Critical Care Charge Nurse

at  The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust

The Critical Care team is delighted to welcome applications for our new Sister/Charge Nurse role, which is a permanent, full-time post. We are part of the Surgery & Critical Care division, which also includes 2 emergency surgical wards, 1 elective orthopaedic and trauma ward and 1 elective general surgical unit, theatres, recovery and a day unit.
We are a 13 bedded General Critical Care Unit with 10 funded beds 5 of which are ICU and 5 are HDU. We do adopt a flexible approach surrounding configuration of these beds and dependant on patient need can flex to 6 ICU and 4 HDU.
To work under the direction of the Senior Sister/Charge Nurse deputising in the absence of such.
To work with minimal supervision and will be designated to take charge of the clinical environment on a shift to shift basis
To plan, provide and maintain effective nursing care to patients/clients and their relatives
To continuously develop and enhance knowledge and skills that will directly influence consistent standards of care in clinical practice
Working with the team to provide supervision for junior members of staff and students.
To take a lead role in the management of a clinical ward on a shift to shift basis
Provide and maintain effective clinical assessment to ensure that patient care is planned and evaluated.
Deliver effective nursing care to patients/clients admitted to the ward/unit.
Seek supervision to ensure that personal clinical practice is continuously developing.
Participate in appropriate training to ensure safe evidence based clinical practice.
Ensure that all documentation is comprehensively completed in accordance with the NMC and Trust guidance.
Involvement in monitoring and auditing patient care.
Act at all times in accordance with the NMC Code of Professional Conduct.
Develop supervisory skills that support the continuous development of team members.
Participate in the development of operational processes that will ensure timely and appropriate admission and discharge of patients.
The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust (PAHT) provides a full range of general acute, outpatient and diagnostic services at The Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow, the Herts and Essex Hospital in Bishop’s Stortford, and St Margaret’s Hospital in Epping.
We employ 3,500 staff and serve a local population of around 350,000 people living in west Essex and east Hertfordshire, centred on the M11 corridor and the towns of Harlow, Bishop’s Stortford and Epping. Our extended catchment area incorporates a population of up to 500,000 and includes the areas of Hoddesdon, Cheshunt and Broxbourne in Hertfordshire.
Work towards the development of skills that will contribute to an ethos of nurse led services.
Participate in the Trust Appraisal process to ensure that you receive and give constructive feedback to enhance personal skill set and the promotion of professional development of nursing within the Trust.
Act as supervisor/mentor to junior staff members and student nurses
Develop and evaluate clinical protocols, care bundles, care pathways and guidelines in collaboration with the multidisciplinary team including taking opportunities to present these at appropriate forums
Demonstrate an ability to assist in resolving issues concerning insufficient workforce or skill mix, showing initiative and problem-solving skills prior to their escalation
Demonstrate an ability to assist the ward manager/charge nurse in monitoring sickness/absence and perform effective return to work interviews ensuring hospital policy is adhered to

Please refer the Job description for details