Virtual Ward Senior Nurse Co-ordinator/Practitioner

at  Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

We are looking for enthusiastic, innovative and engaging individuals, who have a passion for the delivery of high quality patient care within the community. The candidates will have to be able to prioritise their own workload without supervision, have an excellent patient focussed approach and be able to use their initiative as well as work as part of a multidisciplinary team.
Our General Acute Medicine and Frailty Virtual Ward is a new and innovative Service, that has an agreed admission criteria and works in partnership with supporting care services to deliver acute care in the patient’s own home. The aim of a virtual ward is to reduce length of acute hospital stay and/or avoid hospital admission; this leads to quicker recovery and reduces disruption to patients’, and their carers’ lives. This means we can proactively manage people living with frailty at home, and for those that have a sub-acute episode we can improve a patient’s experience and outcomes. In addition, this means we have more space in our hospitals for acutely unwell patients and reduces the pressure on urgent care.
As part of the Virtual Ward Team, you have delegated responsibility for the clinical management of patients that have been stepped up or stepped down on to the Virtual Ward which includes assessment of care needs, the development, implementation and evaluation of programmes of care and the setting of standards on a shift basis. Delivering quality care to patients, who often have complex needs in their own home.as alternative to acute bedded care. In the authorised absence of the Virtual Ward Advanced Clinical Practitioner the Virtual Ward Senior Nurse Co-ordinator/Practitioner will participate in innovation and evidence based nursing practice through professional leadership and supporting the Virtual Ward clinical team in close liaison with the Advanced Clinical Practitioner, and the Virtual Ward Clinical Lead (Quality). You are responsible for the Virtual Ward Nursing Associates and the Virtual Ward HealthCare Support staff that are on shift and ensure that the patient remains centre of all decision-making) Digital assessments are discussed with the patient and an agreed digital solution will be put into place where possible. You are responsible for ensuring that staff on shift are regularly monitoring and reviewing in -line with the patient care plan.
By joining Team MPFT, you will be helping your communities and in return for this, we will support you by:
Supporting your career development and progression.
Excellent NHS Pension scheme
Generous maternity, paternity, adoption leave
Options for flexible working
Up to 27 days annual leave (increasing with service up to 33 days) and the opportunity to purchase additional annual leave.
Extensive Health and Wellbeing support and resources
If you work in our community teams, we pay for your time travelling between patients.
Lease car if you complete more than 500 business miles per annum, fully insured and maintained (including tyres), mileage paid at lease car rate
Salary sacrifice car – fully insured and maintained (including tyres), your gross pay is reduced by the cost of the vehicle before tax, NI and pension deductions are calculated, mileage paid at business rates
Salary sacrifice bikes up to £2k
Free car parking at all trust sites
Free flu vaccination every year
Attractive relocation package
Citizens Advice support linked with a Hardship Fund for one off additional support up to £250 (if the criteria is met)
And more. We are proud to be a diverse and inclusive organisation and there is a choice of staff networks that help you meet like-minded people.
Taking a leading role in the clinical assessment of people in hospital or in their own home environment, who have been identified as meeting the Virtual Ward admission criteria.
Ensuring that patients on the virtual ward who have different acuity levels and have varying degree of complex needs have appropriate treatment/care packages delivered
Engagement and co-ordination with other health and social care services to ensure a joint care plan is put in place that will support the treatment and care of the patient during their time on the virtual ward and as part of discharge planning
Co-ordination of daily Multi-Disciplinary Team meetings and Board Rounds, ensuring that the patient care information is accurate and decisions are agreed at each of these meetings
Providing advice, support and guidance to colleagues and other professionals on issues relating to the patients care on the virtual ward
Supporting the Virtual Ward Matron with maintaining accurate and up to date patient documentation in line with NMC guidelines on patient systems to support in the virtual ward bed and case management
Facilitating communication, which results in clear responsibilities being identified within the multi professional team
Communicating sensitive information concerning patients medical condition which involves building a relationship with the patient and displaying persuasive and reassurance skills
Exchanging verbal and written information with patients, staff and carers requiring tact and diplomacy.
Having a current NMC registration and ensuring that this is renewed
Having the ability to lead change and lead new ways of working
Contributing to the development of staff training programmes
Advising managers of any issues that may affect the Virtual Ward Team
Delegating and supervising the work of the Virtual Ward Nursing Associate (band 4) and the Virtual Ward Healthcare Support (band 3) to utilises the resources creatively and effectively
Responsible for the assessment of needs, development, implementation and evaluation of programmes of care in line with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) and reflect the Trust’s policies, procedures standards and guidelines.
Demonstrating skills for assessing and interpreting specialist acute and other patient conditions, initiating actions as appropriate. Projects as agreed with the Virtual Ward Virtual Ward Advanced Clinical Nurse.
Ensuring that all barriers to understanding are overcome by using differing strategies to meet individual need, deputising for the Virtual Ward Advanced Clinical Practitioner or Virtual Ward Clinical Lead (Quality) at Directorate/ Divisional meetings and working groups.
Ensuring that patient concerns are addressed on the Virtual Ward/Service and work with the Patient Advisory and Liaison Service (PALS) and patient forums.
Participating in the resolution of complaints / adverse incidents and implement action plans to prevent re-occurrence.
Undertaking appraisals for managed staff and taking part in the appraisal process each year with the first appraisal taking place within the first 6 months from appointment
Supporting the Virtual Ward Matron and Clinical Lead (Quality) in investigating and responding to accidents, complaints and untoward incident and other significant events.
Assisting in the collection of the statistical data and provide accurate information to the Virtual Ward Matron and Management Team
Working collaboratively with all agencies to minimise delays and resolve difficulties in service provision
Prioritising workload, plan workload and organise own time.
Contributing to the principles of clinical governance ensuring that quality standards are set and monitored.
Ensuring that clinical risk management and clinical audit are an integral part of the virtual ward function.
Leading on the planning and organisation of staff delegation and activity for patients, making short term adjustments to duty rosters.
Requiring co-ordination of activities with other professional agencies.
Having dexterity and accuracy required for procedure such as venepuncture, cannulation and administration of intravenous drugs and is able to demonstrate clinical skills.
Required to have standard keyboard skills, use of presentation, projection/multimedia equipment and e-learning resources.
To act in accordance with the NMC Code of Professional Conduct for Nurses, Midwives and Health Visitors and to be accountable for own clinical practice and professional actions at all times.
Ensuring continued and effective registration with the NMC. Develop programmes of care / care packages providing specialised advice concerning care.
Implementing policies and procedures, and proposes changes to practices for own area, contributing to the development of specialist protocols
Demonstrating safe working practices in the use of equipment in the clinical areas
Familiarisation of the Virtual Ward budget and support the Virtual Ward Matron in ensuring the efficient and effective utilisation of resources, ordering goods and stock as required.
Managing 24 hour responsibility for the Virtual Ward in the authorised absence of the Virtual Ward Advanced Clinical Practitioner.
Supporting the Virtual Ward Advanced Clinical Practitioner in the performance review of all ward staff which will include annual appraisal and individual personal development plans to monitor staff performance against objectives set with them.
Managing sickness and absence on a shift basis and in the absence of the ward manager in line with the sickness and absence policy and the principles of safe staffing document.
Participating in the recruitment and selection of staff for the ward/department.
Contributing to the formal induction of all new staff.
Participating in the preceptorship of newly appointed staff and the education of learners and clinical support workers
Participating as an individual in surveys.
Participating in clinical research, audit and trials
Accountable for own professional actions: not directly supervised.
The post requires a combination of physical effort including sitting, standing, walking which equates to moderate physical effort over short periods, The post requires frequent concentration with an often unpredictable work pattern
Dealing with distressed relatives, care of the terminally ill and deals with the consequences of terminal illness.
Having exposure to bodily fluids so need to ensure that appropriate clothing, equipment’s and procedures are followed at all time
Personal/Professional Development
To take every reasonable opportunity to maintain and improve your professional knowledge and competence
To participate in personal objective setting and review, including the creation of a personal development plan and the Trust’s appraisal process.
Health and Safety
To take reasonable care for your own Health and Safety and that of any other person who may be affected by your acts or omissions at work.
To co-operate with the NHS Trusts in ensuring that statutory regulations, codes of practice, local policies and departmental health and safety rules are adhered to.
To comply and adhere to individual and role specific responsibilities as stated in the Trust Health and Safety Policy (HS01) and all other Health and Safety related policies.
Equality and Diversity
The trusts are committed to the implementation of the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy Which ensures equal opportunities for all. Also committed to embracing diversity and eliminating discrimination in both its role as an employer and as a provider of services. It aims to create a culture that respects and values each other’s differences, promotes dignity, equality and diversity and encourages individuals to develop and maximise their potential. All staff are required to observe this policy in their behaviour to other workers and patients/service users
Infection Prevention
Infection Prevention is the obligation of every employee both clinical and non-clinical at the University Hospitals North Midlands NHS Trust. Driving down healthcare associated infection is everyone’s responsibility and all staff are required to adhere to the Trust’s Infection
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
Registered Nurse on NMC register
Mentorship or equivalent teaching Certificate
Nursing Degree or a willingness to undertake study at this level
Physical Health Assessment or equivalent qualification
Desirable criteria
Up to date Intermediate Life Support Certificate gained
On-going personal/professional
Development Evidence of study or willing to undertake further leadership/management training/ modules
Knowledge
Essential criteria
Experience working in Acute Medical setting or similar
Evidence of leadership and managerial skills
Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
Experience of teaching in the clinical area/student nurse mentor
Team player
Ability to organise/prioritise own workload and able to support team member with this also
Able to work under pressure and own initiative
Desirable criteria
Experience in Performance and Development Review
Experience in peer to peer support/coaching
Knowledge of Acute Medical Pathways within UHNM Trust
Personal Qualities
Essential criteria
Reliable
Trustworthy
Flexible
Desirable criteria
Experience in peer to peer support/coaching

Please refer the Job description for details