Deputy Sister Neonatal Community Team

at  Ashford and St Peters Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Our level 3 Neonatal Unit has an opportunity, for a highly motivated individual who has a passion for community care of the neonate, to join our team of specialist community nurses. The transition from an intensive care setting to home is a process that takes careful planning and preparation, as the community nurse you will guide this process and be required to assess the infant’s and parent/carer’s readiness for discharge, working closely with the family and the multidisciplinary team.
As a community worker you will need the use of a car and be confident travelling and navigating to the infants home address. You will contribute to an allocated area of responsibility which may include home oxygen, immunisation clinics or with a specific group of infants. The community team is involved in monitoring, data collection and audit of our service and good computer skills are essential.
In this role you will work autonomously and will need to have good clinical knowledge guiding your decision making. The community team works on the neonatal and transitional care unit, and in the community settings. You will be responsible for managing your own workload, escalating any concerns and prioritising care needs of infants post discharge. This will involve working effectively and efficiently with the integrated multidisciplinary team and outside agencies to develop, implement and evaluate programmes of care.
This role is part of a job share to cover the 5/7 working week.

To facilitate discharge of neonates providing initial support in the family home

• To liaise with the multidisciplinary team in relation to the discharge and follow up of neonates. Liaise

with Social Services where social circumstances raise concerns

• Participate in multi-disciplinary discharge planning meetings
• Represent Neonatal Unit in Case Conferences
• Provide resuscitation training for parents
• Assist and participate in the RSV immunisation programme

To assess, plan, implement and evaluate care needs for allocated infant groups in the Community
Initiate early discharge planning, working in the Neonatal Community Outreach teamEnsure nursing staff under your supervision have a clear understanding of their duties and
responsibilities, and of the standards of performance and conduct expected of them.

Following appropriate training contribute to an allocated area of responsibility which may include Support and Educate families as they prepare for discharge

• Actively promote and implement evidence-based practice.

Participate in the writing and reviewing of Unit protocols and guidelines
home oxygen, immunisation clinics or other area identified by the community sister.
Role model organisational values, showing leadership and a behavioural approach which will promote
the principles of dignity, respect, and inclusion for all.
Ashford and St. Peters Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust serves a population of more than 410,000 people living in North-West Surrey, parts of Hounslow and beyond.
Over 3,700 highly trained doctors, nurses, midwives, therapists, healthcare scientists and other support staff make up our workforce, providing a wide range of services across our two hospital sites, Ashford, Surrey and St Peter’s, Chertsey, Surrey.
We also run many specialist clinics in the community and local community hospitals and other healthcare facilities.
Our vision is to be one of the best healthcare Trusts in the country. There has never been a better time to join us in the NHS at ASPH. We are committed to providing continuous professional development, staff benefits and flexibility to shape our workforce around our patient care.
This is an exciting time to join our Trust, as we work on the expansion of our theatres at Ashford Hospital and move towards this becoming our dedicated elective centre. We want to create a state-of-the-art centre for excellence for planned surgical procedures; with care delivered by dedicated, specialist teams in a modern and well-equipped environment.
We hope to use this centre to create an environment of learning and to facilitate training of the next generation of our skilled NHS workforce. Our plans are ambitious - why not, come and be a part of our journey.
Adverts may close early, so applicants are encouraged to submit an application as soon as possible.

Clinical/ Professional Responsibilities

• To facilitate discharge of neonates providing initial support in the family home
• To liaise with the multidisciplinary team in relation to the discharge and follow up of neonates. Liaise

with Social Services where social circumstances raise concerns

• Participate in multi-disciplinary discharge planning meetings
• Represent Neonatal Unit in Case Conferences
• Provide resuscitation training for parents
• Assist and participate in the RSV immunisation programme
• To supervise nursing practice of students and junior staff, and the delivery of patient care in accordance

with NMC Code of Professional Conduct and Trust/Unit Policies and Procedures.

• To assess, plan, implement and evaluate care needs for allocated infant groups in the Community.
• Act as an advocate for the neonate and their family at all times.
• Act as an effective role model and demonstrate effective organisational and leadership skills.
• Listen appropriately and take into account any sensitive issues and communicate these to the

appropriate persons/agencies ensuring that children are protected and that disclosures are acted upon

appropriately – commence referrals, early health assessment as required.

• Feedback the views and needs of the infant/family to the Community Sister as necessary to enable

appropriate interventions to be implemented

• Participate in planning and implementation of quality initiatives and targets, in conjunction with the

Ward Sister / Charge Nurse and Head of Nursing / Matron.

• Be conversant with current emergency resuscitation techniques and fire regulations and procedures

both in theory and practice.

• Ensure the safe custody and administration of drugs.
• With the Ward Sister/Charge Nurse and their deputies ensure that clinical and housekeeping practice

follows policies/procedures designed to prevent hospital acquired infection.

• Assist in the evaluation and assessment of new equipment and technology.
• To have an understanding of the Child Protection policies and procedures and ability to recognise those

at risk.

• Initiate early discharge planning, working in the Neonatal Community Outreach team.
• Maintain accurate, legible and timely records
• Drive and hold a current driving licence and have access to a vehicle for work and to be able to travel

efficiently around the local geographical area. Provide evidence on an annual basis that the vehicle is
insured for business use

People Management and Leadership

• Promote good communication and working relationships and collaborative working with the multidisciplinary team, both within the Unit and the rest of the Trust.
• In conjunction with the Unit Sister/Charge Nurse, be responsible for effective organisation of the UnitBe aware of and adhere to the Supervisory Responsibilities guidelines as per the Trust’s Standards for

Practice and Care

• Understand the need for and assist the Ward Sister/Charge Nurse and their deputies in maintaining the

ward budgetary control through an efficient and effective use of resources.

• Ensure safe use of equipment, ascertaining that both self and staff are competent to operate the

equipment and that the equipment is in safe working order.

• Be proficient in the use of information technology
• Be conversant with the corporate goals in relation to service delivery.
• Have responsibility for a number of staff members undertaking Individual Personal Review and enable staff progression
• Ensure nursing staff under your supervision have a clear understanding of their duties and

responsibilities, and of the standards of performance and conduct expected of them.

• Following appropriate training contribute to an allocated area of responsibility which may include

home oxygen, immunisation clinics or other area identified by the community sister.

Education and Development

• Support and Educate families as they prepare for discharge
• Actively promote and implement evidence-based practice.
• Support the Clinical Practitioner Educator and Head of Nursing / Matron in relation to programmes and

strategies for professional development, education and training.

• Actively participate in the programme of standard setting and audit.
• Promote and provide health education for parents/carers of the neonate both in the Neonatal Intensive Care and the community
• Teach and educate families to care for babies with complex needs in their preparation for discharge i.e. home oxygen, oxygen studies and NG policies
• Ensure an environment conducive to the educational needs of all Staff and Students.
• Understands the educational objectives of all ward staff, acting as preceptor/mentor to appropriate staff and assessing their performance.
• Maintain good communication with internal education support staff and tutors from local higher and further education providers.
• Maintain and enhance own professional development through continuing education and training activities. Attend mandatory training as laid down by the Trust.
• Be innovative, support and help to manage change.
• Maintain at all times a professional attitude including appropriate personal appearance in accordance

with the Trust Uniform and Dress Code Policies.

Clinical Governance

• In conjunction with the Matron and Unit Sisters/Charge Nurse and their deputies participate in the

planning and implementation of quality and risk management initiatives and targets, including CNST, RPST and Controls Assurance requirements.

• Help and maintain evidence-based quality standards that are regularly audited, and participate in agreed changes in practiceIn conjunction with the Matron and Unit Sisters/Charge Nurse and the Practice Development Team,

participate in agreed programmes of clinical benchmarking.

• Support the Matron Unit Sisters/Charge Nurse in ensuring that staffs acquire the appropriate clinical

competencies to deliver safe and effective patient care.

• Support and supervise junior staff in a way that promotes patient safety and well-being.
• Assist the Clinical Practitioner Educator in the orientation and induction of new staff. Ensure

appropriate paperwork is completed and processed.

• Understand and be aware of when and how to report untoward incidents, accidents, concerns or near

misses and how to deal effectively with patients’ or relatives’ complaints.

• Participate in the writing and reviewing of Unit protocols and guidelines
• To support the department and organisation by carrying out any other duties that reasonably fit within

the broad scope of a job of this grade and type of work.

Information and reporting

• Undertake research in unfamiliar areas when undertaking an investigation, to develop own knowledge

and ensure that appropriate references are made within the investigation report.

• Undertake, participate in, and develop appropriate audits and quality assurance programme and

research as required.

• Ensure that appropriate HR logs/databases are kept up to date with the data relevant to case work and

alternative dispute resolution process.

• Work closely with the ER Manager to assist in utilising workforce data, presenting and reporting on this

regularly. Analysing and identifying trends in data, to identify/anticipate workforce issues and appropriate plans for the service area / HR service developments that may be required and take this forward.

• Actively contribute to the development and review of workforce information and productivity measures and ensure their use in all aspects of HR management.

General Duties and Responsibilities of the post holder

• Role model organisational values, showing leadership and a behavioural approach which will promote

the principles of dignity, respect, and inclusion for all.

• The post holder is required to comply with the organisations standing order and standing financial

instructions and at all times, deal honestly with the organisation, colleagues and all those who have

dealing with the organisation including patients, relative and suppliers.

• The post holder must ensure that their behaviour and interests inside and outside work do not conflict

with their Trust position, duties and/or responsibilities.

• Ensure that the Trust’s funds are properly used, represent value for money and can withstand public

and media scrutiny.

• The post holder supports the organisation to act safely and responsibly in relation to patients and staff,

and the communities in which they work. Ensure that the law in key areas such as health and safety,
employment, and finance is complied with. Work within specific regulations such as governance

arrangements and ethical frameworks for the NHS.

• Monitor quality of own work to ensure that the required standards of performance are met.
• To support the department and organisation by carrying out any other duties that reasonably fit within

the broad scope of a job of this grade and type of work.

• To be familiar with and comply with all Trust and departmental policies, procedures, protocols, and

guidelines.

• To be aware of and work towards the Trusts strategic goals.
• To fully participate in one-to-one meetings and own PDR/appraisal process.
• Ensure continuing personal and professional development, taking ownership and accountability for

staying up to date.

• Support the implementation of the Trust diversity and inclusion strategy.
• Any other duties commensurate with band and status.

Clinical/ Professional Responsibilities

• To facilitate discharge of neonates providing initial support in the family home
• To liaise with the multidisciplinary team in relation to the discharge and follow up of neonates. Liais

responsibilities, and of the standards of performance and conduct expected of them.

• Following appropriate training contribute to an allocated area of responsibility which may includ

General Duties and Responsibilities of the post holder

• Role model organisational values, showing leadership and a behavioural approach which will promot

with their Trust position, duties and/or responsibilities.

• Ensure that the Trust’s funds are properly used, represent value for money and can withstand publi