Job overview
University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust Brighton is looking for enthusiastic, motivated and committed Registered General Nurses to cover maternity leave for 12 months & work with Stroke Nurse Specialist (SNS) Team to support the stroke provision Sussex wide reconfiguration of services.
We are looking to employ a qualified nurse with knowledge of stroke care & health policies relating to stroke with experience as a Band 6 nurse. You will need to have experience of and able to administer thrombolysis and support a patient during a thrombectomy procedure. some training will be given to the successful candidate on Patient video triage and managing the TIA Clinic.
Based on the hyper acute Stroke ward you would be part of a team of SNS who are responsible 24/7 for managing a cohort of patients referred for specialist intervention.
This involves attending stroke emergencies, assessing & assisting with direct care for patients requiring thrombolysis &/or thrombectomy treatment. You will be participating in the pre alert system trial of video triaging patients in Sussex prior to transfer to hospital. Run TIA screening & support stroke consultants in clinics. Assist with data collection for audit & evaluating effectiveness of the service.
A Successful candidate for this job should be an RGN with a current NMC registration, have experience as a Band 6 nurse & experience / knowledge of stroke care and be able to work shifts that include weekends & nights.
Main duties of the job
1. To respond immediately to acute stroke emergencies within ED and across all inpatient ward areas.
2. Assisting the medical team to access acute stroke emergency cases as to suitability for thrombolysis / thrombectomy.
3. Cannulating patients, performing venepuncture, ECG’s and neurological observations with NIHSS assessments.
4. Closely monitoring the GCS and vital signs of acute stroke emergencies and rapidly communicating concerns.
5. Navigating acute stroke emergencies through the agreed Pathway in a timely manner, ensuring all necessary investigations are processed and reviewed
6. Accompanying acute emergencies to CT scanning departments.
7. Commencing agreed treatment with thrombolysis agents and closely monitoring the effects. Provide care, information and psychological support to the patient and next of kin.
8. Transferring patients from the emergency care centre to the neuroradiology department for the thrombectomy pathway or the hyper acute stroke ward
9. Provide direct nursing care to patients undergoing thrombolysis
10. To be competent in coordinating the TIA screening service according to agreed protocols.
11. To provide reports and summaries on individual patients as required.
12. To attend and participate in team meetings, stroke, thrombolysis and thrombectomy governance.
13. To promptly answer video triage IPad whilst maintaining confidentiality, completing appropriate documentation and post call actions
Working for our organisation
At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always deliver Excellent Care Everywhere, as shown in our Outstanding for Caring CQC rating. 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 3) and a Veteran Aware Trust.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
This vacancy is advertised as a time-limited opportunity is expected to be undertaken on a secondment basis.
Before applying, employees must discuss the opportunity with their current line manager to confirm whether they may be released from their substantive role if successful. Release to undertake a secondment is not an automatic entitlement and must be agreed by all relevant parties: the employee, their current line manager, and the recruiting line manager.
14. Under the direction of the Stroke Team Leader, manage a cohort of patients referred for specialist intervention, care and support within the Hyper Acute stroke service.
15. To work as part of a team of specialist stroke nurses, providing acute thrombolysis service, thrombectomy service, and TIA screening.
16. To work closely with the ward team, supporting with education, attending ward handovers, MDT meetings, clinical governance.
17. To assist in the development of the thrombolysis, thrombectomy service and it moves forward with its 5 year growth plan as the regional territory unit for Sussex.
18. Run TIA screening and clinics.
19. Participate in data collection for audit activity developing auditing methodologies to monitor the effectiveness thrombolysis and of the thrombolysis pathway, especially nursing components.
20. To participate in Nurse lead video triage and assist in the assessment and agreed actions post call with the ambulance crew.
Please refer to job description and person Specification .
Person specification
Experience/Qualifications
Essential criteria
21. NMC
22. Experience in stroke
23. Mentorship/Teaching qualification.
Desirable criteria
24. stroke module
25. cannulation & venepuncture
26. attended stroke calls in ED
27. stroke ward experience
Equality and Diversity
Essential criteria
28. Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
29. Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role)
Important information for applicants:
A Note on AI Use in Applications
We value the individuality and authenticity that each candidate brings to the application process. While AI tools are increasingly accessible, we strongly discourage their use in completing your application. Your responses should reflect your own voice, experiences, and motivations—elements that are essential to a fair and accurate evaluation.
Applications that rely heavily on AI-generated content may misrepresent your abilities and could result in your application being rejected. We encourage you to take the time to present your genuine self, as this helps us better understand your potential and ensures a transparent selection process.
Closing Adverts Early: In the event of exceptional interest, we may close adverts earlier than specified.
Some of our adverts are capped for a limited number of applications; therefore, the advert will close once the cap has been reached. We therefore encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible if you are interested in the position to prevent you from missing out on applying for the opportunity.
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 the roles that meet the Visa and Immigrations eligibility criteria. For further information please visit the gov.uk website searching for Skilled Worker. It is your responsibility as the applicant to ensure that you meet this criteria.
UHSussex reserves the right to close the role early if we receive a high volume of applications