Charge nurse/ Sister in charge

Job description

Job responsibilities

Overview of Responsibilities

Work collaboratively as required to ensure effective and efficient provision of health care services

Communicate the vision and rationale of the service provided

Keep the Directorate/Divisional management team informed of relevant issues regarding running of the ward/unit, expenditure/income and accounting for significant variances against budget

Use communication skills in order to convey complex and sensitive information effectively to patients, carers and other staff, overcoming any barriers to understanding and providing support during distressing or emotional events and outside agencies.

Ensure that patient documentation is completed correctly, appropriately and in a timely manner by all members of the nursing team

Ensure patients are able to gain access to health and social care information and support relevant to their needs

Provide information which enables patients to make choices about adopting a healthier lifestyle

Ensure patient confidentiality is maintained

Maintain professional boundaries and working relationships with patients and colleagues

Clinical & Professional Responsibilities:

Lead on change management issues/projects for the ward/unit

Educate patients and their carer(s) as required where a need has been identified

Participate in annual staff appraisal, staff development and in-service training activities in line with the Knowledge and Skills Framework

Ensure that all staff attend Trust/local orientation programmes, mandatory training sessions and annual updates

Be appraised at least annually and contribute to own personal development plan (PDP)

Be responsible for developing and sustaining own knowledge, management & clinical skills and professional awareness in accordance with CPD requirements and maintain a professional profile

Act as a preceptor/facilitator/mentor for staff and students

Take part in reflection and appropriate learning from practice, in order to maintain and develop competence and performance

Facilitate staff to fulfil mandatory training & CPD requirements and to maintain a professional profile

Ensure that all new staff complete Trust and local induction / orientation programmes

Assist in establishing clinical supervision and participate as appropriate

Maintain a suitable learning environment

Co-ordinate and maintain accurate records of all nurse and health care assistant training and development

Foster a climate of continuous service improvement by maintaining awareness of developments and best practice elsewhere

Interpret national and trust policy and assess potential impact on the service

Participate in the development, implementation and monitoring of nursing practice standards, guidelines, protocols, policies and care pathways - local and trust wide

Be responsible for implementing, maintaining and monitoring measurable standards of care in liaison with the Associate Director of Nursing/Service Manager

Ensure care delivered is based on current evidence, best practice and validated research when available

Work with CPE to review nursing practice, implementing appropriate changes in accordance with above principles

Contribute to research and development programmes within the ward/department

Ensure all the required audits are done daily, weekly, biweekly and monthly

Attend all meetings as invited to or send a deputy if you are unable to.

Ensure all link nurses are in place and attend all the trainings required for them to do their role.

Meet with the CPE to check on the competencies of staff in the unit biweekly

Conduct monthly checks of the work environment to ensure that it is safe.

Leadership and Management Responsibilities

Lead on change management issues/projects for the ward/unit

Consider the views/needs of users when determining priorities for service development

Foster a climate of continuous service improvement by maintaining awareness of developments and best practice elsewhere

Interpret national and trust policy and assess potential impact on the service

Participate in the development, implementation and monitoring of nursing practice, guidelines, protocols, policies and care pathways - local and trust wide

Be responsible for implementing, maintaining and monitoring measurable standards of care in liaison with the Associate Director of Nursing/Service Manager

Ensure care delivered is based on current evidence, best practice and validated research when available

Work with the Practice Development Team to review nursing practice, implementing appropriate changes in accordance with above principles

Contribute to research and development programmes within the speciality.

To support the department and organisation by carrying out any other duties that reasonably fit within the broad scope of a job of this grade and type of work.

Clinical Governance Responsibilities:

Ensure team members assess, plan and implement care and treatment for patients

Ensure team members produce clearly documented nursing notes that are appropriate to the patients needs and that they are monitored regularly

Ensure team members plan and co-ordinate patients discharge from the Eye Ward effectively

Demonstrate accountability of completeness of the nursing record/documentation for every visit/appointment

Supervise staff in the delivery of care and treatments

Act as an advocate for the patient, providing them with information and directing them to the relevant support services where appropriate

Take the appropriate action to address any issues or risks

Respect peoples dignity, wishes and beliefs; involve them in shared decision-making and obtain their consent before undertaking nursing procedures

Promote and maintain a patient focused multidisciplinary approach to care in collaboration with carers, health care professionals and other agencies

Ensure that treatments prescribed by the medical staff are carried out, and that multidisciplinary team members are informed of changes in the patients condition

Ensure safe and timely transfer of patients in accordance with ASPH policy

Ensure safe discharge of patients in accordance with ASPH Discharge Policy

Health, Safety & Security:

Work with team members to ensure maintenance of a clean and safe environment that is conducive to therapeutic and ethical practice

Be accountable for and ensure own competence in practice

Promote nursing practice and care delivery in line with relevant research and evidence base and with reference to trust policies and guidelines

Identify potential risks for all staff, patients and visitors, act as required adhere to relevant incident reporting procedures

Ensure the safe custody and administration of drugs in accordance with local and Trust policy and legal requirements

Handle and dispose of all body fluids in accordance with universal precautions

To support the department and organisation by carrying out any other duties as qualified and able.

Service improvement:

Maintain own and others awareness of the national, professional and local quality issues relevant to the delivery of nursing services, ensuring compliance as required

Ensure a welcoming, caring and supportive environment is provided for staff, patients and their family/visitors/carers

Ensure a clean and safe environment and liaise with the Associate Director of Nursing/Service Manager Senior Nurse /Matron with regard to the performance management of contracted services and NHS National Cleaning Standards

Uphold quality initiatives that improve customer care and enhance the interface between staff, patients and visitors and other wards and departments within the trust

Participate in audit processes for monitoring and reviewing nursing quality

Participate in the Essence of Care Benchmarking process and implementation of action plans

Be involved in the handling and resolution of complaints in accordance with ASPH policy; ensure staff are aware of the role of the nurse.

Person Specification

Attitude, Behaviour and Values

Essential

• oDemonstrates passion for excellence
• oFlexible in their attitudes and behaviours to support
• oSupports learning and development of self and others
• oSeeks out and takes opportunities for improving the service offered
• oRespects, values and cares for others

Qualifications and Further Training

Essential

• oFirst Level Registered Nurse
• oENB 998 / Mentorship /practise assessor and/or other relevant teaching qualification
• oPost basic qualification relevant in Ophthalmology
• oEducated to Degree Level in a health related subject, or equivalent knowledge, skills and competency gained through a minimum of 1 year experience at a minimum of Deputy Sister/Charge Nurse position

Desirable

• oManagement qualification or course

Experience

Essential

• oManagement experience - management of people and budgets
• oWorking in a co-ordinating function within the multidisciplinary team
• oRecent evidence of developing nursing practice within the clinical setting
• oStaff teaching

Desirable

• oService development experience
• oChange management experience
• oEvidence of innovation

Skills

Essential

• oYou are able to communicate effectively to ensure high standards of care, treatment, service or support as appropriate to your role,
• oPatient facing roles -be able to understand an individual's communication, physical & emotional needs; recognise their needs and preferences
• oAble to provide a customer focussed service
• oYou have knowledge & awareness of diversity and human rights as appropriate to your role

Other requirements

Essential

• oAbility to be flexible to meet the needs of the team, the service and the Trust.
• oAssertive
• oProfessionalism oSensitivity oReliability
• oAbility to deal with and resolve conflict
• oAbility to prioritise

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Ashford & St. Peter's Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Ashford and St Peters NHS foundation trust

London ROAD

Ashford

TW15 3AA

Employer's website

https://www.ashfordstpeters.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)