Job overview
****This vacancy is only available to current UHSussex employees****
The Critical Care Outreach team (CCOT) covers 2 hospital sites 24/7 at Royal Sussex County Hospital (RSCH), Brighton and Princess Royal Hospital (PRH), Haywards Heath.
We are looking for an enthusiastic, highly motivated nurse with extensive critical care / acute experience to join the Outreach team. This is an ideal opportunity for a critical care or acute care nurse who wishes to expand their clinical skills, to work autonomously within a supportive and progressive team. The post holder will be expected to work flexibly across both hospital sites (12 hour shifts with internal rotation of both nights and weekends)
Please note that this role is a secondment opportunity. Before applying you must seek agreement and authorisation from your current line manager. Secondments can't be agreed without your current managers approval. If you are unable to gain your manager approval you should refrain from applying unless you wish take this role as a fixed term position.
Main duties of the job
At RSCH and PRH, CCO is led by a Lead Nurse. The service provides expert assistance and support to acutely and critically ill patients outside the critical care unit. This includes patients recovering from critical illness and those at risk of deterioration (in ward and emergency care environments). You will work in collaboration with ward based teams and take part in education programmes for all groups of staff.
The post holder will complete an orientation period in accordance with the Trust’s induction programme. You will also be supported completing the National CCO Professional Framework.
Working for our organisation
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.
Our hard-working, talented and dedicated people work together towards a common goal – to always put our Patient First. In fact our mission is summed up by our ‘where better never stops’ motto and you will play a part in driving us forwards and in improving the lives of patients across Sussex.
At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.
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, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.
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.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Communication
1. Liaises with all members of the multidisciplinary team on the management of acutely and critically ill patients under care of the Critical Care Outreach team.
2. Ensure that appropriate, consistent, and realistic information is provided to patients and families.
3. Provide sensitive and complex information to relatives and patients in sometimes hostile and highly emotive environments.
4. Participate in complex patient case reviews as required.
5. Liaises with other wards, departments, and relevant Health Care professionals. Institute of Nursing & Midwifery on the purpose of the Critical Care Outreach service.
6. To ensure all incidents are reported appropriately.
7. Keep concise records of Outreach patients for audit purposes (including Critical Care Outreach Database).
8. Document concise patient assessment and recommendations in the patient’s medical notes.
Service Delivery and Improvement
9. Participates in the nursing audit programme, quality Improvement cycle and practice development within Critical Care, particularly within the Outreach service.
10. Work in collaboration with the multi-professional team to support and develop research projects.
11. To actively contribute to the development of high-quality evidence-based service Critical care outreach across the Trust.
12. To contribute to the ongoing development of the University Hospitals Sussex NHS foundation Trust Strategy for Nursing and Clinical Governance.
13. To be aware of Unit, Trust and National guidelines, standards, and procedures for service area.
14. Participate in presentation and publication of outreach data to local and international level.
15. Participates in the National Outreach forum.
Education and experience
16. Ensures appropriate development and education for members of the critical care outreach team in conjunction with Critical Care Outreach Matron (as the service develops).
17. To identify ward staff learning needs in conjunction with the Critical Care Outreach Matron and Senior nurses / Senior Practice development nurses.
18. Assist in the formal and informal educational and training of members of the multi- professional team
19. Act as mentor for staff undertaking post registration education relevant to Critical care Outreach.
Training
20. Proactively maintains and develops own personal and professional development as part of lifelong learning.
21. To be familiar with and attend annual updates of mandatory training.
22. To provide day to day supervision and teaching to the multi-professional staff in ward areas.
23. Facilitate study days to support the management of the acutely / critically ill patient.
24. To contribute to critical care-based education programmes with UHS and University of Brighton.
25. participate and support competency-based assessments / ongoing practice reviews for staff undertaking expanded role activities e.g. Tracheostomy care / Non-invasive ventilation.
Leadership
26. To act as an expert resource for all members of the multi-professional team, participating in review of patients outside of Critical Care, liaising with clinicians in the transfer of patients to critical care when appropriate.
27. Act as a professional role model who leads by example in regard to behaviour attitudes, conduct and appearance.
28. Independently manages a case load of referrals / follow-up of patients from critical care (10-15 patients per day).
29. To effectively lead, manage and evaluate change in clinical practice.
People Management and Development
30. To provide 24 /7 critical care outreach support to inpatients and staff, supporting the service development within the Trust (based at either Royal Sussex County or Princess Royal Hospital).
31. To ensure that high quality service is provided within allocated resources, informing the critical care outreach Lead Nurse of any potential or actual budgetary pressures or savings.
32. To be an expert practitioner in critical care nursing and be able to use these skills in a variety of clinical settings
33. To work flexibly within the multi-professional team, to deliver high quality care to the acutely and critically ill ward patient.
34. To provide support and advice to patient, family, and ward staff on prior to and following the discharge of the patient from critical care.
35. To take part in the recruitment and retention process, ensuring all new staff are supported with an appropriate induction programme.
36. To implement the University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust Absence Policy.
Patient Care Delivery
37. Acts as a self-directed practitioner who directs, provides and evaluates patient care based on nursing and medical models.
38. Works independently and without direct supervision in a variety of clinical settings Trust wide.
39. In liaison with Critical Care Outreach lead nurse, monitors the use of the track and trigger scoring system for the timely recognition of significant deterioration in acutely and critically ill patients.
40. Performs comprehensive patient assessment based on history taking and physical assessment of acutely ill patients to arrive at differential nursing / medical diagnosis. Independently suggest solutions and make recommendations.
41. Participates in the provision of direct patient care supporting the management of haemodynamic instability and other appropriate respiratory and organ support.
42. Demonstrates clinical competence and confidence in using highly developed specialist knowledge, equipment and skills in a variety of clinical settings across the hospital site.
43. Demonstrates the ability to work independently and prioritise workload in a variety of clinical settings.
44. Demonstrates critical thinking, problem solving and decision-making skills.
45. Makes and receives direct referrals to and from members of the multi-professional teams e.g. medical team, palliative care, physiotherapy, Speech language therapy, dietician, pain team.
46. Provides rapid response and support for patients identified by ward staff at risk by the Track and trigger tool / Medical emergency / Cardiac Arrest / Anaesthetic Emergency or Trauma call.
47. As appropriate, following attainment of competency - develop the ability to; make clinical judgements about patients, order diagnostics, interpret results, advise, or prescribe treatment and refer to relevant health care professionals to achieve treatment targets.
48. Advise and support on the stabilisation and transfer of acutely and critically ill patients to the appropriate environment.
49. Provides expert clinical advice to ward staff on the management of acutely and critically ill patients at UHS
50. Follows the Trust’s Bed Management Policy facilitating discharge of patients from Critical Care.
51. Practices in accordance with the NMC Code of Professional Conduct and Scope of Professional Practice.
Person specification
Essential Criteria
Essential criteria
52. Experience in senior role in acute clinical setting
53. Critical Care course or equivilent
54. Extensive post registration
Desirable criteria
55. Working towards MSc
56. Quality improvement or research project
Equality Diversity and Inclusion
Essential criteria
57. Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
58. Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
Important information for applicants
Flexible Working: If you would like to explore potential options regarding flexible working please speak with the appropriate recruiting/line manager.
DBS Checks: As part of our commitment to a safe working environment, we undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check on all new employees where the role is eligible for a criminal record check. We make offers in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1975.
Skilled Worker Visa: Applications for Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome for those that meet the Visa and Immigrations eligibility criteria. For further information please visit the gov.uk website searching for Skilled Worker.
Closing adverts early: Please apply as early as you're able for this role. In the event of exceptional interest we may close adverts earlier than specified.
UHSussex reserves the right to close the role early if we receive a high volume of applications