Senior Sister / Charge Nurse

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a motivated, enthusiastic and experienced senior sister/Charge Nurse to join the King’s Havens Whitechapel team and this will be a permanent position. This is a fantastic opportunity to further develop leadership, problem-solving, change management and quality improvement skills working with a dedicated, multi-professional team. The Havens provide care to people disclosing rape or sexual assault. This care may include forensic medical examination, acute / follow-up medical care and support through counselling, psychology, and Independent Sexual Violence Advisors.

As a member of staff at the Havens the post holder also has a responsibility for and contribution to make towards ensuring the highest standards of forensic integrity and specifically to ensure that forensic DNA decontamination standards are met at all times and must therefore be familiar with the forensic and DNA decontamination standards of the service.
The post holder will also be required to provide a DNA elimination sample in accordance with the Standard Operating Procedure for upkeep and maintenance of the Havens’ Contamination Elimination Database (CED).

Main duties of the job

As a Havens senior sister you will -

· be a RN1: Adult nurse, level 1

· have considerable experience in sexual or women’s health.

· provide telephone support and guidance to people who have been sexually assaulted

· work clinically as a crisis worker during forensic medical examinations and when clients attend for sexual health aftercare clinics

· line manage junior members of the nursing and crisis worker team

· be instrumental in the development and monitoring of clinical practice, protocols and care pathways within the service.

· have excellent communication skills, a flexible approach and a detailed knowledge of the impact of sexual assault.

· be joining a service that promotes and supports personal and professional development. Training and competency assessment of forensic work will be provided.

Working for our organisation

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

To be accountable for your own practice and to utilise available opportunities to sustain and improve knowledge and professional competence

Maintain high standards of clinical practice and independently assess the client’s immediate medical, emotional and psychological needs and advise and determine an appropriate plan of care. This will involve liaising with police, partner agencies, self-referral clients and other referrers to competently advise and / or initiate an appropriate course of action via telephone for victims of sexual assault.

Demonstrate skilled communication when managing difficult and distressing issues and be able to liaise with clients, police and other personnel appropriately in challenging situations.

Maintain high level safeguarding skills to assess each client in relation to safeguarding needs and to ensure a clear plan of action, including referrals to external agencies and trust safeguarding team.

To provide line management support to junior members of the nursing team including annual appraisal and appropriate staff management in line with trust policy as required.

To provide clinical leadership within the multi professional team in order to ensure the delivery of care and professional practice in line with King’s values

Person specification

Education and Qualifications

Essential criteria

• Current NMC Registered Nurse (Adult)
• Non-medical prescribing course or experience in supply of medication via PGD
• Teaching or mentorship qualification or equivalent
• Evidence of a master’s degree in healthcare or willingness to work towards
• Evidence of current continuing professional development

Desirable criteria

• Recognised qualification / training or relevant experience in contraception and sexual health and evidence of associated competencies

Knowledge and Experience

Essential criteria

• Experience of line managing a nursing team
• Experienced and competent in clinical history taking, examination and diagnosis
• Clinical experience managing clients with complex needs
• Relevant experience of clinical nursing practice in a sexual health / contraception setting
• Understanding of recognized standards & policies related to the speciality
• Experience of working in partnership with multi- professional teams.
• Knowledge of current developments in nursing and with particular emphasis on sexual assault services
• Detailed knowledge regarding safeguarding issues (adult and child), the statutory frameworks that apply, experience of managing safeguarding issues and ability to act upon concerns

Desirable criteria

• Experience of working in ED / Urgent Care Centre
• Experience of conducting clinical audit
• Experience of Nursing research

Skills and Competencies

Essential criteria

• Demonstrable commitment to and expertise in caring for people who have been sexually assaulted
• Highly developed interpersonal skills including excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to develop oneself and others promoting the workplace as a learning environment
• Proficient computer skills including use of word, excel and clinic-based packages
• Excellent organisation and prioritisation skills with meticulous attention to detail.

Other

Essential criteria

• Flexible approach to meet service needs and requirements
• Ability to promote, monitor and maintain best practice in relation to health, safety and security
• Demonstrates a commitment to quality improvement
• Demonstrates a sensitive and caring demeanour to clients and colleagues
• Demonstrates a calm and professional approach in challenging situations
• Ability to manage and de-escalate situations of conflict
• Demonstrates a commitment to supporting and valuing equality and diversity

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.

King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust Annual Reports and Other Corporate Publications

King's Health Partners Academic Health Science Centre Website

King's College Hospital is part of King's Health Partners Academic Health Sciences Centre (AHSC), a pioneering collaboration between King's College London, and Guy's and St Thomas', King's College Hospital and South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trusts.