Nurse Practitioner - Acute Stroke

Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the busiest and largest NHS hospital trusts in the country, with around 16,000 staff and an annual budget of £1.7 billion. We deliver high-quality care, clinical excellence, research, and innovation regionally, nationally, and internationally. We support patients with rare and complex medical, surgical, neurological conditions, cancers, and genetic disorders. Our commitment to equality, diversity, and sustainability is reflected in our goal to be Net Zero by 2030 for our direct carbon footprint and by 2040 for our broader footprint.

About the role

An exciting opportunity has arisen to work within the Stroke Nurse Practitioner Team on the Hyperacute Stroke Unit at the Royal Victoria Infirmary. The starting position is Band 6 with the opportunity to progress to Band 7 following completion of role-specific competencies, a Clinical Skills Course, and Non-Medical Prescribing within 3 years. The Stroke Nurse Practitioners work 24/7, triaging and admitting all suspected acute stroke patients via paramedic ambulance, as well as receiving referrals from the Emergency Department, GPs, inpatient referrals, and regional thrombectomy referrals.

Responsibilities

• Examine and assess patients, providing timely hyperacute treatment such as thrombolysis and mechanical thrombectomy.
• Randomize patients into clinical trials and devise management plans before admitting them to the Hyperacute Stroke Unit.
• Assess patients in the Emergency Department, referred by inpatient teams, Eye Casualty, GPs, and TIA clinic.
• Work closely with the ward medical team, therapists, stroke research, and various hospital departments.
• Learn and perform stroke triage, neurological assessments, cannulation, and venepuncture, following the stroke pathway.
• Work independently after completing necessary training and competencies.

Band 6 Responsibilities

• Work towards becoming an independent nurse practitioner, contributing to the delivery of a quality service.
• Ensure the patient is the central focus of a streamlined patient journey for optimal care.
• Provide a prompt response to calls, prioritizing clinical need.
• Support the clinical team in managing a defined caseload, including assessment, investigation, diagnosis, and treatment within defined protocols.
• Provide immediate care management and communicate plans to patients and significant others.
• Review and refer patients to appropriate personnel (e.g., AHPs, medical staff, critical care outreach).
• Liaise with the Patient Services Coordinator and communicate within the multidisciplinary team.
• Contribute to specialist education and training for ward/departmental staff, nursing, and medical students.

Band 7 Responsibilities

• Deliver a quality service matching clinical need to available resources within specialist nursing practice.
• Ensure the patient remains the central focus of a streamlined patient journey.
• Manage your own caseload, including assessment, investigation, diagnosis, and treatment within defined parameters.
• Provide immediate care management and communicate plans to patients and significant others.
• Review and refer patients to appropriate personnel (e.g., AHPs, medical staff, critical care outreach).
• Liaise with the Patient Services Coordinator as necessary.
• Communicate within the multidisciplinary team, ward/departmental staff, and out-of-hours team.
• Provide specialist education and training to departmental nursing staff, nursing, and medical students.

Requirements

Qualifications & Education

• Essential:
  • Registered Nurse (appropriate to branch) with current NMC registration.
  • Diploma plus specialist qualifications/experience within the specialist area; prepared to undertake degree-level study.
  • Working towards or prepared to work towards: Nurse Practitioner Qualification or equivalent, Clinical Skills Course, Non-Medical Prescribing (if relevant to role).
  • Meets Nursing and Midwifery Council standards for student supervision and assessment (formally Mentorship) if relevant to role.
• Desirable:
  • Degree in a health-related subject.
  • Completed Non-Medical Independent Nurse Prescribing course.

Knowledge & Experience

• Essential:
  • Extended clinical practice underpinned by training and assessment (e.g., venepuncture, cannulation, intravenous drug administration).
  • Audit/research experience.
  • Evidence of ongoing continuous professional development.
  • Knowledge and understanding of relevant NHS policy or project-specific policy context.
  • Understanding/experience of adult/child safeguarding.
• Desirable:
  • Research or audit experience.
  • Contribution to education programs and/or training.

Skills & Abilities

• Essential:
  • Good IT skills.
  • Able to work independently and across disciplines as part of a multidisciplinary team.
  • Effective organization and time management skills.
  • Current driving license if relevant to role.
• Desirable:
  • Change management skills and involvement in project work.

Benefits

As a flexible working-friendly organization, we accommodate flexible working arrangements where possible. For more details on staff benefits, please refer to the attached documents.

Schedule

• 37.5 hours per week.
• Shift pattern includes nights, weekends, and bank holidays.