Job overview

We’re looking for nurses to join one of the largest Neuroscience centres in the country, providing services to a population of three million people and part of the Wessex trauma centre. If you have a real passion for nursing, and are looking for an exciting, fast moving clinical field to develop your skills, we’d love to hear from you.

Main duties of the job

Attached you will find the person specification document which provides more detail about the essential and desirable skills and experience needed for this role. We highly recommend you review this document and use it when completing your application as these criteria are used by hiring managers as guidance during shortlisting. 

For an overview of the main duties of the role please see the ‘Job Description and Main Responsibilities’ section below. To understand the day-to-day responsibilities in more detail please read the full job description document attached. 

Working for our organisation

As one of the largest acute teaching Trusts in England, we offer learning and development opportunities to help you achieve the career you aspire to. UHS is rated ‘Good’ by the CQC and in the latest national NHS Staff Survey, we were in the top 10 acute trusts for staff engagement and for staff recommending the hospital as a place to work or receive care. 

All non-clinical roles may involve a mixture of on site and remote working, Specific details and flexible working options can be discussed as part of the interview process. UHS employees are able to access a range of NHS discounts, are entitled to a minimum of 35 days paid holiday (pro rata), and we offer a generous pension scheme.

Southampton is an attractive place to live and work situated on the south coast, with an international airport and direct trains to London. The New Forest National Park and beaches of the Jurassic coast are also right on our doorstep. The city offers living costs 20% lower than London and 14 schools rated outstanding by Ofsted.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

We offer the exciting opportunity of a neurosciences course either uncredited or at degree or masters level. The course typically runs over a 6 month period with taught sessions, practice based competency and assignments. The neuro course is fundamental for future career progression to senior roles such as ward leader, advanced practitioner and clinical nurse specialist. 

The neuro course is delivered within the Wessex neuroscience centre by the education team supported by the multi-disciplinary team. The programme covers all common neurology and neurosurgery conditions such as stroke, head injury, epilepsy, neuro-oncology and spinal pathology.

Whilst studying for the course we are able to offer a rotation within the Wessex neurological centre or you could be based in a speciality area. UHS is a large University teaching hospital with clear priorities for maintaining high standards of care; investing in our staff is one way of delivering the high quality service. When it comes to careers we are committed to developing yours. 

ABOUT OUR CARE GROUP

The Wessex neurological centre (WNC) provides a dedicated, integrated 24-hour acute neurosurgical, neurological, spinal and stroke assessment, investigation and treatment service.  Being one of the largest neuroscience centres in the country, the centre serves a population of three million. Sitting within a large teaching hospital Trust, it has clear priorities for maintaining high standards of care and developing its specialist services for the community and purchasers of the former Wessex region, West Sussex and the Channel Islands.

We support our staff, offering a variety of opportunities for career progression. When it comes to careers we are committed to developing yours. We support both professional and personal development, recognising its importance in delivering a quality service.

ABOUT OUR TEAMS

HYPER ACUTE STROKE UNIT (HASU)

HASU is currently a 13 bedded unit which caters for all acute stroke admissions admitted directly from ED to commence on the stroke care pathway. Many of these patients are given thrombolysis treatment on the unit and if indicated then some patients may receive intra-arterial clot retrieval (mechanical thrombectomy) which has shown greatly improved patient outcomes in recent studies.

This is a particularly exciting time to join our team as we have recently implemented a mechanical thrombectomy service for the region. HASU is a dynamic and fast paced area of work where you would develop and utilise acute nursing skills. All the while being supported by a multidisciplinary team including trained stroke nurses, therapy staff and advanced nurse practitioners. 

F8 STROKE REHABILITATION

A 28 bedded acute stroke unit that works in collaboration with the therapy team to provide intense stroke rehabilitation for patients with complex needs.

NEURO REGIONAL TRANSFER UNIT

NRTU is a 10 bedded unit which caters for neurosurgical and neurology emergency admissions from across the Wessex region. Common conditions we see are brain bleeds, tumours, head injuries, seizures, myasthenia gravis and guillain-barre syndrome amongst many others. 

We also take emergency spinal admissions when our sister spinal ward is at full capacity. One of our beds is also a specialist video-telemetry (VT) Suite whereby epilepsy patients are monitored for a week, often reducing medication to promote seizures. This is for either diagnostic measures or to assess whether they would be a candidate for surgery. 

F4 SPINAL

Our dedicated 22 bed spinal unit, encompassing both emergency trauma and elective surgery. 

D AND E NEURO

D neuro (male) and E neuro (female) each house 24 beds. We also have admission/step down beds for patients who are transferred from neuro ICU. These beds accommodate all acute neuro surgical and neurology conditions, including subarachnoid haemorrhage, head injuries, epilepsy and MS.

Person specification

Trust Values

Essential criteria

• Patients First
• Always Improving
• Working Together

Qualifications, knowledge and experience

Essential criteria

• Qualified Nurse (Degree/Diploma)
• Registered nurse on appropriate part of the register
• Knowledge of current issues within acute Health Service
• Understanding of personal accountability
• Knowledge of own role within the team
• Provide evidence of teaching and supporting learners in practice in the role of practice supervisor
• Awareness of evidence-based practice
• Awareness of responsibilities for management of infection control
• Evidence of on-going personal development
• Able to use initiative

Desirable criteria

• Evidence of recent study
• Previous experience/qualification in relevant specialty
• Teaching experience

Skills and competencies

Essential criteria

• Prioritisation
• Teamwork
• Multitasking
• Time management
• People management
• Facilitation skills
• General IT skills

Please be advised that this vacancy may close earlier than stated if large numbers of applications are received.

Due to the volume of applications we receive, we are unable to acknowledge receipt of your application. If you have not heard from us within four weeks of the closing date of this post, please presume that you have not been selected for interview.

Applicants from University Hospitals Southampton NHS Foundation Trust whose posts are considered to be ‘At Risk’ will be given prior consideration for this post

Our Trust runs the return to practice course each year for nurses who have been out of the profession and wish to return. To find out more please visit our website:

http://www.uhs.nhs.uk/WorkingHere/Typesofjob/Nurses/Returntonursing.aspx

http://www.discoversouthampton.co.uk/   Information on Southampton as a place to live and enjoy

https://www.uhs-vle.co.uk/   See what fantastic training and development we have on offer at UHS

http://www.youtube.com/user/SouthamptonHospitals learn about the Trust through visiting our YouTube channel 

Getting to Work

Application can be made for parking on site at UHS or through one of the park and ride schemes. This will be based on specific criteria to determine eligibility for site parking as this can be very limited.  UHS encourages staff to utilise other green methods of getting to work such as cycling or walking where possible. UHS is well connected through bus services to the city centre and other areas.

Please note that we will not accept any applications or queries via agencies, under any circumstances.

Our staff are positive about working at UHS and rate us above average compared to other NHS Trusts in the Staff Attitude Survey. We are rated strongly on a number of areas including teamwork, communication and engagement.

Equality remains at the centre of all Trust policy making, service delivery and employment practice with all employees being given equality of opportunity to develop, apply for promotion and have working arrangements that enable them to achieve a manageable work-life balance.

The Trust actively promotes a work environment free from harassment and discrimination and provides training for managers and staff to ensure this happens. The Trust also closely monitors recruitment activity, training and development and employment practices to ensure equality of practice with regard to race, colour, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, gender, sexual orientation, disability, marital status and age.

As a service provider the Trust ensures equality of access and delivery of our services through the provision of interpreter services, facilities for the disabled and sensitivity for patients ethnic and religious differences and needs.

Relocating to Southampton

If you are thinking of moving to the Hampshire area, please find below a link to our website which offers guidance on finding accommodation:

http://www.uhs.nhs.uk/relocating-to-southampton

The Trust is under a duty to protect the public funds it administers, and to this end may use the information you have provided on this form for the prevention and detection of fraud. It may also share this information with other bodies responsible for auditing or administering public funds for these purposes.