Nurse in Jarrow

Overview

To work as part of an interdisciplinary team to provide safe, effective, person-centred nursing care and health support to individuals within our college and residential provision, including people with learning disabilities, autism and physical/complex health needs. The postholder will: deliver high professional standards in line with the NMC Code, current legislation, and organisational policies and procedures; provide practice leadership to care and support teams, strengthening quality, safety, and consistency of care across a 24-hour service; support individuals to achieve the best possible outcomes, promoting independence, dignity, choice and wellbeing.

Responsibilities

• A. Professional Practice & Governance
• Maintain active NMC registration, practice within scope, and meet revalidation requirements.
• Maintain professional development and evidence-based practice in line with the NMC Code, standards and guidance.
• Contribute to the development and review of organisational policies, procedures and clinical pathways where appropriate.
• Maintain accurate, contemporaneous clinical documentation and records (paper/electronic) in line with NMC and organisational requirements.
• Comply with information governance and data protection requirements (including appropriate confidentiality and information sharing).
• B. Person-Centred Nursing Care (College)
• Undertake nursing assessments and develop, implement and review person-centred care plans, health action plans and risk assessments.
• Deliver and oversee nursing interventions and clinical procedures as required:
• Catheter care/catheterisation
• Enteral feeding support (PEG/NG)
• Tracheostomy care and suction (where applicable)
• Wound/pressure area care and tissue viability support
• Epilepsy care planning and seizure management support
• Oxygen Management
• Promote health and wellbeing through health surveillance, health promotion and early intervention, enabling access to learning and meaningful activities.
• Recognise deterioration, respond appropriately, and escalate to relevant health professionals/emergency services in line with policy.
• C. Medicines Management
• Ensure safe handling, administration, storage and disposal of medicines in line with legislation, organisational policy and professional standards.
• Support medicines optimisation, PRN protocols (where used), allergy awareness, and accurate e-MAR documentation.
• Identify, report and support investigation of medicines incidents/near misses, promoting learning and improvement.
• D. Safeguarding & Risk Management
• Maintain competence in safeguarding children and adults (as relevant to the service) and follow organisational safeguarding procedures.
• Act in the best interests of individuals and escalate concerns promptly where abuse or risk is suspected.
• Support the Service Manager/Clinical Lead with risk assessment, management of incidents, and implementation of learning.
• Promote safe environments through infection prevention and control, health & safety compliance, and safe use of equipment.
• E. Communication & Multi-Agency Working
• Establish and maintain therapeutic relationships based on mutual respect.
• Communicate effectively with individuals, families, advocates, and staff, making reasonable adjustments for communication and sensory needs.
• Liaise with external professionals and agencies (e.g., GP, Community LD Team, SALT, OT, physiotherapy, dietetics, specialist nurses) to ensure continuity of care.
• Contribute to robust admission, transition and discharge planning, ensuring safe and coordinated care.
• F. Practice Leadership, Observations & Competency (Key Requirement)
• Provide visible practice leadership across the college and residential setting, modelling high standards and supporting safe decision-making.
• Complete practice observations of care delivery (e.g., medicines practice, IPC, documentation, dignity/respect, delegated health tasks) and provide timely feedback and coaching to improve outcomes.
• Undertake and/or support competency assessments for support staff and nurses (as appropriate), including:
• Medicines administration and related processes
• Delegated Health tasks (where delegated and within policy)
• Record keeping and care planning standards
• Infection prevention and control practices
• Support induction, mentoring and ongoing development of staff, promoting reflective practice and lifelong learning.
• Ensure appropriate delegation and oversight, monitoring outcomes to maintain safe and effective care.
• G. Quality Improvement & Service Contribution
• Contribute to audits, quality reviews, and continuous improvement initiatives using feedback, incident learning and reflective practice.
• Support the management of compliments and complaints in line with policy, ensuring learning is shared and embedded.
• Participate in staff meetings, supervision/clinical supervision and appraisal (PDP).
• Support effective and efficient use of resources and contribute to procurement decisions where required.