

In accordance with Trust policy for provision of safe staffing levels, formally agree with Head of Nursing and the Lead Nurse the wards workforce requirements, utilising acuity and dependency tools monitor and review nursing workforce as indicated,

ensuring integration with the local delivery plan, and the optimal deployment of the nursing workforce.

In line with the Trust’s e-rostering policy, deploy staff to ensure safe and appropriate nursing care is given at all times. This includes the approval of ward /department duty rotas anticipating problems where they exist and taking local / timely actions as appropriate.

As Line Manager, take responsibility for human resource issues including appraisal via LEAP, staff development, capability, sickness absence, disciplinary and grievance, recruitment and selection and personal career development delegating as appropriate.

Take an active role in discharge planning and ensure close and effective liaison with the Transfer of Care Bureau and other agencies following a patient’s admission/discharge to/from a ward/department.

Liaise with support services to ensure satisfactory levels of service and where concerns bring these to the attention of the care group head of nursing or lead nurse.

Take a proactive clinical leadership role in the development of the frailty pathway in collaboration with wider clinical and managerial leadership team to achieve Trust and national standards for elderly medicine.

Take a proactive clinical leadership role in the development of the nursing service in collaboration with wider clinical and managerial leadership team to achieve Trust and national standards.

Ensure all complaints both formal and informal are dealt with promptly and courteously in accordance with Trust policy.

To respond in writing to complaints by interviewing staff, collating information and writing statements to provide evidence, reviewing practice where appropriate in response to concerns raised.

Actively participate in local and Trust level meetings proactively seeking to improve patient’s experience and feeding back relevant information to the nursing and multi-professional medicine team.

Meet regularly with the Head of Nursing to monitor clinical care, finance/resources and HR issues, ensuring clear communication pathways into and out of the department.

Ensure the maintenance of professional contemporaneous records at all times by all nursing staff, documenting all actions and interventions in a clear, honest and timely manner in line with Trust policy.

Develop effective multi-professional teamwork, to ensure patients are reviewed as part of regular ward rounds, to include on-going care plans seven days a week, twenty-four hours a day.

Undertake regular quality rounds ensuring the plan of care remains appropriate for each patient and escalating any concerns in line with local standard operating procedures.

Ensure every medical ward round has a continuous nursing presence with proactive contribution to the plan of care, placing the patient at the centre of all decision-making.

Ensure ward nursing team monitor patient progress, work towards safe and timely discharges before lunch and ensure barriers to discharge are identified and acted on appropriately.

Deal with concerns raised by patients and visitors in a proactive manner, review patient feedback results and update the ward’s patient experience improvement plans, as needed.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria

• Level 1 registered Nurse
• Evidence of post registration education at degree level in acute care nursing
• Management or leadership course

Desirable criteria

• Evidence of post registration education at degree level in acute care nursing

Experience

Essential criteria

• Current significant experience as a band 7 managing a team or department.
• Current experience of clinical nursing practice in a relevant acute medical setting with an understanding of haematology/Oncology
• Experience of managing a clinical team including human resources management.

IMPORTANT

• Check your email account regularly as this is how we will communicate with you
• If you delete the job from any of your accounts, you may be prevented from accessing further communications
• To enquire about your application or inform us of any changes in your circumstances, please contact the named person on this advert
• Please provide email addresses for referees where possible
• Please review the documentation on our recruitment microsite, particularly the Trust’s criminal records checking policy
• All staff have a responsibility for safeguarding children and vulnerable adults and for ensuring they are aware of the specific duties relating to their role.
• Please note that the closing date is given as a guide. On occasion, we might close a vacancy early due to a high number of applications being received. You are advised to submit your application as early as possible to avoid disappointment.

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