Head ICU Nurse

The successful candidate in this role will work alongside our Nursing Manager, Assistant Nursing Manager, Head Nurse team, and Clinical Leads to support, develop and guide the ICU team in caseload management, advanced nursing care and training whilst working as a clinical nurse within the team., Role summary: 40 hrs/week on average over a six-week period, including 1:6 weekends (Saturday and Sunday) and a fair share of bank holidays. We are looking for a dynamic, motivated and proactive veterinary nurse to lead our ICU team. The successful candidate in this role will work alongside our Nursing Manager, Assistant Nursing Manager, Head Nurse team, and Clinical Leads to support, develop and guide the ICU team in caseload management, advanced nursing care and training whilst working as a clinical nurse within the team. The successful candidate will work in our state-of-the-art ICU, working alongside renowned specialist clinicians and a brilliant ICU nursing and animal care assistant team. Our hospital is a multidisciplinary 24-hour hospital, with a dedicated night nursing and animal care assistant team. The successful candidate will also manage the ICU nursing and animal care assistant staff, carrying out regular reviews, rotas and supporting progression of the team. The successful candidate will also work closely with both our Nursing Manager and Clinical Lead in Emergency and Critical Care, to continue to develop and progress the ICU department and team. The Head ICU Nurse will be involved with teaching and supervision of veterinary and veterinary nursing undergraduate students on clinical rotations., Reports to: Nursing Manager Job Purpose: The main purpose of the post is to be responsible for organising and participating in the clinical activities within the ICU, line managing the ICU nursing and ACA team as well as ensuring that H&S policies are adhered to. Ensuring that a high standard of care, cleanliness and positive team morale is maintained throughout. The job holder is to liaise closely with the Nursing Manager, Assistant Nursing Manager, Clinical Lead for Emergency and Critical Care and other head nurses to support and share daily/weekly activities. Principle Accountabilities:

• To organise the clinical activities within the ICU, to include ensuring appropriate support staff and equipment are available. Liaise closely with the clinicians to be able to manage and support the daily activities
• To line-manage the nursing and ACA team within the ICU to include: rotas, one to ones, appraisals, allocating holiday allowances and dealing with staff absence and performance issues, with the support of the Nursing Manager and Assistant Nursing Manager
• To work as a clinical nurse and participate in the OOH's rota as required
• To work closely with the Clinical Lead for Emergency and Critical Care, ensuring a coherent approach to the ICU team and keeping them informed of the status of the ICU nursing team
• To ensure H&S policies are always adhered to, assist with fire drills and evacuation procedures, reporting accidents and incidents, assist with risk assessments and COSHH for the relevant areas
• To be responsible for ensuring that the ICU areas are kept in a clean and well-maintained manner, ensuring cleanliness and hygiene are always maintained within the ward
• To raise any issues with the Nursing Manager and organise repair work through the Operations and Compliance Manager
• To be involved in clinical governance and infection control meetings, and help instigate necessary changes to protocols/policies, ensuring that the nursing and ACA ICU team always adhere to them
• To ensure that relevant audits are carried out and recorded, ensuring any issues arising as a result of these are discussed and documented with appropriate personnel
• To ensure that the area of work is always suitably staffed. To include discussions with the Nursing Manager regarding any staffing issues and future planning for new staff requirements
• Assist and provide support for procedures with ICU patients
• Ensure the equipment within the area is used appropriately and is well maintained, ensuring good levels of supplies always and assist with monthly and annual audits as managed by the purchasing team
• Ensure adequate nursing care plans are set up and reassess as required in relation to the patients' needs
• Assessment of the BVSc and Veterinary nursing undergraduates during their rotation, support the rotation lead with communication and feedback
• All clinical nursing responsibilities
• Manage the OOH's rotas for ICU, liaising with staff and providing cover when required
• Maintain good working relationships with all team members
• Communicating in an effective and pleasant manner with clients and colleagues always. To include cascading appropriate company communications to your team as necessary
• Attend and chair meetings as required by the Nursing Manager
• Carry out all other reasonable duties as requested by the Line Manager
  
  The ideal candidate will demonstrate a high standard of referral-level nursing care, flexibility, a desire to learn and a capability to work under pressure. We are ideally looking for a nurse with several years' experience as a qualified nurse, in a referral environment with previous management/leadership experience., Registered and clinically experienced Veterinary Nurse (minimum of 12 months working as a VN in clinical practice)
Advanced diploma or similar Experience of working within a referral environment Clinical coach or similar Able to carry out veterinary nursing duties as listed in 'About the role' Interest in advancing own qualifications RCVS listed veterinary nurse Communicating effectively with clients Ability to work within a team Ability to act independently Flexible approach to work

Our people are at the heart of what we do and as your employer we want to ensure we offer flexibility, support and staff development, where possible, through: Time off - 5 weeks holiday per year (plus bank holidays) - Additional holiday entitlement for Long Service Wellbeing - On site Mental Health Champions - EDI committee - Employee Forum - to ensure all employees voices can be heard - Menopause Café - Wellbeing talks and events - Cycle to work scheme - Family friendly policies, including enhanced maternity and paternity pay (after 2 years' service) Health - BUPA Cashplan membership - Free annual flu vaccination - Free Specsavers eye test voucher General - Free onsite parking - U2 bus service link to Bristol - Annual CPD allowance - Employee discount - Generous pension scheme - we match up to 8% pension contributions - Reimbursement of one professional membership fee per year