Guys and St Thomas is among the UKs 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.
Guys is home to the largest dental school in Europe and a £160 million Cancer Centre opened in 2016. As part of our commitment to provide care closer to home, in 2017 we also opened a cancer centre and a kidney treatment centre at Queen Marys Hospital in Sidcup. St Thomas has one of the largest critical care units in the UK and one of the busiest emergency departments in London. It is also home to Evelina London Childrens Hospital.
Evelina London cares for local children in Lambeth and Southwark and provides specialist services across south east England including cardiac, renal and critical care services. We lead a number of specialist service networks aiming to ensure children are treated locally where possible, but have access to specialist expertise when they need it. Our community services include health visiting, school nursing and support for families of children with long-term conditions.
Our adult community services teams deliver care at the heart of the local communities we serve, working in partnership with GPs, local authorities and other healthcare and voluntary sector organisations. Working with our partners in Lambeth and Southwark, we are focusing on new ways of working to improve care for local patients.
In February 2021 the Royal Brompton and Harefield joined Guys 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.
We have a reputation for clinical excellence and high quality teaching and research. We are part of Kings Health Partners, one of eight accredited UK academic health sciences centres. In partnership with Kings College London we have dedicated clinical research facilities and a National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Biomedical Research Centre.
Patients are at the heart of everything we do and we pride ourselves on ensuring the best possible patient experience as well as safe, high quality care. We are proud to have one of the lowest mortality rates in the NHS. Following a comprehensive Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection in 2019 we maintained our overall rating of good. Our adult community services achieved a rating of outstanding.
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.
We have one of the most ambitious capital investment programmes anywhere in the NHS.
Job overview
GENERAL INFORMATION:
Title: Registered Nurse
Grade: Band 6
Job Base: HH DOSA Unit – Harefield Hospital
Responsible To : Lead Advanced Nurse Practitioner
Accountable To: Senior Nurse Modern Matron
CRB checks: CRB not required CRB standardCRB enhanced
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, 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. Also, act as a team leader to ensure the needs of the patients are met.
Main duties of the job
To be responsible for the continuing professional development and overall performance of all staff by acting as a mentor with the support of their senior colleagues.
To take charge of the DOSA unit daily. Taking accountability and responsibility for safety on the ward when on shift
Work as a team to provide high quality care for patients undergoing surgery as well promote safe clinical environment
To ensure completion of pre-operative plan and action any abnormal findings in conjunction with the clinical nurse specialists and other multidisciplinary teams directive to avoid preventable cancellation of planned surgery/procedure
The post holder is expected to carry out all relevant forms of care without direct supervision and is required to demonstrate procedures, supervise qualified and/or unqualified staff whilst maintaining a safe working environment
To be flexible in the approach to the clinical area and provide cover for any area specified.
Working for our organisation
We strive to recruit and retain the best staff as the dedication and skills of our employees lie at the heart of our organisation and ensure that our services are of the highest quality, safe and focused on our patients.
Organisational Values:
Our values help us to define and develop our culture, what we do and how we do it. It is important that you understand and reflect these values throughout your employment with the Trust.
The post holder will:
Put patients first – consider the patients needs and wishes in all that they do
Take pride in what they do strive for the highest standards in their own work and challenge colleagues to do the same
Strive to be the best in terms of patient care & teamwork
Act with integrity – maintain the privacy & dignity of patients, work with integrity and be trustworthy, be accountable for their own work
Respect others patients, visitors and colleagues. Actively give and receive feedback and use this positively to continuously
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Patient/customer care (both direct & indirect)
In partnership with other professionals provide excellent patient care. This process should include assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of patient care in accordance with the Trust policies.
Implement a nursing plan for an assigned group of patients indicating assessment and re-assessment formulated for individual care plans.
Ensure that nursing documentation is maintained to the Trust standard (including electronic records).
Participate in conducting nursing audit to achieve the agreed standards.
In conjunction with the staff team contribute to developing and maintaining a ward /department ethos and a standard approach to the delivery of excellent nursing care.
Provide a holistic approach to patient care and maintain excellent clinical standards of nursing practice. Within the ethos of the ward using research and evidence-based practice.
Under the supervision of the lead ANP and clinical nurse specialists contribute and participate to the process of setting goals and benchmarking standards of care.
Collaborating with other members of the DOSA team to ensure the patients needs are met to a consistently high standard.
Promote awareness and compliance amongst colleagues regarding Trust policies, procedures, guidelines and standards.
To actively participate in the Trusts framework of clinical governance within the ward or department area.
To provide a suitable and safe environment for the physical, psychological and spiritual wellbeing for staff, patients/clients and their relatives/carers.
Identify and report clinical risks and report to the ward/departmental manager/modern matron so that appropriate action can be taken in accordance with the Trust risk management policy.
Record and report all incidents/complaints involving staff, patients and visitors in accordance with Trust policies and assist in any investigations as required.
To regularly take charge of the clinical area, utilising resources effectively. Ensuring that safe staffing levels are maintained for their shift.
To delegate tasks and activities to a range of team members in relation to patient care, for example when taking charge or as link nurse.
To actively promote a healthy lifestyle for patients and staff in line with national strategy requirements.
Communication
To demonstrate politeness, courtesy and sensitivity in dealing with patients/clients, visitors/relatives and colleagues – maintain good customer relations.
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
Actively manage 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 manager at least annually.
Participate in the programme for clinical supervision as required.
Maintain a personal, professional profile, identifying role and skill developments in line with the Scope of Professional Practice.
Resource management
To work together with the ward team to ensure effective use of resources & adequate stock levels.
Participate in planning the duty rota taking into consideration the needs of the service and in conjunction with the parameters set by the Ward / department manager.
To actively engage with self-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 orientation and supervision and act as a mentor and a resource for learners and the nursing team.
Be aware of the service delivery plans.
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.
Information management
Participate in the collection of audit and research data as required.
Use data which will contribute to the improvement of patient care.
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 PAS system.
Further sections
To ensure all team members have a real voice in the development of the (insert name) service to patients/customers.
To maximise the potential of all team members especially junior colleagues.
To contribute to the appraisal of designated mentees by feeding back progress to the team leader.
To provide a safe and attractive working environment for team members within available resources
Other duties
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.
To undertake any other duties commensurate with the grade as requested.
Person specification
Education & Qualifications
Essential criteria
Registered Nurse
Post registration course
Professional related degree or equivalent experience
Desirable criteria
Mentorship course or equivalent
ALS or ILS course
Experience & Knowledge
Essential criteria
Able to take charge of a clinical area
Evidence of continuing professional development
Experience of supervision of junior staff
Relevant post-registration experience
Knowledge of research and audit
Desirable criteria
Cardiothoracic surgical nursing experience
Skills & Abilities
Essential criteria
Leadership skills
Proven communication skills both orally and in writing
Flexible to change
Able to manage difficult situations effectively
Desirable criteria
Proven teaching and assessing skills
Demonstrates evidence of applying research to practice
Personal Qualities
Essential criteria
Positive change agent
Kind and compassionate
Able to work under pressure
Ability to work within a multidisciplinary team and independently
Desirable criteria
Self motivating and able to motivate others
Guys and St Thomas celebrates, respects and values the diversity of its staff and patients. We review our policies, procedures and practices to ensure that all employees, patients and carers are treated equitable according to their needs. We are actively committed to ensuring that no one who applies for a job, works or studys at the Trust, or accesses our services is discriminated against on the grounds of race, ethnicity, nationality, disability, religion or belief, age, gender identity , gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity/paternity, or marital/civil partnership.
