Emergency Department Deputy Sister / Charge Nurse

at  279 University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust

Are you an experienced band 5 nurse with considerable emergency nursing experience/acute care experience, with current NMC registration, who is ready to step up to a Band 6 role? Are you currently a Band 6 nurse with emergency care experience looking to work in a different and dynamic emergency department? An opportunity has arisen for Band 6 Deputy Sisters/Charge Nurses within the Emergency Department at the Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath.
The Emergency Department consists of a 3 bay Resuscitation Room , a large, recently refurbished unit with 15 Majors cubicles, ACDU and 3 bay PAT area. As a department we provide 24/7 emergency access to care for both adults and children providing access to a wide range of specialist clinical services and expertise. We are able to offer in-house training and external courses to our nurses including Advanced Life Support, Trauma Immediate Life Support. We also offer the opportunity to all our nurses to complete an emergency care pathway made up of 3 university modules covering the acutely unwell adult, minor illness and injuries and emergency care. As well as working in all areas of the emergency department, our senior nurses co-ordinate patient flow and manage patient safety alongside displaying compassionate and inclusive leadership skills.
We welcome applications from those who currently hold a UK NMC registration. If you currently hold an overseas nursing qualification and require sponsorship we are not currently direct hiring Internationally Qualified Nurses.
As a department we are committed to the delivery of quality care in an unpredictable and challenging environment. We encourage innovation and participation in the development of new ways of working through multidisciplinary collaboration to achieve patient-focused outcomes.
There are many opportunities for in-house training on emergency skills such as advanced life support, critical care and major incident planning. At Deputy Sister/Charge Nurse level you are expected to be signed off and competent in the main areas of the department: triage, resus and PAT.
The successful candidates will need to be enthusiastic and self-motivated and demonstrate that they are committed to the development of the department and the team. They should show evidence of their own development in a Band 5/6 role. This includes completion or near completion of the ECA level 1 competencies. Mentorship or practice assessor module completion is essential for the role. Experience of all aspects of emergency nursing is essential for this post along with Manchester triage system or equivalent proficiency.
At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First, as shown in our Outstanding for Caring CQC rating. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.
We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our Wellbeing Programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.
As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.
We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.
Managerial/Organisational
To contribute to the overall effective management of the department and role modelling to maintain a clean and safe working environment, eg, tidy working area, clean up spillages, liaise with housekeeping co-ordinator and Nurse in Charge (NIC) etc.
To undertake shifts in all areas of the department including paediatrics as required.
To manage a group of patients effectively and reporting to others as required on a shift basis.
To contribute to the effective use of resources and monitor the safe and economical use of all supplies and equipment, identifying problems and reporting to the A&E NIC or be able to escalate to the appropriate service , eg, use appropriate equipment for purpose and minimise wastage.
To assess and report practical hazards and take any immediate and appropriate action.
To ensure that any incident, complaint or other undue occurrence is managed in accordance with departmental and Trust policy, eg complete DATIX form, statements in timely manner, complete adult or paediatric safeguarding referrals and de-escalate complaints in real time whenever possible.
Demonstrate basic understanding of clinical governance and risk management and its application to work.
Triage and movement of patients to appropriate clinical areas.
Collaborate in the achievement of Government and Trust targets alongside local PFIS initiatives. Participate department meetings and quality improvement projects
Communication
To ensure all communication is timely, accurate, honest and effective and is managed with discretion.
Responsible for protecting all confidential information concerning patients obtained in the course of professional practice.
To report clearly and concisely, written, verbal and computer-entered relevant information regarding the care and well being of patients.
To establish and maintain effective communications with all members of the public, including challenging behaviour, learning disability and bereavement. Establish and maintain effective communication and collaborative working with the multi-disciplinary team including but not limited to the clinical site team, integrated discharge team and emergency floor pharmacists.
To provide patients and carers with relevant written and verbal care advice.
To co-operate with all staff in the care, treatment and discharge of patients providing professional nursing advice to other members of the care team.
Leadership
Continual role modelling professional standards of behaviour and attitude as listed within the departmental above and below the line behaviours.
Participate in the mentorship/practice assessing of students and new staff members.
Coordinate department, being responsible for the safe and appropriate allocation of patients arriving by ambulance and those from the waiting room highlighted by the triage nurses. Display awareness of how staff are working to maintain high standards of care and challenge poor standards as appropriate. Manage evolving and dynamic risk changes as patients clinically deteriorate or display challenging behaviour.
As required to shift lead in the Emergency Department day and night.
Solely coordinate resus , be accountable for own professional judgements, actions and omissions, ensuring safe transfer of patients arriving and leaving the clinical area.
Clinical
To ensure optimum standards of care for all patients attending the A&E Department.
Be competent in caring for paediatric patients and being the lead nurse as required.
Undertake assessment of individual patients through a system of prioritisation of need and continuous assessment
Undertake planning, implementation, evaluation and re-evaluation of individual programmes of care, taking into account the patient’s dignity, religious and cultural needs under supervision.
To develop into expanded roles of plastering, wound closure, suturing, venepuncture, defibrillation and maintain competency in these roles
Work towards completion of the Emergency Care Association level 2 framework competencies.
To ensure that the delivery of all nursing care complies with departmental, NMC and Trust policies, protocols, procedures and guidelines.
Be accountable for own professional judgements, actions and omissions.
Regularly handle heavy patients/objects adhering to Trust Moving and Handling Policy.
Ensure appropriate standards are met when being exposed to hazardous/biological substances.
Maintaining provider status in extended resus courses such as TILS, ALS, NIV.
Research
To promote and collaborate in the provision of an environment where patients, visitors and staff feel valued and supported.
To ensure that own nursing practice is based on current research findings and an informed professional knowledge base.
To contribute in the review of clinical standards and practices in the department. Initiating changes and improvements in collaboration with departmental Managers, colleagues and clinical audit.
Participate in accurate data collection and audit relating to current Government targets.
Participate in department trials.
Education
To contribute to an effective learning environment for the training and professional development of self and other staff and students.
To undertake specific training in all emergency procedure including major incident, cardiac arrest calls, medical emergency calls and fire emergencies so they are competent to carry out these roles.
Responsible for maintaining, updating and improving own skills, knowledge and competencies, identifying education needs with Team Leader through appraisal, ensuring that those needs are addressed and completed. Takes ownership for completion of level 2 ECA competencies.
Act as a practice assessor to help support and provide clinical education of Student Nurses and Health Care Assistants.
To have an understanding of appropriate health promotion and education for patients, carers and visitors. Being able to appropriately counsel patients when discharged on new medications.
Participate in in-house forums/training relating to emergency care
Ensure that own mandatory training is attended and updated as required.
Participate in staff appraisals as directed by the senior team

Please refer the Job description for details