Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a band 6 specialist nurse to join our established colorectal pelvic floor team to cover a period of maternity leave. Our multidisciplinary team sits within the GI Physiology Unit at University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust (UHS) and is comprised of specialist nurses, physiotherapists, clinical scientists, operating department practitioners, colorectal surgeons and gastroenterologists. 

You will play a key role in providing excellent patient care and improving the quality of life for patients with complex bowel conditions including pelvic floor dysfunction, constipation, obstructive defecation, rectal prolapse, faecal incontinence, haemorrhoids and anal fissure. This will include conducting outpatient clinics to assess patients and provide treatment as well as supporting consultant clinics. 

You will be highly motivated, enthusiastic and experienced in delivering high quality patient care. You will possess excellent communication and organisational skills. Relevant experience in pelvic floor/bowel care/colorectal nursing/gastro nursing/continence care is preferred although training will be provided. This would be a good opportunity for someone looking for an opportunity to gain experience in a specialist nursing role. 

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

- Providing information and education to patients or carers regarding their bowel condition in both face to face consultations, telephone consultations and virtual group education sessions

- Provide information and education to patients alongside consultants in joint clinics

- Review patient medication for bowel conditions recommending adjustments to GP or consultant where appropriate and review efficacy

- Recommend continence aids (eg anal plugs) where appropriate and review efficacy

- Coordinate and provide a rectal irrigation service alongside colorectal pelvic floor nursing team

- Undertake digital rectal examination as appropriate

- Attend and contribute to the UHS pelvic floor MDT

- Arrange diagnostic tests where necessary (eg endoanal ultrasound, anorectal physiology)

- Arrange referral to other specialists where appropriate (eg physiotherapy, dietician)

- Coordinate departmental patient consultant review meetings alongside colorectal pelvic floor team

- Undertake biofeedback for pelvic floor retraining

- Manage own caseload and have good time management skills

Person specification

Trust values

Essential criteria

• Patient First
• Always Improving
• Working Together

Qualifications, knowledge and experience

Essential criteria

• Registered nurse on relevant part of the NMC register
• Degree qualification, 120 credits at L6 or possess an equivalent knowledge to be assessed through evidence of relevant specialist training, experience or portfolio
• Significant post registration experience / qualification / training, including experience and knowledge within relevant speciality
• Completion of all Band 5 (preceptorship) competencies
• Higher Education Institute approved course in supporting learners in practice or evidence assessed to be of equivalent experience, demonstrating support to a range of learners in practice. Provide evidence of both supporting a range of learners in practice and supporting colleagues to promote effective learning in practice
• Extensive post registration experience within specialist area.
• Knowledge of current issues within the acute health service.
• Understanding of personal accountability.

Desirable criteria

• Change Management, clinical practice development.
• Multidisciplinary team working.

Skills and competencies

Essential criteria

• Ability to learn and assimilate information quickly
• Communication
• Critical thinking
• General IT skills
• Leadership
• Negotiation skills
• Organisational skills
• Prioritisation
• Teamwork
• Working under pressure

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.