Job responsibilities
Overview
Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust operates hospitals on our two main sites in Cheltenham and Gloucester, and were one of the largest NHS trusts in the country.
Our workforce of almost 8,000 staff provide high quality emergency, elective and specialist care across a range of clinical areasWe have recently been graded as Good by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), which is testament to our dedication and drive to improve clinical excellence, innovation and quality care.
Our Values:
It is expected that all employees uphold the values of the organisation as our values underpin everything we do and describe the way we expect our staff to behave towards our patients, families and carers and between each other. We have the following three values:
1. Caring
Patients said: "Show me that you care about me as an individual. Talk to me, not about me.
Look at me when you talk to me."
2. Listening
Patients said: "Please acknowledge me, even if you can't help me right now. Show me that you know that I'm here."
3. Excelling
Patients said: "Don't just do what you have to, take the next step and go the extra mile."
In line with the Trust Vision to provide the Best Care for Everyone the successful applicant will be expected to lead the team with the support of their Band 7 and other Band 6 colleagues to deliver safe, effective and person centred care. Applicants must have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, as well a passion for improvement. You will need to be calm and resilient with the ability to deal with challenging situations, providing support to more junior members of the team. To lead in the delivery and supervision of patient care for the clinical area ensuring assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of a high standard of core nursing care.
Applicants must demonstrate a compliance with professional values in line with the NMC Code and act as an appropriate role model at all times. As well as being able to take charge of a busy and dynamic department the successful applicant will also have excellent clinical skills and be able to work as part of a multidisciplinary team. Applicants should demonstrate a commitment to development and education, always seeking to provide evidence based person centred care in line with both national and local guidelines.
The successful applicant will have an awareness of workforce planning and be willing to act up in the absence of a more senior colleague.
Main Responsibilities and Duties:
The successful candidate:
- Will be designated to take charge of all areas the department.
- Will be responsible for timely escalation of all issues to their Line Manager or the Emergency Physician in charge.
- Will act as a support for the band 7s, Matron and other Clinical Lead Nurses.
- Will actively participate in quality improvement projects
- Will work within & manage the clinical care team.
- Manage the flow of patients through the department by timely signposting and referral of patients to appropriate health care providers.
- To identify and actively participate in a link role.
- Will take personal responsibility and accountability for ensuring that Trust local policies and procedures are known and adhered to and will ensure all duties are carried out in accordance with the NMC Code of Professional Conduct.
- Will be responsible for the assessment, planning, provision, maintenance and evaluation of patient care.
- Will take responsibility for the supervision and guidance for other members of staff in the department including Registered Nurses, Healthcare Assistants & Students on a daily basis.
- Will actively contribute to the provision of a good learning environment by taking on the role of mentor/assessor for learners.
Knowledge, Skills & Experience Required
Proven experience at a Band 5 level for a minimum of three years within unscheduled care is required for this role. Applicants must be triage trained. Applicants should have a good knowledge base and practice clinical skills to a high standard having the knowledge base necessary to support more junior colleagues.
Leadership and management
Applicants will be expected to be an effective leader. The ability to demonstrate leadership qualities and previous experience of leading a team or group of staff would be advantageous. It would be necessary for the successful applicant to contribute to management tasks such as workforce planning and sickness management.
Education and training
All applicants must hold a nursing qualification and be able to demonstrate ongoing personal development and a commitment to learning. Mentorship qualification would be desirable along with a commitment to sharing knowledge and further education.
Improving quality and developing practice
This post would require the completion of daily audits and checks to help maintain and improve quality standards in line with local and national guidance. The successful applicant would work as part of the team to improve quality and develop new practices.
Physical, Mental & Emotional Effort & Working Conditions
Applicants will be required to work within recognised Manual Handling Guidelines.
- May be expected to frequently manoeuvre patients/objects over 15kg using appropriate aids for short periods of time.
- Will have frequent exposure to unpleasant working conditions and will be required to follow Policies and Procedures pertaining to infestations, bodily fluids, infection control and COSHH regulations.
- May be required to work in confined spaces.
- Ability to work where the work pattern may be unpredictable, but there is also frequent exposure to distressing situations involving patients, relatives and staff.
- Will be required to work a varied shift pattern to include weekends, nights and bank holidays.
Summary of position:
The position will require working as a Sister/ Charge Nurse within a busy Emergency Department taking charge when required while also ensuring the high standards of the trust are met and maintained through implementation and evaluation of nursing care.
General conditions
ConfidentialityIn the course of your employment, you may have access to, see or hear confidential information concerning the medical or personal affairs of patients and or staff. Unless acting on the instruction of an authorised officer, on no account must such information be divulged or discussed except in the performance of normal duties. Breaches of confidence, including improper passing of registered computer data, will result in disciplinary action, which may lead to dismissal. You should be aware that regardless of any action taken by your employing authority, a breach of confidence could result in a civil action for damages.
In addition, records, including VDU screens and computer printouts of registered data must never be left in such a manner that unauthorised persons can obtain access to them. Written records must either be destroyed or retained in safe custody when no longer required, VDU screens should always be cleared when unattended.
Terms and Conditions of Service
The principle terms and conditions of your appointment will be those set out in the Agenda for Change national agreement as amended from time to time by the NHS Staff Council. These terms and conditions are set out in the NHS Terms and Conditions of Service Handbook, which is available on the Trusts intranet and NHS Employers web site.
Health and Safety
It is the duty of every employee to work in such a way that accidents to themselves and to others are avoided, and to co-operate in maintaining their place of work in a tidy and safe condition, thereby minimising risk. Employees will, therefore, refer any matters of concern through their respective line managers.
Data Quality
As part of your employment you may be required to record Patient Information (computerised or on paper). You have a responsibility to ensure that information is entered accurately, completely and consistently. It is particularly important that patients demographic details are kept up to date. Problems should be reported to your Manager.
No Smoking Policy
Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust operates a no smoking policy. Smoking is not permitted anywhere within the buildings and grounds of all Trust sites. These restrictions include all areas up to the boundaries of all sites.
This job description is not intended to form part of the contract of employment or to be a complete list of duties and responsibilities, but is a good guide for information to the job. It will be periodically reviewed in the light of developing work requirements in the department. The officer in the post will be expected to contribute to that review.
