Job overview
The Acute Assessment Unit is a 22 bedded AAU admitting patients referred by their GP’s and the Emergency Department. Here patients are assessed with rapid access to the diagnostic services and plans of care quickly developed. Patients remain within the unit for a maximum of 48 hours and are admitted into specialty wards or discharged home. Same Day Emergency Care Service also operates from within AAU.
If you are looking to gain experience in a variety of medical conditions and great opportunities for professional development, this is the perfect role for you.
Main duties of the job
To manage the day to day running of the department, ensuring an effective and efficient nursing service within available resources. To ensure 24 hour provision of high quality patient centred care. To act as link between the department and other areas of the Care Group and the Trust. To lead the department in the development of Care Group, Trust and NHS initiatives. To create and maintain a positive learning environment in the department for the multidisciplinary team.
Working for our organisation
Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust is a large acute hospital Trust in the county of Kent.
The Trust provides a full range of general hospital services and some areas of specialist complex care to around 760,000 people living in the south part of West Kent and the north part of East Sussex.
The Trust’s core catchment areas are Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells and their surrounding boroughs. We work from two main clinical sites: Maidstone Hospital and Tunbridge Wells Hospital at Pembury. Tunbridge Wells Hospital opened in 2011 and provides single rooms with en-suites for all in-patients – the first of its kind in the country.
We employ more than 7,000 full and part-time staff in a huge range of clinical and non-clinical roles across both of our hospital sites.
Would you like to work flexibly? In the NHS, we are reminded every day of how important life is. As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us, for our patients and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Once your pre-employment checks have been completed you will be contacted by Recruitment to arrange your start date which will be in line with one of our Corporate Inductions.
Following your Corporate Induction you will be expected to attend the Trust’s 2-week Induction Programme for RNs, NAs, RMs, ODPs and Paramedics. The programme is full-time (please email if this is problematic) and will involve travel to both Trust sites. The programme includes supernumerary shifts in the clinical area, classroom-based sessions and e-learning.
Please note that appointment to this post will be subject to a satisfactory Disclosure & Barring Service Check at Enhanced Level. (Enhanced level now includes regulated checks against vulnerable adults and children)
At MTW, we seek to develop a culture where everyone can reach their full potential with opportunities to grow and develop their career. We recognise and value the unique contributions that each of our staff bring, delivering the best quality care and service to our patients. We are committed to being a diverse employer and strive to reflect everyone in our local communities. We welcome applications from people of diverse backgrounds, perspectives and experiences and celebrate the diversity of thought, viewpoints and ideas that will make our Trust the best place to work.
Interview Date: To be confirmed.
Person specification
Skills
Essential criteria
1. Excellent communication skills, verbal and written
2. Excellent interpersonal skills
3. Leadership skills
4. Evidence of problem solving and decision making skills
5. Adaptable and flexible
6. Demonstrates initiative and innovative practice
7. Ability to facilitate change management
8. Ability to be reflective, accept criticism and act constructively
9. Compiling comprehensive duty rota for nursing and ancillary staff
Desirable criteria
10. Recruitment and selection skills
11. Involvement in standard setting and audit
12. Computer/IT skills
Qualifications
Essential criteria
13. RGN
14. Degree level
15. Teaching/Mentorship qualification e.g. ENB 998 or equivalent
Desirable criteria
16. Evidence of continuing education at Master’s level
17. Advanced Life Support provider/other courses of similar calibre
Experience
Essential criteria
18. Experience in medicine at band 6 (or equivalent) within acute medicine
19. IV drug therapy, IV cannulation & venepuncture skills
20. Expert clinician