The States of Guernsey are looking for a Senior Staff Nurse to join the team at Prison Services. The post holder, in conjunction with other members of the multi-disciplinary team, will be responsible for the delivery of high-quality primary health care to service users within the, at times, challenging forensic environment.
Main duties of the job
The Senior Staff Nurse will follow a focused model of care that promotes close teamwork, and liaison/partnership with acute, community, mental health services and all agencies on and off island as required. The post holder will be able to demonstrate knowledge and competence in working with service users who have moderate as well as emergency and enduring health problems. The successful applicant will act as a role model to peers and junior team members. As Senior Staff Nurse you will support the Prison Healthcare Manager in managing the Healthcare Department, including supporting and mentoring junior staff. The post holder will be competent, non-judgmental, and empathic when working with service users who have physical and mental health problems (including substance use) and will coordinate the clinical management of service users. The post holder will be guided by established policies, procedures and NMC guidelines.
Job responsibilities
- Responsibility for Patient/Service User Care: To undertake the assessment of patients/service users with complex needs including individuals with unconfirmed diagnosis.
- To develop, implement and evaluate specialised programmes of care utilising evidence and research.
- To work autonomously, recognising changes in patients'/service users' presentation which require intervention, knowing when to escalate as appropriate.
- To guide, advise and direct other staff in the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of specialised patient/service user care.
- To promote patient/service user involvement in the planning, delivery and evaluation of care, respecting their beliefs and dignity.
- To utilise data and information from a range of sources to identify patient/service user condition to guide decision making.
- Within field of expertise and policy, request specific clinical tests to establish a diagnosis.
- To undertake the role of health promoter and educator for patients/service users and their support networks.
- To ensure that professional standards are upheld by the staff members working within the postholder's sphere of responsibility.
- To report all accidents and incidents as per policy and participate in risk management and Quality and Safety processes e.g SWARM.
- Communication: To build a therapeutic relationship with patients/service users and their support network, communicating with them in a way that respects their views, language, cultural differences and cognitive function.
- To use a wide range of communication skills that can be adapted to meet the needs of complex and challenging situations.
- To manage conflict between individuals including staff, patients/service users and their support network.
- To establish effective working relations with all members of the multi-disciplinary team and outside agencies, clearly relaying condition related information in a timely and effective manner.
- Communicates to patients/service users and support networks compassionately, in a confidential and sensitive professional manner.
- To provide clear, concise, and accurate electronic and paper records of the care given in accordance with agreed policy and standards.
- Leadership: To act as a professional role model for junior staff, promoting high standards of practice and strong professional values.
- To take charge of the department or service as required.
- To co-ordinate nurse led and multi-agency activities within area of specialist practice.
- To contribute to team success and excellent standards of care by challenging others constructively, upholding HSCs CARE Values.
- To ensure team members are aware of organisational objectives, policies and procedures and implications that they have for their practice.
- To undertake Values Based Appraisals for staff as required and support such staff with performance issues, developing action plans to address developmental needs.
- To contribute to the recruitment of team members and ensure a positive and supportive working environment for all staff.
- To advocate on behalf of patients and service users.
- To take accountability and reflect on own decisions and actions using available support networks.
- Planning and Organisation: To organise own workload and tasks and that of others, demonstrating the ability to recognise changing priorities and adjusting plans accordingly.
- To assist with shift planning/work scheduling for the service area including the appropriate allocation of staff to ensure safe levels of care.
- To coordinate and delegate activities to junior colleagues where applicable within agreed systems of working, considering required skill mix and staffing levels, in accordance with patient/service user need.
- Policy and Service Development: To contribute to service developments and propose changes to policies and procedures.
- To ensure that junior staff members are aware of relevant policies, procedures and guidelines.
- Partnership Working: To demonstrate an understanding of and apply the principles of the CARE Values.
- To actively work collaboratively as part of a multi-disciplinary team with a range of professionals from other service areas who may be participating in the care of a patient/service user.
- To lead effective team working, communicating with others in a constructive way, which enables colleagues to make suggestions for the improvement of care delivery.
- To lead and participate in team meetings.
- Responsibility for Physical and Financial Resources: To ensure that public funds are used responsibly and appropriately.
- To authorise expenditure, e.g. the signing of timesheets and authorising the use of additional staff.
- To have an awareness of cost implications and assist in the management of resources within the service area e.g equipment and supplies.
- To ensure the safe and responsible use of equipment.
- To handle valuables in accordance with agreed policies and procedures.
- Professional Development: To take responsibility for maintaining own professional development and revalidation requirements, ensuring completion of training in accordance with the Statutory, Mandatory and Essential to Role Training Policy.
- To participate in supervisory one-to-one meetings and undertake HSC Values Based Appraisals where appropriate, developing plans to meet personal and organisational objectives.
- To continually develop new knowledge and skills, applying this to practice and sharing with colleagues as appropriate.
- To develop programmes of learning to meet the educational needs of staff working within the department or service.
- To participate in the induction, orientation and development of new staff, agency workers, students and any voluntary workers.
- To actively contribute to an effective learning environment and to supervise and assess pre and post registration students in accordance with University and HSC requirements.
- Research Development and Audit: To use data from clinical incidents to inform areas of audit activity and service development.
- To participate in HSC quality improvement initiatives and audits to improve patient and service user safety and care.
- To keep up to date with evidence based practice and current trends.
- Analysis and Data Management: To understand Key Performance Indicators and trends within own service area and contribute to service development.
- To utilise a variety of data sources to contribute to the analysis and investigation of incidents.
Person Specification
Qualifications
- Registered Nurse General and/or Mental Health Nurse
- Teaching/Mentoring Training
- Diploma/Degree in a related field
Experience
- The ability to evidence how HSCs CARE Values are applied in practice.
- Evidence of relevant CPD.
- A high standard of communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to deal with complex and challenging situations in a calm and diplomatic manner.
- The ability to effectively prioritise own workload and that of others.
- The ability to work both autonomously and as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
- Commitment to self-development and the development of others.
- Adaptable and responsive to changing service needs.
- The ability to deal with stress in self and others, recognising when support is required.
- Demonstrating a caring and empathic approach to individuals treating service users with dignity and respect without judgement.
- Demonstrating confident decision-making skills required to work within a primarily nurse-led service.
- Awareness and understanding of the importance of security procedures and ability to work within the strict prison regime.
- Where relevant, carry out the role of non-medical prescriber (V300) within the boundaries of their knowledge and competence, provide appropriate evidence based, safe and cost effective prescribing from approved local formularies at all times.
- Experience working in a secure environment.
- Experience working in Primary Care.
- Independent non-medical prescriber or willingness to undertake the V300.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
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