Advanced Neonatal Nurse Practitioner

We are looking for an exceptional, highly motivated, innovative individual to join our team of ANNPs at our Level 2 LNU.

On our unit we have a strong commitment to QI and work closely with our colleagues within maternity including the West Midlands Perinatal Network, LMNS programmes of work.

The successful candidate would use highly specialised clinical and theoretical knowledge to undertake a comprehensive health history and examination of any neonate in order to diagnose and treat. Work in partnership with the medical team to deliver a holistic approach to the care of neonates throughout the patient pathway from admission to discharge. Use specialised clinical and theoretical knowledge to regularly weigh up differential diagnosis and the potential range of treatment options available, ensuring that the care provided to all neonates is safe and effective. Attend high-risk deliveries and other emergencies as an autonomous practitioner, ensuring that neonates receive safe and effective advanced resuscitation. Undertake non-medical prescribing. Act on results and develop management plans. Participates in, and perform, clinical procedures for ill and premature neonates. Participates in the stabilisation, transfer and admission of the extremely ill neonate. Provide regular communication and support with parents regarding their baby's condition and promoting family integrated care.

The post holder will join a team of West Midlands deanery senior and junior specialty trainees and Advanced Neonatal Nurse Practitioners to provide cover on Tier 1 rota. The post holder will have an overall responsibility for the assessment of care needs and the delivery of optimal care at a level equivalent to that of a junior grade doctor.

There is a full shift system in operation. The post holder will form part of this rota working shifts as designated on our neonatal unit and will be accountable for improving and complying with infection control practices. There are team of ANNPs plus 3 WTE student ANNPs. The ANNP team contribute to the junior grade rota. The successful post holder would provide cover in the neonatal department support colleagues and attend deliveries as required. Duties will be split between Intensive care, high dependency, special care, transitional care and post-natal ward.

Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust is an integrated Trust and the only provider of NHS acute care in Walsall, serving a population of 286,700, providing inpatient and outpatient services at the Manor Hospital as well as a wide range of services in the community. Walsall Manor houses the full range of district general hospital services under one roof. The £170 million development was completed in 2010 and the continued upgrading of existing areas ensures the Trust now has a state-of-the-art Critical Care Unit, Neonatal Unit, Obstetric Theatre, and Integrated Assessment Unit facilities. Work is completed on our multi-million pound new Urgent and Emergency Care Centre which houses a new Emergency Department (including Children's Emergency Department), co-located Paediatric Assessment Unit, Acute Medical Unit and Urgent Care Centre.

Leads in the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of the holistic, evidence based care of the sick neonates and their families within Postnatal Wards, SCBU, High Dependency, Intensive Care area including stabilisation and transportation.

Leads in the monitoring and maintenance of practice standards in accordance with Trust, Network and NMC policies and procedures.

Maintains and advances own and others clinical competency in line with the NMC Code and Revalidation requirements.

Acts as clinical advisor to NNU staff and Antenatal / Postnatal / Delivery Suite midwives.

Positively develops and maintains communication networks within the Trust, Network and other Neonatal units hence establishing good collaborative working relationship.

This involves:

Communicating the role of the Advanced Neonatal Nurse Practitioner to nursing / medical staff, senior management and user groups.

Communicating effectively with a wide range of people including nursing, allied health professions, medical and social work colleagues, patients, carers and managers at all levels.

Contributing to complex decision making within the directorate and divisional management team.

Presenting and discussing service developments to various groups.

Breaking bad news and supporting those giving and receiving it.

Promoting and modelling good practice consistent with legislation relating to communication.

Recognising barriers to effective communication and modifying method, content and environment to enable good communication at the appropriate knowledge and skill level.

Clinical :

Works within agreed medical / nursing protocols to meet the responsibilities of senior and junior specialty doctors as required.

Attends high-risk deliveries for emergency management of sick neonates as required.

Assesses the need of the neonate, admitting to and discharging from the unit as necessary

Assesses neonates health status, to include medical history, physical examination, and social history.

Plans and implements individual management according to unit guidelines and protocols.

Requests and interprets investigations including laboratory tests, x-rays and ultrasound scans, and act on results as appropriate.

Prescribes and administers drugs according to unit guidelines and agreed clinical management plans including independent prescribing.

Practical Procedures:

The Advanced Neonatal Nurse Practitioner will be expected to undertake practical procedures within the usual medical role, as agreed with the consultant Neonatologists.

This will include: -

Venepuncture / venous cannulation

Percutaneous arterial line insertion and sampling

Blood gases / adjustment of ventilator and respiratory support settings

Insertion and removal of percutaneous long line

Umbilical venous and arterial catheterization and removal

Endotracheal intubation and extubation

Emergency needle aspiration/ chest drain insertion for pneumothorax/ pleural effusion

Maintain contemporaneous records (nursing and medical)

Undertake and interpret bedside therapeutic and diagnostic procedures (blood tests, transillumination, lumbar puncture, supra pubic aspirations, urinary catheterisaion)

Requesting and interpreting chest and abdominal x rays,

Request, perform and interpret cranial ultrasounds.

Emergency drug administration, according to unit guidelines.

Initiation of treatment with prescribed drugs as stated within protocols and according to agreed Clinical Management Plans and Independent prescribing.

Request and prescribe parenteral fluids, electrolyte solutions and blood products and volume expanders adhering to local guidelines

Follow newborn life support algorithm and advanced resuscitation of the newborn.

Administer newborn immunisations.

Commence CFM Monitoring and interpretation of trace

In addition to providing clinical cover you would also be responsible for maintaining up to date clinical records, updating Badgernet summaries, and communication with parents and colleagues. There is continuous clinical supervision provided by senior Advanced Neonatal Nurse Practitioners and Consultants. Consultants are present on site from hours on weekdays and hours on weekends and bank holidays. All consultants are easily approachable out of hours.

Successful candidate would be expected to work independently and contribute to the delivery of the newborn service, participate in undergraduate and post graduate teaching, quality improvement, governance activities, research and development of the service for the population of Walsall.