Senior Sister

Job description

Job responsibilities

To ensure the maintenance of a high standard of nursing care at all times for ophthalmology patients through the effective management of staff and resources.

To provide effective leadership and to act as a good role model

To work collaboratively with all members of the multidisciplinary team and co-ordinate all aspects of ophthalmic care in the best interests of the patient and their family or carer

Providing supervision, support and education to unqualified staff, qualified staff, students and new staff team members.

To ensure auditing of and working towards the achievement of the NHS plan which relates to the outpatient environment

Encourage research based nursing care and practice within the department, discussing and changing practice where appropriate.

Participation in preceptorship programmes as appropriate and act as a facilitator / mentor / preceptor / role model to other members of the team.

To assess, develop, implement and evaluate programmes of care. To actively participate in team nursing and the development of nursing care for the specific group of ophthalmic patients

Independently undertake post operative clinics, discharging patients from the service where clinically indicated and modifying treatment/refer back to the medical team as necessary.

See and treat patients referred from A&E or via General practitioners as appropriate, completing whole episodes of care and ensure the referrer receives correspondence as to the treatment of their patient.

To ensure that evidence based practice is reviewed and where appropriate, changed. Also to identify where patient care could be improved and take steps through discussion and project management to develop and manage that change.

To share and discuss and developments within the nursing or medical profession which may have an impact upon the outpatient service provided.

To take any appropriate action to ensure the safety of all patients, ensuring that patient care is undertaken by appropriately skilled nurses. To report any accidents/incidents to Matron outpatients department

To ensure that Trust Policies and Procedures are implemented and followed.

Participate in development, setting and monitoring of standards, ensuring that acceptable levels are maintained, actioning any changes required.

To take management responsibility for the Ophthalmology outpatient departments and Ophthalmology theatre on a day to day basis.

Prepare the duty rota for staff, providing an effective well-balanced skill mix to meet the requirements of the service and to ensure the presence of a suitable qualified and experienced nurse at all times.

To take the role of Laser Protection Supervisor as appointed by the Trust to manage all aspects of the health, safety and maintenance of five Class IV medical lasers in the department.

Participate with the appropriate personnel, any issues regarding patient care or management concerns.

Maintain custody of controlled drugs according to statutory procedure, ordering replacements, checking and administering all drugs in accordance with the Trust Drug Administration of Medicines Policy.

To participate in audit relating to patient care, patient dependence and quality assurance.

Ordering and maintaining adequate stocks of supplies and provisions within the department

To take all measures reasonably possible to ensure Health and Safety standards are met at all times, complying with the Health and Safety Policy and reporting all accidents/incidents to the General Manager Ophthalmology and to monitor the safe and effective use of all equipment and the economic use of supplies.

Maintain accurate records at all times, ensuring appropriate reporting mechanisms are used.

Maintain good relations and communications with all wards and departments with special emphasis on Accident and Emergency and theatres.

Be conversant with Trust policies and Procedures and their mechanisms.

To actively participate in departmental meetings, ensuring the dissemination of information to all staff and encouraging discussion among all staff.

To develop own teaching skills and lead in staff / student education and training.

To maintain a suitable learning environment for staff and act as a facilitator in the supervision and teaching of less experienced staff.

To attend Trust / local orientation programmes and mandatory training sessions.

To be responsible for developing and sustaining own knowledge, clinical skills and professional awareness in accordance with revalidation requirements and to maintain a professional portfolio with evidence of reflective practice.

To participate in the Trusts Preceptorship Programme.

To lead the development and implementation of nursing practice guidelines, standards, information leaflets and policies.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Qualifications/Training
• RGN with current registration
• Evidence of Continuing Professional Development
• Evidence of management experience / training
• Post registration qualification or experience
• NMC recognised teaching and assessing qualification
• Evidence of study at academic level 6
• First level degree

Desirable

• Knowledge of the health, safety and maintenance of ophthalmic class 4 therapeutic lasers.

Experience

Essential

• Experience at Band 6 within Ophthalmology or a related field.
• Departmental management experience.
• Department based teaching.
• Managing clinical risk and incidents
• Clinical audit activity.
• Risk assessment.
• Staff appraisals and PDR.
• Sickness absence / performance management.
• Complaints handling.
• Evidence of being up to date with current NHS / professional issues.
• Experience and knowledge within the speciality or related field.
• Clinical credible.
• Evidence of teaching and development skills.
• Evidence of managing Change Organisation skills.
• Leadership skills and ability to inspire and motivate others.
• Awareness of health and safety issues, and management.
• Able to prioritise.
• Fully aware of principles of infection control.
• Able to produce written reports and articulate concerns regarding patient care / safety issues.
• Fully aware of the principles of clinical governance and the application of clinical governance.
• Computer literate as appropriate to the post.

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.

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

Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust

Address

Charles Hastings Way

Worcester

Worcestershire

WR5 1DD

Employer's website

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