Junior Sister - Local Neonatal Unit

Job overview

Would you like to work in a newly commissioned Level 2 Neonatal Unit? Does the thought of being part of the team as we transition to a Local Neonatal Unit (LNU) excite you? If so, the Neonatal Unit at Princess Royal University Hospital could be the place for you!

An opportunity for a Band 6 Charge Nurse / Junior Sister to be based at Princess Royal University Hospital (PRUH) has become available.

The PRUH Local Neonatal Unit has recently expanded. We are a Level 2 provider in the South London Neonatal Network. We provide a family-integrated approach to care, involving families in the care of their own children and helping parents understand their baby’s needs. Our expert Neonatal Medical and Nursing team is supported by Allied Health Professionals such as physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists, and dietitians who work across both sites.

For more information about Child Health, please watch our video:

Main duties of the job

Our Band 6 nurses have responsibility for planning, managing and coordinating clinical care for babies requiring Special/High Dependency nursing care and supporting staff to develop these skills on the unit.

As a Junior Sister in our unit, you will be responsible for maintaining high standards of care and quality in the day to day management of the unit. You will need to demonstrate excellent clinical skills, be self-motivated and committed to providing high standards of family centred care for all our neonatal patients and their families. You will also need to possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills and be able to show good clinical organisational skills to manage this busy unit.

This role will enable you to demonstrate both clinical skills and also leadership and people management skills within the clinical environment. A strong commitment to developing junior staff and acting as a role model at all times is essential. There will be opportunities to further develop your leadership skills formally with a number of study days and courses available to undertake.

Our goal to be a hospital of choice by improving all aspects of the patient experience relies upon us having a highly skilled, motivated, diverse, productive and patient focused workforce.

Working for our organisation

King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of the UK’s largest and busiest teaching Trusts with a turnover of c£1 billion, 1.5 million patient contacts a year and more than 15,000 staff based across South East London. The Trust provides a full range of local and specialist services across its five sites. The trust-wide strategy of Strong Roots, Global Reach is our Vision to be BOLD, Brilliant people, Outstanding care, Leaders in Research, Innovation and Education, Diversity, Equality and Inclusion at the heart of everything we do. By being person-centred, digitally-enabled, and focused on sustainability, we aim to take Team King’s to another level.

We are at a pivotal point in our history and we require individuals who are ready to join a highly professional team and make a real, lasting difference to our patients and our people.

King’s is committed to delivering Sustainable Healthcare for All via our Green Plan. In line with national Greener NHS ambitions, we have set net zero carbon targets of 2040 for our NHS Carbon Footprint and 2045 for our NHS Carbon Footprint Plus. Everyone’s contribution is required in order to meet the goals set out in our Green Plan and we encourage all staff to work responsibly, minimising their contributions to the Trust’s carbon emissions, waste and pollution wherever possible.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Delivering high-quality, evidence-based, and patient-focused clinical care through:

• Delivering a high standard of evidence-based care to patients.
• Demonstrating clinical expertise in the care of all patients receiving intensive, high-dependency, and special neonatal care in the unit.
• Adhering to the NMC Code of Professional Conduct at all times.
• Involving and supporting patients, relatives, and carers in the care process, promoting well-being, and involving parents in the care of their baby (Family Integrated Care).
• Assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating the needs of babies on the unit on an ongoing basis, coordinating care given by all members of the clinical team.
• Accurately assimilating and interpreting clinical information about the baby’s condition, instigating appropriate remedial action, and promptly reporting changes.
• Ensuring parents/carers are updated regularly with accurate information in a sensitive, understandable manner.
• Actively involving parents/carers in providing feedback on their experience of the current service and suggestions for improvement.
• Acting as a resource person to others, providing accurate information, advice, and support to the MDT, patients, and parents/carers.
• Ensuring clear and accurate written and verbal information is given at all times.
• Maintaining contemporaneous record keeping at all times.
• Participating and contributing to the health education of families, ensuring that all families/carers receive appropriate advice and support to achieve and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
• Ensuring patients receive high-quality clinical care and a positive patient experience, respecting their customs, religious beliefs, and doctrines.
• Recognising and avoiding situations that may be detrimental to the health and well-being of individuals.
• Recognising the significance of observations made, using them to develop and initiate nursing assessments and devise care plans.
• Ensuring patients and parents/carers are informed appropriately and consent is obtained according to current policy.

Working effectively as part of the immediate team and wider multidisciplinary team (MDT) through:

• Liaising effectively with all members of the MDT to ensure patients’ needs are met.
• Exercising leadership and taking initiative where appropriate.
• Providing support and advice to ward/unit staff (especially junior staff) on clinical and administrative issues.
• Liaising with the medical and nursing teams to ensure effective admission and discharge of patients.
• Liaising with the transitional care nurse and postnatal ward to ensure smooth patient flow from the neonatal unit to neonatal transitional care or postnatal ward.
• Liaising with the Community Nursing team, Health Visitors, Safeguarding Team, Social Services, and Community Midwives to ensure seamless discharges home.
• Keeping the ward/unit sister or charge nurse informed of significant changes and/or anticipated problems.
• Together with the NIC, coordinating patient flow and care with the midwifery team for admissions and discharges to and from the unit, as well as across neonatal transitional care.

Upholding a duty of care and clinical governance through:

• Observing a general duty of care for the health, safety, and well-being of yourself, colleagues, visitors, and patients within the hospital.
• Ensuring that the rules, policies, procedures, and standards of King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, together with all relevant statutory and professional obligations, are adhered to at all times.
• Maintaining patient confidentiality, dignity, and privacy at all times.
• Adhering to the Trust’s policy on valuing equality and diversity, showing due regard for each patient’s cultural and religious beliefs, gender, ethnicity, age, and sexuality.
• Strictly following the National Code of Practice on Infection Control.
• Ensuring clinical guidelines, standards, and policies are implemented and actively participating in auditing practice alongside the Ward Manager and Practice Development staff.
• Supporting continuous quality improvement and implementation of Quality Improvement (QI) projects and lessons learned.
• Taking responsibility for personal development and keeping up to date with nursing and medical knowledge.
• Being aware of current research and its implications for the ward/unit specialty.
• Acting as a role model for all staff at all times.
• Acting as a Practice Supervisor and Practice Assessor for junior and newly qualified staff, participating in their orientation, supervision, and ongoing development in conjunction with the Ward Manager and Practice Development staff.
• Acting as a mentor for staff undertaking further education as requested, ensuring a positive learning experience and facilitating the development of their clinical skills.
• Working with teaching staff to ensure effective staff development for yourself and others.
• Participating in Trust and Divisional initiatives to develop nursing practice and support change.

Management:

• Actively supporting the implementation of the Trust nursing strategy and upholding the ethos of the Trust’s philosophy.
• Contributing positively to the delivery of a cost-effective service by adjusting staffing levels to meet demand and assisting the Ward Manager in keeping within agreed resources.
• Supporting allocated staff through the appraisal process.
• Developing skills in recruitment and retention, sickness management, and performance management as determined by the Ward Manager.
• Supporting the process of risk management and health and safety compliance, upholding relevant policies, and ensuring incidents are reported appropriately. Helping to identify ways to prevent errors and accidents for patients, families, and staff.
• Making a positive contribution to service development affecting clinical areas and encouraging others to adapt to change.
• Actively promoting customer care, assisting in resolving local complaints informally, and supporting the Ward Manager in investigating formal complaints.
• Assisting with monitoring stock levels and technical equipment, resolving any shortfalls as appropriate.
• Maintaining high standards of hygiene and cleanliness within clinical areas, auditing as appropriate, and reporting deficits to the Ward Manager or Matron as necessary.
• Carrying the emergency bleep and attending neonatal crash calls as required.
• Attending and contributing to departmental meetings as required.

Person specification

Education and Qualifications

Essential criteria

• Registered Nurse (RN1) with active NMC registration at time of starting appointment
• Relevant Neonatal Qualification (QiS – Qualified in Speciality or ENB 405).

Knowledge and Experience

Essential criteria

• Knowledge on Family Integrated Care & Clinical Governance.
• Experience in Neonatal Nursing

Skills and Compentencies

Essential criteria

• Ability to work collaboratively with other staff members.
• Communication skills – able to relate and communicate with patients and staff at all levels and from different professions. Adapts communication style as necessary and is able to work with and through others.
• Able to manage patients emotional needs and demonstrate empathy and caring
• Flexible and adaptable to change to meet the needs of the service

IMPORTANT

• Check your email account regularly as this is how we will communicate with you
• If you delete the job from any of your accounts, you may be prevented from accessing further communications
• To enquire about your application or inform us of any changes in your circumstances, please contact the named person on this advert
• Please provide email addresses for referees where possible
• Please review the documentation on our recruitment microsite, particularly the Trust’s criminal records checking policy
• All staff have a responsibility for safeguarding children and vulnerable adults and for ensuring they are aware of the specific duties relating to their role.
• Please note that the closing date is given as a guide. On occasion, we might close a vacancy early due to a high number of applications being received. You are advised to submit your application as early as possible to avoid disappointment.

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