Clinical Nurse Specialist - Traumatic Brain Injury

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen to appoint a Band 6 team leader in The Cardiac Catheter Lab at King’s College Hospital. We are seeking a motivated, enthusiastic nurse who consistently exhibits professionalism, integrity, determination and dedication to the patients and staff in the Cardiac Catheter Labs.

You will be responsible for supporting the units Managers in ensuring that our service users’ needs are met through the delivery of high-quality care. As a centre of excellence, you will offer a person-centred approach to patient care, promoting independence and well-being.

You need to have excellent leadership, communication and interpersonal skills. We require individuals who are forward thinking, well organised and maintain a positive attitude towards flexibility and change. A strong interest in developing new staff and a proactive approach to delivery of high standards of evidence-based care are essential components to this post. The individual must demonstrate experience and skills with ongoing quality improvement work as there is an expectation to lead projects and implement change.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced nurse who is ready to develop both their clinical and managerial skills. In addition, as part of the role you will be required to participate in the 24/7 PAMI on-call service.

Main duties of the job

1. To support and mentor staff and students in practice, ensuring that high standards of care are continuously being delivered to our patients.
2. To assist in Cardiac Catheter Lab audits and feedback cycles to drive continuous improvement.
3. To identify and escalate risk and safety incidents and escalate these consistently according to trust risk and safety strategy.
4. To take direct managerial responsibility for the clinical area in the absence of or as delegated by the Ward Sister/ Charge Nurse/ Head of Department.
5. To lead a small team of staff, completing appraisals, as well as, supporting conduct and capability issues alongside the unit managers.
6. To act as a clinical resource within the Cardiac Catheter Labs and across the Care Group as necessary.
7. To act as a positive role model to all staff members.
8. To be motivated and committed to giving high quality nursing care and be able to work autonomously, as well as part of a team.
9. To possess critical thinking skills and a desire to continuously improve care in the Cardiac Catheter Labs.

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

CLINICAL PRACTICE

• To adhere to the NMC Code of Professional Conduct and adhere to this at all times.
• To demonstrate clinical expertise in the care of any patients receiving treatment in the ward/ department.
• To assess, plan, implement and evaluate the needs of patients on the Ward on an ongoing basis, co-ordinating the care given by all members of the clinical team.
• To accurately assimilate and interpret clinical information about the patients’ condition, promptly report changes and instigate remedial action as appropriate.
• To act as a resource person to others, providing accurate information, advice and support to the multidisciplinary team, patients and their relatives.
• To ensure that accurate records are maintained reflecting both changes in the patient’s condition and the treatment delivered.
• To ensure that patients and their relatives are updated regularly with accurate information, and ensure that this is presented in a way that they understand.
• To ensure that Clinical Guidelines are implemented and to be actively involved in auditing practice in conjunction with Line Manager and practice development staff.
• To ensure that practice is evidence based and with support, assist in the development of policies and protocols within the clinical area.
• To uphold high standards of nursing care, according to existing policies and standards.
• To support the Ward Managers and Modern Matron in processes of continuous quality improvement, formally evaluating standards of care and assisting in the implementation of changes in the light of such findings.
• To contribute to the health education of patients and their families, ensuring that all patients receive appropriate advice and support to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
• To actively support the implementation of the Trust nursing strategy and uphold the ethos of the local philosophy.
• To work as determined by the trusts electronic rota system. This will include covering on call shifts and other shifts as allocated.

EDUCATION AND RESEARCH

• To act as a mentor to junior staff members, responsible for the orientation, supervision and ongoing development of junior and student nurses, in conjunction with Line Manager and Practice Development staff.
• To act as practice supervisor, responsible for completing competency documents for junior staff within agreed timeframes.
• To act as a practice assessor/supervisor to students undertaking further education as requested, ensuring a positive learning experience and facilitating the development of their clinical skills.
• To contribute to the wider educational activities within the Care Group – ensuring attendance at and contributing to the delivery of educational activities within the Care Group.
• To promote and encourage the application of research and of evidence based practices.
• To participate in any research projects conducted in the clinical area as appropriate.

MANAGEMENT

• To manage the clinical workload effectively, ensuring care is prioritised appropriately.
• To contribute positively towards the delivery of a cost effective service, adjusting staffing levels to meet demand and assisting the ward manager to keep within agreed resources.
• To assist with the ongoing organisation of the ward, co-ordinating the activities of the clinical area.
• To liaise with Medical Personnel and Bed Managers to ensure optimal bed usage at all times, facilitating timely admission and discharge of patients.
• To act as a team leader to an identified group of staff, monitoring and documenting the development of their clinical skills.
• To develop own skills in recruitment and retention, sickness management and performance management as determined by line manager.
• To actively support the process of risk management – ensure incidents are reported appropriately and helping identify ways of preventing errors and accidents to both patients and staff.
• To make a positive contribution to service development affecting the clinical area and positively influence other to adapt to change.
• To actively promote customer care, assisting in resolving local (informal) complaints and supporting the ward manager to investigate formal problems.
• To assist with the monitoring of stock levels of clinical stores and technical equipment, resolving any shortfall as appropriate.
• To maintain standards of hygiene and cleanliness within the clinical area, actioning remedy as appropriate and reporting deficits to ward managers/Modern Matron, as appropriate.
• To communicate varied and complicated information (verbally and in writing) in a way that is understood and gets the important facts across.
• To carry the Unit bleep as required, resolving local problems/ conflicts, keeping managers/others informed and maintaining positive team dynamics across the Care Group at all times.
• To take a leadership role in crisis situations, resolving problems across the Care Group as necessary.
• To maintain confidentiality with regard to personal information pertaining to staff and patients.
• To attend and contribute to departmental meetings as required.

PERSONAL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

• To work within and accept responsibility for maintaining agreed levels of clinical competence.
• To keep up to date with NMC, Trust and Care Group policies and guidelines and to adhere to these at all times.
• To be a fully active and committed member of the multidisciplinary team operating in the Care Group.
• To demonstrate an insight into own professional development, contributing to the process of identifying own educational and clinical training needs in conjunction with the ward manager.
• Participate in own Individual Performance Review and after suitable training, to be responsible for undertaking this for own team of junior staff.
• To ensure own educational commitment is at least sufficient to maintain PREP requirements and to ensure own mandatory training certificates are current, in liaison with Line Manager.
• This Job Description is intended as a guide to the general scope of duties, and it is not intended to be definitive or restrictive. It may be subject to review, after discussion with the post holder.

Person specification

Education and Qualifications

Essential criteria

• 1st level Registered General Nurse
• Further professional studies relevant to the clinical area
• Mentorship programme or equivalent teaching qualification

Desirable criteria

• Degree in Nursing or Equivalent
• Current UKALS provider

Skills and Competencies

Essential criteria

• Communication skills – able to relate and communicate with patients and staff at all levels and from different professions. Adapts communication style as necessary and is able to work with and through others.
• Team building and working skills – able to lead a team to achieve results.

Knowledge and Experience

Essential criteria

• Demonstrable clinical expertise, relevant to the area

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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