Job Advert
Band 7 – Outpatient Parenteral Antimicrobial Treatment (OPAT) Service, Senior Charge Nurse, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary
We are seeking to appoint an OPAT Senior Charge Nurse, full-time (37.5hrs flexibly across 7 days) to join our new OPAT team based at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary (ARI).
The re-establishment of the OPAT service commenced in January 2022. Currently based in Ward 301 at ARI, OPAT offers a safe and person centred alternative to hospital admission by supporting patients, or family/carers, who require long term antibiotic therapy but with no clinical requirement to be an inpatient, to self-administer their intravenous antibiotic therapy within their own home. At present, OPAT is delivered over a 5 day, Monday - Friday period but aspires to offer a 7 day service covering all clinical services and geographical locations within the NHS Grampian footprint.
The role involves the SCN participating in clinical service delivery whilst leading and supporting a new team of nurses, working in conjunction with other dedicated healthcare professionals. The specialist nursing team are integral in the daily running of the OPAT service providing treatments and therapies, advice and education to patients/NHSG staff as well as screening referrals, ensuring national database and other local quality assurance measures are completed accurately and timeously. As we progress through development of the OPAT service, the SCN will be central in leading the team, working in close collaboration with the Project Manager, Lead Clinician, Unit Operational and Nurse Manager to plan and progress service delivery, nurse competency, education and expansion of service and workforce so as to meet our aspirations.
A flexible approach to working, well established communication, networking skills and strong leadership skills are therefore essential.
Applicants must be a registered nurse and educated to first degree level or with equivalent experience and a commitment to ongoing professional development. Full details of essential and desirable skills are reflected in the person specification for this position.
This is a rare and exciting opportunity to join and lead a service at its foundations of development,
Informal enquiries are actively encouraged and should be directed to:
Lisa Forbes, Nurse Manager lisa.forbes2@nhs.scot.
Interviews will take place during April and can be arranged virtually or in person depending on guidance at the time.