Job overview

Are you looking for a new challenge? Would you like to be part of a national pilot project focusing on patient training and self-management within the intestinal failure patient cohort?
The Nutrition Support and Intestinal Failure Team at University Hospital Southampton are delighted to offer a unique opportunity for an experienced, dynamic, registered nurse to lead on a project to increase patient self-management of their home intravenous support prior to discharge from hospital with the aim to improve patient experience, reduce complications and readmissions. The post will involve direct patient teaching in the care of their intravenous lines and home intravenous support, liaising with established services to support a safe and timely discharge and collating and presenting the outcomes of the project in line with the national project guidelines. 

We are seeking a motivated and enthusiastic registered nurse with band 6 leadership experience and a professional interest in nutrition support and intestinal failure to join the specialist team and take forward this exciting project. The ideal candidate would have a drive for patient education, enhancing patient experience and supporting patient with complex and individualised needs. They will be able to work autonomously as well as in conjunction with a variety of different professionals, have excellent communication skills and be confident in managing and presenting data in a variety of different formats. 

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

You would be joining an established, innovative and highly skilled multidisciplinary team who always achieve putting the patients at the centre of their care. You would be working within a unique and forward-thinking team, alongside surgeons, gastroenterologists, pharmacists, dietitians, therapy services and other specialist nurses as well as ward teams. We are proud to host a nationally recognised dedicated 17 bed Intestinal Failure Unit which accommodates patients with the varying categories of intestinal failure, as well as supporting a large cohort of patients requiring nutritional support at home through liaison with home care providers.

This innovative role will be instrumental in supporting patients with intravenous nutrition, fluid and electrolyte needs and teaching them to manage these safely. The post holder will be directly responsible for assessing and training patients to become self-caring with their intravenous lines and infusions and liaising directly with our community partners in order to provide a seamless clinical delivery from tertiary to primary care. They will also lead on the collation and presentation of the project outcomes measures. The post will be an integral part of the MDT, supporting patient pathways and facilitating patient self-management trajectories in order to reduce length of stay, prevent readmissions and improve patient experience.

The service ideally is looking for someone who is enthusiastic, patient focused and has an understanding of the complex nature of managing long term conditions. The successful applicant will need to possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills to facilitate practical patient education. You will be flexible and innovative in the way you work, providing a strong visible and approachable presence for patients, their families, staff and carers. You will need some experience of change management and be able to support appropriate data collation and presentation in a variety of formats. 

This unique role is predominately needed throughout the core hours of the working week, but it is expected that you may be required to work with some flexibility on an adhoc basis as service needs demands.  
The post offered is fixed term but a secondment for internal candidates would also be considered.
 
We would welcome the opportunity to discuss this unique vacancy with you so please contact us for further information. Informal visits are strongly encouraged.

Person specification

Trust value

Essential criteria

• Patient First
• Always Improving
• Working Together

Qualifications, knowledge and experience

Essential criteria

• Registered nurse on relevant part of the NMC register
• Level 7 Post Grad Cert (Min 60 Credits), Master’s Degree within relevant speciality or equivalent knowledge to be assessed through evidence of relevant speciality training, experience or portfolio
• Specialist training / Qualification in area of practice
• Provide evidence of leading learning in practice
• Evidence of experience and completion of all band 6 competencies within relevant speciality
• Specialist clinical skills and experience within specialist area
• Evidence of change Management, leadership and innovation
• Clinical experience at Band 6 or equivalent within relevant speciality
• Provide evidence of supporting colleagues to promote learning in practice providing an excellent learning environment for all
• Provide evidence of supporting / managing and supervision of a range of learnings in practice

Desirable criteria

• Counselling / advanced communication skills qualification / training
• Act in the role of Practice Assessor or supporting the progression of learners / supporting challenges as needed
• Multidisciplinary team working
• Experience of nurse-led care / clinics in own practice
• Team leadership role
• Awareness of own leadership skills/style
• Registered as an independent prescriber
• Leadership Qualification / training

Skills and competencies

Essential criteria

• Negotiation skills
• Ability to learn and assimilate information quickly
• Communication
• Problem solving
• Emotional intelligence
• General IT skills
• Strategic planning
• Interpersonal skills
• Organisational 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.