Job overview
The post holder will deliver care that is in keeping with Bedfordshire hospital’s vision. This is to deliver the best patient care, with the best clinical knowledge and expertise, using the best technology available and with kindness and understanding from all staff.
To put the patient first
To focus on continuous improvement in the pursuit of excellence
To see the diversity of our people as a strength
To value the contribution of staff, volunteers, members, governors and other partners and stakeholders
Top manage our resources in a coordinate way
To accept responsibility for our actions, individually and collectively
Will assess, plan and evaluate the educational needs of the nursing team, and put in place educational programmes that benefit personal development of individuals and that of the department and the service as a whole.
Will focus on and facilitate the educational and developmental needs of the workforce so enabling staff to be more effective. Will ensure mandatory and statutory training are in line with clinical governance requirements.
The post holder is responsible for managing their time to work flexibly to fulfil the roles of clinical co-ordinator and Lead Nurse. This may include periods of rostering themselves supernumerary
Main duties of the job
PDN Responsibilities
Will create a sound culture of learning, throughout the department by using a training needs analysis approach, developing educational programmes to all clinical staff via a clinical governance pathway.
Will be responsible for the continuing development of evolving competency-based frameworks for all bands of clinical staff, monitoring and evaluating their effectiveness, and will support all clinical staff in their delivery of nursing care in collaboration with the multi-disciplinary team.
Will provide educational direction, guidance and access to range of learning opportunities for all students, learners and new members for maximum learning, by enhancing personal development, through framework of knowledge skills, educational programmes and support, of those who assume the role of mentor/co-mentor.
Will participate in student nurse/learner/new staff teaching and support.
Will keep updated a database for all mandatory training, continued professional development and degree training, with attendance, completion and feedback.
Will ensure that agreed Standards are followed to provide a safe environment for both babies and families/relatives and staff.
Will facilitate and participate in research projects, sharing and comparing evidence based best practice and use findings to change practice where appropriate.
Will deliver educational programmes in relation to clinical practice and professional development to support service delivery.
Working for our organisation
Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. It is an exciting time at the Luton and Dunstable University Hospital as maternity, neonatal, critical care and theatre services will be moving to the brand new Acute Services Block (ASB) and New Ward Block in Autumn 2025. Care will be delivered in modern, uplifting and fit for purpose environments and will enhance the patient experience.
You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career.
Our values
We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience - we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. We achieve this by using values based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and creating a culture that values differences.
Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Clinical Responsibilities
Take responsibility for the assessment of care needs, the development, implementation and evaluation of programmes of care and rehabilitation for children and their families.
Explore more efficient and effective ways of providing a high standard of family centred care and utilisation of resources.
In conjunction with the staff develop a mechanism for setting goals and benchmarking standards of care. Develop tools to improve the quality of the service and co-ordinate clinical services across the ward/dept.
Support systems for sharing good practice within the ward/dept and trust wide.
Pilot clinical programmes.
Plan and implement a programme for clinical supervision for all registered nurses working in the ward/dept.
Rotational to transitional care
PDN Responsibilities
Will create a sound culture of learning, throughout the department by using a training needs analysis approach, developing educational programmes to all clinical staff via a clinical governance pathway.
Will be responsible for the continuing development of evolving competency-based frameworks for all bands of clinical staff, monitoring and evaluating their effectiveness, and will support all clinical staff in their delivery of nursing care in collaboration with the multi-disciplinary team.
Will provide educational direction, guidance and access to range of learning opportunities for all students, learners and new members for maximum learning, by enhancing personal development, through framework of knowledge skills, educational programmes and support, of those who assume the role of mentor/co-mentor.
Will participate in student nurse/learner/new staff teaching and support.
Will keep updated a database for all mandatory training, continued professional development and degree training, with attendance, completion and feedback.
Will ensure that agreed Standards are followed to provide a safe environment for both babies and families/relatives and staff.
Will facilitate and participate in research projects, sharing and comparing evidence based best practice and use findings to change practice where appropriate.
Will deliver educational programmes in relation to clinical practice and professional development to support service delivery.
Managerial Responsibilities
Lead the ward/dept team by an appropriate management style to maintain good morale and a team approach to work:
Deploy/book staff to meet the workload with an appropriate skill mix for 24 hour cover.
Hold and maintain the designated budget.
Influence control of overall ward/dept expenditure.
Ensure regular risk assessments are carried out to identify clinical risks and prevent incidents.
Monitor the capability, competence, sickness and absence of staff.
Ensure compliance to trust policies and procedures amongst the multi-disciplinary team
Obtain and analyse statistical information for the area of practice.
Ensure the accurate input of data to I.T. systems.
Manage stores and supplies for the area of practice.
Ensure the proper use of and maintenance of equipment.
Lead in the selection, interviewing and monitoring of staff.
Attend and contribute actively to relevant meetings (e.g. ward manager and unit meetings) and working parties.
Act up for the Lead nurse
Take responsibility and lead on designate tasks in key areas care
Support band 6 staff with shift leadership and professional development.
Education, Training and Development of Staff
Guide and support staff in their professional development and clinical competence.
Reviewing and managing the performance of all staff by identifying their educational and other needs, annual IPR and objectives.
Will ensure competency based educational programmes are in place, regarding the safe use/cleaning/storage/repair and proper use of equipment by all members of the clinical staff.
Will work in collaboration with Senior Nurse, Senior Clinical Ward Sisters, medical staff and the wider multidisciplinary team in providing professional support and advice for regular review of local guidelines, Trust policies and standards in relation to practice.
Will work in partnership with the Senior Nursing Team to identify and facilitate nursing research audits within the department. Use results to facilitate improvements in practice and documentation by all staff.
Will be proactive in identifying, preventing, recording, documenting, reflecting, evaluating, action planning risk/incidents and above all promoting a culture of practiced risk assessment, within the department via a clinical governance pathway.
Ensuring the orientation of staff and preceptorship in in-service training.
Promote, encourage and participate in research, audit and studies related to the area of practice.
Implement ward teaching programmes.
Guide and support staff in the monitoring and assessment for all learners in the clinical area.
In liaison with universities, provide a successful learning environment for students.
Participate in a ‘shadowing’ programme of the senior nurse.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
1. Registered Midwife or Nurse
2. QIS trained with at least 3 years consolidation of learning
3. Current NLS training
4. Practice Assessor
Desirable criteria
5. Leadership training/Course or desire to develop
6. Research experience
7. Quality Improvement Projects
Skills
Essential criteria
8. Good interpersonal and communication skills with a multidisciplinary team
9. Clear, concise written skills.
10. Good level of IT ie Email/Internet/ excel spreadsheet, power point and word
11. Teaching, training or supervising skills
12. Time management skills
13. Effective team working
Desirable criteria
14. Project leadership skills
Experience
Essential criteria
15. Substantial time working in Neonatal unit
16. Designing and implementing training programmes on NICU
17. Experience in change management and/or quality improvement initiatives
Desirable criteria
18. Evidence of involvement in project management
19. Experience in leading Nurse Education on a level 3 NICU
Knowledge
Essential criteria
20. Knowledge of teaching and learning
21. Able to evaluate and analyse results of audit in order to improve the service
22. Knowledge of National Neonatal policies & guidelines
23. Fully aware of the children’s Act & National/Local Safeguarding Children Board legislation
Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.