Band6 CardiacIntensive Care Unit Deputy Sister / Charge Nurse
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a highly motivated, committed and enthusiastic intensive care nurse to join our dynamic Cardiac Intensive Care nursing team.
Our Cardiac Intensive Care Unit specialises in nurse led fast track recovery for elective and emergency cardiac surgery patients undergoing CABG, valve replacement and aortic dissection repair. The Unit is busy, dynamic and requires nurses that enjoy working in a fast paced and exciting environment. The unit also supports patients who require level 3 ongoing critical care interventions in the post-operative period.
We are looking for an individual who can manage and organise their time whilst leading a team. This post offers an excellent career progression opportunity for an experienced intensive care nurse. As the CICU Deputy Sister/ Charge nurse, you will be supervising the team and the quality of care delivered in the Unit, and coordinating the patients flow from theatres into CICU, and from CICU to the ward. You will act as an excellent role model, clinical practitioner and promote professional practice.
We welcome applications from those who currently hold a UK NMC registration. If you currently hold an overseas nursing qualification and require sponsorship we are not currently direct hiring Internationally Qualified Nurses.
Main duties of the job
To plan, provide and evaluate skilled evidence based care to support and facilitate the delivery of high quality, individualised care for L2 & L3 critically ill patients and their relatives/carers without supervision and in collaboration with the multi-disciplinary team
To lead and direct the nursing care of other junior nurses, students and HCA’s to maintain a high standard of excellent nursing care
To progress towards undertaking the shift leader role under the guidance of the nominated Team Leader and the Cardiac Surgery Clinical Educator
To support and develop colleagues by mentoring and assessing their skills and to promote clinical education
To be responsible for the continuing professional development and overall performance of a particular staff group and undertake performance developmental reviews/ appraisals
To fulfil Local / Trust requirements in specified audit / project work
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Clinical
* To lead in the provision of the highest standards of evidence based nursing care that is in accordance with BSUH, local and national policies and guidelines
* To be responsible for the safety of patients and quality of care delivered in one’s own workload and able to work independently being fully competent
* Assess, plan, implement and evaluate holistic programmes of patient care, by utilising and sufficiently maintaining care pathways/care plans used on the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit
* To act as the patient’s advocate and contribute to the provision of information to allow patient’s and their families to make informed decisions regarding their care
* Provide specialist, technical and clinical advice to patients, relatives and multidisciplinary teams
* Contribute to the multidisciplinary team working in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit, e.g. regularly reviewing specialist team recommendations and referring patients, when appropriate, to other members of the MDT
* To ensure the safe, smooth and efficient handover from theatre and anaesthetic staff of patients admitted following cardiac surgery
* Confidently deal with emergency situations, including postoperative tamponade where a resternotomy may need to be performed, taking the lead until medical staff arrive, using management skills to direct care according to the situation.
* Ensure that nursing documentation is maintained to the Trust’s standards (including electronic records)
* Ensure that staff adhere to NMC Code of Conduct and guidelines
* Work in accordance with the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit philosophy
Management and leadership
* To act as a clinical role model to all members of staff
* To lead, support and direct the nursing care of other junior nurses, students and HCA’s to maintain a high standard of excellent nursing care
* Develop management and leadership skills by undertaking the Band 6 Development Programme and Shift leader competencies
* After a period of training undertake the shift coordinator/Nurse in Charge role and complete relevant competencies
* Plan shift and ensure staff allocation is able to safely meet individual patient’s clinical needs whilst providing learning opportunities for staff and utilising resources effectively
* Prioritise unit workload and expected daily activity, liaising with other specialities as required
* Assist in implementing the elective surgery lists updating co-ordinator of any changes due to nursing shortfalls
* To be aware of and apply, where necessary the procedures surrounding patient/relative/staff complaints
* To report and act to rectify unsafe practices or unprofessional conduct
* Participate fully as a team member, sharing knowledge and information and supporting colleagues to promote a cohesive team and achieve objectives
* Contribute to the development of positive staff morale and team cohesiveness
* Use and maintain resources efficiently and effectively and encourages others to do the same. Inform senior nursing team of any of any potential or actual budgetary pressures or savings
* Help maintain adequate stocks and supplies such as medical, surgical and pharmaceutical
* Assist with the recruitment of staff including the interviewing and selection process. To be aware of factors that influence the retention process
Communication
* To maintain and promote effective communication within the multidisciplinary team on the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit. This involves all staff members and also includes relatives and patients
* Attend Team Away Days and Unit meetings in order to actively contribute, communicate and discuss new developments and issues with senior members of staff, also including junior staff members where appropriate
* Be responsible for effective shift handovers ensuring relevant detail is communicated and identify and challenge any unprofessional or subjective comments made about patients
* Participate in medical ward rounds showing a thorough knowledge of the patient’s medical history, current condition and recent clinical events being able to present this concisely, at the appropriate time, and in the appropriate manner
* To be involved in complex patient ‘case conferences’ when discussing future treatments for patients which could involve ’withdrawal of treatment’ in situations of poor prognosis
* To support families on a 1:1 basis using knowledge, experience and skill to explain complicated medical conditions.
* To provide and receive highly complex information on clinical conditions which could be sensitive and occasionally contentious.
* To guide relatives through withdrawal of treatment, tissue / organ donation in conjunction with relevant personnel e.g. Specialist Nurse for Organ Donation (SNOD), Transplant Co-ordinator, Trust personnel available for distressed / bereaved relatives
* To recognise poor standards of care among MDT and highlight these to appropriate personnel, at an appropriate time, and in an appropriate manner
* To be responsible for accurate, appropriate and efficient communication within nursing team
* Adhere to NMC guidelines on documentation; accountability and responsibility for accurate, professional record keeping either on paper and/ or the electronic system
* Display competent use of Trust e-mail and Metavision
Health, Safety and Security
* Maintain confidentiality of information at all times and has attended Trust Caldicott training
* Has attended all Local/Trust/National mandatory/statutory training with appropriate updates
* Ensure Health and Safety regulations are complied with
* Comply with and promote knowledge of health and safety regulations including safe and secure handling of medicines
* Maintain effective asepsis to reduce risk of cross infection through adherence to local / Trust infection control policies.
* Ensure safety checks / daily checks of equipment and take action when equipment malfunctions, and arrange for safe disposal / repair
* In conjunction with senior nursing staff provide a safe and suitable environment for the physical and psychological well being of staff, patients and their relatives/carers and report any concerns
* Challenge individuals who are not readily identifiable and is aware of the channels of report in the event of an intruder being seen
* Challenge individuals who put themselves or others at risk
* Aware of policies related to health and well-being of staff e.g. harassment, bullying, and aggression
Quality and Service Development
* To work in collaboration with Senior Nursing staff and Practice Educator and relevant Network groups in compiling and implementing clinical guidelines/competency documents, seeking to ensure consistent evidence-based practice
* Assist with clinical research/audit programmes implemented by nursing or medical staff
* Support on the implementation and evaluation of innovative treatment/intervention e.g. Care Bundles
* Deal effectively with complaints and grievances and plaudits, informing senior staff and suggesting any necessary changes
* Identify, undertake and evaluate innovation and developments of ideas within the Cardiac intensive Care Unit
* Involved in the setting of standards and guidelines for best practice within the Cardiac intensive Care Unit
* Implement recommendations made by the Trust Strategy for Nursing
* Act consistently with legislation, policies, procedures and other quality approaches and encourages others to do so.
* To be an identified link nurse/project worker/area of interest, initiating and monitoring quality review and maintenance of identified standards of care through audit and research.
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