Job responsibilities
For the main duties and responsibilities for this role please read the attached job description and person specification. When completing your application please ensure your supporting statement reflects the criteria set out in these documents by showing how your experience and skills apply to this post.
Communicate with patients, relatives and carers sensitive clinical information in a way that takes into account the level of understanding and any barriers that may have an impact on the individual receiving and understanding the information, face to face and via the telephone on a frequent daily basis
Respond frequently to requests for information on patient conditions, bed state, and requests from medical staff and other enquires relating to the day unit from internal and external sources, via the telephone, and assistance in emergency situations and when more junior staff requires support with clinical interventions
Communicate with patients, relatives and staff in an empathetic way, both face to face or by telephone giving reassurance and developing cooperation in achieving good outcomes on a frequent daily basis
Take an active role in maintaining effective communication with all disciplines (e.g. medical staff and professionals allied to medicine), patients and their relatives.
Respond effectively to any unit/ward crisis e.g cardiac arrest
Experience Band 5 post-holders will also :
Act as a link nurse for nutrition, diabetes or control of infection by attending meetings held by the appropriate specialist nurse and bringing back and communicating to staff through the regular monthly unit meetings any changes in practice
Provide counselling and support to patients and carers in coping with their illness and treatment on a daily basis
Manage own time and plan and organise workload effectively
Contribute to the planning and organising of any service improvements or developments
Makes judgement when dealing with enquires, to resolve problems for patients and staff.
To demonstrate professional, evidence based skilled care to patients and relatives
Plan, implement, carry out and evaluates care given by self and other support nursing staff to patients and their relatives
Maintain accurate clinical observations and records, interpret the significance of these and ask for advice on appropriate care from senior nursing and medical staff
Make decisions, following discussion with a senior member of nursing or medical staff with regard to the clinical intervention required, based on the analysis and interpretation of complex clinical facts (such as blood pressure, pulse, respiratory rate, and temperature and fluid balance) on a daily basis and in crisis situations.
Maintain and develop own clinical expertise and competence within the unit speciality by working clinically as part of the team, undergoing training and updating by external or internal courses and by reading and keeping up to date with changes in practice
Manage own practice in accordance with Trust policies/procedures and the professional scope of practice, in providing and monitoring high standards of professional health care to patients
Responsible for infection control and cleanliness standards on a shift by shift basis by following National and Trust policy.
As per the Trust Drug policy follow the safe ordering, storage and administration of medicines
Develop skills such as IV drug administration, cannulation, venepuncture and venesection
Develop a sound understanding base in relation to the safe handling and administration of intravenous therapeutic agents including cytotoxic chemotherapy
Develop a sound understanding in the use and care of peripheral and central venous catheters
Develop a good level of understanding and knowledge of oncology and palliative care conditions their treatments and care required.
Develop a good knowledge of treatment side effects and care, and provide patient and carers with advice and support in relation to health promotion, neutropenic sepsis, and hair loss and other treatment side effects.
Assist the research nurses in the collection of data e.g. accurate documentation of clinical observations, timing of drug administration
Maintain standard of unit cleanliness
Use local and national research, guidelines and policies to establish a model of evidence-based care, which is patient- centred
Experienced Band 5 post holders will also :
Take decisions regarding the clinical intervention required, based on the analysis and interpretation of complex clinical facts (such as blood pressure, pulse, respiratory rate, and temperature and fluid balance) on a daily basis and in crisis situations.
Act as the patients advocate by, for example, negotiating with the medical team regarding discontinuation of treatment within their knowledge and scope of practice
Provide clinical specialty advice to other clinical areas as required and under guidance
Take responsibility for infection control and cleanliness standards on a shift by shift basis by ensuring that self and staff follow National and Trust policy.
Deal with ad hoc requests for help, information or decision making required as they arise
Assessment of supportive and palliative care need with referral to appropriate professional as necessary, for example, occupational therapist
Collaborate with senior colleagues and others to implement research findings into clinical practice eg mouth care
Participate in research activities relevant to the area and apply these research findings to nursing practice eg audit of hand washing
Be aware of relevant research findings when involved in implementing, devising and updating evidence-based practice and clinical governance
In collaboration with the Sister, participate in audits using recognised tools such as Essence of Care benchmarking tool for health care professionals, contribute to action plans and participate in implementing the results of audit
Take responsibility as an individual, that the Trust policy for clinical incident reporting is followed. Support the Sister to use the learning from incidents in a positive way to develop or change practice.
Provide statements in response to formal complaints or resolve with patients or relatives any verbal complaints or if necessary, pass on to the senior nursing staff /Matron/PALS services any that cannot be resolved. Support the senior nursing staff to use the learning as a result of incidents and complaints and act in a positive way to develop or change practice.
Attend regular team meetings to be kept informed of changes to policies/procedures and up to date with changes within the organisation, including team brief
Read and adhere to all Trust policies including clinical governance/COSHH/Health and Safety/Clinical Waste/Manual Handling
Responsible for ensuring the care environment is treated with respect by self and others and maintains a culture of environmental care consistent with working in a PFI building.
Participate as required in the monitoring and ordering of appropriate stock levels in line with the unit budget.
Ensure equipment is maintained and fit for use within the BDU
Deliver training for one-to-one induction for new and temporary staff, co-mentorship for students on an occasional basis
Responsible for the teaching of core nursing skills on a one to one or group basis and those relating to the speciality of the area, to support staff and students daily
Experienced Band 5 post holders will also:
Take overall responsibility when leading a shift for ensuring that the complement of staff is appropriate to deliver the service from a skill mix and skills perspective. Adjusting the roster and providing cover in emergency situations
Use the Trust computer system to update patient information and respond to e-mails on a daily basis
Utilise computer systems to check patients blood results, hospitals appointments and check patients details
Take responsibility for personal development and education
Experienced Band 5 post holders will also:
Participate in the planning of the orientation and induction of new staff using the Trust induction policy
Deliver training for one-to-one induction for new and temporary staff, mentorship for students and preceptorship for newly qualified staff on a frequent basis. Act as a mentor to qualified staff and students.
Contribute to creating an environment that is conducive to learning, by providing teaching sessions for a group of staff, or on a one-to-one basis and give support to staff undertaking new or advanced roles
Undertake appraisals and contribute to personal development plans for junior staff, as delegated by the unit sister
Responsible for assessing junior staff competency in a range of specialist skills, for example in cannulation and venepuncture as requested by the Sister.
To understand the importance of professional accountability and recognise individual responsibility for personal and professional development
The post holder will be responsible for maintaining own competency
The post holder will be responsible for maintaining own competency to practice through Continual Professional Development (CPD) activities and maintain a portfolio which reflects personal development to meet REVALIDATION requirements of own professional body, to remain live on the register
To participate in self-appraisal and performance review
To maintain standards in accordance with the NMC Code of Professional Conduct
Observe and monitor the legal implications and rights of the individual e.g. data protection
Seek professional clinical supervision whilst in Post.
