Job responsibilities
LIVERPOOL HEART & CHEST HOSPITAL NHS FOUNDATION TRUST
JOB DESCRIPTION
POST: Ward Manager Birch Ward
BANDING: Band 7
ACCOUNTABLE TO: Head of Nursing and Quality
RESPONSIBLE FOR: Director of Nursing and Quality
JOB SUMMARY
The post-holder carries continuing responsibility for the safe and effective management of the ward/department. Key responsibilities will include the development, implementation and evaluation of programmes of care, effective leadership and staff management/development.
The post-holder should ensure nursing is practised within the Clinical Governance Framework and create an environment in which excellence in care flourishes.
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES
CLINICAL / QUALITY
Act as a resource/advisor to all staff in the delivery of nursing care, ensuring that specialised needs of patients are met.
Develop methods for identifying, maintaining and improving the quality of patient care through facilitation of best practice and clinical benchmarking.
Maintain patient records in accordance with NMC, Trust and Ward standards.
Ensure effective communication with patients and their carers.
Liaise with nursing, medical and para-medical colleagues to ensure that all facets of the patients` care are covered.
Ensure effective communication with relatives, community nursing staff, other hospitals and local agencies to facilitate the smooth transfer and after-care of patients/clients.
Ensure due regard is given to the customs, values and spiritual beliefs of patients/clients.
Ensure that nursing care is based on sound, current research, encourage and initiate nursing audit and research, assisting with the implementation of findings where appropriate.
Ensure adherence to Trust and local policies, local guidelines and current legislation.
Inform the Matron & Head of Nursing of changes in circumstances which may affect the delivery of care.
Attend meetings as directed and feedback information as appropriate, ensuring robust ward/department communication strategies are in place.
Explore and undertake expanded practice to optimise patient s care in accordance with Trust policies
Ensure safeguarding policies are utilised within practice
MANAGERIAL/LEADERSHIP
Exercise leadership and maintain an awareness of the individual needs of the nursing team.
Ensure appropriate learning and provide timely response in relation to patient concerns or complaints
Support patient and public involvement within the ward/department
Develop services in conjunction with senior nurse manager initiating and implementing any service improvements.
Monitor performance of staff ensuring that learning needs are identified through personal development planning/supervised practice.
Monitor and manage staff sickness/absence following the Trust guidelines, and liaise with the Head of Nursing as necessary.
Participate in recruitment and selection of staff within the nursing team ensuring appropriate personnel procedures are implemented.
Manage the area within the agreed budget and participate in resource management initiatives.
Ensure compliance with the Trusts manual for Standing Financial Instructions
Responsible for the implementation of risk management policies within the ward/department, including the development, implementation and monitoring of action plans to address identified risks.
Liaise with relevant departments to ensure that supplies are available and equipment is safe and in working order in accordance with Trust policies.
Deputise for the Matron as requested.
PROFESSIONAL
Accountability for practice is dependent upon taking every reasonable opportunity to sustain and improve knowledge.
Discuss present performance/future needs with Head of Nursing
Keep abreast of and participate in current/future Health service and nursing trends.
Attend study days/courses as agreed with the Matron & Head of Nursing
The nurse will utilise clinical supervision and peer group support
Act at all times in a manner that upholds the reputation of the Trust and safeguards the wellbeing and dignity of patients and their relatives.
Act always in accordance with the NMC Code and maintain active status on NMC Registrar via the revalidation process.
EDUCATIONAL
Act as an effective role model, imparting specialist knowledge to all nursing staff and other members of the multi-disciplinary team.
Ensure an effective clinical learning environment is developed and maintained.
Assist staff in developing clinical/professional competence by providing learning opportunities.
Ensure appropriate allocation and staff compliance with Trusts study leave policy
Maintain accurate records of training and development and ensure staff compliance with mandatory training
Supervise and meet educational needs of learners as specified by the Higher Education Institutes.
CONFIDENTIALITY
All employees must adhere to policies and procedures relating to Information Governance, Confidentiality and Information Security.
RISK MANAGEMENT
The Trust is committed to approaching the control of risks in a strategic and organised manner.
The postholder must be aware of their individual responsibilities as detailed in the Trusts Risk Management, Health & Safety and Incident policies, and those under the Health and Safety at Work Act. This includes the reporting of any untoward incident, accident, potential or actual hazard identified.
SAFEGUARDING
All staff are required to be familiar with the arrangements for safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults and support the organisation in promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.
Staff working directly with children, young people and vulnerable adults will have a responsibility to ensure safeguarding and promoting their welfare forms an integral part of their duties.
Staff who come into contact with children, vulnerable adults, parents and carers in the course of their work and/or have access to records will have responsibilities to safeguard and promote the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.
Staff who come into contact in the course of their duties, with parents, carers or other significant adults or children, young people and vulnerable adults should always be mindful of safeguarding and promotion of the welfare of these individuals.
HEALTH AND WELLBEING
The Trust is a Health Promoting Hospital. The Trust expects that when you are presented with opportunities to improve the lifestyle of our patients you seek help from appropriately trained clinical staff to ensure patients are supported and assisted in making the necessary lifestyle changes. This is in accordance with best practice as described in the DoH white paper Choosing Health Making Healthy Choices Easier.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES
The Liverpool Heart & Chest Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is committed to achieving equal opportunities. All employees are expected to observe this policy in relation to the public and fellow employees.
All staff are expected to adhere to, and act in accordance with, the values & behaviours of the Trust.
This document is intended to be used as a guide to the general scope of duties involved in this post. It is not exhaustive and should not therefore be used as a rigid specification. It will be kept under review and amended as required in consultation with the postholder.
