Job overview
Exiting opportunities have arisen for band 6 Junior Sisters/Charge Nurses in the newly refurbished Stroke Department at Maidstone Hospital.
The Stroke Department is comprised of a 35 bedded Acute Stroke Unit and a 14 bedded Hyper Acute Stroke Unit. The Stroke Department provides in-patient stroke care as part of the Trust’s service to patients from Maidstone, Tunbridge Wells, Medway and surrounding areas.
The Stroke Department is a friendly and supportive environment that provides care to the most acutely ill patients and for patients that are starting their rehabilitation pathway. We are looking for experienced Nurses with sound clinical knowledge and excellent interpersonal skills who are ready for the next step in their career. You will need to have a willingness to undertake any necessary training to enable clinical competency and skills. Staff are encouraged to further their professional development and a range of learning opportunities are available.
Main duties of the job
1. Deputise as Ward Manager exercising leadership within the unit when Manager is not on duty
2. Liaise closely with the Ward Manager on a day to day basis
3. Foster good relationship with the multidisciplinary professional team
4. Liaise with the ward Manager and the universities regarding needs and requirements for educating students and untrained staff, and for the post basic development of qualified staff
5. Support the ward Manager in the management of the clinical area, with the aid of setting standards of nursing care, following agreed guidelines laid down in the ward’s philosophy of care, to improve practice and quality care in the clinical area
6. Gain knowledge of budget control
7. Ensure promotion of safety, well-being and interests of the patients staff and visitors to the clinical area.
8. Ensure the policies of the trust are adhered to and inform all junior staff of any changes
9. At all times follow the code of professional conduct as laid down by the NMC.
10. Advise on the staffing requirements for the provision of nursing services, using dependency studies as required
Please note that this role may often attract a high level of applications. Please note this role may close earlier than the original closing date so please ensure you submit your application as soon as possible.
Working for our organisation
MTW is a large acute hospital trust in the south-east of England.
We provide a full range of general hospital services and some aspects of specialist and complex care to around 600,000 people living in west Kent and East Sussex. We have a team of over 8,000 full and part-time staff. We also provide specialist cancer services to around 2 million people across Kent and East Sussex via the Kent Oncology Centre.
In the 2024 NHS staff survey, our employees ranked MTW among the top 10 NHS Trusts nationwide and the second-best Trust to work for in the South East.
Would you like to work flexibly? In the NHS, we are reminded every day of how important life is. As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us, for our patients and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Once your pre-employment checks have been completed you will be contacted by Recruitment to arrange your start date which will be in line with one of our Corporate Inductions.
Following your Corporate Induction you will be expected to attend the Trust’s 2-week Induction Programme for RNs, NAs, RMs, ODPs and Paramedics. The programme is full-time (please email if this is problematic) and will involve travel to both Trust sites. The programme includes supernumerary shifts in the clinical area, classroom-based sessions and e-learning.
Please note that appointment to this post will be subject to a satisfactory Disclosure & Barring Service Check at Enhanced Level. (Enhanced level now includes regulated checks against vulnerable adults and children).
At MTW, we seek to develop a culture where everyone can reach their full potential with opportunities to grow and develop their career. We recognise and value the unique contributions that each of our staff bring, delivering the best quality care and service to our patients. We are committed to being a diverse employer and strive to reflect everyone in our local communities. We welcome applications from people of diverse backgrounds, perspectives and experiences and celebrate the diversity of thought, viewpoints and ideas that will make our Trust the best place to work.
We support our staff with disabilities to ensure they have the adjustments they need to be the best they can be in the workplace. Collaborating with Access to Work means that our staff are assessed by experts in the workplace and we ensure that their recommendations are implemented as quickly as possible. You can find out more here: Access to Work: get support if you have a disability or health condition: What Access to Work is - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Interview Date: TBC
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
11. RGN
12. First level nursing registration and evidence of further study since qualification
13. Teaching/Mentorship qualification e.g. ENB 998 or equivalent
Desirable criteria
14. Advance Life Support provider
15. Evidence of continuing education - diploma/ degree level
Experience/Knowledge
Essential criteria
16. Experience in medicine nurse within acute medicine
17. Experience as Band 5 Staff Nurse within stroke services or equivalent
18. IV drug therapy, IV cannulation & venepuncture skills
19. Evidence of insight and understanding of current issues in nursing and NHS
20. Expert clinician
21. Understanding of different types of strokes and their effects on the brian
Desirable criteria
22. Experience of managing naso gastric tubes and feeding plans
23. Knowledge of stroke specific discharge pathways
Skills
Essential criteria
24. Leadership skills
25. Evidence of problem solving and decision making skills
Desirable criteria
26. Computer/ IT skills