Staff Nurse

Job summary

Staff Nurse

Employer: Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust

Department: Oncology Chemotherapy

Are you a Staff Nurse looking for a new challenge?

The Oncology Outpatient Department/ Chemotherapy Suite are looking for a bright, innovative, caring and compassionate Staff Nurse to join our friendly team of staff.

If you are highly motivated and committed to delivering excellent standards of patient care and will embrace our Trust values then we would love to hear from you.

You must have excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrate the ability to work on your own initiative as well as part of a multidisciplinary team. In return we can offer you a stimulating working environment in a challenging area of practice that is continually developing.

We are looking for highly motivated Staff Nurses who are capable of caring for the mix of cancer patients and their families. You should possess excellent communication skills, be flexible and enjoy working within a busy team.

We work a variety of shifts between the hours of 8-6 Monday- Friday but due to the increasing demand for our services we are planning to extend opening hours to 20:00 and potentially open weekends in the near future.

Main duties of the job

The department is split between the Chemotherapy Suite and Oncology outpatients in which the post holder will be required to work in both areas depending on the needs of the service. Chemotherapy Suite: Consists of 22 chairs. Most days our chairs are used to capacity, creating a busy environment. A number of Nurses and a Health Care Assistant work in the department on a daily basis providing chemotherapy and other systemic anti-cancer therapies (SACT). The Nursing team is supported by the pharmacy team and a Registrar on a daily basis and from time to time members of the Macmillan team and the Hair and wellbeing coordinator. Within the department we also offer support to Haematology outpatients and EAB.

If the post holder does not hold the relevant training or competencies in administration of SACT, training will be provided by our Practice Educator/ Lead SACT nurse via a 6 week, in house module

Actively contribute to setting and maintaining high standards of

Work collaboratively and co-operatively with others to meet the needs of patients and their families/ carers.

Responsible for the assessment of the care needs and the development, implementation and evaluation of patient care.

Take all reasonable steps to ensure the safe keeping of patients' property in accordance with Trust policy.

Have the ability and knowledge to competently deal with an emergency situation.

Fore more details please refer to the job description

About us

Northampton General Hospital is one of the largest employers in the area and we are on an exciting journey. All of our divisions are committed to doing things better, with more efficiency as we update, modernise, and advance. We have also entered into a Group Model with neighbouring Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and become University Hospitals of Northamptonshire.

Our Excellence Values

Compassion

Accountability

Respect

Integrity

Courage

We want to recruit the best people to deliver our services across the University Hospitals of Northamptonshire and help to unleash everyone's full potential. As an organisation, we value how we communicate and promote our vacancies to all communities.

We are a Defence positive trust, supporting our reservists, veterans, spouses and partners.

The Hospital Group encourages applications from people who identify from all protected groups, especially those from BAME, Disabled and LGBTQ+ backgrounds as these are underrepresented in our hospitals.

We understand that we need to work with colleagues from diverse backgrounds and make sure the environment they work in is inclusive and collaborative.

We have active Networks that promote and support colleagues from all ensures everyone feels supported and has a sense of belonging working for Kettering and Northampton General Hospitals.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Supporting Clinical Excellence:

To have undertaken or have a willingness to undertake further training such as triage and pre-chemotherapy assessment training.

Be responsible for the assessment of care needs for your patients and the development of plans of care ensuring that these are evaluated and amended as appropriate.

Actively maintain and promote a safe environment.

Undertake nursing procedures and techniques in accordance with agreed Trust policies and guidelines.

Plan, develop and implement approaches to promote health and wellbeing of patients and improve their health status.

Maintain an awareness of the developments in the care and treatment of patients in order to be able to carry out duties Competently and efficiently.

Responsible for safe supply, storage, administration, checking and disposal of medications including controlled drugs in line with Trust Policy and Nursing Midwifery Council standards.

Document the condition and progress of patients and report to medical staff and/or senior nursing staff any areas of concern.

Maintain contemporary detailed nursing documentation.

Assisting and contributing to the management and organisation of the department.

Once competent in team management skills, takes charge of the clinical area on a regular basis in the absence of the person who has continuing responsibility or his/her deputy.

Comply with all Trust policies and risk assessments with particular regard to the policies and procedures carried out in the event of maintaining staff and patient safety.

Understand and support Pathway to Excellence philosophy and standards.

Leadership

Lead by example with drive and enthusiasm, responding appropriately to the needs of patients, families and carers.

Responsible for assisting with the management and leadership of the department, maintaining an appropriate style that maintains good morale, a team approach to work and a culture which fosters innovation and change.

Sets high standards of nursing care for the department, including cleanliness, nutrition etc., are maintained so that the patients experience is excellent.

Influence people and events through successful communication, negotiation and persuasion skills.

Constructively challenge practices as necessary, which impact on patients care and/or staff wellbeing.

Work in partnership with the senior nursing team and department Sister to ensure the nursing strategy objectives are achieved.

Supporting Patient Excellence

In the absence of the Junior Sister/ Junior charge Nurse and or Sister/ Charge nurse, act as a first contact point for patients, relatives and staff to address concerns and complaints.

To be courteous and helpful to patients, families/carers, colleagues and all users to the trust.

To act as a positive role model to the team.

Work collaboratively and co-operatively with others to meet the needs of patients and their families/carers.

Actively participate in a culture whereby patients, relatives and carers participate and understand treatment plans

To monitor activity and patient dependency, escalating any concerns to the Senior Nurse both in and out of hours.

Adopt an open learning culture from clinical incidents and patient/staff feedback.

Co-ordinate the patients discharge arrangements in accordance with the Trusts Local Discharge Policy.

Manage his or her time effectively and perform allocated tasks within a reasonable time frame, knowing when to seek support, assistance and advice from other team members.

People/Management Excellence

Collaborate with all members of the clinical area to ensure efficient running of the department.

Assist the Sister in introducing new members of staff to their duties, act as a preceptor to

newly qualified staff.

Take all reasonable steps to ensure the safe keeping of patients property in accordance with Trust policy.

Promote and maintain a suitable learning environment for staff and act as an assessor/supervisor in the supervision and teaching of less experienced staff, supporting and facilitating the development of competencies across all staff levels.

Maintains competent computer skills and be able to access patient details and reports via the Trusts IT systems.

Support a culture of teamwork within the clinical area.

Supporting Financial Excellence

Use resources effectively in order to provide quality patient care whist having an 7awareness of budgetary issues.

Be aware and undertake effective and efficient use of clinical, physical and financial resources.

Professional Responsibilities

To be responsible for your own professional development, maintain a professional portfolio and keep up to date on current nursing and health service issues.

To take full responsibility for your own actions and to abide by the NMC Code of Conduct 2015.

To revalidate with NMC in line with governing body requirements.

Maintain own knowledge and clinical skills demonstrating competence in delivering a high standard of care.

To be conversant with all Nursing Policies and procedures

Maintain a current knowledge of professional issues, ensuring continued professional development is maintained.

Identify learning needs in self, negotiating a Personal Development Plan recognising own limitations.

Actively undertake education, development and supervision of self

Act as a clinical and professional role model, assessing and supporting students and learners on placement within the clinical area.

To successfully complete and maintain Band 5 competencies and demonstrate compliance through annual appraisal.

Demonstrate and maintain knowledge and skills to manage infection prevention measures, including the use of personal protective equipment.

Ensure all staff within the department adhere to infection prevention principles.

Quality Assurance and Monitoring:

Actively promote evidence-based practice within the clinical area.

Contribute to audit initiatives.

Participate in setting and reviewing standards for practice and evaluating outcomes as part of the clinical governance agenda.

Report incidents using the Trust reporting system.

Policy and Service Development Responsibilities

Work within the confines of Trust policies, protocols and other relevant documentation, taking appropriate action where compliance is breached

Research, Development & Education Responsibilities

Undertake the Trust Corporate and Directorate specific Induction and competency Programmes.

Maintain and promote an awareness of evidence-based practice and participate in its implementation.

Contribute to audit research and development programmes within the department.

Will seek out Best Practice to generate new ideas and generate change.

Undertake a recognised mentoring/ assessor course. Participate in clinical supervision.

Participate in clinical supervision.

Corporate Responsibilities:

Act as a role model in customer service towards visitors to the hospital.

Facilitate any measures to help achieve directorate/divisional and Trust targets and agendas.

Share best practice through meetings and forums.

Person Specification

Key Key Competencies/ Personal Qualities & Attributes

Essential

Ability to deal with complex and difficult emotional situations Willingness to learn & implement change Ability to plan own workload and manage own time effectively & to exercise initiative Self-motivated and works well under pressure Commitment to own personal and professional development Excellent time management

Skills

Essential

Excellent communication skills and the ability to liaise with members of the multidisciplinary team Ability to foster teamwork Effective IT skills

Desirable

Cannulation and venepuncture skills

Knowledge & Experience

Essential

Experience of delivering nursing care to a group of patients. Willingness to partake in QI projects

Desirable

Previous experience of working in an Oncology/Haematology unit Competent in administering SACT administration High level of knowledge related to SACT and the running of an outpatient service

Education, Training & Qualifications

Essential

Must hold an NMC pin

Desirable

Chemotherapy qualification or equivalent level of education or training Recent accredited Oncology module A recognised teaching qualification (mentorship) Chemotherapy qualification or equivalent level of education or training

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