Job Summary
We are pleased to offer a permanent job opportunity within the Bladder and Bowel Team. We are looking for Adult Nurses with an interest in improving bladder and bowel care to join the team.
About the Team
The post holder will be based in the Bladder and Bowel Service, a small, friendly specialist team at Bensham Hospital covering the Gateshead area. The team works Monday‑Friday between 8 am and 5 pm.
The aim of this Band 5 post is to improve patient outcomes by providing continence assessments and treatment following NICE guidelines.
Responsibilities
The post involves working alongside the specialist nursing team and may include:
* Undertaking continence assessments and giving evidence‑based advice to treat bladder and bowel problems in patient homes (including residential care), face‑to‑face clinics and via telephone consultations.
* Reviewing requests from residential homes and making decisions on the most appropriate continence products to provide.
* Delivering training in care homes for care staff, including general continence care and continence assessments.
* Undertaking TWOCs and supporting patients discharged from hospital with catheters in situ with a view to TWOC.
* Case review of complex catheter patients, aiming to reduce issues such as recurrent blockage.
* Work as part of the Bladder and Bowel team to deliver the best outcomes for patients and their families.
* Assess, plan, implement and evaluate care.
* Deliver hands‑on clinical care to patients registered with a Gateshead GP.
* Motivate and support the team approach to delivering new innovative models of care across pathways and providers as defined by the business unit.
* Ensure systems and processes are in place to maintain patient safety.
* Contribute to the evaluation of clinical practice within community nursing by monitoring standards of care and ensuring that nursing practice is audited and research‑based and supports the clinical governance framework.
* Work in partnership and an integrated approach to quality issues so that every member of the team contributes and is aware of their responsibility in this area.
* Facilitate and ensure a safe, efficient, and effective pathway for patients using the service.
* Contribute and participate in teaching packages for new staff members and students.
Qualifications & Experience
* Diploma or degree in Adult Nursing.
* NMC Registered Nurse.
* At least 2 years post‑registration experience.
* Portfolio of evidence of ongoing professional development and willingness to undertake further study and specialist training to develop safe and effective practice.
* Excellent IT skills.
* Interest in bladder and bowel dysfunction and continence promotion.
* Experience of working in an NHS provider service as part of a team.
* Excellent communication and organisational skills.
* Displays Gateshead Health Trust values and beliefs.
* Car owner/driver capable of independent travel across Gateshead.
Desirable
* Experience of working in the community.
* Experience of working in a multi‑professional team.
* Experience within continence, bladder and bowel, urology or colorectal services.
* Leadership and/or management experience.
* Experience of working with the frail elderly.
* Experience of change management and service improvements.
* Experience of supporting clinical audit.
* Experience of clinical supervision.
* Excellent team player.
* Flexible approach to service delivery.Evidence of proactive multidisciplinary agency working and/or collaboration.
* Demonstrated leadership skills.
* Completion of practice supervisor and assessor programme.
Salary and Contract
Band 5 – £32,073 to £39,043 per annum. Permanent, full‑time contract. Working pattern: 8 am to 5 pm, Monday‑Friday.
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