Nurse

Louder Than Words; Plymouth; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A community health organization in Plymouth seeks a Registered Nurse responsible for patient care and risk assessments. Applicants should be adept in clinical supervision and maintain care standards according to established protocols. The ideal candidate will engage with patients and families effectively and be committed to ongoing professional development.

Qualifications

• Registered Nurse with NMC Code competence.
• Experience in clinical supervision and mentorship.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Triage referrals and maintain patient records.
• Conduct comprehensive risk assessments and ensure patient safety.
• Provide education and support to patients and families.

Job description

Overview

To embed competency frameworks and provide holistic evidence based / best practice care to patients in accordance with National and Trust approved policies/procedures and individual care plans. The post holder will be involved in specialist assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of care packages on a day-to-day basis with support from the Clinical Nurse Specialist/Team Manager/Team Leaders and in their absence. The work may be unpredictable and often of a sensitive nature. The post holder will problem solve and liaise with the Community Team Manager/Team Leaders regarding any problems that may arise.

Responsibilities

• Involved in triaging referrals, preventative strategies and maintenance of lower limb health and discharge planning.
• Maintain accurate, confidential, contemporaneous and legible records; document all care given. Oversee the standard of patient records by audit or peer review and hold regular discussions with team members including caseload supervision.
• Undertake comprehensive risk assessments of all situations related to patient care to ensure nurse and patient safety; assess and provide equipment to be used safely. Comply with infection control policies and guidance; attend updates and escalate issues as required.
• Monitor and maintain health, safety and security of self, team members and patients; be conversant with vulnerable adult and child protection procedures and policies.
• Organise own time management daily in line with service demands; work across challenging environments and localities within the Livewell footprint; act as a clinical advisor on health care issues and as a Link Nurse; provide education and ongoing support to patients, families and carers.
• Identify areas for improvement in practice and communicate with the Community Team Manager/Team Lead; participate in health promotion activities and be aware of organisational, professional and national developments within primary care (e.g., NSF/NICE/NMC).
• Initiate and participate in Clinical Supervision and mentorship; be involved in audit and research; follow Livewell Southwest policies and quality initiatives.
• Engage in all aspects of clinical governance including audits, resource and equipment safety; promote economical resource use and cost effectiveness; may be an authorised signatory for ordering stores, equipment and stationery in collaboration with budget holders.
• Ensure all equipment loans are monitored and maintained; complete documentation including IT data; ensure patient notes are contemporaneous; use computer for timely recording of patient activity, e-mail queries and stock/equipment ordering.
• Preserve confidentiality, understand Data Protection Act, Health Records Access and Consent for Treatment; maintain flexibility to meet patient/service needs; report incidents to line manager and escalate safety concerns as needed.
• Provide support to colleagues and promote Livewell Southwest support services; develop effective communication with Primary Health Care Team and other agencies; communicate clearly with patients and carers, including sensitive information.
• Act as a patient advocate, ensuring individual needs, preferences and choices are delivered by the service.

Professional & Education

• Works within the NMC Code; maintains competence and evidence-based clinical practice; maintains a personal development plan and professional portfolio; participates in annual appraisal aligned with KSF.
• Undertakes required training/development per annual development plan; attends meetings, study days, conferences and in-service training; participates in working groups and research projects; engages in Reflective Practice, Clinical Supervision and Appraisals per Trust policies.
• Assess, teach, support and supervise colleagues including Pre-registration nursing students and medical students; takes responsibility for personal professional development and education.

Other Demands

• Emotional and mental effort: manage emotional issues with patients and relatives; concentrate on in-depth assessments, problem solving and decision-making; expect interruptions and multi-tasking; re-prioritise workload due to urgent visits.
• Physical effort: regular moderate physical activity including bandaging and diagnostics; potential manual handling; possible movement of light furniture; driving to clinics across locations (weather/limited daylight in winter).
• Working conditions: exposure to verbal and physical aggression; contact with bodily fluids and other unpleasant environmental conditions.
• Maintain confidentiality and adhere to data protection requirements; ensure safe use of equipment and report any incidents such as complaints, accidents or defective equipment.

Communication

Develop and maintain effective communication networks with Primary Health Care Team and other agencies; communicate with patients and carers with sensitivity and accuracy; overcome barriers such as language or disability; inform professionals of changes in patient condition and make appropriate referrals; act as a patient advocate as required.

Note

Professional: Works within the NMC Code. Remains updated and competent; maintains an up-to-date development plan and participates in annual appraisals.