Clinical Sister / Charge Nurse - Keats Ward

Job description

Job responsibilities

Clinical Leadership and Managerial

Provide strong clinical leadership skills, supporting, energising, inspiring and empowering others in pursuit of a shared vision to ensure the effective management of the ward / department

To assist and support the Sister / charge Nurse in the establishment of an efficient working environment, making the most effective and efficient use of staff, supplies and services

In co-ordinating the day-to-day management of the clinical area, delegates duties and care appropriately, whilst maintaining overall responsibility

Ensures that staffing and skill mix is maintained, at all times, to a level that does not compromise patient safety, including appropriate request, deployment and supervision of temporary staff

To be involved in the development, assessment and implementation of guidelines, protocols and pathways

To deputise for the Senior Sister / Charge Nurse in their absence

To attend and participate in monthly departmental meetings and ward rounds in the absence of the Senior Sister / Charge Nurse

To help to promote new ideas and methods for the delivery of care and assist in their implementation through liaison and co-operation with the multi-disciplinary team

To participate in the development of care pathways to promote uniformity of care

To apply the Divisional and corporate Clinical Governance strategies to the clinical area

To manage complaints in a calm and courteous manner, ensuring that wherever possible complaints are dealt with efficiently and satisfactorily and resolved locally

Support the Senior Sister / Charge Nurse to implement local initiatives within the area

When required to be involved with managing local projects within the area

Where appropriate to understand and participate in the procedure for ordering supplies as required with the agreed budget and to ensure the appropriate use of resources

Clinical and Patient Care

Assesses patients, plans, implements care, provides specialist advice and maintains associated records

Working autonomously to manage a caseload of patients, acting as a lead assuming responsibility and accountability for assessing, implementing and evaluating care for the designated clinical area

Ensure that nursing care delivered within the ward / department is compliant with legal, professional and organisational standards

Responsible for the correct administration of prescribed medication including transfusion of blood

To provide leadership, support and guidance to staff in monitoring the planned delivery and evaluation of individualised care

Ensure safe and effective care for complex patients requiring advanced clinical skills

Be responsible for assessing and recognising emergencies in the speciality

To interpret information and take appropriate action and to lead others to do the same

Act as an advocate for patients within the department, to ensure a patient orientated approach to the delivery of care and to meet standards within the NHS Plan and other relevant guidelines

Ensure that patients receive high quality clinical care and a good patient experience, having regard for their customs, religious beliefs and doctrines

Recognise and avoid situations that may be detrimental to the health and wellbeing of the individuals

Is wholly accountable for his / her practice in line with the NMC Code and takes every reasonable opportunity to sustain and improve his / her knowledge and professional competence

Responsible for maintaining a safe environment for patients, visitors and other staff within the clinical environment

Ensure that sensitive patient records are stored appropriately

Ensures the cultural and spiritual needs of patients are recognised and accommodated within resources available

Initiate the investigation at clinical level in relation to risk incidents and report in accordance with divisional policy at governance

Participate in case conferences in relation to the management of patients, ensuring continuation of ongoing care

Overseeing appropriate discharge arrangements with voluntary and statutory agencies to ensure continuity of care from the hospital to the community, inpatient admission or continuing care setting

Ensure staff take precautions to minimise the risk of cross infection in relation to the safe disposal of body fluids (including blood)

A key member of the multidisciplinary team in supporting patients and their carers during the delivery of bad news such as caring for the terminally ill patients and the event of death

Ensuring patients and their carers have a level of knowledge about their illness and their care commensurate with their individual needs

To supervise the assessments and interventions of junior staff in relation to patient care

Completes patient documentation fully, ensuring that all entries are accurate and legible and that information systems are maintained by all members of the team

People Management, Training and Education

Assist the Senior Sister / Charge Nurse in any grievance, disciplinary, performance or sickness issues as appropriate and in accordance with Trust procedures

Assist in the recruitment and retention of nursing staff

Ensure and support the Senior Sister / Charge Nurse in the delivery of the staff appraisal programme

Assist the Senior Sister / Charge Nurse in developing a culture that is challenging, stimulating, rewarding and supportive

Actively participate in the selection; training and supervision of Clinical support Workers (CSW) on the NVQ / Apprenticeship pathway

Assess the need for and plan and implement suitable staff development programmes for nursing staff in conjunction with the Senior Sister / Charge Nurse within the clinical area to ensure effective care of all patients

Assist the Senior Sister / Charge Nurse to ensure that all students and newly appointed staff have identified mentors / preceptors

To act as mentor / assessor to unqualified staff and to provide education, advice and support to a team of nurses

Ensuring within mentorship that student nurses and post-registration students allocated to the area are given appropriate teaching, support and guidance, in accordance with clinical area / personal objectives and that all documentation is complete

Contribute and assist the Senior Sister / Charge Nurse to foster a learning environment within the clinical area

Be aware of the local equipment training programme for staff in relation to the Clinical Negligence Scheme for Trusts and to maintain training records

Compliance and Governance

Undertake the lead in setting and auditing nursing standards implemented in the department

To take an active role in risk assessment, supporting implementation of strategies to minimise risk. Ensuring incidents and near misses are reported, through promoting a no blame culture

Ensure all staff act in accordance with Local, Hospital and Statutory Guidelines and Policies, including Health and Safety initiatives

Will be familiar with the Health and Safety at Works Act, and be aware of its implications and ensure that local unit and departmental policies are followed

Will work in accordance with Corporate Objectives and ensure that all staff are aware

Will ensure that the Hospitals policy is understood and carried out with regard to the care and custody of drugs / medications, especially with regard to those covered by the Control of Drugs Act

Will be familiar with the wards fire, manual handling and C.O.S.H.H. policies and ensure that all nurses in the ward are aware of the policies to minimise risks to patients and staff

Will be fully conversant with the Trust major incident plan, and ensure that all nurses on the ward understand the procedure

To take all possible precautions to safeguard the welfare and safety of staff, service users, visitors and the public, by implementing all policies related to health, safety, security and risk

Contribute to shared governance committees to meet the objectives of the Trust

Communication

To create an environment that fosters good communication between patient and health care professionals, that meets individuals needs

Be an effective communicator and be a role model in liaising with the community and other members of the health care team

Participating and communicating with relevant health care professional any changes in the organisation of the ward / department

Timely dissemination of corporate and divisional information to all members of the nursing team in the absence of the Senior Sister / Charge Nurse

Local Area Variation to Job Description

To complete competencies specific to post

This generic job description forms the basis of the roles duties. You should be aware that there might be other specific assigned tasks relevant to a particular area of work

Please note, if you are considering applying for a role within the NHS it is important to be are aware that there will be a legal requirement for employees to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 by the 1st April 2022. This is applicable for all patient facing roles and roles within patient facing areas

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• RN1 Nurse on NMC Register
• BSc/1st Degree (health related) or equivalent qualification/training/experience
• Mentorship/teaching qualification or evidence of continuing professional development

Knowledge

Essential

• Up to date knowledge of current clinical and professional issues.
• Knowledge of evidence based practice Able to assess plan, implement and evaluate specialist care delivered to patients / clients and give relevant advice / information to patients and relatives.
• Ability to organise and plan own time and that of junior staff and learners
• Ability to administer prescribed medication including transfusion of blood and administration of blood products.
• Good communication skills and ability to deal with sensitive information. To include dealing with distressed relatives, care of terminally ill and other challenging situations.

Experience

Essential

• Proven experience on managing a ward; including management of rotas, managing competencies, resources and staff
• Experience of teaching / assessing / supervising others in a clinical setting

Skills

Essential

• Able to assess plan, implement and evaluate specialist care delivered to patients / clients and give relevant advice / information to patients and relatives.
• Ability to administer prescribed medication including transfusion of blood and administration of blood products

Values Based Question

Essential

• How would you ensure you represent MFT in a positive way?

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.

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Medway NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Medway NHS Foundation Trust

Windmill Road

Gillingham

ME7 5NY

Employer's website

https://www.medway.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)