About this role
Job summary
The Short Stay Ward provides assessment, treatment and nursing care for patients who are expected to require a brief hospital admission, usually for up to 72 hours. The ward supports timely clinical decision-making, treatment, recovery and discharge, while identifying patients who require transfer to a specialist or longer-stay inpatient ward.
The postholder will work as part of the multidisciplinary team to deliver safe, compassionate and person-centred care to patients with a range of acute medical conditions. The role includes assessing patients, planning and delivering care, monitoring clinical progress, recognising deterioration and supporting timely discharge or transfer.
The successful candidate will need to work effectively in a busy and rapidly changing environment, communicate clearly with patients and relatives, and ensure that important information relating to mobility, nutrition, hydration, medication and ongoing support needs is accurately documented and handed over.
The role requires strong clinical judgement, effective prioritisation and a commitment to maintaining patient safety, dignity and continuity of care throughout the patient's admission.
Main duties of the job
Short Stay Ward Responsibilities
The post holder will:
Support timely assessment, treatment and discharge planning for patients on a short stay pathway.
Work collaboratively with doctors, therapists, discharge teams, pharmacists, site teams and community services to reduce unnecessary delays.
Participate in board rounds, ward rounds and multidisciplinary discussions, providing clear nursing updates and raising concerns.
Help identify barriers to discharge and escalate these appropriately.
Support patients and families to understand plans of care, expected discharge arrangements and follow-up requirements.
Maintain awareness of patient flow pressures while ensuring that safety and quality of care remain the priority.
***Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as 'Priority' and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon who are able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.***
About us
We are a people business - where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure. PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY. If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process please contact the recruitment manager for this post who will put you in touch with the recruitment team. We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission. We commit to giving this full consideration in each case. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams. It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.
Job description Job responsibilities
The Short Stay Ward provides assessment, treatment and care for patients who are expected to require a brief hospital admission, usually up to 72 hours. The ward supports timely clinical decision-making, treatment, recovery and discharge, while identifying patients who require transfer to a specialist or longer-stay inpatient ward.
The postholder will provide safe, compassionate and effective nursing care to patients with a range of acute medical conditions. They will work as part of the multidisciplinary team to assess patients, implement care plans, monitor clinical progress and support timely discharge or transfer to an appropriate ward.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
Clinical Care
Assessment and Patient Flow
Communication and Handover
Discharge Planning
Multidisciplinary Working
Patient Safety and Quality
Professional Responsibilities
Short Stay Ward Environment
Working Conditions
The role involves working a rotational shift pattern, including days, nights, weekends and public holidays. The postholder will regularly be required to undertake moving and handling activities, respond to urgent clinical situations and provide care to patients with complex physical, emotional and social needs.
See attached Job Description for full job role details.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
NMC registration oDiploma qualification
Desirable
ILS/PILS/TILS or equivalent
KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE Essential
Good communication skills, written and verbal, with ability to demonstrate fluency, clarity and effectiveness at all levels. (2) Ability to prioritise workload (2) Attention to detail (2) oRecent post registration demonstrable experience of working within an acute care environment oUnderstanding of general omedical/surgical conditions oFull understanding of the Band 5 responsibilities and accountability oHas completed preceptorship programme oProven knowledge of relevant policies and procedures
Desirable
oDemonstrable experience working within the Emergency Department setting oDemonstrable experience of managing a clinical area
APTITUDE & ABILITIES Essential
oAbility to assess clinical situations and act appropriately oEmpathy when giving sensitive information oStandard keyboard skills/computer literacy to access and input into Patient Information Systems, word processing and use of email oExcellent communication skills
Desirable
Cannulation and venepuncture
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.
Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details Employer name University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
Address Thrushel ward Derriford Hospital
Breast road
Plymouth
PL6 8DH
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.plymouthhospitals.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)