Job summary
Employer heading
Virtual Ward Nurse
NHS AfC: Band 6
Job overview
An exciting opportunity has emerged for a Band 6 Nurse within the Camden Virtual Ward. Your primary responsibility will providing comprehensive holistic assessments of patients with acute frailty syndromes.
The Camden Rapid Access Service (Camden RAS) consists of three pathways, Urgent Community Response, Discharge to Assess and Virtual Ward, with a vision focused on admission avoidance and early facilitated discharge.
In a dedicated team, you'll be instrumental in providing nursing care to patients diagnosed with complex conditions (Frailty, delirium, dementia, Heart Failure, Respiratory issues and Cancer). Given the complexity of many patients, this role offers a prime opportunity for skill and knowledge development. Upholding the Trust's values and behaviours, which is integral to this role.
Under the guidance of the Virtual Ward manager, your duties will involve assessing and managing the health needs of the target population. You'll play a key role in developing, implementing and evaluating care. You will be coordinating personalised care within a multidisciplinary team framework, which will be central to your responsibilities.
This role is predominantly within the Virtual Ward, however the post holder will be expected to work across Rapid Access Services. Post holders should ideally possess a valid UK Driving licence (Some Pool Vehicles are available), though suitable non-driving candidates will be considered and provided with an Oyster card while on shift.
Main duties of the job
To operate within the established framework for Camden Virtual Ward, ensuring the assessment, provision, and review of comprehensive acute care, guidance, and information to patients and their caregivers. This will be in the patients own homes, prioritising safety and professionalism grounded in evidence-based practices.
Conduct thorough holistic assessment, formulate plans, implement interventions, and evaluate care plans to address patient’s needs, encompassing physical, social, emotional, and environmental aspects.
Deliver proficient nursing care in the patient's own home and perform clinical procedures such as venepuncture, intravenous cannulation, catheterisation, bladder scans, electrocardiograms (ECG), clinical observations and advance clinical assessment.
Maintain meticulous and accurate records in accordance with the policies and guidelines outlined by Central North West London and the Nursing and Midwifery Council.
Demonstrate respect for privacy, dignity, and confidentiality in all interactions and actions, in line with Central North West London’s Trust Values.
Lone Working
Please be aware, this position regularly includes working alone in patients homes/in the community. This will also include evening hours when it is dark. Personal alarms are available to team members. Please be assured we have safety systems in place and have an excellent safety record.
Working for our organisation
- Shift work (days and evenings)
- Buy & Sell Annual Leave
- NHS Pension Scheme
- Employee Assistance Programme: A free and confidential service to help with personal life
- A range of staff networks: The PRIDE@CNWL Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and other sexual and gender minorities (LGBT+) Network; Disabled Employees Network; Lived Experience of Mental Health Staff Network; Carers at Work Network; Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Network (BME)
- Discounts and savings at hundreds of retailers nationwide with My Trust Benefits: You can save money on your weekly food shops, household bills, toiletries, and cosmetics, cinema tickets, meals out and holidays or weekend breaks.
- Salary sacrifice scheme via VIVUP platform
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The post holder will need to have passed the advanced physical assessment module, or be willing to undertake this course. The post holder will be able to independently undertake a top-to-toe assessment, to be able to generate, accurately and appropriately escalate using NEWS 2 score. To take a thorough, succinct history focusing on the presenting complaint in the context of past medical history and significant chronological events.
You should be forward thinking and able to prioritise, based on clinical need and acuity, showing professional curiosity at all times. Acute skills and knowledge are essential, ideally the post holder will have a clinical background from either: Acute frailty, emergency care, intensive care and acute medical care settings.
The post holder will be responsible for the management and coordination of patients, requiring Virtual Ward assessments which could include remote monitoring, telephone and home consultations. The Virtual Ward Nurse will oversee/undertake the ongoing assessment of patient needs, as well as feeding back to the multidisciplinary team to ensure holistic and joint decision making.
The post holder will be working in conjunction with the Virtual Ward team, to ensure uninterrupted and efficient service delivery. Additionally, they will provide assistance and support to the Virtual Ward team in delivering clinical leadership and evidence-based practice.
The multidisciplinary team consists of: Consultants, Registrars, Senior House officers, Advance clinical practitioners, Senior Health Care support workers, Nursing Associates, Registered Nurses, Paramedics, pharmacists, social workers, Occupational Therapists and Physiotherapists.
An informal discussion and/or site visit is highly recommended prior to application, please contact Rachel Evans (Ward Manager) at [email protected].
The position is Community based (in patients own homes) with the staff base being located at St Pancras Hospital (NW1 0PE).
Person specification
Education and Qualifications
Essential criteria
- Registered Nurse with current NMC registration
- Minimum of BSc (University based education)
- Evidence of continued professional development
Desirable criteria
- Mentorship qualification / Practice Supervisor and/or Assessor Courses
- Physical Assessment Course / A&E Course / ITU Course
Experience
Essential criteria
- Substantial previous experience of acute care (Preferably in A&E, ITU, MAU, CCU or Acute frailty)
- Understanding of the role of the Virtual ward
Desirable criteria
- Community working
- Frailty module
Other
Essential criteria
- Awareness of NHS measures in respect to primary care and reducing hospital admissions (including the NHS Long Term Plan)
Desirable criteria
- Full and valid UK driving licence
Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Rachel Evans
- Job title
- Ward manager
- Email address
- [email protected]
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