Job summary
The role of the Senior Sister/Charge Nurse is to ensure the safe and effective care of patients attending or brought into the emergency department. This is a challenging role that would suit an experienced emergency department nurse. On a day-to-day basis the ED Senior Sister is responsible for the flow of patients through the department either to speciality teams or to discharge. The Senior Sisters are also responsible for the overall quality of care and wellbeing of staff and patients and the management of the ED nursing team as part of a team of senior sisters providing compassionate leadership. The successful candidate will be expected to act as a role model in the Emergency department and demonstrate the King's values through their work.
Main duties of the job
To provide day to day operational and clinical management of the Emergency department floor and be responsible for all members of the nursing staff and their quality of care during a shift as the nurse in charge. To support the matron in improvement projects and quality assurance in the department. To work as an emergency nurse at an advanced level delivering emergency care within a specialist area. To take direct managerial responsibility for the ED in the absence of or as delegated by the Modern Matron, Lead Nurse or Head of Nursing. To act as a visible role model within the department.
About us
King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of the UK's largest and busiest teaching Trusts with a turnover of c£1 billion, 1.5 million patient contacts a year and more than 15,000 staff based across South East London. The Trust provides a full range of local and specialist services across its five sites. The trust-wide strategy of Strong Roots, Global Reachis our Vision to be BOLD, Brilliant people, Outstanding care, Leaders in Research, Innovation and Education, Diversity, Equality and Inclusion at the heart of everything we do. By being person-centred, digitally-enabled, and focused on sustainability, we aim to take Team King's to another level.
We are at a pivotal point in our history and we require individuals who are ready to join a highly professional team and make a real, lasting difference to our patients and our people.
King's is committed to delivering Sustainable Healthcare for All via our Green Plan. In line with national Greener NHS ambitions, we have set net zero carbon targets of 2040 for our NHS Carbon Footprint and 2045 for our NHS Carbon Footprint Plus. Everyone's contribution is required in order to meet the goals set out in our Green Plan and we encourage all staff to work responsibly, minimising their contributions to the Trust's carbon emissions, waste and pollution wherever possible.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To be team leader and line manager for a group of emergency nurses
- To work as an emergency nurse at an advanced level delivering emergency or urgent care within a specialist area.
- To provide emergency care of a high standard to emergency, critically ill or injured patients, or primary care patients and their relatives within King's College Hospital.
- To take direct managerial responsibility for the ED in the absence of or as delegated by the Modern Matron or Head of Nursing.
- To lead and develop an identified group of nurses within the Emergency Department.
- To act as a clinical resource within the department and across the care group as necessary.
- To act as a positive role model to junior staff members.
- The post holder has a general duty of care for their own health, safety and well-being and that of work colleagues, visitors and patients within the hospital, in addition to any specific risk management or clinical governance accountabilities associated with this post.
- To observe the rules, policies, procedures and standards of Kings College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust together with all relevant statutory and professional obligations.
- To observe and maintain strict confidentiality of personal information relating to patients and staff.
- To be responsible, with management support, for their own personal development and to actively contribute to the development of colleagues.
- The post holder has an important responsibility for and contribution to make to infection control and must be familiar with the infection control and hygiene requirements of this role.
- To demonstrate advanced clinical expertise in the care of patients receiving emergency or urgent treatment in the department.
- To assess, plan, implement and evaluate the needs of patients in the department on an ongoing basis, co-ordinating the care given by all members of the clinical team.
- To accurately assess and interpret clinical information about the patients condition prior to medical intervention.
- To instigate appropriate emergency treatment and promptly report changes.
- To ensure appropriate prioritisation and streaming of emergency patients.
- To act as a resource to others, providing accurate information, advice and support to the multidisciplinary team, patients and their relatives.
- To ensure that accurate records are maintained reflecting both changes in the patients condition and the treatment delivered.
- To ensure that patients and their relatives are updated regularly with accurate information, ensuring that this is presented in a sensitive way and one that they understand.
- To ensure that clinical guidelines are implemented and to be independently involved in auditing practice in conjunction with Matron and practice development staff.
- To ensure that practice is evidence based and with support assist in the development of policies and protocols within the clinical area.
- To uphold high standards of emergency nursing care, according to existing policies and standards within the trust both, Nationally & Internationally.
- To support the process of continuous quality improvement, by assisting in audits, evaluating standards of care and assisting in the implementation of changes in the light of such findings.
- To organise patient transfers both within and outside the hospital, escorting critically ill patients as necessary or delegating to other staff as appropriate.
- To contribute to the health education of patients and their families, ensuring that all patients and their families receive appropriate advice and support to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
- To actively support the implementation of the Trust nursing strategy and uphold the ethos of the local philosophy.
- To fully understand business continuity management and your role in implementing its process.
- To be fully aware of your role in the Chemical Biological Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) plan and the role of other staff within ED.
- To be fully aware of your role and the role of other staff in the event of a Major Incident.
- To be fully aware of local plans and trust plans that may affect the ED e.g. Fire/Bomb/IT
- To be fully aware of the Trusts Safeguarding Procedures and demonstrate the ability to raise concerns and work with other agencies to protect our patients
- To accurately identify those patients at risk of neglect or abuse.
- This job description is intended as a guide to the general scope of duties and is not intended to be definitive or restrictive. It is expected that some of the duties will change over time and this description will be subject to review in consultation with the post holder.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To be team leader and line manager for a group of emergency nurses
- To work as an emergency nurse at an advanced level delivering emergency or urgent care within a specialist area.
- To provide emergency care of a high standard to emergency, critically ill or injured patients, or primary care patients and their relatives within King's College Hospital.
- To take direct managerial responsibility for the ED in the absence of or as delegated by the Modern Matron or Head of Nursing.
- To lead and develop an identified group of nurses within the Emergency Department.
- To act as a clinical resource within the department and across the care group as necessary.
- To act as a positive role model to junior staff members.
- The post holder has a general duty of care for their own health, safety and well-being and that of work colleagues, visitors and patients within the hospital, in addition to any specific risk management or clinical governance accountabilities associated with this post.
- To observe the rules, policies, procedures and standards of Kings College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust together with all relevant statutory and professional obligations.
- To observe and maintain strict confidentiality of personal information relating to patients and staff.
- To be responsible, with management support, for their own personal development and to actively contribute to the development of colleagues.
- The post holder has an important responsibility for and contribution to make to infection control and must be familiar with the infection control and hygiene requirements of this role.
- To demonstrate advanced clinical expertise in the care of patients receiving emergency or urgent treatment in the department.
- To assess, plan, implement and evaluate the needs of patients in the department on an ongoing basis, co-ordinating the care given by all members of the clinical team.
- To accurately assess and interpret clinical information about the patients condition prior to medical intervention.
- To instigate appropriate emergency treatment and promptly report changes.
- To ensure appropriate prioritisation and streaming of emergency patients.
- To act as a resource to others, providing accurate information, advice and support to the multidisciplinary team, patients and their relatives.
- To ensure that accurate records are maintained reflecting both changes in the patients condition and the treatment delivered.
- To ensure that patients and their relatives are updated regularly with accurate information, ensuring that this is presented in a sensitive way and one that they understand.
- To ensure that clinical guidelines are implemented and to be independently involved in auditing practice in conjunction with Matron and practice development staff.
- To ensure that practice is evidence based and with support assist in the development of policies and protocols within the clinical area.
- To uphold high standards of emergency nursing care, according to existing policies and standards within the trust both, Nationally & Internationally.
- To support the process of continuous quality improvement, by assisting in audits, evaluating standards of care and assisting in the implementation of changes in the light of such findings.
- To organise patient transfers both within and outside the hospital, escorting critically ill patients as necessary or delegating to other staff as appropriate.
- To contribute to the health education of patients and their families, ensuring that all patients and their families receive appropriate advice and support to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
- To actively support the implementation of the Trust nursing strategy and uphold the ethos of the local philosophy.
- To fully understand business continuity management and your role in implementing its process.
- To be fully aware of your role in the Chemical Biological Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) plan and the role of other staff within ED.
- To be fully aware of your role and the role of other staff in the event of a Major Incident.
- To be fully aware of local plans and trust plans that may affect the ED e.g. Fire/Bomb/IT
- To be fully aware of the Trusts Safeguarding Procedures and demonstrate the ability to raise concerns and work with other agencies to protect our patients
- To accurately identify those patients at risk of neglect or abuse.
- This job description is intended as a guide to the general scope of duties and is not intended to be definitive or restrictive. It is expected that some of the duties will change over time and this description will be subject to review in consultation with the post holder.
Person Specification
Qualification
Essential
- NMC Registration
- Clinical qualification in Emergency Nursing
- Current ALS Provider
Desirable
- Degree educated
- Substantial experience in leading with in an emergency department
Experience
Essential
- Experience of managing teams/individuals
Person Specification
Qualification
Essential
- NMC Registration
- Clinical qualification in Emergency Nursing
- Current ALS Provider
Desirable
- Degree educated
- Substantial experience in leading with in an emergency department
Experience
Essential
- Experience of managing teams/individuals
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.
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).
Additional information
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.
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).
