Senior Nurse - HMP Low Newton

Main Responsibilities

Senior Nurse

HMP Low Newton

£30,661 to £35,577 per annum

Full Time - 37.5 hours per week - various shifts 

HMP/YOI Low Newton is an all-female closed prison situated in a semi-rural location 4 miles North East of Historic Durham City. It caters for females aged 18 and over who are on remand, as well as sentenced female prisoners who are 18 or over; the prison takes all categories of prisoners including those serving life sentences. HMP/YOI Low Newton has an operational capacity of 348 and serves the courts in the catchment area from the Scottish Borders to North Yorkshire across to North Cumbria.

A full range of Primary Care Services and preventative services are provided to the women who are held at Low Newton. The team works closely with GPs, the Integrated Mental Health Team, Drug and Alcohol Services, dental services, opticians, podiatrists, physiotherapists, sexual health services, and Prison Staff to ensure that the health and wellbeing of the prison population are met.  In addition HMP/YOI Low Newton has an inpatient unit, as well as a Substance Misuse Unit. 

Our nursing team consists of Qualified and Unqualified Primary Care Nursing staff, Registered Nurses and Health Care Support Workers. Choosing to work alongside us presents a unique opportunity to work in a rewarding, challenging and interesting environment in the only female prison in the North East of England”

Job Outline:

To provide care for the physical and mental health needs of offenders in line with professional, contractual and company requirements. To manage a case load of patients whose main physical needs are around the management of their long term conditions.

Responsibilities: 

• Provide health and social care to offenders to ensure a professional service is delivered in line with professional, contractual and company standards, including security instructions.
• Undertake assessments of offenders to identify physical and mental health needs and determine the appropriate level of intervention, care and management.
• To work predominantly within own area of specialism but to operate as part of a team delivering generic primary care service.
• To manage a case load of patients with longer term conditions such as Asthma and Diabetes and to be a resource for colleagues to assist in the improved understanding of these conditions within the team,
• Liaise with key stakeholders, including external agencies, to ensure the delivery of an effective and appropriate health service.
• Provide professional advice and support to allied health professionals and non-clinical staff to ensure the effective health and social care of offenders in line with current best practice.
• Coach, support and supervise healthcare staff, as required, to develop their skills in line with professional standards and current best practice as appropriate.
• Promote an understanding of, and develop health and social care services within the prison environment to maximize personal well-being and promote independence.
• Promotion of a positive health, safety and infection control culture to maintain a safe environment for all stakeholders.
• Complete all relevant documentation to deadline in accordance with professional, contractual and company requirements.
• To work at all times within the bounds of confidentiality, adhering to data protection and maintaining Caldicott Guidelines.
• Communicate effectively with appropriate others to minimize risk.
• To operate within the equality and diversity framework.
• Participate in bi annual Employee Development Review (EDR).
• Engage where appropriate in the selection, training and development of healthcare professionals and other related staff, in conjunction with appropriate others.
• Operate in accordance with the NMC Code of Conduct and G4S policies and procedures, adhering to legislation and best practice, undertaking further training as identified in conjunction with Line Manager.
• Any additional duties as negotiated with your Line Manager.

The Ideal Candidate

Essential Skills: 

• Part 1 NMC registration
• Experience of working within a team
• Able to demonstrate a high level of literacy and numeracy
• Able to provide examples of diversity in practice
• Able to work within challenging and complex situations
• Experience of working with potentially aggressive people
• Evidence of ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships at all level.
• Hold a Nurse prescriber qualification
• Experience of managing patients with long term conditions for example Asthmatic and Diabetic patients.

Desirable Skills: 

• Evidence of further development of own clinical practice
• Experience of working within a secure environment
• Degree level qualification or above
• Hold a Nurse Practitioner qualification
• Evidence of working within a ‘value for money’ service
• Driving Licence.