Staff Nurse - NHS
Job overview
The Critical Care unit at The Christie is looking for the very best nurses to work within our cancer specialty and help maintain our excellent patient outcomes and patient experiences. Our CCU is only one of two level 3 critical care facility dedicated entirely to cancer patients in the United Kingdom.
This environment is challenging, exciting, supportive and actively facilitates the development of specialised skills. You will enjoy working as part of a highly skilled and motivated team to deliver excellent patient care. Our commitment to ongoing staff development and the support of a modern career framework is apparent through the variety of educational opportunities available and clinical support offered by our Practice Educator.
We aspire to be compassionate, supportive, personal and open; patient and family experience is central to everything we do. Therefore, together with solid clinical and technical skills, we expect a deep awareness of the special needs of our patients, along with the ability to support and care for them and their families throughout their stay.
You will be confident and competent in using the required skills to fulfil the role, together with a genuine interest to develop acute cancer care skills and the ability to uphold our team’s values. Additionally, previous experience/qualifications in oncology are desirable although not essential.
Main duties of the job- Assessment and prioritization of the needs of the critically ill patient and their family, specifically tasks such as patients requiring respiratory support, cardiovascular support, cardiac/invasive monitoring, inotropic support. Ensuring provision of client centered care which focuses on the promotion of health as well as illness.
- Ensure accurate documentation of patient care in accordance with hospital policies and standards. Develop and maintain communication with people about difficult matters and/or in difficult situations.
- Assess educational and informational needs of patient and family, providing up to date information enabling them to participate in the planning of care.
- Enhance care within the clinical area by using relevant research outcomes when planning and delivering nursing care.
- Evaluate nursing care – inform nurse in charge/unit Sister and medical staff of patient’s changing healthcare needs.
- To be a role model for potential post holders by demonstrating competent skills that have been determined in accordance with the needs of the unit.
Working for our organisation
The Christie is one of Europe’s leading cancer centres, treating over 60,000 patients a year. We are based in Manchester and serve a population of 3.2 million across Greater Manchester & Cheshire, but as a national specialist around 15% patients are referred to us from other parts of the country.
We provide radiotherapy through one of the largest radiotherapy departments in the world; chemotherapy on site and through 14 other hospitals; highly specialist surgery for complex and rare cancer; and a wide range of support and diagnostic services.We are also an international leader in research, with world first breakthroughs for over 100 years.
We run one of the largest early clinical trial units in Europe with over 300 trials every year. Cancer research in Manchester, most of which is undertaken on the Christie site, has been officially ranked the best in the UK.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
PROFESSIONAL- Assessment and prioritization of the needs of the critically ill patient and their family, specifically tasks such as patients requiring respiratory support, cardiovascular support, cardiac/invasive monitoring, inotropic support. Ensuring provision of client centered care which focuses on the promotion of health as well as illness
- Ensure accurate documentation of patient care in accordance with hospital policies and standards. Develop and maintain communication with people about difficult matters and/or in difficult situations
- Assess educational and informational needs of patient and family, providing up to date information enabling them to participate in the planning of care.
- Enhance care within the clinical area by using relevant research outcomes when planning and delivering nursing care.
- Evaluate nursing care – inform nurse in charge/unit Sister and medical staff of patient’s changing healthcare needs.
- To be a role model for potential post holders by demonstrating competent skills that have been determined in accordance with the needs of the unit.
- Maintain safe practice according to Hospital Policies and Standards.
- Ensure all prescribed drugs and treatments are given in accordance with Hospital Policy.
- Participate in internal rotation to night duty as required.
- Prepare patients for safe transfer to other critical care areas and liase with relevant nursing, medical and para-medical personnel and relatives.
- Carry out patient transfer to other critical care areas in absence of transfer team.
- Prepare patients for safe and timely transfer to ward areas.
- Carry out and facilitate preoperative visits.
- When appropriate/necessary, in rotation with other Staff Nurses, take charge of the unit in the absence of the band 6/unit Sister, ensuring that standards of care and unit management are maintained.
- Help foster a supportive working environment and maintenance of staff morale, promoting a culture in which staff feel valued and able to reach their potential.
- Act as a preceptor/mentor to new unit staff and Pre and Post Registered Nurses.
- Be aware of responsibilities with regard to Health and Safety At Work Act. Maintain and develop an environment and culture that improves health, safety and security.
- The staff nurse is responsible for their own personal development and maintaining a personal development plan Maintain own awareness of current nursing practice. Use relevant educational opportunities to maintain the highest standards and up to date care offered to the patient with cancer.
- Supervise clinical staff and disseminate knowledge and current developments. Develop oneself and others in areas of practice.
- Participate in planned programmes of appraisal with the band 6 Team leader/ unit Sister.
- Liaise with the School of Nursing, participating in the teaching of basic and post basic learners and training assessments.
- Ensure own learning and development needs are met. Complete unit preceptorship/induction pack.
- Attend annual updates in: Fire safety, BLS, Moving and Handling and Radiation Protection.
- Undertake necessary education and learning relevant to Critical care.
- Demonstrate a pleasant and approachable manner and help create and promote a good working relationship
- Show professional and courteous manner when answering the telephone and other enquires
- Maintain confidentiality with regard to patient information both at work and outside of working hours
- To be aware of and adhere to all policies including; sickness and absence, confidentiality, uniform and responsibilities under the Health and Safety at work act and be familiar with all risk assessments pertinent to CCU
- Report and record all accidents and complaints according to the agreed policy
- To be aware of limitations and utilise the preceptor system for any issues that arise
- To show respect for members of the team and endorse ward 10 philosophy of giving mutual support
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria- RGN Level 1 or 2
- Degree or Diploma in Health Care Studies
- Post graduate certificate in teaching and assessing
- Certificate or qualification in Critical Care or equivalent level of experience
Experience
Essential criteria- Qualified Registered Nurse
- Previous Oncology experience
- Previous Critical Care experience
Skills
Essential criteria- Good communication skills
- Ability to delver high standard of nursing care
- Computer literacy
- Understanding need for evidence based practice
Knowledge
Essential criteria- Participate in personal development
Values
Essential criteria- Ability to demonstrate the organisational values and behaviours
Other
Essential criteria- Rotation to night duty
- Team player
The closing date for this post may be extended if there are insufficient applicants or brought forward if there is a high volume of applicants.
We want to ensure that everyone who works at the Christie or uses our services is welcomed, valued and treated with dignity and respect. The Christie values diversity and is committed to ensuring equal opportunities for all and fair representation across the organisation at all levels.In support of these commitments, we particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and other ethnic minority people and people with disabilities for this post. Appointment will be only on merit.
We are committed to creating a balanced and diverse workforce. As such we welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. Together we will foster inclusion and tackle inequity and health inequalities in cancer care.
As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy
All positions within the Christie are subject to the receipt of satisfactory written references, medical clearance and evidence of your Right to Work in the UK. Some roles will require a Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check. Please note if you are successfully appointed to a post with this Trust, you will be required to pay for your own DBS Disclosure.
By applying for this post you are agreeing to The Christie NHS Foundation Trust transferring the information contained in this application to its preferred applicant management system. If you are offered a job information will also be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system.Please note, all communication regarding your application will be made via email, please ensure you check your junk/spam folders as emails are sometimes filtered there.
If you have not heard from us within four weeks of the closing date, I regret that on this occasion your application will have been unsuccessful.
The Inter-Authority Transfer (IAT) process is a critical and beneficial component of ESR and will form part of the recruitment process. In the event that you are successful following interview your previous NHS employment data, if applicable will be transferred from your current / most recent employer.
Overseas candidates wishing to apply for this position and who would require immigration sponsorship, may wish to self-assess the likelihood of obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship for the post on the UKVI website.
You should be aware the Trust operates a No Smoking Policy and therefore employees are not permitted to smoke at work.