Community Sister

Job responsibilities

Responsibility for People Management

Be responsible for the planning, implementing, development, delivery and evaluation of care across community nursing teams/clinics.

To manage and prioritise a defined caseload and delegate where appropriate to the skill mix of the team.

As part of your role there may be a requirement / opportunity to undertake Treatment Escalation Plan (TEP) discussion, to achieve this you will be required to be competent in advanced communication, care planning and attended appropriate training to support competence.

To act as a role model for other staff and students demonstrating high standards of specialist practice and professional conduct.

Be responsible for providing and maintaining a learning environment and maximise opportunities for educational and development in the clinical area to enhance individual development and performance in the delivery of high standards. Acting as expert resource and assist in teaching knowledge and clinical skills for other health care professionals.

Take part in the process of clinical supervision and support clinical supervision and reflective practice for team members.

To develop strategies for continued professional development as Non-Medical Prescriber if relevant for role

Support recruitment and selection of new staff, which may include being part of an interview panel.

Act as mentor for new staff and students, including leading on a structured induction and training program for new members of staff.

Support the coordination of study leave, annual leave, and rotas to ensure the service is operationally covered. Where difficulties are identified in maintaining service provision that this is escalated to senior managers of the service in team managers absence.

Support the team manager in the supervision, line management, appraisals, mandatory training, standards and staff performance to work within the teams and supporting and investigating staff performance and absence.

Take responsibility for your own personal and professional development, maintain competence, knowledge and skills commensurate with the role.

Within your job role there will be clinical specific competencies which you may need to undertake to enhance your knowledge and skills in practice.

Integrate theory into practice.

Support staff to complete documentation within the agreed organisational timeframes.

In the absence of the service manager, be responsible for the day-to-day management (without direct supervision) of the team and patient care provided to the agreed local and professional standards.

To maintain effective verbal and written communication with the clinical team and to keep staff informed of changes to prescribing intervention or treatment provided to service-users.

To work in partnership with medical staff and service-users in the development and implementation of clinical management plans related to an individuals treatment and prescribing needs.

To establish and maintain good liaison with key stakeholders in the individuals care e.g. GP practices and other services in the area, including sharing prescribing information and rationale.

Responsibility for financial and/or physical resources

To demonstrate awareness of resources, providing cost effective and quality-controlled usage of products.

To have a working knowledge of statutory and non-statutory funding and the legislation/guidance that underpins these funding streams, ensuring service users meet the eligibility criteria when advocating for/ utilising services on the service users behalf (e.g. Care Act eligibility, Housing legislation etc)

Be authorised signatory and signing off the supplies and expenses. These include off duty, staff overtime, annual leave, bank nurses and the procurement of supplies for the team.

Exercise a duty of care in relation to the use of the organisations equipment and resources in a cost-effective manner.

To be responsible for overseeing and monitoring and authorising of equipment and ensuring maintenance and repair.

Track stock levels and ensure the supply levels are sufficient to meet the demands of the service.

Maintain effective working relationships with multidisciplinary team and deliver a cost-effective quality service to patient/carers within a defined geographical area.

To contribute to resource governance through knowledge and appropriate prescribing decisions.

Responsibility for administration

The post holder may be required to use a computer, mobile phone or lone working device and will be required to adhere to Livewell Southwest policies regards their use.

Compliance will be monitored through observation, spot checks and through incident management in line with the Organisations Incident reporting and Investigation policy.

The post holder will be expected to oversee the standard of patients records by audit or peer review and have a regular open discussion with team members.

Support the team manager in the recording of accurate clinical activity data.

To be responsible for maintaining lone working information for identified staff group and monitoring staff adherence to lone working policy and use of devices.

Ensure accurate records of FP10 prescription use maintained in accordance with organisational Medicines Policy.

Responsibility for people who use our services

To be accountable for the direct delivery of service by providing holistic evidence-based practice to patients and their carers, ensuring maximum independence and quality of life in a constantly changing environment. To achieve positive patient outcomes in partnership with multi-professional agencies.

Utilise a range of specialised clinical skills appropriate to the needs of individual patients and the clinical setting in which they are seen. Exercising a high level of judgement, discretion and decision making in clinical care.

Act as a patient advocate as required ensuring individual needs, preferences and choices are delivered by the Service.

Provide patients, families, and carers with tailored education, and evaluate impact of programmes. Provide advice and support, that may precipitate symptoms of acute exacerbation of underlying conditions or illness and include lifestyle changes that would be advantageous to health.

Undertake CHC assessment and case management as part of the MDT for people at home where the community nurse is identified as the most appropriate community team member.

Working within professional guidelines to make clinical decisions without supervision.

To triage and accept appropriate routine and urgent referrals directly from other disciplines, patients, carers, and members of the public and / or refer to other agencies where appropriate. Ensuring all referrals are prioritised accordingly.

To have a flexible approach to competing priorities in order to meet the needs of the patient and the service.

To reduce unnecessary hospital admissions and enable the individual patient to be managed in the community. (Linking with MDT).

To undertake comprehensive risk assessments of all situations associated with the care of patients to ensure nurses and the carers safety.

To ensure privacy, dignity and human rights are respected for all patients and Carers.

To maintain patients in their own homes, encouraging and promoting maximum independence and optimum quality of life.

Preserve confidentiality and be aware of the Data Protection Act, Access to Health Records and Consent for Treatment.

To supervise, monitor, develop standards of care and participate in audit collate, and analyse data.

Assess suitability of service-users for prescribing interventions and to initiate these as an independent or supplementary non-medical prescriber (as appropriate to ensure adherence with current legislation)

Comply with the Professional codes, relevant legislation, procedures and policies.

To review and make changes to prescribed medication, in collaboration with the service-user wherever possible (and adhering with agreed Clinical Management Plan where applicable).

To prescribe and change medications as clinically appropriate, within the scope of the independent practitioners clinical expertise and/ or CMP.

Be responsible for the provision of planned and unplanned care to patients and their carers in a defined geographical area.

Responsibility for implementation of policy and/or service developments

Ensure adherence to Livewell Southwest Policies.

Develop, review and audit guidelines/ protocols/ polices for specific aspects of own service in line with NICE guidance, best practice Guidance and professional forums and support implementation into practice ensuring the clinical practice reflects national and local drivers.

Promote sharing of best practice with other Teams and Departments within the region.

To be involved with the development, implementation, and monitoring of standards.

To identify community health needs and participate in new projects, research, and audit. Supporting staff to initiate change.

To demonstrate knowledge and understanding of relevant government targets. Providing leadership and acting as a change agent disseminating this knowledge across the organisation.

Facilitate the development of service objectives within own area, considering relevant guidelines and the needs of the Organisation.

To support Patient Safety Incident Investigations, after action reviews, case reviews, swarm-based huddles.

Please see supporting information for full Job Description & Person Specification.

The post holder will need to travel & attend to service users based across Plymouth & other geographical areas. Full/valid driving licence & access to a car for work purposes is required. Reasonable adjustments under the Equality Act will be taken into account for the successful applicant.

Experience

Essential

• Relevant post registered experience.
• Able to demonstrate Clinical Management skills appropriate to the role.
• Proven relevant experience of Leadership.
• Experience in leading and development of new pathways of care and delivering best practice.
• Experience in managing sensitive issues and overcoming obstacles in communication.

Desirable

• Experience and working knowledge of community setting desirable.
• Management/Leadership qualification.
• Experience of influencing change in the workplace.

Knowledge

Essential

• Up to date knowledge of current practice within the area specified in job purpose.
• Knowledge of national and local frameworks and strategies .
• Ability to translate best practice evidence and national policies in practice.
• Background and development knowledge of Government Policies and changes in Primary Care.
• Understanding of NICE guidance.
• The post holder will have experience undertaking Incident Investigations.
• Ability to undertake holistic patient centred assessment

Desirable

• Evidence of continued recent academic and
• clinical development
• Knowledge of service development
• Previous primary care / community experience.

Specific skills

Essential

• Good time management
• Autonomous practitioner with the ability to work unsupervised.
• Ability to assess and treat patients using evidence-based practice.
• Ability to work alongside clinicians to support and enhance quality of patient care.
• Excellent interpersonal skills in Leadership, co-ordination and management skills.
• Delegation skills.
• IT Literate.
• Highly motivated with ability to influence and inspire others.
• Ability to act as a champion for patients and carers and their interests, ensuring the patients voice has an impact on service developments.

Desirable

• Flexible/Adaptable
• /Team player
• Evidence of using initiative to put innovation into practice.

Qualifications

Essential

• 1st Level Nurse Registration
• (degree or diploma)
• NMC Registration
• Current Registered Nurse with a relevant registered experience.
• Experience of mentoring.

Desirable

• Recognised teaching qualification mentorship or equivalent.
• Leadership experience/qualifications
• NMP prescribing qualification or willingness to undertake.
• DNSPQ Qualification
• Specialist Nurse
• modules

Additional requirements

Essential

• Familiar and committed to the principles and values of the NHS.
• Demonstrate commitment to focus on quality, promotes high standards to consistently improve patient outcomes.
• Creates and fosters a culture of openness, honesty, integrity and inclusiveness.
• Ability to work flexibly, demonstrating commitment to partnership working.
• Ability to travel across Plymouth and other geographical areas.

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).