Emergency Nurse Practitioner

Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

Internal applicants who wish to be considered for secondment are required to seek permission from their current line manager before applying.

You will be responsible for assessing, diagnosing and treating patients presenting with a wide range of minor illness and injury presentations. With support from your personal ED Consultant mentor and the wider ENP / AMP team, you will provide a patient focused, quality, caring service within the framework of an excellent and dynamic ENP service.

Whiston Hospital and Emergency Department:

The hospital is a completely new facility opened in 2010 and serving a local population of approximately 350,000. The large ED includes both adult and paediatric facilities with a combined attendance of approximately 100,000 patients annually. Our well-established ENP service has an expanding remit and provides cover 24/7 across 365 days of the year, working closely with our clinical team of Advanced Musculoskeletal Practitioners (AMP's) and medical staff.

Successful applicants will have knowledge, skills, commitment and determination to developing oneself and contributing to the ongoing development of a successful and evolving service.

Main duties of the job

The post-holder will function as an independent Emergency Nurse Practitioner managing their own clinical case load of minor injury / ailment patients, both adult and paediatric within the Emergency Department. They will assess, diagnose and manage the care of patients primarily without reference to a Doctor, according to assigned competence. They will work flexibly as part of the wider ED team to promote the highest standards of care and treatment. The post-holder should be expert in all areas of emergency nursing.

Job responsibilities

KEY DUTIES

• Work as an autonomous practitioner providing a quality service to minor injury / illness patients attending the Emergency Department.
• Assess, investigate, diagnose, treat and discharge or refer patients within agreed timescales and pathways and according to clinical competence.
• Act as clinical expert for wider ED teams regarding management of designated patient groups as well as wider nursing and professional issues.
• Ensure the safe management of patient flow through the ED by conducting adequate risk assessments of activity throughout the department, taking appropriate actions and escalating any issues as necessary.
• Ensure the safety of all staff and visitors within the Emergency Department.
• Contribute towards effective communication between ED teams and the achievement of key performance indicators for the ED and wider Trust.

CLINICAL & PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Maintain professional registration and adhere to the NMC Code of Practice and The Scope of Professional Practice.
• Deliver a patient centred ENP service that reflects and promotes the values of both the nursing profession and STHK Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, maintaining the highest standards of professionalism at all times.
• Work autonomously to assess, investigate, diagnose, treat and either discharge or refer patients within agreed timescales & pathways and according to clinical guidelines and competence.
• Contribute towards effective communication systems which support quality patient care, patient safety and contribute towards whole department effectiveness.
• Administer medications safely and effectively according to agreed Trust Protocols, utilising available Patient Group Directions and / or Independent Nurse Prescribing as appropriate.
• Work in collaboration with the Nurse co-ordinator and Medical shift lead to facilitate the safe and efficient flow of patients through the minors stream providing and promoting a service which is quality focused and efficiency driven in line with local and national quality indicators.
• As a senior member of the nursing team, act as a role model and resource for the wider nursing team on a range of issues as and when appropriate.
• Be fully conversant with the Major Incident Policy and be prepared to support its activation as required.
• Leading by example to ensure effective infection prevention and control methods are followed, as well as contributing towards departmental IC audits and initiatives.
• Maintain effective allocation of staff utilising appropriate skill mix.

ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Ensure that the recording of patient care is comprehensive, concise and in line with the NMC Record Keeping guidance.
• Ensure Emergency Department Patient Tracking IT systems are current and reflective of department activity.

TEACHING & TRAINING RESPONSIBILITIES

• Maintain an effective learning environment for all staff, contributing to the training and assessment of staff.
• Act as a role model and expert practitioner, providing support and guidance to nursing staff.
• Participate in an annual performance review to identify the post-holder's personal development needs.
• Ensure fulfilment of the requirements for professional updating and maintain a personal record for future registration purposes.

RESEARCH & AUDIT

• Work with Consultant Mentors on designated projects around minors work streams and associated topics to provide evidence based best practice.
• Contribute towards the setting, maintaining and monitoring of standards of care within the Department by leading and participating in Emergency Department audits.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• 1st level Registered Nurse
• Nursing Diploma or equivalent experience
• Evidence of post registration study/development
• Recognised clinical examination or specialist practice qualification relating to minor injury / illness.

Skills

• Effective organisational and time management skills
• Demonstrates risk taking and decision making strategies supportive of the ENP role
• Demonstrates ability to motivate team performance to achieve objectives
• Professional role model to wider ED team
• Team player and ability to work on own initiative
• Enthusiastic and motivated by role, model of care and service delivery
• Commitment to ongoing service improvement
• Excellent communication skills with patients and relatives, medical staff, nursing staff, ED management, and operational services

Knowledge & Experience

• Significant years of Emergency Department / minor Injuries unit experience
• Substantial years of post registration experience
• Experience of quality improvement in patient care
• Experience of independent practice

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.