Job summary
Are you passionate about Critical Care Nursing ? Would you like to develop skills in Critical Care with the support of our friendly unit ?
We are looking for a motivated and enthusiastic individual to join our critical care nursing team, you will be an excellent communicator and have a positive attitude towards flexibility and change. Interpersonal skills are essential and you will be an asset to the team demonstrating the ability to be forward thinking and passionate about delivering high standards of care.
Our critical care service has 12 beds which are managed between 2 units and we care for 800 patients each year. Bedfordshire Hospitals ( L&D Site) is the tertiary centre for Maxillofacial Surgery & Bariatrics so both of these patient types are regularly managed through critical care.
It is a really exciting time to be joining our Critical Care team as brand new facilities are currently being built as part of a £ capital scheme - the new ITU will be able to accommodate up to 22 patients in a modern spacious environment with up to date technology supporting the nursing team to deliver excellent care - we will be moving in 2025 so come and join us !
We are a member of the East of England Critical Care Network and participate in Intensive Care National Audit & Research Centre so we can help to contribute to improving outcomes in critical care.
Main duties of the job
As a Critical Care Nurse, you will assess, plan, deliver and evaluate high standards of nursing care, ensuring highest level of customer service is delivered to patients. We will offer you an exciting and challenging work environment and we are committed to the training and development of our staff with the opportunity to complete the 60credits "management of Critically Ill adults" Intensive Care Course, with PDN and nurse mentors support. We are participating in training of Advanced Critical Care Practitioners and we have 2 nurses in training who support the medical team.
Duties & Responsibilities
1. Lead on the delivery of individualised patient care acting as the named nurse, ensuring assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation is in line with evidence base practices.
2. Communicate effectively with dignity and respect to patients, relatives, staff and others.
3. Ensure accurate and comprehensive nursing records using IT Healthcare systems available.
4. Maintain continuing professional development (CPD) requirements and contribute to formulation of own objectives and personal development plan.
Skills & Experience
5. Registered Adult Nurse with up to date NMC registration
6. Clinical experience in an Acute Care setting.
7. Familiar with basic physiology, have a theoretical knowledge base for acute nursing, including mechanical ventilation, renal replacement therapies, advance haemodynamic monitoring, and knowledge on medication administered in Intensive Care Settings.
About us
Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology.
Our Values
We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience - we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. We achieve this by using values based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and creating a culture that values differences.
Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Professional Responsibilities -Assess patient care needs and the development and implementation of programmes ofpatient care and participate in the evaluation of these.- To ensure a high standard of nursing care is performed at all times and assist in the reviewand regular update of these standards.-Ability to recognise and respond appropriately to changes in the patients condition and safety.-Adhere to all Trust Policies to maintain professional, clinical and patient safety.-Ability to administer oral drugs safely and independently and that they are administered in linewith the NMC and Trust Policy guidelines.-Be aware of the principles of infection control and the prevention of cross infection in relationto patient care and the clinical environment.
-Be able to communicate basic care information and answer queries to patients, theirrelatives/carers and the multidisciplinary team members.-To undertake intravenous drug therapy administration following a training programme whichwill assess the competencies and practical levels required to achieve safe working within the Trust policies and procedures.-Care and control of medication and controlled drugs used for patient care, being aware of the systems used for safe administration and the ordering and maintenance of stock. Education, Training & Development - Participate in clinical training including teaching and supervision of new staff, unqualifiedstaff and student nurses in the ward environment- Undertake a minimum of once yearly appraisal with the ward manager for development planning-Advise patients and relatives /visitors to the ward with regard to control of infection.-Advise on the promotion of health and prevention of illness. Management Responsibilities -To manage the maintenance of an acceptable environment for patients, reporting andtaking appropriate action on hazards and faulty equipment.-To report incidents using the Trust electronic incident reporting system.-Management of patients with regard to their nursing /clinical needs as directed by the nurse in charge.-Report to and request advice from the nurse in charge of the ward in regard to patient care when appropriate.-Ensure that communication is used effectively, both written and verbal, in the interest of patient care and with the multidisciplinary team-To contribute to the discharge planning of patients informing the discharge team of issues and patient /relative requirements/requests.
-Ensure that the ward environment is well maintained, clean and safe. Report hazards to thenurse in charge acting to prevent further danger to staff and patients.-To be economic in the use of ward stocks and clinical requisitions, avoiding waste wherever possible.-To be courteous and helpful to patients, families/carers, colleagues and all users to thetrust.
- Have basic computer skills and be able to access patient details and reports via the Trusts IT systems-To take charge as required in the absence of the person with continuing responsibility forthe ward/department. Only after completion of preceptorship programme and local induction period. Professional and Legal Responsibilities
-To be conversant with policies and procedures relating to Fire and Health and Safety.-To report all accidents and complaints in accordance with agreed policies and assist ininvestigations of complaints and accidents as required.
-Maintain professional portfolio.- Maintain clinical study to fulfil professional registration and show evidence of continuing professional development.-To uphold the principles of the NMC code of professional conduct.-To be conversant with all the Nursing policies and Procedures. Care and Compassion -The post holder must be able to actively demonstrate and proactively deliver effective and personal care, which is safe for the patients, in a calm and compassionate manner to every patient, everytime. This should be at the core of all planning which actively involves the patient and where appropriate, their relatives /carers.
-With the ability to escalate areas of interprofessional andmultiagency care concerns to the ward manager, Matron or Deputy/Chief Nurse in a timely This job may involve the manual handling of heavy loads, for which training will be given. If there is any reason why you should not do this, it is your responsibility to inform your manager immediately.
Person Specification
Knowledge
Essential
8. NMC registered
9. Degree in related specialty
Desirable
10. Post graduate course/studies
Skill
Essential
11. Evidence of CPD
Desirable
12. Mentoring and teaching qualification
13. Intermediate Life Support
Experience
Essential
14. Experience in acute hospital setting
15. IV medication administration
Desirable
16. Ability to perform Venepuncture & Cannulation
Communications
Essential
17. Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communications skills
18. Demonstrates the ability to undertake challenging conversations
Desirable
19. Knowledge of patient administration systems ( IPM, ICE, Nervcentre)