Jade Bennett

I am a registered nurse with over 10 years nursing experience within various nursing roles. I have experience of working in Nursing homes, Community nursing, as well as Emergency and Surgery within Primary care/Hospital settings. I consider myself a confident, knowledgeable, well rounded nurse, who is open to new opportunities, training and development.

My current role is working as a Registered Nurse, Functional specialist /assessor, from home, assessing clients and their disabilities via telephone. It is a hybrid role, so does involve some clinic attendance for face-to-face nursing assessments, which requires exceptional communication skills, offering support, dignity and respect to the clients/service users. The role is high pressured, fast paced with target deadlines and clinical audit to ensure a high standard of care and reports are submitted following assessment. This involves clear and accurate documentation, requiring a broad knowledge, around many physical and mental health conditions and how these can functionally impact a patient/person day to day and the support interventions they may need to live a more independent life, which may also need third-party involvement with other health care professionals and safeguarding procedures. The role involves a professional, non-judgmental holistic approach to patient care and assessments, time management skills, exemplary customer care, meeting targets, experience in clinical audit, working independently as well as part of a team and working under one's own initiative. Other aspects of the role include:

• Conducting structured meetings to identify appropriate study and support strategies for students with disabilities.
• Evaluating the suitability of assistive technology and other aids for each individual.
• Responding to post-assessment queries and conducting reviews of customer needs when requested.
• Collaborating with colleagues to deliver exceptional services and make a positive impact on society.
• Working to strict KPIs and producing work of excellent quality while being independent and working to strict deadlines.

I have worked in the main theatre department at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital since 2016 in a variety of nursing roles.

The roles have involved working on the wards, A&E in Emergency situations, and the Main operating theatre. I have worked both band 5 and band 6 roles in Orthopaedic/Trauma, ENT, Breast surgery, Emergency surgery and then in 2021 I returned to University to do a Post Graduate certificate in Enhanced Clinical practice in Anaesthetic care.

Role in theatres included-

Anaesthetic Practitioner- Working as an Anaesthetic practitioner relies heavily on team working, anticipation, initiative, open communication and exceptional inter-personal skills, all attributes in which I possess as a valid team member. My role within the multi-disciplinary team is relied upon in the event of adult and pediatric medical emergencies assisting with the safe supply and storage of controlled drugs (medicines management), airway management, invasive monitoring, resuscitation, retrieval of blood results, patient advocacy and documentation. The reality and nature of this role creates firsthand experience in events which are often impacted by current issues within the nursing profession, issues such as lack of equipment, staff shortages and overcrowded conditions. The role involved supporting and advocating for the patient during this time including their family/carers. Due to the nature of emergency care this acute environment can be incredibly distressing and upsetting to patients and their families; therefore it is imperative to offer support and reassurance. Due to the heightened emotions of the nature of care that I am experienced in providing there are times that the need to deescalate conflict may arise, and in this instant to ensure that everyone involved feels listened to and adjustments made if necessary. I remain on the nursing bank and still do some shifts within this role on a monthly basis to maintain my hands on clinical experience.

Band 6 (Junior Sister) Orthopaedic Practitioner

As a senior orthopaedic scrub practitioner my role was to oversee and facilitate the daily running and functioning of the team.

To be responsible for the provision of high quality, patient focused care as a senior member of the Operating Department Team, based on the assessment of each individual patient’s needs. To supervise and support staff within the Operating Department Team and to provide an effective and efficient service to clinicians and other service user’s dependent on need. To deputise and take direct managerial responsibility of the clinical area in the absence of the Team Leader. To ensure that all activities carried out are within the Queen Elizabeth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust policies and guidelines and promote the Trusts Vision and Nursing Strategy. Provide and deliver a high standard of care through the assessment, planning, implementing and evaluating individual patients’ needs based on evidence and working in partnership with the multi-disciplinary team. To work unsupervised and effectively as part of the multi-disciplinary team and provide leadership to ensure a high quality and safe standard of patient care. Act as an advocate for patients where necessary whilst respecting their privacy and dignity within a caring environment. To provide expert, skilled assistance in the scrubbed role and circulating role within the Operating Department and other areas such as Delivery Suite or the Emergency Department if a clinical need arises. Maintain a clean and safe environment within the clinical area in accordance with the Trusts Health and Safety and Infection Control policies. To ensure that all records of patient care are completed accurately, including fluid balance charts, drug prescription charts and records of surgical specimens. To keep up to date with advances in theatre techniques and with any associated equipment, ensuring familiarity and proficiency before use. To be able to maintain and use equipment in accordance with the manufacturers’ guidelines and instructions and to ensure that any faults are identified and reported immediately. To use IT systems effectively and maintain accurate and timely records of care using appropriate documentation according to Trust standards. To act at all times, as a role model for junior staff and learners within the Operating Department. Communicate with and assist the multi-disciplinary team to promote excellence in the delivery of patient care. To maintain effective communication within the team at all times. To have an understanding of budgetary constraints and how to achieve excellence whilst working within those constraints. Take appropriate action to manage any changes, conflict or unexpected situations, informing the theatre coordinator as necessary. To deputise for the Team Leader when appropriate, including taking responsibility for the safe and effective running of elective and emergency operating sessions. To participate in the daily coordinator role for the management of the department and to take part in 24 hour coordinator cover for the department as required. To carry out annual performance reviews with each member of their staff and agree annual personal development plans with their staff and support them with any training or development requirements in order to fulfil their role. To attend all relevant management training in health and safety, risk assessment etc Participate in the training and development of staff within the clinical environment, in accordance with departmental and Trust guidelines and policies. Create a learning environment that is conducive to the development of others. To assist with the induction and integration of new members of staff within the department. To be aware of the responsibility of all employees to maintain a safe and healthy environment for patients, visitors and staff and attend all relevant health and safety training. To ensure that all duties are carried out to the highest possible standard.

During the pandemic of Covid-19 I had been redeployed to ITU (critical care) due to staffing demands within my current trust and took this opportunity to learn a new speciality and new skills. This inspired me to embark on my Anaesthetic postgraduate training course at DMU to further enhance my clinical knowledge and experience and where I continue to practice as a full-time nurse.

With over ten year's experience; to date I have had the privilege of nursing within various clinical settings, granting me invaluable experience to the different specialties of nursing and the diversity it has to offer.

I worked a bank contract between 2017-2020 at Park House Hotel in Sandringham for Leonard Cheshire Disability as a Nurse- Team Leader. I thoroughly enjoyed this role, and to date has been one of the best jobs I have had the privledge and pleasure of doing. This role was really set apart from the rest, Park House Hotel, was a hotel, so guests with Disabilities and their families would be able to enjoy a holiday and respite with qualified nursing care. The care packages would range from independent to full round the clock nursing care, this role involved caring for 'guests' with their disabilities, medications administration, chronic wound and condition management, holistic nursing care, PEG/NG feeding, administering insulin, risk assessment, and tailored nursing care to suit individual holistic needs. As a nurse- team leader, I would be the only registered nurse on shift, and would manage a team of health care assistants to deliver a high standard of care. Sadly this role ended owing to redundancy when Park house was closed down in January 2020.

Working as a community staff nurse, treating patients in their own homes/ care homes/residential homes/community setting.

I decided in May 2018 that I wanted to improve my basic nursing skills and therefore changed jobs and worked in the community setting for NCH&C as a community staff nurse, I learnt a lot of skills such as time management, lone working, case load management, medicines management and complex/chronic wound care and management, end of life care, diabetic care, care of chronic conditions. This work was invaluable to my nursing experience.