Staff Nurse, Outpatients

Job responsibilities

Staff Nurse, Nursing & Midwifery Band 5 in Outpatients

PROFESSIONALLY ACCOUNTABLE TO, Matron REPORTS TO, Unit Sister / Charge Nurse

VALUESBeing Open and Honest, Ensuring people feel cared for and showing everyone respect

6 Cs: Care, Compassion, Competence, Communication, Courage, Commitment.

JOB SUMMARY / PURPOSE To work according to the NMC Code and relevant professional guidelines and frameworks including the 6 Cs as a named nurse / key worker for a defined group of patients and take responsibility for: The assessment of care and health education needs. The development, implementation and evaluation of programmes of care including discharge planning for each patient. To gain experience and skills in, Clinical Practice Facilitation and teaching, Management. To ensure effective communication with patients, relatives, carers and the multidisciplinary team. To participate in preceptorship programmes as appropriate and act as a facilitator / mentor / preceptor / role model to less experienced staff. To provide supervision, support and education to unqualified staff and students.

RISK ASSESSMENTThe post involves manual handling activities and exposure to body fluids and chemicals. May involve some VDU work and individuals may be / are exposed to violence and aggression.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIESPatient Care ResponsibilitiesActing as a Named Nurse, to maintain accountability for assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating programmes of care within the framework of team nursing, To co-ordinate the patients discharge arrangements in accordance with WAHT discharge policy, To promote a patient focused approach to care in collaboration with all relevant health professionals, To educate patients and their carers as required where a need has been identified. To provide information which enables patients to make choices about adopting a healthier lifestyle. To complete patient documentation correctly. To assist in establishing and monitoring protocols / care pathways. To participate in the promotion and maintenance of effective communication with patients, relatives and other staff. To support peoples equality, diversity and rights at all times. To safeguard vulnerable adults in accordance with agreed policies and procedures.Professional Development and Education ResponsibilitiesTo develop own teaching skills and participate in staff / student education programmes, To help 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 PREP requirements and to maintain a professional portfolio with evidence of reflective practice. To contribute to annual appraisal and be responsible for own Personal Development Programme. To participate in the Trusts Preceptorship Programme. To assist in the development and implementation of nursing practice guidelines, standards and policies. To assist in the training and development of student nurses and health care assistants and complete assessors training as required.Research and Development ResponsibilitiesTo assist in promoting nursing practice in line with relevant research. To maintain an awareness of evidence-based practice. To contribute to research and development programmes within the ward / department.Audit, Quality and Risk Management ResponsibilitiesTo contribute to the setting and monitoring of measurable standards of care and be accountable for maintaining standards. To maintain awareness of the national, professional and local quality issue relevant to the delivery of nursing services, e.g. Clinical Governance. To uphold quality initiatives that improve customer care and enhance the interface between staff, patients, and visitors. To participate in the audit process for monitoring and reviewing nursing quality. To be aware of personal responsibilities in relation to the maintenance of a safe environment and identification of potential risks for all personnel, patients and visitors, taking action as and when required. To be aware of the role of the nurse in handling complaints in accordance with WAHNT policy. To participate in maintaining a clean environment. The post holder will familiarise themselves with relevant Trust policies and procedures and comply with these at all times. To identify own training needs, to ensure individual competence in the use of all equipment provided for use. To maintain a safe ward environment and ensure all appropriate general risk assessments are carried out within 24 hours of admission document and plan care accordingly e.g. manual handling, pressure risks, slips trips and falls, nutrition, safeguarding.Resource Management ResponsibilitiesTo develop and maintain an awareness of budgeting, exercising care and economy in the ordering and use of equipment. To assist in the assessment and monitoring of staffing requirements and report problems to the appropriate manager. In the absence of a more senior member of staff and as part of the individuals development programme, the post holder, with support, will be able to undertake clinical / shift management within the department.Local Ward / Department Variation to Core Job DescriptionTo independently manage the smooth and effective running of clinics, ensuring patients are kept informed with regards to waiting times etc. When there is an unforeseen situation where there is no senior nurse present, to take charge of the department To develop skills appropriate to the clinics. To work across the Directorate as required

Standard Clauses:The purpose of this post should remain constant, but the duties and responsibilities may vary over time within the overall role and level of the post. The post holder may from time to time be asked to undertake other reasonable duties. Any such changes will be made in discussion with the post holder in the light of service needs.

CompetenceThe post holder is responsible for limiting his/her actions to those which s/he feels competent to undertake. If the post holder has any doubts as to his or her competence during the course of his/her duties then s/he should immediately speak to their line manager or supervisor.

Codes of conductAll employees of the Trust who are required to be registered with a professional body, to enable them to practise within their profession, are required to comply with their code of conduct and requirements of their professional registration. Those staff who are not required to be registered with a professional body are required to comply with the Trusts codes of conduct.

ConfidentialityThe post holder must maintain confidentiality, security and integrity of information relating to patients, staff and other Health Service business.

Records ManagementAll employees of the Trust are legally responsible for all records that they gather, create or use as part of their work within the Trust (including patient, financial, personnel and administrative), whether paper or computer based. All such records are considered public records and all employees have a legal duty of confidence to service users. Employees should consult their manager if they have any doubt as to the correct management of records with which they work.

Health and SafetyEmployees must be aware of the responsibilities placed on them under the Health and Safety at Work Act (1974) and the Manual Handling Operations Regulations (1992) and all relevant Trust Health and Safety Policies and Guidance. This ensures that the agreed safety procedures are carried out to maintain a safe environment for employees, patients and visitors to the Trust.

Infection ControlEmployees must accept personal responsibility and accountability for Infection Prevention and Control practice. Employees should ensure they are familiar with, and comply with, all relevant Infection Control policies for minimising the risk of avoidable Health Care Associated Infection. All Employees must undertake annual mandatory updates in Infection Control.

Risk ManagementIt is a standard element of the role and responsibility of all employees of the Trust that they fulfil a proactive role towards the management of risk in all of their actions. This entails the risk assessment of all situations, taking appropriate actions, and reporting all incidents, near misses, and hazards promptly. It is a contractual obligation that all employees must co-operate with any investigations undertaken.

Children and vulnerable adultsYou have a responsibility for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of the children/young people/vulnerable adults that you come into contact with or are responsible for in your job role and sphere of competence.

SKILLS / KNOWLEDGE

Essential

• Good organisational / time
• management skills
• Ability to record and deal with accurate
• facts, figures and information
• Able to interpret and adhere to Trust
• and departmental policies protocols,
• procedures and guidelines
• Effective communicator both written
• and verbal
• Ability to problem solve
• Ability to prioritise work
• Flexible to change in demands of
• service
• Willing to learn new skills
• Ability to identify personal
• development needs
• Computer literate
• Ability to support unregistered staff /
• students
• Ability to identify and manage risk

Desirable

• Compression Therapy skills
• Scrub Nursing skills
• Venepuncture
• Knowledge of handling and cleansing ENT equipment

Experience

Essential

• Can demonstrate a specific interest in
• area of work
• Will require a specific speciality related
• qualification / equivalent experience
• related to the post or willingness to
• work towards within 18 months of
• qualification

Desirable

• Significant proven knowledge
• and experience in the
• speciality

Qualifications

Essential

• Registered Nurse on sub part 1 or 2
• of the professional register
• Evidence of continuing education for
• more experienced Band 5 nurses in
• speciality
• NMC recognised Mentorship
• qualification or willingness to work
• towards within 18 months of
• commencement of post

Desirable

• Teaching and assessing qualification

Knowledge & Understanding

Essential

• NMC Code, its application to practice
• and requirements of it for own practice
• and behaviour
• Knowledge of person centred care
• Understands actions necessary to
• promote peoples equality, diversity &
• rights
• To ensure actions contribute to quality
• Knowledge of the ageing process and
• related mental & physical health
• problems
• Understanding of Clinical Governance
• Knowledge of the individuals
• responsibility towards Health & Safety

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

Essential

• Completion of KSF Foundation
• gateway within 12 months for newly
• qualified nurses
• Completion of full KSF outline within
• agreed timescales for all other nurses
• The post holder may occasionally be
• required to work in other areas of the
• hospital
• Constant standing / walking
• Ability to undertake manual handling
• and movement tasks
• Prepared and able to work variable
• shift patterns
• Awareness of self
• -presentation to
• patients and relatives
• Standard Clauses
• A Disclosures and Barring Service check
• will be carried out where the position is
• eligible for a Disclosures and Barring
• Service Check in accordance with the
• 2012 Protection of Freedom Act and the
• guidance issued by the DBS.
• All posts working with children or
• vulnerable adults are required to have an
• Enhanced DBS checked including
• checking against DBS / ISA Vetting and
• Barring lists.

PERSONAL QUALITIES

Essential

• Able to work in a team
• Ability to think clearly under pressure
• Provides leadership and support to
• junior members of the team
• Able to deal with the emotional
• aspects of the post e.g. pregnancy
• loss, terminal illness, trauma, chronic /
• critical illness
• Able to deal with exposure to
• bereavement and challenging
• behaviour
• Interview
• References
• Enthusiastic & assertive
• Demonstrates attention to detail
• Motivated
• Able to work under own initiative within
• boundaries of role

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).