Band 5 Staff Nurse DOSA Unit Harefield Hospital Harefield, Middlesex, London

We have an exciting opportunity for a band 5 Nurse to work within the award-winning Day of Surgical Admission (DOSA) team at Harefield. The role will be working in the DOSA unit where you will be expected to assist with and prepare cardiac and thoracic patients for theatre. The role also requires that you will work in the DOSA pre-assessment clinics. As patients attend the unit on the morning of surgery you should expect to start work at 6:30/7am. The candidate will work closely with members of the multidisciplinary team including ANP's, other nurse specialists, and DOSA nursing staff in strengthening and developing this service. Communication and teamwork is important but you also need the ability and confidence to work alone on occasion. You will need to have a reliable work record, be enthusiastic and committed to providing patients and their families with a first-class service.

Main duties of the job

• DOSA unit is open 5 days a week to admit elective cardiac and thoracic surgical patients on the morning of their operation and to support nurse-led pre-assessment clinic for patients undergoing cardiothoracic surgery.
• The post holder will work closely with the clinical nurse specialists, nurse in charge theatre schedulers, health care assistants, clinic coordinator and multi-disciplinary team members in monitoring and maintaining excellent clinical standards of nursing practice and staff development as part of the DOSA team.
• To assist in the continuing professional development and overall performance of learners and junior staff in the clinical area.
• The post holder is expected to carry out all relevant forms of care with the guidance and support of more senior staff.
• Work as a team to provide high quality care for patients undergoing surgery as well promote safe clinical environment and take charge of the DOSA unit in the absence of nurse in charge.
• To be flexible in the approach to the clinical area and provide cover according to experience for any area specified.
• The post holder will be accountable for their nursing practice, adhere to the policies and protocols of the Trust and the NMC.
• He/she will have a responsibility for their own personal and professional development.

About us

Guy's and St Thomas' is among the UK's busiest and most successful NHS foundation trusts. We provide a full range of hospital and community services for people in south London and as well as specialist care for patients from further afield including cancer, renal, orthopaedic, respiratory and cardiovascular services. In February 2021 the Royal Brompton and Harefield joined Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, bringing together world-leading expertise in the care and research of heart and lung disease. Our merger provides a once in a generation opportunity to build a lasting, world-renowned heart and lung centre, providing the highest quality care for patients and conducting world-leading research. The commitment of our 23,500 staff is key to our success. We are one of the largest local employers and we aim to develop and support all our staff so they are able to deliver high quality, safe and efficient care. The 2019 NHS staff survey results show that we have one of the most engaged and motivated workforces in the NHS. We know this has a positive impact on the care provided to our patients.

Our values

Our values help us to define and develop our culture, what we do and how we do it. It is important that we all understand and reflect these values in our work. We are:

• Caring - we put patients first
• Ambitious - we innovate and strive for excellence
• Inclusive - we respect each other and work collaboratively

Job responsibilities

Main tasks & responsibilities

• Patient/customer care (both direct & indirect)
• Seeking advice/guidance as necessary:
• Assess, plan, implement and evaluate programmes of care, actively seeking evidence based practice which will improve the quality of care and meeting the needs of the patients.
• A holistic approach to caring should be planned that will include the appropriate level of physiological, pathological, spiritual, socio-economical and cultural aspects which influence the care of clients within your specific speciality.
• Implement a nursing plan for an assigned group of patients indicating assessment and re-assessment formulated for individual care pathways and discharge planning.
• Prioritise workload according to changing clinical need for shift.
• Maintain excellent clinical standards of nursing practice.
• Act as a patient advocate in line with the NHS plan.
• Contribute to setting goals and benchmarking standards of care.
• Develop tools to improve the quality of the service and co-ordinate clinical services across the ward/department.
• Ensure that nursing documentation is maintained to the Trust standard (including electronic records).
• Participate in conducting nursing audits to achieve the agreed standards.
• Contribute to and participate in the process of setting goals and benchmarking standards ensuring CQUIN targets are met.
• In conjunction with the staff team, contribute to developing and maintaining a ward/department ethos and provide a standard approach to the delivery of excellent nursing care.
• To demonstrate awareness and compliance with Trust policies, procedures, guidelines, standards, core behaviours, the 6Cs and the Trust Nursing strategy.
• To be aware of the Trusts framework of clinical governance and patient safety walk rounds within the ward or department area, seeking advice or guidance where necessary.
• Identify and report clinical risks to the ward/departmental Manager, Modern Matron so that appropriate action can be taken in accordance with the Trust risk management policy.
• To provide a suitable and safe environment for the physical, psychological and spiritual well being of staff, patients/clients and their relatives/carers, seeking guidance or advice where necessary.
• Record and report all incidents/complaints involving staff, patients and visitors in accordance with Trust policies and assist in any investigations as required.
• Collaborating with other members of the ward team to ensure the patients needs are met to a consistently high standard.
• To delegate tasks and activities to a range of team members in relation to patient care. (for example, when taking charge or as a link nurse)
• To actively promote a healthy lifestyle for patients and staff in line with national strategy requirements.

Communication

• To demonstrate politeness, courtesy, respect and sensitivity in dealing with patients/clients, visitors/relatives and colleagues, maintaining good customer relations.
• Maintain and promote effective communication with all members of the multidisciplinary team and other Wards/Departments.
• To adapt communication skills to meet the needs of patients who may have barriers to understanding e.g. language.
• Contribute towards sharing good practice within the ward/department and Trust wide.
• To promote a positive image of the Trust at all times.
• To work cohesively with all members of the ward team in ensuring that the very best services to patients are provided at all times.

People management

• Take active responsibility for own annual leave in line with Trust and local Policy and Procedure.
• Participate in the Trusts appraisal and personal development plan schemes by meeting with the team leader/appraiser and to include feedback from a selection of internal staff and team members.
• Participate in the programme for preceptorship and to be a support to new and junior staff as required.
• Maintain a personal and professional profile and maintain skill developments in line with the Scope of Professional Practice.

Information management

• Participate in the collection of audit and research data as required.
• Use data which will contribute to the improvement of patient care.
• To have an active Trust and email account and adhere to the Trusts Information Services and Information Governance Policies.
• Use the Trust internet to enhance care and for professional development.
• Undertake relevant training for electronic information systems in place and under development.
• Following Trust/local guidelines to access results from the electronic databases.

Resource management

• To work together with the DOSA team to ensure effective use and maintenance of resources and adequate stock levels.
• To actively engage with rostering in clinical ward or departments and adopt a flexible approach to personal rostering to ensure the needs of the service are met.

Service development

• To contribute to the development and maintenance of a positive learning environment for colleagues, patients and visitors.
• To participate in staff education and development, including utilising appropriate learning opportunities and to act as a resource for learners and the nursing team as/when required.

Policy development

• Under the supervision of the ward/department Manager to work on delegated projects relating to local policy development.
• To be actively involved in the implementation of Trust policies and procedures at ward/department level, reinforcing their use.

This job description is intended as a basic guide to the scope and responsibilities of the post and is not exhaustive. It will be subject to regular review and amendment as necessary in consultation with the post holder.

Person Specification

Education/Qualifications

• Essential: RN1/ RN2/ RN12 or RN Child Registered Nurse on the NMC register. To hold the appropriate level for the area of speciality. Evidence continuing professional development.
• Desirable: Relevant course or training in the field, Teaching and assessing qualification.

Skills/ Knowledge / Ability

• Essential: Able to assess, plan, implement & evaluate programmes of care, Up to date knowledge of current clinical and professional issues.
• Desirable: IT skills and awareness of the structure and organisation of the NHS.

Previous Experience

• Essential: Experience of working on own and in a team, Experience of working in the relevant area, Experience of administering medications and intravenous drug therapy.
• Desirable: Previous experience in other nursing fields.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications.