Job overview
Whittington Health NHS Trust is seeking a Band 7 Practice Development Nurse / Sepsis Lead to join our medical specialty wards. We are looking for an experienced, forward-thinking, and clinically competent nurse who is motivated and passionate about practice development. In this role, you will work across a range of specialties to facilitate training and support the professional development of our diverse nursing workforce through both formal and informal teaching.
The post is for a highly experienced qualified nurse who wants to further their existing expertise and skills in nursing. They will be a clinically based expert practitioner who will strengthen the sepsis program for patients and service users across Whittington Health.
The post holder will be responsible for leading on the sepsis program. This will involve improving the experience of septic patients throughout the trust, establishing optimal levels of care and improved outcomes. Lead the development of a culture in the Trust where all clinical staff demonstrate high levels of alertness and effective and efficient responses to early signs of deterioration in patients with sepsis.
Main duties of the job
Act as lead nurse for sepsis and participate in the care of septic patients throughout the trust.Work with all clinical staff to identify and manage septic patients to ensure optimal nursing care is provided to patients requiring treatment for sepsis.Provide extensive clinical advice, support and education to clinical staff caring for septic patients. Non-Medical Prescriber (NMP) - Prescribe medication and fluids for patients under their care according to their competence and experience. Educate all members of clinical staff about sepsis. Work with all disciplines to develop guidelines, pathways and standards for the care for septic patients. Carry out data collection and analysis allowing audit and research on sepsis. Work in according to the NMC code of Professional Conduct and relevant professional guidelines in the delivery of care for septic patients. NMPs must adhere to the practice standards of proficiency for nurse and midwife prescribers. Participate in a development programme for new nurses, incorporating theoretical teaching, clinical skills assessment & formulation of personal development plans. Facilitates the professional development and education of all members of staff in a positive learning environment. The post holder will provide advice and guidance to other personnel, will undertake audit and assist with the development of professional policies, standards & best practice guidelines. Line management of band 6 PDN
Working for our organisation
Whittington Health serves a richly diverse population and works hard to ensure that all our services are fair and equally accessible to everyone. Nowhere is this more obvious than in the way we look after our staff. We aim to employ a workforce which is as representative as possible of this population, so we are open to the value of differences in age, disability, gender, marital status, pregnancy and maternity, race, sexual orientation, and religion or belief. The Trust believes that as a public sector organisation we have an obligation to have recruitment, training, promotion and other formal employment policies and procedures that are sensitive to these differences. We think that by doing so, we are better able to treat our patients as well as being a better place to work.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The successful applicant will act as a role model in a specialist capacity, by being visible, professional and available to all staff groups.
This post holder will function as part of a multidisciplinary team providing an expert level of care, whilst developing personal knowledge and promoting other’s knowledge of sepsis management
Empower staff in understanding the disturbances in physiology affecting the sick septic patient, recognising the clinical signs of deterioration and enhancement of skills in the interpretation of National Early Warning Score, implementation of oxygen therapy and management of fluid balance.
Address other factors known to affect a patients’ ability to receive appropriate and timely care including failure to seek advice, poor communication between professional groups and lack of clinical supervision for all staff in training
Educational
Work with the sepsis leads in developing and delivering a skills-based education programme aimed at improving identification and management of septic patients.
Inform and educate Trust staff about sepsis.
Work with the sepsis leads to develop guidelines, care guide pathways and standards in the care of patients with sepsis.
Maintain own professional, personal development and maintain expertiseCarry out informal teaching at the bedside on septic patients.
Provide formal teaching on wards for all staff on caring for septic patients and on hospital induction. This may include simulation training.
Develop information leaflet / electronic information for staff and patients
Assist in the organisation of sepsis education throughout trust. i.e. organise trainers, book rooms, plan teaching, send out letters to teams informing them about courses, set up on the day and carry out formal teaching during it.
Orientate, educate, and support new members of the sepsis team including new doctors in training.
See Job Description and Personal Specification for more details.
Person specification
Education / Qualifications
Essential criteria
1. Registered General Nurse (with current registration with NMC) and educated to degree level
2. Critical/acute care experience
3. Recognised teaching/mentorship qualification
4. Demonstrable theoretical and practical knowledge of Sepsis
Skills & Abilities
Essential criteria
5. Evidence of personal and professional development
6. Venepuncture and cannulation skills
7. Willingness to further develop clinical skills to an advanced level.
8. Relevant specialist course/s
Desirable criteria
9. Advanced history taking and assessment
10. Non-Medical prescribing
Knowledge & Experience
Essential criteria
11. Experience of working in critical care/acute care areas
12. Experience of delivering teaching to the multi - disciplinary team
13. Able to demonstrate the ability to develop new initiatives
14. Able to demonstrate the ability to manage change
15. Mentoring students and junior staff
PERSONAL QUALITIES
Essential criteria
16. Ability to work autonomously and part of a team
17. Facilitative style of working
18. Ability to work across teams and services
19. Ability to demonstrate personal and professional leadership skills
20. Positive role model
21. Ability to organise and manage own workload
Application numbers
This vacancy may close early if it receives a high number of applications. Please complete and submit your application in good time to avoid disappointment.