Job Description

An exciting opportunity has arisen on the Regional Plastic Surgery Unit at Whiston Hospital. We are seeking a highly motivated and enthusiastic Nursing Associate, with a passion for excellence within the delivery of patient care



Mersey Regional Plastics Surgery Unit at Whiston Hospital provides treatment and repair of major lacerations where there is loss of tissue/ function, Re-attachment of severed body parts (re-implantation), Reconstruction surgery including where there is loss of tissue e.g. due to cancer or severe infections or trauma.



The post holder will be responsible for the clinical assessment of wounds and the treatment, and you should be able to work autonomously within this area, as the clinic is predominantly nurse led.



Experience in wound care is essential.



The successful candidate must have excellent communication skills when dealing with both patients & relatives and have the ability to make a clear decision with confidence and communicate this effectively. You will work as part of a multi-disciplinary team and work effectively with outside agencies.



Your professional development is important to us, we believe this enables you to give the best possible care to our patients and visitors. The post holder will be fully supported throughout their role within a friendly and dynamic team structure.



An Enhanced DBS Certificate with both the Children's and Adults' Barred Lists is required for this post.



To develop the skills to care for acutely unwell patients.



Liaise with senior Medical/Medical staff to provide a high quality service to patients and their families.



Offer advice / support to staff as required.



Work collaboratively with the multi-disciplinary team to maximise best use of resources.



Demonstrate commitment to the principles of Improving Working Lives.



Promote a safe working environment in accordance with Risk Management principles.



Interview Date - To Be Considered



Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust serves a population of over 600,000 with a workforce of over 9000 dedicated and skilled staff across 21 sites.



We strongly believe that the communities we serve should all have access to Five Star Patient Care.

Our Services:

Acute Care



Providing emergency and maternity services at Whiston, Southport and Ormskirk hospitals, and medical and surgical specialties across all our sites.



Primary Care



Providing primary care services at Marshalls Cross Medical Centre situated in St Helens Hospital.



Community Services



Providing adult community services for St Helens and a wheelchair service in Chorley, South Ribble, and West Lancashire. Our inpatient unit at Newton Community Hospital is where patients needing acute hospital beds can continue rehabilitation, freeing up space for more unwell patients. We also provide urgent care at our Urgent Treatment Centre located in St Helens town centre.



Specialist Regional Services



We provide the Mersey Regional Burns & Plastic Surgery Unit at Whiston Hospital and the Spinal Injuries Unit at Southport Hospital to more than 4 million people across the whole of Merseyside, West Lancashire, Cheshire, Isle of Man and North Wales.

Achievements:

Rated Outstanding by CQC Inspection August 2018

Top 100 places to work in the NHS (NHS Employers & Health Service Journal)

National Preceptorship Accreditation (2023) for Nursing & AHP Preceptorship Programme



Communications and relationship skills



Provides and receives complex information, communicating sensitively and confidentially information relating to patients/clients (for example, provide information relating to patient care plans to junior staff and receive complex information from senior colleague).

Communicates in a compassionate and empathetic manner, using persuasion and reassurance.

Ability to recognise barriers to communication, and ability to modify communication style as and when required.

Ability to effectively communicate whilst providing training to students.

Demonstrate effective communications skills with the wider MDT team



Clinical Skills



Work as part of a designated clinical and care team delivering care that focuses on the direct needs of the individual.

Maintain understanding of all elements of the nursing process and be able to assist the registered nurse in on-going assessment, planning, management and evaluation of care.

Deliver high quality, compassionate care under the supervision of a registered Nurse (or other registered professional dependent on the setting) with a focus on promoting health and independence focusing on the needs of the patient.

Where appropriate manage work without direct supervision, at times delivering care independently in line with the individuals plan of care, within designated parameters of practice of the Registered Nursing Associate role,

Access clinical and care advice when needed, recognize signs of deterioration/change and respond according to protocol.

Support individuals with all aspects of care including activities of daily living, providing person-centred care and promoting health and independence.

Work within the scope of the NMC Standards of Proficiency for Nursing Associates and Trust policies when administering/checking medications.

Maintain appropriate levels of training and competencies for clinical skills as needed within scope of practice.

Undertake clinical procedures within agreed competencies that are relevant to the speciality e.g. cannulation, venepuncture, ECGs, blood glucose, catheterisation and any additional tasks that are required by speciality / organisation as reflected in Trust policy.

Work within the organisational policy, standard operating procedures and guidelines.

Assist in the assessment of and management of risk across the environment where care is being administered.

Ensure that privacy, dignity and safety of individuals is maintained at all times.



Budget Responsibilities



To actively participate in the effective and efficient use of the ward/departmental resources and equipment, including stock management and care and maintenance of equipment.

Handles patients valuables, ensuring safe storage and transportation

Liaise with the Roster Coordinator to ensure your personal roster is balanced within the roster period.

To order and receipt goods in accordance with the Trust's financial framework.



Team Development



To manage own time and that of others, through delegations to ensure high quality service delivery.

To share best practice with junior staff and students to support their learning and development.

To participate in the setting of yearly personal and professional objectives for self and support the department's appraisal process for junior staff by providing feedback on their performance.

To act as assessor/supervisor for junior staff and students, where appropriate.



Research and Audit



To contribute to the collection of data for research and audit purposes.

To identify audit topics relevant to the ward/department.



Personal Development



To identify areas for self-development, areas of interest and training requirements within your personal performance planning and development review.

To maintain a professional portfolio and reflective diary for developmental purposes and revalidation.

Support the rest of the team by recognising own and promoting self-help and wellbeing

Contribute towards developing a culture of learning and innovation, developing high quality learning environments

Adopt a reflective approach to own practice with a view to continually improve.

To be flexible in the delivery of safe staffing across the Trust and participate in redeployment requirements within scope of practice