Neonatal Nurse / Associate Practitioner - Walnut Ward (SCBU) inDartford inDartford PUBLISHED TUE 22 OCT 2024

Associate Practitioner/Neonatal Nursery Nurse - Walnut Ward (SCBU)

Band 4

37.5 hours a week

We are seeking a dynamic, committed and experienced Associate Practitioner/Neonatal Nursery Nurse to join our team on Walnut Ward (Special Care Baby Unit). Your primary role as a Band 4 Associate Practitioner/Nursery nurse within our team will be to care for babies in transitional care and on our post-natal wards, but you will also care for babies on the neonatal unit.

We are in the process of planning a dedicated Transitional Care unit so this role will be focused there once operational, but will also rotate to the Neonatal Unit.

Walnut is a busy level one neonatal unit. We have twenty two cots, three of which are currently designated as high dependency and four as transitional care. Our birth rate is rising, with 4,800 deliveries, and this is anticipated to continue to rise.

We are looking to recruit registered Nursing Associates to work both on our Neonatal Transitional Care and Neonatal unit. To be the ideal candidate for this post, you will have substantial experience of working with neonates at Band 4 on a neonatal unit in an acute hospital setting. Experience of working in an acute transitional care environment would be an advantage. We are looking for skills such as naso-gastric tube feeding, blood glucose monitoring and the ability to care for a group of babies with minimal supervision. Ideally you will be a RNA or educated to NVQ level 4, or have a foundation degree.

We would also consider applicants at Band 3 who are willing to undertake TNA training when available. Applicants for band 3 must have Maths and English GCSE or equivalent and be educated to NVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care or Nursery Nurse qualification. You will have experience of working in an acute care setting with babies or children.

You will be well supported in your role by a senior nursing team, six of whom are clinically based and one Practice Development Nurse. The Band 7 Senior Sisters lead a team of qualified Neonatal Nurses, Registered Children's Nurses, Registered Nurses, Nursery Nurses, Neonatal Support Workers and Neonatal Ward Administrators in caring for neonates.

The ward operates a shift system of 11.5 hour shifts, and the post requires full rotation to include nights and weekends.

About us

Specific ResponsibilitiesClinical responsibilities:

Assists in the holistic care of the baby under the supervision of a registered nurse or midwife, undertaking interventions as required, that they have been assessed as competent to undertake. Takes the lead in providing care for babies who require transitional care, under the supervision of a registered nurse or midwife

Gives and maintains a high standard of patient care at all times, ensuring the dignity and self-esteem of the baby and family is preserved

Complies with the principles of the maintenance of hygiene and thecontrol of infection

Is aware of the physical, psychological and spiritual needs of the babyand family and endeavors to meet these at all times

Reports to the nurse / midwife in charge or doctor, on observationsmade of the patient and changes in condition

Reports any concerns to the nurse / midwife in charge or doctor inrelation to child protection. Liaises with Named Nurse, Named Midwife or Named Doctor as appropriate

Chaperones babies, and accompanies them to other wards, departments, hospitals etc. as requested by the nurse / midwife in charge

Receives with courtesy, babies, their families and visitors into the wardarea

Assist the named midwife with providing postnatal care to womenwithin the hospital setting.

Assist the named midwife with providing postnatal care to womenwithin the hospital setting

Complete Trust documentation relevant to the Transitional Care setting

Please see attached JD for full duties