Senior Staff Nurse - Paediatrics Inpatient Department

Job overview

As a Senior Staff Nurse on the Children’s Ward, you will provide expert, holistic care of a high standard to both patients and their families within the Hospital. You will take direct managerial responsibility for the clinical area in the absence of, or as delegated by, the Ward Sister, Charge Nurse, or Head of Department.

You will assist in the leadership and development of an identified group of nurses within the ward team and act as a clinical resource within the ward and across the Care Group as needed. You are also expected to serve as a positive role model for junior staff.

At PRUH, particular emphasis is placed on ensuring that all staff recognise their responsibility to deliver high-quality, courteous, and patient-focused care, while maintaining patient confidentiality at all times.

Main duties of the job

As a Senior Staff Nurse, you will be expected to lead the team during your shift, demonstrating the ability to liaise and communicate effectively with patients, carers, and members of the Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT).

You will be responsible for anticipating and preparing for patient discharges from the unit, including the implementation of nurse-led discharges.

Close collaboration with outreach services is essential to ensure a smooth and safe transition of care from hospital to home. A key expectation of the role is to lead safe and effective patient flow into and out of the children's ward.

As a Senior Staff Nurse, you are also expected to ensure that a high standard of care is consistently delivered to all patients.

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£1.8 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

• To adhere to the NMC Code of Professional Conduct and adhere to this at all times.
• To demonstrate clinical expertise in the care of any patients receiving treatment in the ward/ department.
• To assess, plan, implement and evaluate the needs of patients on the Ward on an ongoing basis, co-ordinating the care given by all members of the clinical team.
• To accurately assimilate and interpret clinical information about the patients’ condition, promptly report changes and instigate remedial action as appropriate.
• To act as a resource person to others, providing accurate information, advice and support to the multidisciplinary team, patients and their relatives.
• To ensure that accurate records are maintained reflecting both changes in the patient’s condition and the treatment delivered.
• To ensure that patients and their relatives are updated regularly with accurate information, and ensure that this is presented in a way that they understand.
• To ensure that Clinical Guidelines are implemented and to be actively involved in auditing practice in conjunction with Line Manager and practice development staff.
• To ensure that practice is evidence based and with support assist in the development of policies and protocols within the clinical area.
• To uphold high standards of nursing care, according to existing policies and standards.
• To support the Ward Managers and Modern Matron in processes of continuous quality improvement, formally evaluating standards of care and assisting in the implementation of changes in the light of such findings.
• To contribute to the health education of patients and their families, ensuring that all patients receive appropriate advice and support to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
• To actively support the implementation of the Trust nursing strategy and uphold the ethos of the local philosophy.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria

• 1st level Registered Paediatric Nurse
• PICU Qualification – or other accredited course
• Mentorship programme or equivalent teaching qualification

Knowledge

Essential criteria

• Demonstrable clinical expertise, relevant to the area.
• Sound knowledge and ability to implement Trust’s safeguarding/child protection policies and procedures

Desirable criteria

• Demonstrable interest in and commitment to the professional development of others.

Skills

Essential criteria

• 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.
• Team building and working skills – able to lead a team to achieve results
• Ability to organise and manage day to day departmental activities and the activities of large multidisciplinary team within this.

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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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.