registered nurse United Kingdom
Job description
The Paediatric Assessment Unit (PAU) at the Southend site is a six bedded area; isolation cubicle and treatment room that caters for children aged 0-16. Children are referred to the PAU for clinical assessment and/or treatment of surgical, medical or orthopaedic conditions from varied sources, including GP’s, A&E, and Community Midwives. The Unit is in close proximity to the 16 bed Paediatric Ward that is also separately managed.
The Paediatric Assessment Unit are looking to recruit a Band 5 Nurse who will assist the Manager and fellow staff in the provision and maintenance of a seamless service & highest quality care to patients in accordance with Clinical Governance.
They will assist senior nursing staff in the assessment, planning, delivery and evaluation of paediatric care for the children and young people who attend the Paediatric Assessment Unit (PAU) from their initial attendance through to discharge or admission to the inpatient ward.
The Nurse will collaboratively function as part of the multi-disciplinary team within the Paediatric Department working within the Trust's policies and procedures. The Nurse is expected to work with and support the Paediatric Directorate as a whole, inclusive of Paediatric Outpatient Department, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), Neptune Children’s Ward and the Emergency Department.
The main duties of the Paediatric Band 5 role in PAU include to assess, plan and evaluate safe and competent family-centred care to babies, children and teenagers throughout the assessment unit. The nurse will work as part of the multidisciplinary team ensuring the delivery of a high standard of holistic individualised nursing care.
It is an essential requirement that the nurse will take reasonable care of the cleanliness of their working environment, adhere to infection control policies, procedures and guidelines in particular ensuring that you use appropriate hand hygiene practices at all times.
The post holder will adhere to the NMC code of Professional Conduct at all times and ensure compliance with hospital policies and procedures, as well as participate in all relevant aspects of the Governance process.
It is expected that the Nurse as a reflective practitioner will continue to develop their own capabilities and nursing knowledge in line with the trusts career pathway where education is supported. The Nurse will ensure they maintain an up-to-date portfolio of evidence.
Please note that this role will include working shift patterns including weekends, nights and bank holidays.
Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust is now one of the largest trusts in the country, serving a population of 1.2 million people. Our newly formed Trust, comprising acute hospital sites at Broomfield in Chelmsford, Basildon and Southend, is determined to provide the best health services for its local population. We are a well-led, high-performing and innovative organisation working in the best interests of the people we serve.
With a workforce of approximately 15,000 staff, we can now do more and go further in delivering health services to our local communities.
Patients will experience improved care as well as fewer delays and cancellations. We are able to provide more once-in-a-lifetime specialist care region-wide. With our new trust size will come more opportunities for development, research, networking and innovation.
We aim to make the most of our skills and experiences so we can become the best we can be. As one organisation we will recruit the finest and retain more specialist staff due to more employment opportunities across our Trust.
Our ambition is to deliver excellent local and specialist services, to improve the health and wellbeing of our patients, and provide a vibrant place for staff to develop, innovate and build careers.
The job description below lists the main duties but is not exhaustive and will be regularly reviewed with the post holder. The post holder may be required to carry out other relevant duties as required and will be expected to work to any Directorate objectives and standards set to provide an acceptable level of service.
Communication
- To establish effective communication with children/young people, parents and siblings who attend the Paediatric Assessment Unit (PAU)
- Liaise and communicate with all members of the multidisciplinary team on matters affecting patient care.
- To act as an advocate for the child/young person in all discussions relating to Paediatric services
- To ensure the experiences and views of child/young person and parents/carers are listened to.
- Prioritise care delivery within the PAU setting, acknowledging the impact of the decision on other departments and ensuring patient flow is maintained
- To undertake and record patient observations using the Patient Early Warning Score (PEWS) and escalate any concerns in a timely manner.
- To identify and make direct referrals to other health professionals and agencies according to individual patient needs.
- Be familiar with the steps taken when a medical or untoward incidents arise, and escalate and act accordingly
- To be aware of current developments required by professional bodies.
- Make a thorough assessment of the patient’s needs (including risk assessments) according to an agreed model and document in accordance with Trust policy
- Facilitate the implementation of all planned nursing actions, evaluate these actions and update care in accordance with the changing needs of the patient
- To be competent to work within a team to deliver care based on the needs of patients and their families to maintain continuity
- To maintain accurate and up to date records on the patients care at all times, including all discussions on care and information given. Ensuring the safekeeping and storage of all confidential materials
- To undertake clinical duties covering a 24 hour service
- To maintain competencies in dealing with emergency situations, and to adapt according to the environment
- Learn and perform new skills in relation to the Paediatric Assessment Unit specialty
- To measure the effect of nursing care by participating in the quality assurance cycle, including the development of practice guidelines, protocols, policies and clinical audit.
- Positively contribute to the process of change within the PAU.
- To contribute to meeting high standards of care, including the reporting of untoward incidents and ensuring compliance with the Risk Management Strategy
- To be aware of, and comply with Trust policies, protocols and guidelines
- Assist children, young people and their families in understanding and education with regard to the care, treatment, management and health promotion issues following admission to the assessment unit.
- Will be expected to work to any Directorate objectives and standards set in order to provide an acceptable level of service
- To hold current registration on the relevant part of the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) register
- To maintain and uphold The Code (NMC,2018)
- To develop an understanding of resource implications, including ensuring equipment is working and safe
- To restock ward areas as required reporting any shortages to PAU Manager/Housekeeper.
- To contribute to the maintenance of high staff morale and good working relationships with all members of the multidisciplinary team.
- To actively participate in the maintenance and enhancement of the friendly, caring, safe and supportive environment of the Unit.
- Positively contribute to the process of change within the PAU, including new ways of working and when required new areas of working.
- Use IT systems effectively, e.g data collection, patient records and investigation requests
- In liaison with the Multi-Disciplinary Team, ensure compliance to all current information and Clinical Governance policies.
- Demonstrate a commitment to the use of information technology in nursing
