Critical Care Outreach Nurse (Developmental post)

Critical Care Outreach Nurse (Developmental post)

The Critical Care Outreach Practitioner will act as a clinical expert demonstrating competence and confidence in the recognition and response to deteriorating patients in the ward and department environment. The post holder will work autonomously and respond to calls for concern and escalation. The post holder will utilise a collaborative approach to support and improve services for patients who are at risk of deteriorating and may require admission to level 2 or 3 critical care areas. The post holder must have a degree as essential criteria and a willingness to work towards Masters level or equivalent experience/or aspects of level 7 learning.

Main duties of the job

This post holder will work as autonomous nurse to review, assess and implement appropriate clinical care plans to promote patient safety and concerns.

As a senior member of the Critical Care team, providing support and specialist advice for the deteriorating patient and support the admission if required to level 2 and level 3 specialised care.

To act as a team leader to maintain a high standard of quality care and co-ordinate the operational activities during a span of duty.

To make the best use of resources within critical care and develop good practice maintaining high standards of patient care.

They will ensure that they contribute to the senior team, by demonstrating effective leadership and management so that safe, high quality, evidence-based nursing care is delivered to patients whilst respecting and involving families and careers as partners in care.

About us

South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust now form University Hospitals Tees and as such you may be required to work at any site across both Trusts.

At North Tees & Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, we want our organisation to be the best place to work with the right staff, in the right roles, at the right time, to ensure we deliver exceptional patient care and experience.

We will support staff through providing an inclusive and supportive workplace with health and well-being initiatives, staff benefits and opportunities for personal and professional development.

We support the 'Making Every Contact Count' approach to behaviour change in the promotion of health and wellbeing of individuals and communities.

Job responsibilities

To support and improve services for patients in ward/department areas who are at risk of deteriorating and may require admission to level 2 or 3 critical care areas.

To provide an integrated, Trust wide approach with the provision of Critical Care skills outside of the Critical Care department.

To advise on, provide and evaluate specialist care for acutely ill or deteriorating patients.

Utilise a collaborative approach and act as a clinical expert by demonstrating autonomy, competence and confidence in the recognition and response to deteriorating patients in the ward and clinical environment.

To work alongside staff in clinical areas to provide enhanced clinical care to prevent further physiological deterioration and ensure a safe environment for the deteriorating and acutely ill patient throughout the Trust.

To provide highly specialised interventions and support with appropriate clinical assessment, observation and treatment of this, at risk, patient population and initiate prompt and appropriate interventions to ensure effective treatment of these patients.

To provide specialist nursing skills that ensures the patients smooth and safe transition into and out of critical care and enabling the timely discharges from critical care by supporting the continuing recovery of post critical care patients.

Demonstrate critical thinking, problem solving, decision- making skills, a problem solving approach to work using and adapting analytical skills.

Demonstrate cognitive skills and physical dexterity, ensuring accurate calculations when delivering complex treatments and therapies.

Demonstrates the ability to concentrate for prolonged periods when observing and managing unpredictable fluctuations in an acutely ill patients condition.

The ability to participate in highly sensitive discussions and decisions regarding the futility of treatment and comprehensively care for the dying patient and grieving family, supporting staff through traumatic stressful experiences.

To coordinate time management skills, in planning and prioritising workload with an appreciation of the impact on other team members and of the unpredictable nature of the patient population.

Demonstrate sound organisational skills.

Ability to apply theoretical knowledge to the clinical setting.

Adapt to change in monitoring technology and invasive support equipment demonstrating ability to manage, set up, diagnose and resolve issues and teach others in use of equipment.

To initiate, monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of treatment and modify accordingly.

Appropriate escalation of concerns regarding the competence of any staff member about the recognition and response to patient deterioration to the Ward/Department lead.

Demonstrate the ability to use Information Technology to support practice with good comprehensive understanding of IT skills required for all aspects of the role To act as an educational resource and support for all staff and students.

Clinical confidence and competence to manage haemodynamic instability and provide appropriate respiratory and/or vital organ support within the ward setting with minimal guidance.

Exercise clinical expertise, levels of judgement and advise treatment plans whilst undertaking the assessment, examination to provide a diagnosis within agreed scope of practice.

Upon completion of additional training (Non- medical prescribing) to prescribe medications within clinical competence to prevent further deterioration.

To ensure that patients receive appropriate follow up and rehabilitation after Critical Care discharge.

Within the clinical area is able to make judgements regarding complex clinical situations, make recommendations and decide upon the best course of action.

Will act as a coach/guide for other clinical staff within the clinical area assisting them to make appropriate judgements/decisions.

Contribute to the development of appropriate clinical standards and quality initiatives for the clinical environment and aid/lead in their implementation.

Analyse a range of complex situations/information, make judgements, interpret, compare and respond appropriately in relation to patient and staff risks and care, supporting and supervising other staff dealing with these situations, initiating emerging action when required and offering professional advice.

Person Specification Clinical knowledge and skill

• BSc in Nursing
• Working at Msc level or equivalent experience
• Critical Care Qualification and STEP competencies
• Physical Assessment skills
• Transfer of Critically ill patient training
• Advanced ECG qualification
• Blood interpretation experience or qualification
• Significant experience working with Critical Care
• Experience of Critical Care Outreach
• Teaching and audit experience
• Teaching qualification
• Physical assessment skills at level 7
• ALS provider
• Enhanced Critical Care Course
• Experience of being in charge or co-ordinating department

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.