Job responsibilities
Clinical Leadership and Managerial
Provide strong clinical leadership skills, supporting, energising, inspiring and empowering others in pursuit of a shared vision to ensure the effective management of the ward / department
To assist and support the Sister / charge Nurse in the establishment of an efficient working environment, making the most effective and efficient use of staff, supplies and services
In co-ordinating the day-to-day management of the clinical area, delegates duties and care appropriately, whilst maintaining overall responsibility
Ensures that staffing and skill mix is maintained, at all times, to a level that does not compromise patient safety, including appropriate request, deployment and supervision of temporary staff
To be involved in the development, assessment and implementation of guidelines, protocols and pathways
To deputise for the Senior Sister / Charge Nurse in their absence
To attend and participate in monthly departmental meetings and ward rounds in the absence of the Senior Sister / Charge Nurse
To help to promote new ideas and methods for the delivery of care and assist in their implementation through liaison and co-operation with the multi-disciplinary team
To participate in the development of care pathways to promote uniformity of care
To apply the Divisional and corporate Clinical Governance strategies to the clinical area
To manage complaints in a calm and courteous manner, ensuring that wherever possible complaints are dealt with efficiently and satisfactorily and resolved locally
Support the Senior Sister / Charge Nurse to implement local initiatives within the area
When required to be involved with managing local projects within the area
Where appropriate to understand and participate in the procedure for ordering supplies as required with the agreed budget and to ensure the appropriate use of resources
Clinical and Patient Care
Assesses patients, plans, implements care, provides specialist advice and maintains associated records
Working autonomously to manage a caseload of patients, acting as a lead assuming responsibility and accountability for assessing, implementing and evaluating care for the designated clinical area
Ensure that nursing care delivered within the ward / department is compliant with legal, professional and organisational standards
Responsible for the correct administration of prescribed medication including transfusion of blood
To provide leadership, support and guidance to staff in monitoring the planned delivery and evaluation of individualised care
Ensure safe and effective care for complex patients requiring advanced clinical skills
Be responsible for assessing and recognising emergencies in the speciality
To interpret information and take appropriate action and to lead others to do the same
Act as an advocate for patients within the department, to ensure a patient orientated approach to the delivery of care and to meet standards within the NHS Plan and other relevant guidelines
Ensure that patients receive high quality clinical care and a good patient experience, having regard for their customs, religious beliefs and doctrines
Recognise and avoid situations that may be detrimental to the health and wellbeing of the individuals
Is wholly accountable for his / her practice in line with the NMC Code and takes every reasonable opportunity to sustain and improve his / her knowledge and professional competence
Responsible for maintaining a safe environment for patients, visitors and other staff within the clinical environment
Ensure that sensitive patient records are stored appropriately
Ensures the cultural and spiritual needs of patients are recognised and accommodated within resources available
Initiate the investigation at clinical level in relation to risk incidents and report in accordance with divisional policy at governance
Participate in case conferences in relation to the management of patients, ensuring continuation of ongoing care
Overseeing appropriate discharge arrangements with voluntary and statutory agencies to ensure continuity of care from the hospital to the community, inpatient admission or continuing care setting
Ensure staff take precautions to minimise the risk of cross infection in relation to the safe disposal of body fluids (including blood)
A key member of the multidisciplinary team in supporting patients and their carers during the delivery of bad news such as caring for the terminally ill patients and the event of death
Ensuring patients and their carers have a level of knowledge about their illness and their care commensurate with their individual needs
To supervise the assessments and interventions of junior staff in relation to patient care
Completes patient documentation fully, ensuring that all entries are accurate and legible and that information systems are maintained by all members of the team
People Management, Training and Education
Assist the Senior Sister / Charge Nurse in any grievance, disciplinary, performance or sickness issues as appropriate and in accordance with Trust procedures
Assist in the recruitment and retention of nursing staff
Ensure and support the Senior Sister / Charge Nurse in the delivery of the staff appraisal programme
Assist the Senior Sister / Charge Nurse in developing a culture that is challenging, stimulating, rewarding and supportive
Actively participate in the selection; training and supervision of Clinical support Workers (CSW) on the NVQ / Apprenticeship pathway
Assess the need for and plan and implement suitable staff development programmes for nursing staff in conjunction with the Senior Sister / Charge Nurse within the clinical area to ensure effective care of all patients
Assist the Senior Sister / Charge Nurse to ensure that all students and newly appointed staff have identified mentors / preceptors
To act as mentor / assessor to unqualified staff and to provide education, advice and support to a team of nurses
Ensuring within mentorship that student nurses and post-registration students allocated to the area are given appropriate teaching, support and guidance, in accordance with clinical area / personal objectives and that all documentation is complete
Contribute and assist the Senior Sister / Charge Nurse to foster a learning environment within the clinical area
Be aware of the local equipment training programme for staff in relation to the Clinical Negligence Scheme for Trusts and to maintain training records
Compliance and Governance
Undertake the lead in setting and auditing nursing standards implemented in the department
To take an active role in risk assessment, supporting implementation of strategies to minimise risk. Ensuring incidents and near misses are reported, through promoting a no blame culture
Ensure all staff act in accordance with Local, Hospital and Statutory Guidelines and 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 and ensure that all staff are aware
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 to minimise risks to patients and staff
Will be fully conversant with the Trust major incident plan, and ensure that all nurses on the ward understand the procedure
To 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
Contribute to shared governance committees to meet the objectives of the Trust
Communication
To create an environment that fosters good communication between patient and health care professionals, that meets individuals needs
Be an effective communicator and be a role model in liaising with the community and other members of the health care team
Participating and communicating with relevant health care professional any changes in the organisation of the ward / department
Timely dissemination of corporate and divisional information to all members of the nursing team in the absence of the Senior Sister / Charge Nurse
Local Area Variation to Job Description
To complete competencies specific to post
This generic 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
