Vascular Access Lead Nurse, Infection Prevention and Control in Watford

An opportunity has arisen to join this service, to support maternity leave cover. Working alongside an existing band 7 specialist Vascular Access Nurse, we are looking for a Vascular Access Nurse who is experienced in PICC insertion using ultrasound. Are you dynamic? Are you a competent individual and experienced in the care of a variety of vascular access devices? Do you enjoy teaching and wish to pursue a career in the vascular access speciality? We are looking for an experienced nurse to join our growing service to support patients with intravascular devices. The role involves teaching healthcare professionals and patients. While not based on the ward, this is a very clinical post consisting of patient review pre and post PICC line insertion and supporting patients and staff with all aspects of vascular access.

Main duties of the job:

• In conjunction with the Training and Development department develop, co-ordinate and sustain a hospital-wide training program for ward-based staff that covers aspects of care for a patient with a PICC/Midline/port-a-cath or skin tunnelled central catheter and other invasive devices.
• Use a range of reporting mechanisms, including an annual report, to demonstrate the value and effectiveness of the use of invasive devices, and to outline and make recommendations for future development and direction of their use.
• To advise and support health professionals in the utilization of IV therapy resources and services.
• To contribute to the hospital wide staff training program which covers all aspects of IV therapy (insertion and ongoing care).
• To initiate, participate and promote activities which contribute to the process of IV therapy nursing research and/or audit.

Working for our organisation:

With a new hospital planned for Watford, work underway to update theatres at St Albans City Hospital and plans for a neighbourhood healthcare centre in Hemel Hempstead, this is an exciting time to join us. We are building on the success of our award-winning virtual hospital and re-imagining models of care, working closely with partners and making the most of advances in digital healthcare. Staff wellbeing and development are a priority, as is the role of innovation in improving clinical care, outcomes and patient experience. Our vision is Excellent patient care, together and our values are to be empowered, compassionate, professional and inclusive.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities:

• Assist where relevant in the development and implementation of processes to enhance early hospital discharge.
• Assist with the development of IV therapy pathways enabling treatment to be commenced at home or as an outpatient.
• Provide mentorship for the specialized area of IV therapy and other invasive devices.
• Assist by providing up to date clinical specialist advice on the standardization of equipment for invasive devices across the Trust (e.g., peripheral cannula).
• Train to insert PICC lines in the inpatient and outpatient setting.

Person specification:

• Level 1 Registered Nurse or Operating Department Practitioner Degree or equivalent in a relevant subject or experience and significant other occupational experience relevant to this job description.
• ENB 998 or Certificate in Education Teaching and assessing qualification.
• Evidence of a range of clinical competencies associated with the role.
• Masters degree or on Masters pathway.
• Understanding of anatomy and physiology in relation to vascular access devices particularly PICC lines.
• Able to assess competency with regards vascular access.
• Previous involvement in change management.
• Up to date knowledge and expertise in infection prevention and control and vascular access devices.
• Requires knowledge and experience in audit.

Experience:

• Relevant clinical experience at Band 6 or above, with portfolio evidence of relevant experience.
• Experience in the insertion of a range of invasive devices, e.g., peripheral intravenous cannula.
• Evidence of highly specialised expert knowledge of invasive devices and related clinical safety, clinical effectiveness and infection control issues.
• Experience in the management of PICCs and/or CVCs.
• Experience of developing and delivering educational programmes.

West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust provides acute healthcare services to a core catchment population of approximately half a million people living in west Hertfordshire and the surrounding area. The Trust also provides a range of more specialist services to a wider population, serving residents of North London, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and East Hertfordshire. As an employer of nearly 6,000 people the Trust is one of the biggest employers in the area and sees nearly a million patients each year.

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.