Staff Nurse
MKUH staff scored highest for ‘I look forward to coming to work’ (NHS Staff Survey 2023).
You can expect a warm welcome at Milton Keynes University Hospital, our staff are friendly and welcoming. We listen to each other and work together to embed our Trusts values and behaviours. At MKUH we appreciate our staff and reward them with an outstanding benefits package including:
- Free on-site parking
- Free tea and coffee
- Great flexible working opportunities
- Discounted gym membership
- Lease car scheme
- Generous annual leave and pension scheme
- On site nursery (chargeable)
- Extensive staff health and well-being programme
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Job overview
Staff Nurse
Day Surgery Unit
Band 5 (secondment/fixed term) pro rata if part-time
Hours: Various hours available-please see advert for detail, all MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working
Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust incorporates a dedicated Day Surgery (DSU) and Same Day Admissions Unit (SDAU) and is seeking highly motivated individuals with surgical nursing experience to join our dynamic team in providing, ensuring and improving a high standard of care to all our patients.
The Day Surgery Unit consists of 22 trolleys with 7 chairs caring for adult patients undergoing a wide variety of procedures under different specialities (including but not limited to: Orthopaedics, Ophthalmology, Gynaecology, Colorectal, Urology, General Surgery and Pain Management).
The team strive to provide high quality, safe care pre and post operatively, adopting a nurse-led discharge approach to Day Surgery to the vast majority of our patients meeting given criteria and ensuring that they are informed about their post-operative care at home.
The unit is currently open 0700-2000 Monday to Friday but this may change as the unit grows in the future. You will be required to work shifts within these times.
Due to career progression and opportunities, we have 3 secondments/fixed term posts available:
1 x 30 hrs/week until September 2025
1 x 24 hrs/week until December 2025
1 x 37.5 hrs/week until September 2026
Week commencing 10th February 2025
Main duties of the job
To maintain a high standard of nursing care within the framework of National, Hospital and Unit policies.
To manage the Unit in the absence of the Ward Manager. To work in conjunction with other staff as a member of the nursing team.
The ideal candidates should have previous Day Surgery, Admissions Unit or surgical experience, but training will be given to the right candidate, who can work well within a team. Autonomous decision-making skills are essential; as are a responsive and positive attitude, adaptation to a fast-paced environment and excellent communication skills as the unit carries out Nurse Led Discharge.
Working for our organisation
We care We communicate We collaborate We contribute
Nursing & midwifery staff groups have expressed that their immediate managers encourage them at work. (NHS Staff Survey 2023).
Join #TeamSurgery at Milton Keynes University Hospital
The surgery division at MKUH, which covers specialties including theatres and the Intensive Care Unit, offers a variety of roles and opportunities, both clinical and non-clinical. The division are looking for passionate, enthusiastic and forward-thinking professionals to join the team.
MKUH is one of the leading hospitals in Europe for implementing robotics to assist in surgery, becoming the first in the continent to use the CMR Versius robot for gynaecological surgery. Since its introduction in 2019, the theatres team have completed over 500 surgical cases, the first hospital in the UK to reach this milestone, achieving this in March 2023.
As well as being an innovator in robotics, the Trust is proud to be part of the New Hospital Programme, with plans to expand and increase our surgical capacity to meet the health needs of our communities now and in the future.
With a leading benefits package, and a growing hospital estate to meet one of the fastest growing populations in the country, it is a great time to join MKUH.
Find out more about working in #TeamSurgery at MKUH from the people who work across the division in the video below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-mYel-Y9nrU
Detailed job description and main responsibilities- To demonstrate continuous development of professional skills and knowledge.
- To comply with all hospital policies and to practice within NMC standards and guidelines.
- To contribute to the development of the Unit using research-based practice.
- To main accurate and legible records of nursing care.
- To support the Senior Sister in managing change within the Unit.
- To contribute to the wellbeing of the team by demonstrating leadership and support for colleagues.
- To demonstrate high levels of enthusiasm and commitment.
- To assist in maintaining the safety of the Unit personnel, the environment and equipment in line with health and safety regulations.
- To be aware of the Trust’s Nursing and Midwifery Strategy.
- To be responsible for the management of the Unit in the absence of the Ward Sisters.
- To assess, plan and implement care for allocated patients.
- To manage the Unit’s trolleys/chairs when in charge of a shift.
- To liaise with the Hubs regarding patients admission.
- To be responsible for discharging patients using Nurse-led Discharge protocols.
- To be competent at assessing range of facts or situations requiring comparison of a range of options.
- To make judgements on problems requiring investigation and analysis, e.g. assessment of patient condition.
- To participate in ensuring that the Unit’s environment is conducive to teaching and learning.
- To act as mentor/assessor to student nurses and adaptation students.
- To act as a good role model for all members of the Unit team.
- To undertake in service training programmes and attend all mandatory training sessions required by the Trust.
- The Trust welcomes all persons without regard to age, ethnic or national origins, gender or sexual orientation, religion, lifestyle, presenting illness of disability. We aim to provide a non-judgemental service at all times.
- Participates in the Trust’s clinical Governance activities ensuring that all the elements are embraced within one’s own practice and that of the clinical area.
- Act in a way that promotes equality and diversity in relation to Trust policy and procedure and legislation.
- To ensure that equality and diversity issues are recognised, addressed in accordance with legislation, policies and procedures.
Please refer to the job description for further details.
Person specification
Qualifications and knowledge
Essential criteria- Registered Nurse.
- Professional/clinical knowledge acquired through training to degree/diploma level
Experience
Essential criteria- Evidence of ongoing professional development.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Team Leader in the absence of senior manager.
- Ability to work within a multidisciplinary team, using own initiative and judgment.
- At least 1 year post registration.
- General Surgery experience.
- Previous experience within a Day Surgery Unit.
- Nurse Led Discharge competencies.
Skills
Essential criteria- Motivational Skills.
- Ability to cope with tight deadlines and competing priorities.
- Well-developed customer focus.
- IT Skills
- Flexible.
- Cannulation/venepuncture.
Personal and people development
Essential criteria- Evidence of continuous professional development.
- Mentorship Course or willing to undertake Course.
Communication
Essential criteria- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Numerate/literate.
Specific requirements
Essential criteria- Able to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations.
- To be proactive.
- Autonomous working as required.
- To provide clinical leadership and support to other members of the team.
We believe success lies in the diversity of our employees and are committed to promoting equality, encouraging diversity and embracing inclusion. We welcome applications from everyone interested in working for us.
MKUH is committed to equal opportunities and improving the working lives of our staff and as such we offer a range of flexible working practices.
We reserve the right to expire vacancies prior to the advertised closing date once a sufficient number of applications have been received.
MKUH uses identification scanning technology to confirm the authenticity of documents; all prospective employees of MKUH will have their original documents verified using this technology.
By applying for this role, you accept if successful, that information from your application will be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Record (ESR) system. Your personal data may be transferred from the Trust to another NHS organisation where your employment transfers within the NHS.This is in accordance with the streamlining programme which aims at saving you time and improving efficiencies within the NHS when your employment transfers.
Upon commencing employment with the Trust, all employees (except Medical & Dental Staff on national terms and conditions) are subject to a probationary period lasting a period of six months with an option to extend for a further six months to a total of 12 months.