SCHOOL LEAD NURSE Woldingham School

Please see the candidate information pack on the school website. 

Role

Woldingham is seeking to appoint a Lead Nurse who will work full time in school term time with some work at the beginning and end of the main school holidays.  The Lead Nurse will provide a clinically effective, high-quality service of nursing care and pastoral support within NMC guidelines to pupils.

The School currently requires the Health Centre to be staffed overnight and therefore this role could suit someone who wishes to be resident as there is a one-bedroom self-contained accommodation available; alternatively, the arrangement could also be made for an overnight duty basis.  The School will be prepared to discuss these options for accommodation arrangements at interview.

The Lead Nurse must maintain registration as a general nurse on the NMC register

Health Centre

The Health Centre provides care primarily for boarders and day pupils but also to staff and visitors at the school. The team comprises of two Nurses and is supported by the local GP practice where the doctor visits routinely each week in term time.  The Health Centre liaise with the school pastoral team to provide an effective 360-degree programme of care for all pupils. The role is varied and requires the ability to work independently, as well as part of a wider team.

The Heath Centre comprises of an office and treatment room, examination room and ward rooms offering 10 beds, which are used occasionally.  The role would be taking the lead and responsibility for the Health Centre practice and procedures and is line managed by the Senior Deputy Head.

Job Description

The main responsibilities are given below:

• Oversee the physical and mental health of pupils of the school, including health checks for all new boarders. 
• Act as a role model and motivator for other members of the team.
• Provide first aid and emergency care and treatment, as necessary.
• Adhere to the NMC Code (Standards of conduct, performance and ethics for nurses and

midwives) and be conversant with the relevant NMC advisory papers.

• Managing regular surgeries, which are available to all girls and emphasise positive health, including the weekly GP surgeries.  Arranging for resident staff (registered with the GP) to see the GP during the school surgery time, if practical.
• Managing students with chronic conditions e.g. Diabetes & Asthma.
• Providing nursing care of girls who are admitted to the Health Centre, including overnight occasionally.
• Maintaining and updating the health records of all students.
• Oversee the maintenance of a daily logbook, recording the dispensing of drugs following correct drug protocols.
• Maintenance of first aid boxes throughout the School and advising the School’s Health and Safety staff on matters of health as necessary;
• Liaise with parents, the Head, the Senior Deputy Head, Head of Boarding and Heads of Year/Boarding Staff (and when applicable to members of the Physical Education staff) on matters of health.
• Co-ordinate routine immunisations with the School Community Immunisation programme.
• Liaise with the boarding staff to ensure the immunisations of those who travel abroad are up-to-date.
• Arrange dental, orthodontic and other medical appointments. Organising escorts, informing staff, parents and the Director of Finance and Operations, as necessary.
• Ensure the timely reporting of accidents, following the School procedures.
• Take responsibility for the smooth and efficient running of the Health Centre, ensuring efficient systems and processes are in place.
• Ensure the provision of, and access to, a range of publicity materials on issues relating to student health.
• Order, stock-keep and control of medical supplies; maintaining safe storage, and disposal.
• Apply appropriate procedures for the safe disposal of medical waste.
• Provide advice on health matters, including first aid and emergency procedures, to staff.
• Promote health education throughout the School, including occasionally assisting with PHSE and health related matters covered as part of the school curriculum.
• Respond immediately when called to an emergency. Woldingham has a large campus and the Health Centre is committed to a seven-minute response time to attend an incident.
• Undertake any other tasks as may reasonably be requested by the Head.

This Job Description provides a guide to and general description of the duties and responsibilities of the Lead Nurse. It is not exhaustive and may be amended from time to time.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

• Fully qualified (essential for this post): RGN with child/school experience, RN with Child Branch or RSCN.
• Be self-motivated, enthusiastic and committed to supporting the School fully in this responsible position.
  • Demonstrate excellent leadership and teamwork skills with the ability to motivate others
  • Possess high integrity and initiative who can think ahead, prioritise and work accurately and flexibly without undue direction.
  • Ability to mix easily and work effectively with all members of the school and wider community, pupils, parents, staff and other professional agencies.
  • Demonstrate sound judgement and discretion.
  • Capable of being sympathetic, patient, even-tempered and calm when under pressure.
  • Have energy and stamina; capable of coping with the demands of the post.
  • A person who enjoys the company of teenagers, is relaxed in their company and who is keen to help them with their health and personal development.

• Have a good sense of humour and be able to work effectively both independently and as part of a team
• Be committed to continuous self-development, by attending appropriate training courses etc.

• Possess excellent administrative and ICT skills. Knowledge of iSAMS and CPOMS would be desirable.
• Be an effective communicator and a sound command of written English.
• Possess a driving licence and own a vehicle would be desirable, particularly given the size of the school campus.

Salary and Benefits

Start date: September 2021.

Salary: A competitive salary based on the RCN scale will be offered for the term time role on offer and will include an element to cover pro-rated statutory holiday entitlement.

Pension: The successful candidate will be auto-enrolled in the School's defined contribution pension scheme. There is an opportunity to opt out.

Hours of work: This is a term time position with an overlap for start and end of term.  The hours of work will be based on a rota with the other member of the nursing staff.  Please note that this pattern currently involves overnight and weekend duties to meet the needs of the boarding pupils. 

Notice Period: There will be a probationary period of a year, during this time the notice period will be two months. Thereafter, the notice period required by either side will be a full term.

Facilities: Meals are provided during term time when on duty. Members of staff can use the School’s Sports facilities at allocated times.

Uniform.  The successful applicant will be expected to purchase and wear an appropriate nursing uniform to convey a professional image when on duty, which the school will reimburse. 

The Process

Applications will not be considered for the next stage of the recruitment process without submission of a completed Woldingham School application form (support staff) and a covering letter.

The closing date for applications is Monday 24 May 2021.  Applications should be sent to HR@woldinghamschool.co.uk. The School reserves the right to interview and/or appoint at any time during the recruitment process. The vacancy will close once a suitable candidate has been appointed.

Woldingham School is committed to safeguarding the welfare of children at the School. Therefore, this appointment will be subject to a successful disclosure check from the Disclosure and Barring Service. This will give details of all spent and unspent convictions and other recordable matters. A policy on the recruitment of ex-offenders is available, if required, from the HR Department. The supplied references will be taken up and the School may approach previous employers for information to verify particular experience or qualifications. A medical questionnaire will be required to be completed by the successful candidate.