Skip to main content
Please wait, loading

Job summary

Main area
Acute Assessment Unit
Grade
NHS AfC: Band 5
Contract
Permanent: [email protected]
Hours
  • Full time
  • Flexible working
37.5 hours per week
Job ref
179-6587003-M
Employer
West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
West Suffolk Hospital
Town
Bury st Edmunds
Salary
£29,970 - £36,483 per annum, pro rata
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
30/09/2024 23:59

Employer heading

West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust logo

Staff Nurse - Acute Assessment Unit

NHS AfC: Band 5

Job overview

The successful candidate will be part of a fantastic team and be expected to take charge of all areas within the acute Assessment unit including the Same Day Emergency Care Unit and also caring for patients who attend with acute illnesses. The successful candidate will be an experienced staff nurse looking for self-development or someone wishing to expand their nursing portfolio.

Our Acute assessment unit is a is a thriving, innovative, front door service consistent of 23 assessment trolleys which operates 24 hours a day, it is a fast-paced unit which cares for patients with varied medical conditions in their acute phase. The unit is part of the Same Day Emergency Care program where we deliver rapid assessment of Medical  patient’s including diagnostic and treatment without being admitted to a ward. They can then go home on the same day if it is clinically safe to do so. You will have the opportunity the opportunity to work in a clinical environment striving for excellence, and be an integral part of our nursing team.

You will be supported by the ward manager and matron to undertake personal and professional development opportunities. The ward offers different learning opportunities as well as a chance to develop your skills.

Main duties of the job

        Working under the direction of the registered health care professional, as a member of the multi-disciplinary team 
planning and organising own workload in conjunction with other staff members. Support service development to meet 
the evolving needs of the NHS ensuring efficient and effective use of all resources. Provide effective high-quality 
patient/customer care. Monitor and maintain Trust Quality standards.

Working for our organisation

#BeKnown at West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust. By us. By our patients. By our community

We are a busy, friendly, rural NHS Trust providing high-quality care and compassion to more than a quarter of a million people across west Suffolk. We care for, treat and support people in hospital, at home and in various community settings.

The West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds provides acute and secondary care services (emergency department, maternity and neonatal services, day surgery unit, eye treatment centre, Macmillan unit and children's ward). It has 500+ beds and is a partner teaching hospital of the University of Cambridge.

Adult and paediatric community services, provided in collaboration with West Suffolk Alliance partners, include a range of nursing, therapy, specialist, and ongoing temporary care and rehabilitation, some at our Newmarket Community Hospital.

We do our utmost to achieve outstanding clinical outcomes for patients and our values of fairness, inclusivity, respect, safety and team work guide how we work and behave as a team.

With nearly 5,000 staff, from all over the world, we strive to make our organisation a great place to work. Whatever your role or ambition, we want to help you be the best you can be.

We promote a diverse and inclusive community where everyones voice counts and you can #BeKnown for whoever you are.

 

Join us. What will you #BeKnown for?

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Clinical Practice:
• Working under the direction of a registered healthcare professional, participate in the personal care of 
patients and prioritising workload appropriately and developing competencies that safeguard practice and 
effectiveness in role.
• The Healthcare Support Worker -Care Maker will undertake high quality, caring and compassionate personal 
care and associated duties under the direction and supervision of the registered professional and working 
as part of the multi-disciplinary team.
• Undertake operational duties which include:
o Transporting specimens
o Collecting drugs/instruments/ case notes/instruments
o Escort duties
o Document information relating to personal care, onto HIS under the direction of a registered Nurse 
o Maintain and monitor stock levels on the ward/department.
o Participate in meetings and handover to discuss patients progress and care
o To safely transport patients
o Provide support to patients and relatives.
o Provide support when required to the ward/community Team
o Undertake Cavendish Care Certificate as required
Planning and organisational duties
• Provide assistance to patients and relatives according to their individual needs.
• Support patients with feeding providing education and support
• Assist registered healthcare professional with skin inspections and catheter care
Communication and Key Working relationships
• Maintain accurate and timely records, ensuring all entries are legible, accurate and completed within 
defined timescales.
• Effective verbal communication with all members of the multidisciplinary team to ensure safe high quality 
care is provided to all patients
• Provide general non-clinical advice, information and guidance to patients, relatives and visitors
• Assist with dietary needs of the patients as required
• Maintain effective working relationships with ward colleagues particularly those highlighted within the 
organisational chart above. 
• Display a pleasant and supportive manor when addressing patients/relatives/carers and colleagues alike
• Maintain basic administration tasks, answering telephone when required and the taking of messages and 
passing on of relevant information
 
• Maintain effective communication skills when liaising with patients, staff and visitors, using tact and empathy 
to receive and pass on information ensuring confidentiality is maintained
Patient/Service user related tasks and duties
• Work as part of a team delivering care that focuses on the direct needs of the individual
• Assists with washing, bathing, showering, hair and oral care:
• Assists with dressing and undressing. 
• Applies lotions and creams appropriately during the provision of skin care. 
• Assists with nutritional requirements 
• Assists with toileting, which may include the use of bedpan, commode or lavatory. 
• Assist in maintaining and monitoring cleaning standards within the clinical area ensuring general 
fixtures/fittings and specialist equipment are cleaned accordance with guidelines
• Comply with the Trusts Infection Control Policy
• Ensure sensitivity in relation to the emotional, cultural and religious beliefs/needs of individual patient’s 
relatives and /or carers.
Responsibility for Finance 
• Participate in ensuring effective use of all financial resources in providing and delivering an effective service
• Responsible for maintaining stock control
• Identify cost savings in order to support the department annual CIP targets
• Liaise with Estates and Works Departments in respect of all maintenance issues
• Complete daily checking of equipment and returning of equipment to loan store.
Responsibility for Human Resources
• Adhere to Trust policies/ procedures and guidelines
• Undertake Mandatory Training updates
• Undertake role specific training for onward development of the role including working towards an apprentice
• Ensure compliance with Mandatory training requirements in accordance with Trust Policy
Responsibility for Health & Safety
• Compliance with the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 – the post holder is required to fulfil a proactive role 
towards the management of risk in all of their actions. This entails the risk assessment of all situations, the 
taking of appropriate actions and reporting of all incidents, near misses and hazards, and a statutory duty of 
care for their own personal safety and that of others who may be affected by their acts or omissions. 
• All staff have a duty of care to safeguard and protect vulnerable adults, babies and children
• Awareness of the Trust vulnerable adult and Child Protection Policy/ Guidelines
Responsibility for Teaching
• Provide advice and give support to adults and relatives in relation to health promotion.
• Act as a role model and participate in the support during training of other healthcare assistances.

Person specification

Education and qualifications

Essential criteria
  • NMC Registration
  • BLS & ILS trained
  • Preparation for Mentorship
Desirable criteria
  • A1 Assessor course

Experience and knowledge

Essential criteria
  • Willingness to share knowledge
  • Awareness of current political/professional issues
  • Demonstrates awareness of the 6C’s, Trust values and Patients First Service Standards
  • Demonstrates an awareness of the importance of keeping the clinical environment safe and clean
  • Knowledge of the Data Protection Act
  • Previous acute experience within the NHS
  • Demonstrates experience managing deteriorating patients
Desirable criteria
  • Previous acute experience within the NHS

Skills and abilities

Essential criteria
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
  • Ability to work under pressure
  • Ability to work to clear guidelines and within role boundaries
  • Proficient IT skills
  • Communicates clearly in writing, verbally and using the telephone
  • Accurate with attention to detail
  • Proficient in accurate, objective documentation and clinical hand- over of patients
  • Able to recognise and manage deteriorating patients and to escalate concerns
  • Knowledge of Ambulatory Care Centre and clinical pathways
  • Cannulation competent
  • Venipuncture competent
  • Proficient with E-Care
  • IV Drug administration trained
Desirable criteria
  • Knowledge of Ambulatory Care same day emergency care Centre and clinical pathways

Personal qualities

Essential criteria
  • Team worker, who is able to prioritize effectively
  • Flexible approach to working hours and duties
  • Awareness of own limitations
  • Ability to use initiative, referring key decisions as appropriate and understanding aim limitations
  • Attention to detail
  • Polite, respectful and professional attitude and behaviors towards staff members, patients and relatives

Employer certification / accreditation badges

NHS Pastoral Care Quality AwardDisability confident employerArmed Forces Covenant

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

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
Jennifer Chandler
Job title
Unit Manager
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
01284 713032
Apply online nowAlert me to similar vacancies