Download Senior Staff Nurse - NHS Scotland Recruitment

SECONDMENT OPPORTUNITY
SENIOR STAFF NURSE
3 MONTHS
Salary:
As per secondment policy
Hours:
Full Time – 37.5 hours
Post details:
A secondment opportunity has arisen for a Senior Staff Nurse.
In the first instance this post will be for 3 months within the
Sports Activity Centre located in the Skye Centre and
thereafter will be subject to review.
The successful candidate will be responsible for providing
clinical leadership to the nursing and rehabilitation staff in the
Sports Activity Centre, ensuring the delivery of high quality,
person centred care. The individual will work closely with the
Nurse Team Leader and Senior Charge Nurse in promoting an
integrated approach to care, ensuring safe and effective clinical
practice and take responsibility for the day to day managing
and support the development of the team in Sports. The
individual will be able to evidence an innovative and
professional approach that will contribute to the development of
the service.
Experience/
Qualifications
Applicants are required to be RMN or RNLD qualified and be
able to demonstrate experience of leading a team.
Interested?
If you are interested in this secondment opportunity then
please submit a statement to support your consideration for the
post and a letter of support from your Senior Charge Nurse.
These should be addressed to Pauline Thomson, Human
Resources Advisor. For an informal discussion about this
vacancy, please contact Alexandra MacLean on Ext 2178 or
Jacqueline Garrity on Ext 2056
Closing
Date:
The closing date for applications is Wednesday 6 April 2016.
This is an internal advert only
SKYE CENTRE SENIOR STAFF NURSE
1. JOB IDENTIFICATION
Job Title: Senior Staff Nurse
Responsible to: Nurse Team Leader
Department: Skye Centre
Directorate: General Management
Operating Division:
Job Reference:
No of Job Holders:
Last Update:
2. JOB PURPOSE
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To take charge of an activity centre and work without direct supervision.
To work collaboratively with Rehabilitation Instructors to deliver a range of therapeutic social,
physical, educational and recreational activities in line with the patients’ treatment plan and
personal choice.
To be responsible as a named nurse for the development, maintenance and delivery of high
quality care in a secure environment, through the assessment, planning, implementation and
evaluation of patient care processes.
To keep abreast of trends and developments in nursing and to participate in the planning,
development and evaluation of new ideas and methods for the constant improvement of the
services provided.
To contribute an innovative and progressive attitude to the care of the patients.
To support the work of other disciplines such as occupational therapists within the wards and off
ward areas; to supervise junior staff i.e. junior staff nurses, enrolled nurses, rehabilitation
instructors and nursing assistants and be able to teach other nursing and non-nursing staff.
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This role requires an individual with the ability to provide patient care to set standards within
clinical areas. There is a need for knowledge and understanding of patient clinical issues and
promotion of choice, respect and dignity.
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The post holder will deliver expert, high quality treatment and care in a safe and secure setting.
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The post holder will ensure that maintenance of public, staff and patient safety is paramount.
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The supervision of Skye Centre staff (Rehab Instructors, support workers), junior staff nurses,
nursing assistants and student nurses in training in clinical matters.
The post holder will lead a team of registered and non registered staff.
Responsible for the Health, Safety and Security of the Activity Centre.
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Direct care of a group of patients who attend the Activity Centre.
The post holder is expected to be flexible and work within all patient care areas of the hospital.
Staff should be aware of budgetary constraints and maintain an effective stock control system.
The post holder is expected to cooperate with the NHSS modernisation agenda and embrace role
change and job enrichment opportunities which arise as a result of that process.
4. ORGANISATIONAL POSITION
Nurse Team Leader
Senior Staff Nurse
Staff Nurse/Enrolled
Nurse
Senior Rehab
5. ROLE OF DEPARTMENT
The Nursing Directorate works collaboratively with the other clinical professions to safely rehabilitate
patients detained under the Mental Health and Criminal Procedures Legislation and as a result every
Activity Centre will be expected to provide a high quality service that is individually focused and consists
of a range of therapeutic recreational, social, occupational and physical activities for potentially
dangerous patients who are mentally ill or have a learning disability.
6. KEY RESULT AREAS
Working with Patients:
 To assume responsibility for an Activity Centre and direct the assessment, planning,
implementation and evaluation of patient care.
 To be a named nurse for all patients who attend an Activity Centre. This could be up to 120
patients.
 To supervise a team of Rehab Instructors and junior staff providing care and activity for patients
on a sessional basis.
 To ensure that care is taken of patients' clothing, possessions and valuables whilst attending the
Activity Centre.
 To escort patients on outings as part of a team e.g. inter hospital social events such as bowling.
 To escort patients between wards and centres.
 To contribute to the assessment of the individual and individual plans in response to the patient’s
needs, monitoring same to ensure the achievement and maintenance of the highest quality of
patient care and in line with their current treatment plan. This will involve annual reports to the
relevant clinical team or more frequently if required, and will involve all patients who attend the
centre.
 To afford a high priority to health promotion initiatives for patients, e.g. physical activity and
healthy eating.
 To empathise with patients and assist them to express their thoughts, feelings and needs.
 To actively promote and participate in a range of therapeutic nursing strategies with the patient
group, e.g. encourage use of diversion techniques for a patient who suffers from hallucinations.
 To participate in and promote multi-disciplinary working.
Working within a management framework
 To act as a group leader/coordinator for a defined set of nursing care plans for all patients who
attend the centre.
 To assume additional responsibilities as and when delegated by the Skye Centre Manager or
Senior Charge Nurse and Team Leader, e.g. interview new staff.
 To contribute to the development of the Skye Centre Service under supervision from the Skye
Centre Manager/SCN/Team Leader.
 To participate in the induction process of all staff and students to the centre.
 To take charge of the centre and in doing so;
 Maintain close liaison with the Team Leader on all relevant clinical and administrative issues.
 Ensure that at all times the centre remains physically and emotionally secure.
 Ensure regular staff meetings with all centre staff, incorporating individual patient reports and
service issues e.g. new referrals and any H&S issues.
 To support the SCN/Team Leader with the effective implementation of the hospital attendance
management policy.
 To take responsibility alongside the SCN/Team Leader for effective delivery and implementation
of the staff appraisal system.
Working with a professional nursing framework
 To set a professional example in attitude, conduct and practice as laid down in the NMC
Professional Code of Conduct, at all times.
 To utilise appropriate documentation for the assessment, planning and implementation of
patients' treatments/care and to participate in clinical team meetings when possible.
 To follow Nursing and Centre policies and procedures in the delivery of care.
 To prepare, give and receive written and verbal and electronic reports, reporting conditions of
patients, to more senior nurses and /or medical staff as well as to the SCN/Skye Centre Manager.
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To ensure safe custody, storage and administration of medications in accordance with Hospital
Policies and NMC guidelines when required.
 To participate in nursing research in relation to forensic psychiatric nursing,
 To initiate and participate in clinical audit.
 To support the mentoring for students to the hospital and to be a source of knowledge and advice
to junior staff.
 To actively participate in the clinical supervision process.
 To remain updated in developments in clinical practice by participating in relevant post
registration education.
 To maintain an up to date knowledge of current clinical issues and legalities.
Working with Health and Safety and Security:
 To work within the provisions of the Hospital’s Health and Safety policy,
 To ensure that at all times a safe and secure environment is maintained through involvement in
audit and acting on concerns,
 To supervise and direct junior staff whilst they are carrying out specific directed duties such as
cleaning body fluid/ waste spillages and general centre housekeeping duties.
 To ensure that hospital policies and procedures are understood and adhered to at all times,
 To be familiar with and understand how to use the hospital radio system and personal alarm
system,
 To report to SCN/Team Leader any matter relating to the safety of the environment or any breach
of security.
 To act at all times in a responsible and safe manner and encourage a warm and welcoming
environment for patients, visitors and other staff.
Communication, listening and observation:
 To work within a multidisciplinary team and be involved in both verbal and written communication
as part of the continuous review process e.g. activity centre reports annually for all patients
attending
 To observe the need for professionalism in both confidential and cultural issues.
 To maintain a level of communication that is clear, open and honest and without prejudice
towards patients, colleagues or others
 To ensure that all visitors are greeted in a courteous manner.
 To be able to provide and receive highly complex and sensitive information about patients.
Others:
 To participate in all directed training and development activities provided by the hospital and at all
times encourage staff to extend and develop their clinical knowledge and expertise.
 To provide an effective role model for staff and patients and at all times ensure adherence by
staff to all Hospital Policies and Procedures.
 To promote and ensure that at all times the standards required by the staff charter are
maintained.
7a. EQUIPMENT AND MACHINERY
The post holder will be required to use the following equipment for the reasons stated:
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Moving and Handling equipment to assist patient mobility (hoists, wheelchairs),
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Medical equipment to record vital signs and administer treatments (Blood Pressure monitor,
thermometer, syringes etc) when required
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IT equipment to read, record and transmit information (patient related, learning related,
organisation related).
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All mechanical or electrical equipment used in relevant work areas (fitness equipment,
woodworking machinery, kilns, gardening utensils e.g. spades etc)
7b. SYSTEMS
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Information will be required to be input to various IT systems on behalf of patients (for example
Electronic Patient Record, Datix-
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In addition, e mail messaging is the normal method of rapid communication within the Hospital;
the Senior Staff Nurse will be expected to be familiar with this.
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Recording systems detailing information about patients and staff will also require to have
information input to by the Senior Staff Nurse e.g. staff rosters and patient activity performance
and fire registers.
8. ASSIGNMENT AND REVIEW OF WORK
Post holders are expected to work with a great deal of autonomy and be able to use their own
judgement.
As the Senior Staff nurse in charge of the centre they will assign duties to the team in that area. Regular
reviews of work will take place between the Senior Nurse and Team Leader. Work can also be assigned
and reviewed by the SCN and Skye Centre Manager.
9. DECISIONS AND JUDGEMENTS
The Senior Staff Nurse will be frequently required to make judgements involving a range of facts or
situations, which require the analysis or comparison of a range of options.
Whilst working with patients who exhibit behaviours that challenge and at the same time have complex
needs, the Senior Staff Nurse will on occasions need to make judgements as to the most appropriate
intervention. This will be reviewed later in consultation with a more senior nurse, if the situation requires
it.
When in charge of an activity centre, the Senior Staff Nurse will be required to both make decisions
regarding the operational management of the activity centre, and, supervise others in their decision
making processes.
10. MOST CHALLENGING/DIFFICULT PARTS OF THE JOB
1. To maintain a positive attitude towards the care of patients when challenged by
negative/aggressive behaviours from patients
2. To motivate patients to engage in therapeutic activity when challenged by the negative effects of
mental illness such as lethargy, poor motivation and lack of insight.
11. COMMUNICATIONS AND RELATIONSHIPS
The Senior Staff Nurse is required to provide and receive routine information, which requires tact or
persuasive skills including when there are barriers to understanding e.g. perceptual difficulties, cultural
barriers to understanding and a rage of sensory impairments.
The Senior Staff nurse is required to receive and provide complex clinical information to patients,
colleagues, and visitors.
The Senior Staff nurse is required to receive and provide operational information to patients, colleagues,
and visitors.
Many of the patients within the hospital have difficulty with communication; the Senior Staff Nurse will be
expected to be competent in both verbal and non-verbal communication methods.
They will be expected to communicate effectively with
 patients
 staff
 professional visitors
 relatives and carers
 outside agencies
12. PHYSICAL, MENTAL, EMOTIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL DEMANDS OF THE JOB
The hospital is a high secure mental health working environment that cares for individuals detained
under mental health and related legislation. Patients detained are considered to pose a grave and
immediate danger to themselves and the public. Working at The Hospital involves being subjected to
searching and security procedures, responsibility for keys, and working in a restrictive, locked
environment.
Exposure to physical and verbal aggressive behaviour of patients and carers.
Physical demands:
 There is an frequent requirement to exert intense physical effort throughout the period of work
e.g. responding to another area of the hospital in an emergency or being involved in the
restraint of a patient
 There is a requirement to respond to serious and emergency incidents and support efforts to
manage them.
 There is a requirement to undertake relevant mandatory training and engage in the
management of violence and aggression.
 There is a daily requirement to escort patients to and from activity centres, often in inclement
weather
 There is a daily demand while working in activity centres, e.g. lifting loads of up to 10kg such,
animal feed and digging etc
Mental demands:
 Periods of sustained and intense concentration when managing the care of detained patients
in a high security hospital.
 Occasional driving of vehicles outside the hospital with a patient and other staff as
passengers. This requires sustained and intense levels of concentration and observation
beyond normal daily demands.
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The use of tools and sharp implements increases the possible severity of an incident, should
one occur, and the post holder has the responsibility of checking these tools regularly
throughout the day, the monitoring of them while in use, and the intense mental demand and
constant risk assessment to maintain safety and security while providing therapeutic activity.
Emotional demands:
 Frequent and prolonged exposure to highly distressing or highly emotional circumstances,
due to the backgrounds and presentations of many of the patients. This can present
exceptional challenges both in working with the patients and their carers, and in managing
personal emotional responses to the work.
Environmental demands:
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There will be a frequent requirement to work in areas with exposure to highly unpleasant
working conditions. These will include dealing with body fluids and soiled linen.
13. KNOWLEDGE, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED TO DO THE JOB
 The post holder will have obtained professional/clinical knowledge acquired through training to
degree/diploma level.
 Registration on the NMC single professional register in respect of Mental Nursing and/or Learning
Disability Nursing.
 Responsible and caring attitude.
 Effective communication and positive interpersonal skills.
 Motivated and committed to work with patients.
14. JOB DESCRIPTION AGREEMENT
Job Holder’s Signature:
Date:
Head of Department Signature:
Date:
STATE HOSPITALS BOARD for SCOTLAND
PERSON SPECIFICATION:
Skye Centre – Senior Staff Nurse
Attribute
Essential
Qualifications
 The post holder will have
obtained professional/clinical
knowledge acquired through
training to degree/diploma
level.
Desirable
 Registration on the NMC
single professional register
in respect of Mental Nursing
and/or Learning Disability
Nursing.
Experience
Skills and Abilities
Knowledge
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Motivated and committed to Knowledge of IT systems –
Microsoft Word
work with patients with a
serious mental illness, or
learning disability.
 Experience working within a
secure environment
Relevant vocational skills i.e.
 Self-motivated person with
effective communication
sports qualification,
and positive interpersonal
skills.
gardening, craft & design
 Ability to give verbal
reports or written reports to
enable accurate recordings
of patients needs.
 The post holder will have
knowledge of the Mental
Health Act, Criminal
Procedures Act, and the
Human Rights Act
Personal Qualities
 Responsible
attitude.
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and
caring
Requirement to
demonstrate initiative
Effective time management
skills
Sense of humour