Staff Nurse - Critical Care Unit

Job overview

An excellent development opportunity has arisen for Registered Nurses to join the Critical Care Team.

The Critical Care Unit is located on Ward 4E, and is a purpose built department with state of the art facilities. The Unit is funded for 14 beds – 8 level 3 patients, and 6 level 2 patients.

The department is committed to the ongoing development of its service, in supporting improvement within its service provision. The professional development of our staff is important to us, with an established programme in place for new staff supported by the Practice Development Nurse.

The post holder should be committed to providing first class care to all patients, and are desired to have previous experience or knowledge of working within the Critical Care environment.

An Enhanced DBS barred lists for both Adults & Children is required for this post.

Main duties of the job

• To provide/develop skills and competence in caring for critically ill patients requiring level 2 and 3 care
• Adhere to the trust 5-star patient care, nursing strategy and the values of 6 C
• Promote a safe working environment in accordance with risk management principles
• Liaise with senior medical staff to provide a high-quality service to critical care patients and their familie
• Following completion of critical care competencies (18 months) supervise staff, identify their development needs and act as a mentor
• Provide advice and clinical practice in advanced support systems within the critical care environment
• Support staff in noncritical care areas as required
• Work collaboratively with the multi-disciplinary team and maximise the best use of resources

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

KEY DUTIES

• To provide/develop skills and competence in caring for critically ill patients requiring level 2 and 3 care
• Adhere to the trust 5-star patient care, nursing strategy and the values of 6 Cs
• Promote a safe working environment in accordance with risk management principles
• Liaise with senior medical staff to provide a high-quality service to critical care patients and their families
• Following completion of critical care competencies (18 months) supervise staff, identify their development needs and act as a mentor
• Provide advice and clinical practice in advanced support systems within the critical care environment
• Support staff in noncritical care areas as required
• Work collaboratively with the multi-disciplinary team and maximise the best use of resources

CLINICAL & PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Maintain Professional Registration
• Adhere to NMC Code of Conduct
• Provide/develop the skills in caring for critically ill patient requiring level 2 and 3 care.
• Ensure patient records are maintained and documentation reflects care that is given.
• Involve patients/carers/relatives in the planning and delivery of services within critical care.
• Promote and maintain effective communication, deliver sensitive/unpleasant/complex information in a caring compassionate manner.
• Recognise and respond appropriately to urgent and emergency situations.
• Liaise with the medical and multidisciplinary team to ensure a high-quality service for critically ill patients and their families
• Following completion of critical care competencies supervise staff identifying their development needs and act as a mentor.
• Provide advice and clinical practice in advanced system support within the critical care environment.
• Independently/under supervision perform comprehensive assessments of critically ill patients. Plan, implement and evaluate care delivery according to changing health needs and varying levels of complexity.
• Undertake/develop skills to undertake specialist nursing care in accordance with the Scope of Professional Practice
• Administration of intravenous drugs and titration of inotropic support
• Setting of ventilator parameters to optimise ventilation or weaning, including safe delivery of advanced respiratory support – IPPV, HFOV, BIPAP/CPAP
• Rotational therapy / proning
• Actively record and interpret observations, including performing blood gas analysis in accordance to patient condition and respond appropriately
• Effectively monitor haemodynamically, both non-invasive and invasive – performing and analysing cardiac output calculations
• Renal replacement therapy – including setting up / implementation / monitoring and completion of haemodialysis / haemofiltration / plasmapheresis.
• Ensure that equipment is in safe working order and complies to the Health and Safety at Work Act / HE1 98

ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Ensure accurate documentation in assessment, planning, implementation and evaluating care of critically ill patients.
• Ensure completion of key patient electronic systems ie.CIS, ADT, e-discharge, e-VTE
• Ensure compliance with policies, procedures and clinical guidelines for self and others.
• Report untoward incidents in accordance with trust policy and the datix system.
• Respond in accordance with trust guidelines to patient and relatives’ complaints

TEACHING & TRAINING RESPONSIBILITIES

• Following completion of critical care competencies (18 months) supervise staff identifying their development needs and act as a mentor.
• Attend trust induction and mandatory training.
• Promote an effective learning environment.
• Clinically support staff in achieving their work-based competencies.
• Act as a mentor / preceptor to nursing staff.
• In role of mentor / preceptor, review staff performance and address issues of poor performance / competence.
• Continue to develop own knowledge through training, education and professional updates.
• Provide advice and clinical practice in advanced systems within the critical care environment

LINE MANAGEMENT/SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Act as an effective role model and demonstrate leadership skills.
• Report any untoward incident/complaint/concern liaising with the lead nurse as appropriate.
• Create a climate conducive to the practice of high standards of care. Ensure that the safety and care of patients, visitors and staff is a priority.
• Represent critical care in in external/internal meetings as required

FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

• Ensure effective and efficient use of both physical and financial resources

RESEARCH & AUDIT

• Participate in activities that lead to service improvement, through benchmarking, audit or research.
• Encourage the use of new nursing techniques that are based on current evidence.
• Assist in research projects in conjunction with Lead Nurse / Clinical Director and research nurses.