Job summary
Albert Ward is a 28 bed general medical ward which specialises in the care of diabetes at Guys and St Thomas' NHS foundation trust. This exciting and fast paced ward involves the opportunity to work within a highly skilled and enthusiastic MDT.
We are seeking applications from highly motivated individuals to apply for a band 6 Deputy Ward Sister / Manager role with experience at band 6 senior staff nurse level.
You must be committed to the trust values and our own values of delivering high standards of care to patients, developing junior staff to their full potential and creating a culture of teamwork and feedback.
You will be expected to have strong leadership skills and be able to take on the role of a team leader who is able to facilitate, support and manage staff on a regular basis and support in the absence of the ward sister.
You must be expert in managing the acutely unwell and deteriorating patient as well as having sufficient skills and experience in managing patients with alcohol and drug misuse, challenging behaviour, end of life and complex care patients.
Although most of your role will be clinical based you will have opportunity to carry out appropriate admin aspects of your role including PDRs, datix investigation, RCA and complaints management and be involved with audit and other project work.
We look forward to you joining our strong and friendly leadership team.
Advert closing: 16th May 2023
Interview date: 24th May 2023
Main duties of the job
- Providing senior clinical support and resource for Albert Ward.
- taking accountability and responsibility for safety on the ward when on shift.
- acting as the ambassador for the ward in the absence of the senior management team.
- co-ordinating the shift and bed management
- liaising with senior staff across the acute admissions ward, critical care and clinics to manage patient flow.
- liaising with medical teams and other members of the MDT to ensure the best patient care is achieved - escalating and trouble shooting where necessary.
- allocation of staff and assessing, escalating and trouble shooting any staffing issues where appropriate.
- Recognising the strengths and weaknesses of individual staff members and working with the ward sisters to ensure good progress and development takes place.
- taking an active part in supporting succession planning and staff development on the ward through feedback and development / action planning.
- Leading on or supervising in a link role to ensure key targets are achieved and standards are maintained to a high quality.
- supporting the sisters in key aspects of ward administration such as staff development, recruitment, KPIs, audit, datix and complaint management etc.
- Helping to disseminate and support key messages from the trust, directorate or senior management team.
About us
Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust comprises five of the UK's best known hospitals - Guy's, St Thomas', Evelina London Children's Hospital, Royal Brompton and Harefield - as well as community services in Lambeth and Southwark, all with a long history of high quality care, clinical excellence, research and innovation.
We are among the UK's busiest, most successful foundation trusts. We provide specialist care for patients including heart and lung, cancer and renal services as well as a full range of local hospital and community services for people in Lambeth and Southwark.
We have a long tradition of clinical and scientific achievement and - as part of King's Health Partners - we are one of England's eight academic health sciences centres, bringing together world-class clinical services, teaching and research. We have one of the National Institute for Health Research's biomedical research centres, established with King's College London in 2007, as well as dedicated clinical research facilities.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- Clinical Duties
- Responsible for carrying out clinical practice within designated clinical areas, ensuring that high quality, current evidence-based nursing assessment, care planning, implementation, interventions and evaluations for patients is provided from admission through to discharge.
- Will be responsible for the application of knowledge across the range of work procedures and practices, underpinned by theoretical knowledge and practical experience.
- To act as advocate for patients within the area, to ensure a patient orientated approach to the delivery of care and to meet standards within the NHS Plan and other relevant guidelines.
- To ensure that patients receive high quality clinical care and a good patient experience, having regard for their customs and religious beliefs.
- Recognise and avoid situations that may be detrimental to the health and wellbeing of the individuals.
- Will advise on the promotion of health and the prevention of illness.
- Recognise the significance of observations made, and use them to develop and initiate nursing assessments and devise a plan of care.
- Carry out those activities necessary to conduct a comprehensive assessment of a persons nursing requirements.
- Will ensure that all patients will have a discharge plan that is safe and appropriate for their needs.
- Carry out nursing procedures and treatments, checking on and maintaining the highest possible standards.
- Work alongside the multi-disciplinary team to ascertain treatments and advise on nursing priorities.
- Take a clear and concise history from patients by assessing their health and well being and complete documentation ensuring that all entries are accurate and legible and that all information systems are maintained.
- Undertake prescribed physical observations as follows: blood pressure, temperature, respirations, blood sugars, urinalysis, weight and height, and report exceptions appropriates.
- Responsible for the correct administration of prescribed medication including transfusion of blood and blood products
- Professional Responsibilities
- Is wholly accountable for his / her practice in line with the NMC code of professional conduct and takes every reasonable opportunity to sustain and improve his / her knowledge and professional competence.
- Will act in accordance with Local, Hospital and Statutory Guidelines & Policies including Health and Safety initiatives.
- Will be familiar with the Health and Safety at Works Act, and be aware of its implications and ensure that local unit and departmental policies are followed.
- Will work in accordance with Corporate Objectives
- Will compile a personal & professional portfolio (in conjunction with the Performance management process and the compilation of a Personal Development Plan).
- Will maintain a high standard of care and give courteous reception to all patients and visitors.
- Will adopt a patient orientated approach to work
- Will practice in a cost effective and cost aware manner
- Will ensure that the Hospitals policy is understood and carried out with regard to the care and custody of drugs/medications, especially with regard to those covered by the Control of Drugs Act.
- Will be familiar with the wards fire, manual handling and C.O.S.H.H. policies and ensure that all nurses in the ward are aware of the policies.
- Will be fully conversant with the trust major incident plan, and ensure that all nurses on the ward understand the procedure.
- Will establish a relationship with a clinical supervisor
- Take all possible precautions to safeguard the welfare and safety of staff, service users, visitors and the public, by implementing all policies related to health, safety, security and risk.
- Communication
- Will be responsible for the provision and receipt of complex, sensitive or contentious information related to patients, patient care, relatives, staff and other multidisciplinary colleagues.
- Provides highly specialised advice concerning the care or treatment of identified groups or categories of patients/clients
- Communicate effectively and efficiently with all members of the multi-disciplinary team regarding patient care.
- Will communicate with patients and relatives, making reports and liaising, as appropriate; with medical staff other members of the care team and management.
- Will give and receive day/night reports. Acting as team leader/member/co-ordinator as necessary.
- Report to the Doctor/Sister/Charge Nurse and members of the multidisciplinary team on patients conditions, both verbally and in writing as necessary.
- Liaise with inter-hospital departments/personnel
- Attend and participate in ward meetings and help promote new ideas and methods and assist in their implementation.
- Attend and participate in multidisciplinary team meetings and case conferences to benefit patient care.
- Education & Professional Development
Act as a role model, giving guidance, counselling and support to unqualified staff and students.
- Actively contribute to the teaching programme within the ward.
- Act as mentor and introduce new staff members to their role within the team.
- Act as preceptor for newly qualified members of staff.
- Act as mentor/assessor to unqualified staff.
- Assist in producing written reports concerning the basic learner nurse in the clinical setting as required by the university.
- Take every opportunity to maintain and improve knowledge and competence, and take steps to keep up to date with clinical and nursing developments.
- Local Area Variation to Core Job Description
- To complete competencies specific to the post
- This job description forms the basis of the roles duties. You should be aware that there might be other specific assigned tasks relevant to a particular area of work
The post holder is required to follow Trust policies and procedures which are regularly updated including:
Confidentiality / Data Protection / Freedom of Information
Post holders must maintain the confidentiality of information about patients, staff and other health service business in accordance with the Data Protection Act of 2018. Post holders must not, without prior permission, disclose any information regarding patients or staff. If any member of staff has communicated any such information to an unauthorised person, those staff will be liable to disciplinary action up to and including dismissal. Moreover, the Data Protection Act 2018 also renders an individual liable for prosecution in the event of unauthorised disclosure of information.
Following the Freedom of Information Act (FOI) 2000, post holders must apply the Trusts FOI procedure if they receive a written request for information.
Information Governance
All staff must comply with information governance requirements. These includes statutoryresponsibilities (such ascompliance with the Data Protection Act),following nationalguidance (such as theNHS Confidentiality Code of Practice) andcompliance with local policies and procedures (such as the Trust's Confidentiality policy). Staff are responsible for any personal information (belonging to staff or patients) that they access and must ensure it is stored, processed and forwarded in a secure and appropriate manner.
Equal Opportunities
Post holders must at all times fulfil their responsibilities with regard to the Trusts Equal Opportunities Policy and equality laws.
Health and Safety
All post holders have a responsibility, under the Health and Safety at Work Act (1974) and subsequently published regulations, to ensure that the Trusts health and safety policies and procedures are complied with to maintain a safe working environment for patients, visitors and employees.
Risk Management
All post holders have a responsibility to report risks such as clinical and non-clinical accidents or incidents promptly. They are expected to be familiar with the Trusts use of risk assessments to predict and control risk, as well as the incident reporting system for learning from mistakes and near misses in order to improve services. Post holders must also attend training identified by their manager, or stated by the Trust to be mandatory.
Safeguarding children and vulnerable adults
Post holders have a general responsibility for safeguarding children and vulnerable adults in the course of their daily duties and for ensuring that they are aware of the specific duties relating to their role.
Please see attached Job Description for full details.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- Clinical Duties
- Responsible for carrying out clinical practice within designated clinical areas, ensuring that high quality, current evidence-based nursing assessment, care planning, implementation, interventions and evaluations for patients is provided from admission through to discharge.
- Will be responsible for the application of knowledge across the range of work procedures and practices, underpinned by theoretical knowledge and practical experience.
- To act as advocate for patients within the area, to ensure a patient orientated approach to the delivery of care and to meet standards within the NHS Plan and other relevant guidelines.
- To ensure that patients receive high quality clinical care and a good patient experience, having regard for their customs and religious beliefs.
- Recognise and avoid situations that may be detrimental to the health and wellbeing of the individuals.
- Will advise on the promotion of health and the prevention of illness.
- Recognise the significance of observations made, and use them to develop and initiate nursing assessments and devise a plan of care.
- Carry out those activities necessary to conduct a comprehensive assessment of a persons nursing requirements.
- Will ensure that all patients will have a discharge plan that is safe and appropriate for their needs.
- Carry out nursing procedures and treatments, checking on and maintaining the highest possible standards.
- Work alongside the multi-disciplinary team to ascertain treatments and advise on nursing priorities.
- Take a clear and concise history from patients by assessing their health and well being and complete documentation ensuring that all entries are accurate and legible and that all information systems are maintained.
- Undertake prescribed physical observations as follows: blood pressure, temperature, respirations, blood sugars, urinalysis, weight and height, and report exceptions appropriates.
- Responsible for the correct administration of prescribed medication including transfusion of blood and blood products
- Professional Responsibilities
- Is wholly accountable for his / her practice in line with the NMC code of professional conduct and takes every reasonable opportunity to sustain and improve his / her knowledge and professional competence.
- Will act in accordance with Local, Hospital and Statutory Guidelines & Policies including Health and Safety initiatives.
- Will be familiar with the Health and Safety at Works Act, and be aware of its implications and ensure that local unit and departmental policies are followed.
- Will work in accordance with Corporate Objectives
- Will compile a personal & professional portfolio (in conjunction with the Performance management process and the compilation of a Personal Development Plan).
- Will maintain a high standard of care and give courteous reception to all patients and visitors.
- Will adopt a patient orientated approach to work
- Will practice in a cost effective and cost aware manner
- Will ensure that the Hospitals policy is understood and carried out with regard to the care and custody of drugs/medications, especially with regard to those covered by the Control of Drugs Act.
- Will be familiar with the wards fire, manual handling and C.O.S.H.H. policies and ensure that all nurses in the ward are aware of the policies.
- Will be fully conversant with the trust major incident plan, and ensure that all nurses on the ward understand the procedure.
- Will establish a relationship with a clinical supervisor
- Take all possible precautions to safeguard the welfare and safety of staff, service users, visitors and the public, by implementing all policies related to health, safety, security and risk.
- Communication
- Will be responsible for the provision and receipt of complex, sensitive or contentious information related to patients, patient care, relatives, staff and other multidisciplinary colleagues.
- Provides highly specialised advice concerning the care or treatment of identified groups or categories of patients/clients
- Communicate effectively and efficiently with all members of the multi-disciplinary team regarding patient care.
- Will communicate with patients and relatives, making reports and liaising, as appropriate; with medical staff other members of the care team and management.
- Will give and receive day/night reports. Acting as team leader/member/co-ordinator as necessary.
- Report to the Doctor/Sister/Charge Nurse and members of the multidisciplinary team on patients conditions, both verbally and in writing as necessary.
- Liaise with inter-hospital departments/personnel
- Attend and participate in ward meetings and help promote new ideas and methods and assist in their implementation.
- Attend and participate in multidisciplinary team meetings and case conferences to benefit patient care.
- Education & Professional Development
Act as a role model, giving guidance, counselling and support to unqualified staff and students.
- Actively contribute to the teaching programme within the ward.
- Act as mentor and introduce new staff members to their role within the team.
- Act as preceptor for newly qualified members of staff.
- Act as mentor/assessor to unqualified staff.
- Assist in producing written reports concerning the basic learner nurse in the clinical setting as required by the university.
- Take every opportunity to maintain and improve knowledge and competence, and take steps to keep up to date with clinical and nursing developments.
- Local Area Variation to Core Job Description
- To complete competencies specific to the post
- This job description forms the basis of the roles duties. You should be aware that there might be other specific assigned tasks relevant to a particular area of work
The post holder is required to follow Trust policies and procedures which are regularly updated including:
Confidentiality / Data Protection / Freedom of Information
Post holders must maintain the confidentiality of information about patients, staff and other health service business in accordance with the Data Protection Act of 2018. Post holders must not, without prior permission, disclose any information regarding patients or staff. If any member of staff has communicated any such information to an unauthorised person, those staff will be liable to disciplinary action up to and including dismissal. Moreover, the Data Protection Act 2018 also renders an individual liable for prosecution in the event of unauthorised disclosure of information.
Following the Freedom of Information Act (FOI) 2000, post holders must apply the Trusts FOI procedure if they receive a written request for information.
Information Governance
All staff must comply with information governance requirements. These includes statutoryresponsibilities (such ascompliance with the Data Protection Act),following nationalguidance (such as theNHS Confidentiality Code of Practice) andcompliance with local policies and procedures (such as the Trust's Confidentiality policy). Staff are responsible for any personal information (belonging to staff or patients) that they access and must ensure it is stored, processed and forwarded in a secure and appropriate manner.
Equal Opportunities
Post holders must at all times fulfil their responsibilities with regard to the Trusts Equal Opportunities Policy and equality laws.
Health and Safety
All post holders have a responsibility, under the Health and Safety at Work Act (1974) and subsequently published regulations, to ensure that the Trusts health and safety policies and procedures are complied with to maintain a safe working environment for patients, visitors and employees.
Risk Management
All post holders have a responsibility to report risks such as clinical and non-clinical accidents or incidents promptly. They are expected to be familiar with the Trusts use of risk assessments to predict and control risk, as well as the incident reporting system for learning from mistakes and near misses in order to improve services. Post holders must also attend training identified by their manager, or stated by the Trust to be mandatory.
Safeguarding children and vulnerable adults
Post holders have a general responsibility for safeguarding children and vulnerable adults in the course of their daily duties and for ensuring that they are aware of the specific duties relating to their role.
Please see attached Job Description for full details.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- BSC / degree or equivalent in nursing
- mentorship or similar
- advanced assessment course or acutely unwell
Desirable
- management course or similar
Experience
Essential
- experience of staff management
- experience of coordinating a shift
- experience of teaching and assessing and preceptorship work
- experience of managing challenging situations and de-escalation
- experience of managing staff with competency or conduct issues
- experience of managing communication with other areas
Desirable
- experience of clinical supervision
- management of sickness absence
skills knowledge and ability
Essential
- expert trouble shooter
- expert in co-ordinating bed flow through the hospital
- excellent clinical acumen
- expert in managing the complex / deteriorating / challenging patient through MDT huddles
- effective communication with management team in escalating safety concerns
- evidence of teaching others
- evidence of link role involving embedding change
Desirable
- evidence of supporting datix management
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- BSC / degree or equivalent in nursing
- mentorship or similar
- advanced assessment course or acutely unwell
Desirable
- management course or similar
Experience
Essential
- experience of staff management
- experience of coordinating a shift
- experience of teaching and assessing and preceptorship work
- experience of managing challenging situations and de-escalation
- experience of managing staff with competency or conduct issues
- experience of managing communication with other areas
Desirable
- experience of clinical supervision
- management of sickness absence
skills knowledge and ability
Essential
- expert trouble shooter
- expert in co-ordinating bed flow through the hospital
- excellent clinical acumen
- expert in managing the complex / deteriorating / challenging patient through MDT huddles
- effective communication with management team in escalating safety concerns
- evidence of teaching others
- evidence of link role involving embedding change
Desirable
- evidence of supporting datix management
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
