Job overview
The Transplant Unit at Harefield Hospital is looking to recruit a Band 7 Senior Sister / Charge Nurse. We are looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic individual. You should possess strong leadership skills with the ability to work independently and as part of a team. Knowledge in caring for Cardiothoracic transplant patients is essential.
The hours are hours per week, week days and weekends.
Main duties of the job
To be a professional role model, leading and co-ordinating the nursing team on the Transplant Unit. Taking continuing responsibility and accountability for the 24-hour management and organisation of the Unit. This involves managing a wide range of complex and sometimes conflicting priorities.
Provide expert specialist nursing advice Trust wide to support and facilitate high quality, individualised care to patients / clients and relatives/carers in collaboration with the multi professional team, in line with the local and national targets. Being able to provide expert knowledge in the care of cardiothoracic transplant patients and those with ventricular assist devices.
To investigate and manage staff issues that relate to sickness and absence, poor performance, harassment, disciplinary and grievance issues using the relevant Trust policies and in liaison with your Directorate management team, implement recommendations for action.
Participate in the Trusts appraisal and personal development plan schemes by meeting with the manager at least annually and to take the perform appraisals on a delegated group of staff and to ensure personal development plans for individuals.
Working for our organisation
The Transplant Unit has 34 beds on 2 wards with a number of HDU beds. We care for patients pre and post cardiothoracic transplantation, as well as those with end stage heart or respiratory failure and patients requiring a ventricular assist device.
Within our HDU we care for patient requiring invasive monitoring, respiratory weaning using NIV ventilation and renal replacement therapies.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
To provide sound clinical leadership and develop support mechanisms for sharing good practice within the Ward/Department and Trust wide.
Monitor the quality of nursing care and action audit information to achieve agreed standards and take the lead on customer care initiatives.
Takes the lead in ensuring the provision of care is in accordance with the Trust’s Polices & procedures.
In conjunction with the staff team, to lead in developing, implementing, evaluating and maintaining a Ward/Departmental ethos and a standard approach to the delivery of excellent nursing care.
To act as patient advocate in line with the NHS plan and to actively apply in depth knowledge of holistic/socio-economic and cultural aspects of the care to clients within your specific speciality, acting as a role model and resource for patients, relatives and staff.
Assess, plan, implement and evaluate programmes of care, actively seeking evidence based practice which will support clinical outcomes as appropriate.
Person specification
EDUCATION & QUALIFICATIONS
Essential criteria
1. Degree
2. Relevant post registration course
Desirable criteria
3. Leadership course
EXPERIENCE & KNOWLEDGE
Essential criteria
4. Experience caring for cardiothoracic transplant patients, heart and respiratory failure patients and patients with mechanical circulatory support devices.
5. Excellent level of English language demonstrated through effective written and verbal communication
Desirable criteria
6. Experience of caring for patients with ventricular assist devices / impella
SKILLS & ABILITIES
Essential criteria
7. Ability to work independently and as part of the MDT
8. Demonstrates evidence of applying current research to practice
9. Experience in auditing
10. Able to manage difficult situations effectively
11. Leadership skills
12. Proven oral and written communication skills
Desirable criteria
13. Demonstrate commitment through involvement in Trust wide initiatives/ committees.
14. Understanding of relevant IT packages
Guy’s and St Thomas’ celebrates, respects and values the diversity of its staff and patients. We review our policies, procedures and practices to ensure that all employees, patients and carers are treated equitable according to their needs. We are actively committed to ensuring that no one who applies for a job, works or study’s at the Trust, or accesses our services is discriminated against on the grounds of race, ethnicity, nationality, disability, religion or belief, age, gender identity, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity/paternity, or marital/civil partnership.