Job responsibilities
Supporting Clinical Excellence
Take responsibility for the management and organisation of the clinical area when on duty.
Participates as an active member of the nursing team, accountable for your practice and role modelling the highest standards of care to all members of the team.
Assists in leading the team in the assessment, planning, delivery and evaluation of care of patients admitted to the department in accordance with Trust and directorate pathways.
Acts as a senior support for staff with recognition and implementation of care for changes in the patient condition.
Has in-depth knowledge of infection control policies, with practical experience and principles in relation to the clinical environment, patient care, the prevention of cross infection, outbreak management, good hand hygiene and environmental cleaning.
Undertake the Trust Corporate and Directorate specific development and competency programmes.
Undertake any expanded roles deemed necessary following the Trusts policy
Expansion of Professional Practice for Registered Healthcare Practitioners.
Responsible for the safe supply, storage, administration, checking and disposal of medications including controlled drugs.
Communicates proactively with all staff on the clinical condition and treatment plan of patients and ensures accurate nursing records are maintained by all staff.
Actively involves patients, relatives and carers in their treatment and encourages staff to facilitate and enable individuals to assist in their own recovery.
Contributes to and oversees the safe and effective discharge planning of patients informing the discharge team of issues and patient /relative requirements/requests.
Support and participate in Pathway to Excellence revalidation, demonstrating the philosophy of the accreditation programme
Leadership
Lead by example with drive and enthusiasm, responding appropriately to the needs of patients, families and carers.
Responsible for assisting with the management and leadership of a designated department, maintaining an appropriate management style that maintains good morale, a team approach to work and a culture which fosters innovation and change.
Sets high standards of nursing care for the department, including department cleanliness, nutrition etc., are maintained so that the patients experience is excellent.
Represents the team and organisation at professional meetings as requested and feeds back information appropriately.
With due regard to Risk Management policies and procedures, assists with using local data to ensure the environment is safe for patients, relatives, carers and staff.
To be a visible, accessible and assertive figure to whom staff, patients and relatives can turn for assistance and guidance.
In the absence of the Sister, be a pivotal figure drawing together the multidisciplinary team towards their shared goal of excellence in patient care.
Influence people and events through successful communication, negotiation and persuasion skills.
Assist with developing and using local and national networks to identify and introduce to the directorate best practice in the management and care of patients.
Constructively challenge practices as necessary, which impact on patients care and or staff wellbeing.
To be predominantly clinically based, dividing time equally between all areas within the job description.
Work in partnership with the senior nursing team and other Sisters to ensure the nursing strategy objectives are achieved.
Supporting Patient Excellence
In the absence of the Sister be a visible presence and act as the first contact point for patients, relatives and staff to address concerns and complaints.
To be courteous and helpful to patients, families/carers, colleagues and all users to the trust. To act as a positive role model to the team.
Responsible for the assessment of the care needs and the development, implementation and evaluation of patient care
Work collaboratively and co-operatively with others to meet the needs of patients and their families/carers.
In the absence of the Sister to reinforce the culture that patients, relatives and carers participate and understand treatment plans.
To monitor activity and patient dependency, escalating any concerns to the Sister.
Adopt an open learning culture from clinical incidents and patient/staff feedback and implement improvements as necessary.
Co-ordinate the patients discharge arrangements in accordance with the Trusts Local Discharge Policy.
Ensure the education of patients and their families/carers as required where a need has been identified
Actively undertake education, development and supervision of other staff members, assisting them in meeting work demands to provide a quality patient experience.
People/Management Excellence
Assist the Sister in the monitoring of workload and skill mix, planning off duty and ensuring the ward operates effectively and safely.
Assist the Sister in the completion of a training needs analysis and ensure compliance of the team with Trust expectations in relation to mandatory training and appraisals.
Assist the Sister in managing the team in accordance with Trust policies and procedure.
Participate in recruitment and selection of staff for the department including orientation of new staff.
Promote and maintain a suitable learning environment for staff and act as assessor/facilitator/mentor/preceptor/coach in the supervision and teaching of less experienced staff, supporting and facilitating the development of competencies across all staff levels.
Contribute to annual appraisals and be responsible for own personal performance/development plan. Promote staff wellbeing and resilience, considering flexible rostering and working patterns.
To assist the Sister in the investigation of complaints and/or adverse incidents, ensuring lessons are learnt and action plans implemented.
To assist the Sister with monthly one to ones with staff.
Maintains competent computer skills and be able to access patient details and reports via the Trusts IT systems.
Supporting Financial Excellence
Develop and maintain an understanding of budgeting, supported by the Sister.
Responsible for the effective and efficient use of clinical and physical resources.
Maintain e-roster in line with Trust policy.
Professional Responsibilities
To be responsible for your own professional development, maintain a professional portfolio and keep up to date on current nursing and health service issues.
To take full responsibility for your own actions and to abide by The Code.
Maintain own knowledge and clinical skills demonstrating competence in delivering a high standard of care.
To act as the Confirmer for staff Revalidation when applicable, acting as a resource to empower staff to successfully complete the process.
To be conversant with all Nursing Policies and procedures.
Takes part in education and training programmes appropriately and feedback knowledge gained to their team.
Maintain a current knowledge of professional issues, ensuring continued professional development is maintained.
Identify learning needs in self, negotiating a Personal Development Plan recognising own limitations.
To successfully complete and maintain Band 6 competencies and demonstrate compliance through annual appraisal.
Demonstrate and maintain knowledge and skill to manage infection prevention measures including the use of professional protective equipment.
Ensure all staff within the department adhere to infection prevention principles
Quality Assurance and Monitoring
Actively promote evidence-based practice within the clinical area.
Contribute to audit initiatives.
Participate in setting and reviewing standards for practice and evaluating outcomes as part of the clinical governance agenda.
Maintain and promote an awareness of evidence-based practice and participate in its implementation.
Drive research and service improvement/ development programmes within the department.
Participate in setting and reviewing standards for practice and evaluating outcomes as part of the clinical governance agenda.
Policy and Service Development Responsibilities
Ensure all staff work within the confines of Trust policies, protocols and other relevant documentation, taking appropriate action where compliance is breached.
Research, Development & Education Responsibilities
Participate in ensuring Trust competencies for all staff are implemented, maintained, updated and monitored.
To have an awareness that all agreed action plans from national and local strategies, benchmarking standards, such as ward Assessment & Accreditation, and clinical audits are completed. If these are not maintained at a satisfactory level then contribute to put strategies in place to pursue their achievement.
To participate in developing working guidelines, protocols and practices that enhances the patient experience in line with national and Trust policies.
Will seek out Best Practice to generate new ideas and generate change.
Provide work based learning to staff at all levels, highlighting any development concerns.
Has a well-developed understanding of clinical practice with effective supervision, mentoring and assessment skills.
To be conversant with all Nursing Policies and procedures
In the absence of the Sister ensure that contractual student placements are met and that all pre-registration students and other relevant undergraduates/apprentices are adequately coached and assessed within the workplace.
In the absence of the Sister ensure the clinical area has adequate assessors/supervisors to facilitate student placements.
Corporate Responsibilities
Work collaboratively with other colleagues across the Trust .To act-up for the Sister as required.
Act as a role model in customer service towards visitors to the hospital.
