Neonatal Nurse / Associate Practitioner - Walnut Ward (SCBU)

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., Clinical 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 the
control of infection
Is aware of the physical, psychological and spiritual needs of the baby
and family and endeavors to meet these at all times
Reports to the nurse / midwife in charge or doctor, on observations
made of the patient and changes in condition
Reports any concerns to the nurse / midwife in charge or doctor in
relation 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 ward
area
Assist the named midwife with providing postnatal care to women
within the hospital setting.
Assist the named midwife with providing postnatal care to women
within the hospital setting
Complete Trust documentation relevant to the Transitional Care setting
Please see attached JD for full duties
Our staff are our most valuable asset. We are committed to making staff feel appreciated, supported and included in the Trust's successes. Our mission is to be an outstanding place to work providing the very best care for our patients and excellent career opportunities for our staff. Everything we do is guided by our core values and behaviours, identified by our staff and embedded throughout the organisation.
Would you like to work flexibly? In the NHS, we are reminded every day of how important life is. As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us, for our patients and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement
We have the highest CQC rating of all Acute NHS Trusts in Kent and Medway (Good). The CQC highlighted that managers promoted a positive culture that supported, valued staff and created a sense of common purpose based upon shared values.
The Trust is a great place to work, stay, develop a career and enjoy a healthy work life balance. We have made and are delivering on a wide range of commitments to staff; health and wellbeing; equality; diversity and inclusion; access to education and career development. During 2020 we sett up quality councils, driven by our staff to create a culture of shared governance and quality improvement.
We have a strong focus on innovation and improvement. Part of Guy's and St Thomas' (GSTT) 'Healthcare Alliance' we are introducing new models of care to improve clinical outcomes for patients. Our association with GSTT also gives staff wishing to develop their skills excellent opportunities to work across numerous specialities.
As our local population increases, our services and skills are expanding and adapting to meet demand. We are continuously looking at best practice models to enhance and improve the services we offer.
The Trust provides services at Darent Valley Hospital and Queen Mary's Hospital, for a local population of over 500,000 people.
If you would like to be part of our innovative and forward thinking team putting patients at the centre of all we do, we invite you to #joinourfamily.
The NHS are striving towards "we work flexibly" as a workforce, we want to ensure that you can work in a way that is best for us, our patients, and importantly for you. We offer many flexible working opportunities, speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement for you and if it works for the service, we will do our best to make it work for you.
Please note this vacancy may close earlier than stated to aid efficient processing of applications. To ensure your application will be considered please submit it at your earliest convenience. If you have not heard from us within 21 days of the closing date please assume that you have not been shortlisted on this occasion.
Please note, that due to the limited number of car parking spaces, car parking permits will be allocated subject to compliance with the Trusts eligibility criteria and availability of spaces. Permit holders are not guaranteed a car parking space.
Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust is a smoke free organisation. To improve public health smoking or vaping is not permitted anywhere on the hospital site.

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.

We are committed to being an inclusive and diverse employer. We strive to employ people who reflect the communities we serve, and aim to create an inclusive culture where everyone can reach their full potential. Whatever your race, ethnicity, belief, generation, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity, disability or experience, you'll appreciate the opportunities we give you to work in an inclusive atmosphere. We welcome applications from people of diverse backgrounds, perspectives and experiences to build on the progress we've achieved to make our Trust diverse and the best place to work. We celebrate the diversity of thought, viewpoints and ideas that help us overcome challenges and embrace new possibilities. We have signed the Armed Forces Covenant Pledge and have a commitment to the Armed Forces Community.
We are dedicated to using our Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) approach as our shared organisation model of change to enhance our services and ensure excellence in patient care.
If you are considering applying for a role, please be aware that as an NHS Employee you may have contact with vulnerable service users. We strongly encourage that all our staff are vaccinated against COVID-19 and are vaccinated annually against Flu, in order to protect the health and safety of our staff and patients. Your commitment will help us to put the safety and care of our patients first, as well as helping us to protect you and your colleagues.