Staff Nurse Ward - UPMC Aut Even Hospital, Kilkenny

Location: Aut Even Hospital
Job type: Permanent

Overview of role:

The post holder will work as an integral member of the Nursing and Multidisciplinary team involved in the provision of evidence-based care to the patients who attend the hospital. The nurse will provide the highest professional and ethical standards within the model of nursing which must be assessed, planned, implemented and evaluated.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

Professional Responsibilities

Nurses are expected to practice according to the Code of Professional Conduct as laid down by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland and Professional Clinical Guidelines.
Adhere at all times to NMBI code for nurses and ensure that subordinate staff do likewise.
Adhere to Aut Even Hospital Guidelines / Policies / Protocols.
Work within their scope of practice and take measures to continuously develop and maintain the competence necessary for professional practice.
Maintain a high standard of professional behaviour and be accountable for their practice.
Provide and maintain a caring, efficient and highly professional nursing service to all patients in his / her care.
Be aware of ethical policies and procedures which pertain to their area of practice.
Access all documents, policies, and procedures and report incidents and complaints through our Hospital Quality
Management system - Q-Pulse
Respect and maintain the privacy, dignity and confidentiality of the patient at all times.
Assume responsibility for and coordinate the management of the ward area in the absence of the CNMII.
To undertake the role of mentor/buddy where requested and to facilitate the orientation and development of new staff.

Clinical Practice

Responsible for assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating individual programmes of care and ensuring that all patients receive the care identified within the agreed nursing model.
To receive patients and their relatives in a calm, courteous and reassuring manner and ensure they are kept informed of progress and treatments and participate in providing support and help.
Assist medical staff with procedures and treatments ensuring that all instructions are executed and those observations are documented and reported.
Ensure that nursing procedures are carried out in accordance with hospital policies and procedures.

Ensure that proper control, storage and administration of drugs and medicines are in accordance with Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland regulations and Hospital Policy.
Anticipate and respond to the needs of patients and their relatives.
Maintain a quiet calm atmosphere in the ward environment and by encouragement and example, foster a happy team spirit to ensure the safety and wellbeing of patients and staff.
Actively promote the concept of Holistic care for patients within the Ward or Department.
Participate in:

Dietary Requirements for patients in co-operation with household staff.
Co-coordinating all requirements for the discharge of patients including documentation.

Collaborate with the multidisciplinary team in the co-ordination and delivery of patient care.
Be an advocate for the individual patient and for his/her family if appropriate and required.
Ensure that care is carried out in an empathetic and ethical manner and that the dignity of the patient is paramount in accordance with the five rights.
Collaborate with the patient, their family, the multidisciplinary team to facilitate appropriate discharge planning and continuity of care, beginning at admission stage.
Ability and competency to use medical equipment and devices safely at ward level.

Clinical Governance

Participate in innovation and change in the approach to patient care delivery, and contribute to service planning process, based on best practice and under the direction of nursing management, particularly in relation to new research findings and advances in treatment.
Participate in the setting of professional standards. Understand and co-operate with the need to measure and audit the effectiveness of care given in order to provide quality care.
Be aware of and comply with the principles of clinical governance including quality, risk and health & safety and be individually responsible for clinical governance, risk management and health & safety issues within their own work area.
Accurately record and report incidents, near misses and or verbal complaints to appropriate personnel according to Hospital Policy.
Participate in the development of policies, procedures and guidelines to support compliance with research best practice.
Ability to access policies on Q-Pulse and to log incidents as required.

Administration

Prepare a nursing handover for change of shift in order to maintain a safe and informative communication regarding patient care.
Observe all nursing and administrative policies and procedures.
Ensure that the Ward / Department is maintained in good order, that supplies are adequate, and that all equipment is in good working order and ready for immediate use under the guidance of the CNM 2.
Ensure that the appropriate and efficient use of supplies is made and exercise economy in the use of consumables.
Liaise continuously with CNMII / deputy and ensure that effective communication systems are maintained within the Ward / Department.
In the absence of the CNM 2, report any staffing all absenteeism, lateness and sickness to the CNM 3 (Operational).
Ensure that the admission, transfer and discharge of patients are conducted in accordance with hospital policy, with collaboration of patients’ family and Next of Kin.
Co-operate and liaise with all disciplines or departments within the hospital to ensure that a holistic approach of care is given.
Co-operate with the Housekeeping supervisor re service requirements.
Maintain appropriate and accurate written records and reports regarding patient care in accordance with hospital policy and within current legislative requirements and following An Bord Altranais Nursing Board Guidance.
Maintain absolute confidentiality and respect of all patient records.

Education, Training & Development

Attend in-service training sessions where possible and keep abreast of developments and trends within the clinical speciality and professions as a whole.
Report back to staff/CNMII any changes in best practice following attendance to study days.
Ensure that all staff are familiar with Fire Regulations of the hospital and within the Ward / Department including the location and exits. Attend fire lecture annually.
Take responsibility for own learning and development needs and actively contribute to the learning and development of the multidisciplinary team.
Contribute to the identification of training needs pertinent to the clinical area.
Identify and contribute to the continual enhancement of learning opportunities in the clinical area.
Provide education and information to patient or family as required.

Surgical

There is an expectation of a surgical nurse to familiarise themselves in the up-to-date information in relation to care of the orthopaedic patient.

Medical

There is an expectation of a medical nurse to familiarise themselves with up-to-date information in relation to care of the various medical conditions, namely Diabetes

Student Nurses

Identify and contribute to the continual enhancement of learning opportunities within a population health framework.
Participate in the clinical/workplace induction of student nurses
Develop teaching skills and participate in the planning and implementation of orientation, training and teaching programmes for nursing students and other health-care staff as appropriate.
Having undergone appropriate training, act as a mentor/preceptor or clinical assessor for students.

Accreditation

Will familiarise themselves with policies, procedures and guidelines directly related to their clinical care and area.
Assist in the review of policies, procedures and Guidelines under the direction of the chapter lead/department manager.

Lean

Lead, facilitate and participate in lean projects with all disciplines and departments of the hospital.
Support and participate with others to solve problems and continuously improve through the use of the lean tools and techniques.
Attend/participate in on-site training as required.

Quality &Safety – Safe Culture

Quality and safety are rooted in the daily work of all individuals at Aut Even Hospital. As an employee you are required to actively participate throughout your working day in the pursuit of excellence.
You are required to work in conjunction with your line manager in the planning, monitoring, analyzing and improvement of all quality programs.
Participate in the development of performance indicators in conjunction with your department manager and the business objectives.
Initiates, participates in and evaluates audit according to JCI, Hospital policy and Lean requirements under the guidance and supported by an audit lead.

Personnel

Follow uniform policy reference

General

Through the course of the working day or week there may be a requirement to work in other areas of the hospital in line with patient requirements as requested by your line manager/deputy or nurse management.
Staff must produce satisfactory documentary evidence of all training and experience claimed by them, if required to do so by the organisation.
To respect the organisational values of the Hospital.

Quality & Safety – Safe Culture

Quality and Safety are rooted in the daily work of all individuals at UPMC. As an employee you are required to actively participate throughout your working day in pursuit of excellence.
You are required to work in conjunction with your line manager in the planning, monitoring, analysing and improvement of all quality programmes.
Participate in the development of performance indicators in conjunction with your department manager and the business objectives.
Initiates, participates in and evaluates audit according to JCI, Hospital policy and Lean requirements under the guidance and supported by an audit lead.

Health & Safety

UPMC employees are required to ensure that they take reasonable care to protect their own safety, health and welfare and that of any other person who may be affected by their acts or omissions.
Employees must co-operate with UPMC to ensure safety, health and welfare at work and report anything potentially dangerous at work of which they become aware.  Staff are expected to abide by guidelines/policies and all Incidents and near misses.
All employees are required to attend an education session on Fire Health & safety on an annual basis.

Information Governance

In the course of your employment, you may have access to or hear information concerning the medical or personal affairs of patients and / or staff. Such records and information are strictly confidential, unless acting on the instructions of an authorised officer, on no account must information concerning staff or patients be divulged or discussed except in the performance of normal duty. In addition, records must never be left in such a manner that unauthorised persons can obtain access to them and must be kept in safe custody when no longer required.

Qualifications & Experience:

Qualifications:

Be registered in the General Division of the live Register of Nurses kept by NMBI. The post holders must maintain annual registration with NMBI.
Basic Life Support Certification.

Experience:

A Minimum of one year’s post registration experience is essential.
A staff nurse may be assigned to any ward area within the hospital within their scope of practice including but not limited to (Surgical, Medical, Recovery and Day Ward)

Personal Competencies:

Attend in a timely manner all mandatory education sessions
Maintain a professional portfolio
Ensure their professional and personal persona positively reflects the profession of nursing and Aut Even Hospital
Time management skills.
Able to act quickly to address urgent matters.

Have the ability to provide direct care to assigned patients
Demonstrate practitioner competence and professionalism in order to carry out the duties and responsibilities of the role
Display evidence-based clinical knowledge in making decisions regarding client care
Demonstrate a commitment to continuing professional development
Demonstrate evidence of effective planning and organizing skills
Demonstrate the ability to build and maintain relationships including the ability to work effectively as part of a multi-disciplinary team
Demonstrate evidence of ability to empathise with and treat patients, relatives and colleagues with dignity and respect
Demonstrate a commitment to providing a quality service.
Demonstrate effective analytical, problem solving and decision-making skills.
Demonstrates excellent communication skills, including sufficient command of the English language so as to effectively carry out the duties and responsibilities of the role
Demonstrate a willingness to engage and develop IT skills relevant to the role
Participate in the development, promotion and implementation of infection prevention and control guidelines
Adhere to organisational dress code
Assume responsibility for and co-ordinate the management of the unit/care setting in the absence of the Clinical Nurse Manager
Demonstrates an awareness of legislation and standards relevant to the role
Demonstrate an awareness of developments within the hospital

Salary: €37,788.19-€54,412.13 per annum based on a 37.5 hour work week

This job description is intended to be an outline of the areas of responsibility. As UPMC and the post holder develop, this job description may be subject to review in light of the changing needs of the business.

Equal Opportunity Statement and Benefits

UPMC is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

At UPMC we provide a total rewards program that is not only market competitive, but fair and provides growth opportunities for all our colleagues.

Benefits – Fully paid maternity and paternity leave for new parents. Competitive Pension Plan, company funded Death in Service Benefit x 3 times. Critical Illness cover for all employees up to the age of 66.

Performance and Recognition – Rewards for performance that supports the goals and mission of UPMC through our annual ACES programme.

Work-Life Balance – Enhanced annual leave up to a maximum of 27 days. Flexible working opportunities to support you to work around external family commitments.

Development and Career Opportunities – Opportunities for each employee to reach their career goals through continued learning and/or advancement.

About UPMC

UPMC is a renowned multinational academic medical centre committed to delivering people-focused care that’s close to home. Headquartered in Pittsburgh and affiliated with the University of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences, UPMC shapes the future of health through clinical and technological innovation, research and education. UPMC expands its expertise globally, bringing world-class care across continents through its UPMC International division — an owned and operated network of hospitals and ambulatory care centres in Italy, Ireland and Croatia. UPMC International brings new access to the signature specialty services of UPMC Hillman Cancer Centre, UPMC Sports Medicine and others to more people in more places around the world.

In Ireland UPMC has provided high-quality healthcare in the South East since 2006. UPMC’s operations in Ireland now include UPMC Whitfield Hospital in Waterford, UPMC Sports Surgery Clinic in Dublin, UPMC Kildare Hospital in Clane, and UPMC Aut Even Hospital in Kilkenny. Outpatient care is available at the UPMC Carlow Outreach Centre, UPMC Hillman Cancer Centre radiotherapy locations in Waterford and Cork, UPMC The 4th Practice in Mallow, and across UPMC Sports Medicine Clinics in Dublin, Waterford, Limerick, Tipperary, Cork, and Mayo. UPMC has also established a nationwide Concussion Network. UPMC's Global Technology Operation Centre is based in Kilkenny.

Staff Nurse Ward - UPMC Aut Even Hospital, Kilkenny

Benefits

Job Description