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Job summary

Main area
Nursing
Grade
4
Contract
Permanent
Hours
  • Full time
  • Part time
37.5 hours per week
Job ref
252-6686511
Employer
Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Darent Valley Hospital
Town
Dartford
Salary
£27,857 - £30,570 incl HCAS per annum
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
05/11/2024 23:59

Employer heading

Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust logo

Neonatal Nurse / Associate Practitioner - Walnut Ward (SCBU)

4

Job overview

Associate Practitioner/Neonatal Nursery Nurse – Walnut Ward (SCBU)

Band 4

37.5  hours a week 

We are seeking a dynamic, committed and experienced Associate Practitioner/Neonatal Nursery Nurse to join our team on Walnut Ward (Special Care Baby Unit). Your primary role as a Band 4 Associate Practitioner/Nursery nurse within our team will be to care for babies in transitional care and on our post-natal wards, but you will also care for babies on the neonatal unit.

We are in the process of planning a dedicated Transitional Care unit so this role will be focused there once operational, but will also rotate to the Neonatal Unit.

Walnut is a busy level one neonatal unit.  We have twenty two cots, three of which are currently designated as high dependency and four as transitional care. Our birth rate is rising, with 4,800 deliveries, and this is anticipated to continue to rise.

Main duties of the job

We are looking to recruit registered Nursing Associates to work both on our Neonatal Transitional Care and Neonatal unit. To be the ideal candidate for this post, you will have substantial experience of working with neonates at Band 4 on a neonatal unit in an acute hospital setting. Experience of working in an acute transitional care environment would be an advantage. We are looking for skills such as naso-gastric tube feeding, blood glucose monitoring and the ability to care for a group of babies with minimal supervision. Ideally you will be a RNA or educated to NVQ level 4, or have a foundation degree.

We would also consider applicants at Band 3 who are willing to undertake TNA training when available. Applicants for band 3 must have Maths and English GCSE or equivalent and be educated to NVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care or Nursery Nurse qualification. You will have experience of working in an acute care setting with babies or children.

You will be well supported in your role by a senior nursing team, six of whom are clinically based and one Practice Development Nurse. The Band 7 Senior Sisters lead a team of qualified Neonatal Nurses, Registered Children’s Nurses, Registered Nurses, Nursery Nurses, Neonatal Support Workers and Neonatal Ward Administrators in caring for neonates.

The ward operates a shift system of 11.5 hour shifts, and the post requires full rotation to include nights and weekends. 

Working for our organisation

We are committed to being an inclusive and diverse employer. We strive to employ people who reflect the communities we serve, and aim to create an inclusive culture where everyone can reach their full potential. Whatever your race, ethnicity, belief, generation, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity, disability or experience, you’ll appreciate the opportunities we give you to work in an inclusive atmosphere. We welcome applications from people of diverse backgrounds, perspectives and experiences to build on the progress we’ve achieved to make our Trust diverse and the best place to work. We celebrate the diversity of thought, viewpoints and ideas that help us overcome challenges and embrace new possibilities. We have signed the Armed Forces Covenant Pledge and have a commitment to the Armed Forces Community.

 

We are dedicated to using our Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) approach as our shared organisation model of change to enhance our services and ensure excellence in patient care.

 

If you are considering applying for a role, please be aware that as an NHS Employee you may have contact with vulnerable service users. We strongly encourage that all our staff are vaccinated against COVID-19 and are vaccinated annually against Flu, in order to protect the health and safety of our staff and patients. Your commitment will help us to put the safety and care of our patients first, as well as helping us to protect you and your colleagues.

 

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Specific Responsibilities
Clinical responsibilities: 


Assists in the holistic care of the baby under the supervision of a registered nurse or midwife, undertaking interventions as required, that they have been assessed as competent to undertake. Takes the lead in providing care for babies who require transitional care, under the supervision of a registered nurse or midwife

Gives and maintains a high standard of patient care at all times, ensuring the dignity and self-esteem of the baby and family is preserved

Complies with the principles of the maintenance of hygiene and the 
control of infection

Is aware of the physical, psychological and spiritual needs of the baby 
and family and endeavors to meet these at all times

Reports to the nurse / midwife in charge or doctor, on observations 
made of the patient and changes in condition

Reports any concerns to the nurse / midwife in charge or doctor in 
relation to child protection. Liaises with Named Nurse, Named Midwife or Named Doctor as appropriate

Chaperones babies, and accompanies them to other wards, departments, hospitals etc. as requested by the nurse / midwife in charge

Receives with courtesy, babies, their families and visitors into the ward 
area

Assist the named midwife with providing postnatal care to women 
within the hospital setting.

Assist the named midwife with providing postnatal care to women 
within the hospital setting

Complete Trust documentation relevant to the Transitional Care setting


Please see attached JD for full duties

Person specification

Educational achievements, qualifications and training

Essential criteria
  • Good standard of general education and English.
  • NVQ qualification at level 4 or Nursery Nurse qualification or Foundation Degree in Health and Social Care
Desirable criteria
  • Evidence of further study or desire to study to foundation degree level

Experience

Essential criteria
  • Substantial experience of working on a neonatal ward or in a transitional care setting at band 4
  • Knowledge of child development and child protection
  • Knowledge and experience of nutrition and feeding babies
  • Able to act as an advocate for the woman and baby
Desirable criteria
  • Experience of working as a Health Care Assistant in another care setting
  • Previous experience as a nursery nurse

Job related aptitude and skills

Essential criteria
  • Naso-gastric tube feeding skills
  • Breastfeeding support skills
  • Blood glucose monitoring skills
  • Ability to work independently and as part of multi disciplinary team
  • Able to maintain confidentiality
  • Good communicator both verbally and writte
Desirable criteria
  • Computer skills

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Apprenticeships logoAge positiveInvestors in PeopleCare quality commission - GoodMindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.Disability confident employerArmed Forces Covenant Bronze Award

Applicant requirements

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Rebecca Law
Job title
Practice Development Nurse
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
01322 428795
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