Staff Nurse

Job description

Job responsibilities

• Provide high quality evidence based clinical care to patients, in line with the Trust values and in accordance with professional regulations

• Work with others to protect and promote the health and wellbeing of those in your care, their families and carers, and the wider community

• To work in line with Trust policies, objectives, protocols and local guidelines

• To act as a role model communicating in line with Trust values, with patients, carers and staff at all times.

• Accept delegated responsibility for specific activities/areas from the senior nurse in charge, recognising and working within the limits of your competence.

• Take every opportunity to continue to maintain and develop your own practice.

• Facilitate students and others to develop their competence through supervision, teaching and role modelling.

• Protects patient confidentiality and acts according to the Data Protection Act

Communication

• To work as part of a team ensuring effective communication with all health care professionals within the clinical team and across all disciplines.

• Adhere to the Trust values in all working relationships with patients, carers and staff.

• Teach/assess and facilitate learning for all learners in the ward area, particularly students and healthcare assistants having.

• Undertake a Mentorship qualification.

• Demonstrate good leadership skills and ensure that communication is effective between the patient, relatives and members of the multidisciplinary team, and ensure appropriate nursing input into patient care discussions

• Ensure communication is used effectively in the interests of patient care, including the use of handover and clinical incident reporting if necessary.

• Demonstrate politeness, courtesy and sensitivity in dealing with patients/clients, visitors/relatives and colleagues, maintaining good customer relations and recognising individuality and rights for each patient in line with Trust values.

• Work effectively within a multi-racial and cultural environment

Analytical and Judgemental Skills

• Take an active role in Risk Management in line with Trust and Directorate policy.

• Analyse and report information provided through appropriate clinical equipment and act upon this gathered information (e.g. Patient Observations)

• Ensure that all patients have appropriate clinical assessments and that individual requirements are met.

• Report / action any accidents, incidents or undue occurrences reported or witnessed

• Seek to constantly improve nursing practice in clinical area in line with recent best practice innovations and developments.

• Liaise with the managers to ensure the most effective and timely use of available beds and most appropriate allocation to manage any possible clinical risk.

• Work within the NMC Code of Professional Conduct

Service Delivery and Improvement

• Maintain awareness of Trust and National targets, ensuring that within the scope of your role you support their delivery.

• To have responsibility for risk management and health and safety in the workplace.

• Work with senior staff team to ensure infection control procedures and cleanliness are observed in the clinical area.

• Maintain awareness of evidence base and best practice in nursing care ensuring that within the scope of your role you support their delivery.

• Ensure your role has a positive influence on key performance indicators.

• Maintain flexibility with staffing rosters so they can be adjusted accordingly to provide cover with the required skill mix, making best use of the resources available.

• Deal with patient/relative complaints proactively and sensitively.

• Ensure that patient activity is monitored and that all patient information is entered into the Careflow/ Clinical information system (electronic patients notes) at the most timely point.

• productive working relationships within the ward team.

• Take charge of the clinical area in the absence of the Ward Manager/Junior Sister.

• Maintain clinical standards in the absence of the Ward Manager.

• To undertake any other duties at the request of the line manager which are commensurate with the role, including project work, internal job rotation and absence cover.

• In conjunction with the Ward Manager ensure that medical supplies, central supplies and equipment are ordered and used cost effectively.

• Have a safe level of knowledge, understanding and competence when using equipment.

• Ensure that equipment is regularly maintained and serviced in line with hospital policy and manufacturers recommendation in conjunction with the ward manager.

• Ensure that open communication occurs within the ward and that all ward staff are briefed on all items of importance for safe and effective management.

• To contribute positively to the effectiveness and efficiency of the teams in which he/she works

• Participate in research studies when opportunities arise to support the development of own practice and that of others.

People Management and Development

• Assist in setting ward objectives in line with the Unit, Division and national objectives.

• Assist with effective staff supervision (including students) and maintain productive working relationships within the ward team.

• To promote the principles of Improving Working Lives amongst your team ensuring fairness and equality.

Patient Care Delivery

• Ensure that all planning and delivery of nursing care incorporates the Trust values and Vision, and reflects best evidence based practice.

• Ensure that all patients have appropriate individualised, clinical assessments

• Ensure that all patients/clients needs are identified and programmes of care are implemented to meet individual patient and client needs.

• Ensure that best practice in care is delivered.

• Review the effectiveness of the nursing care provided and initiate any action that may be required

• Maintain accurate and effective record keeping

• Be responsible for the control and custody of all medication and drugs in accordance with Trust Policy.

• Ensure effective discharge planning, involving the multidisciplinary team as necessary.

• To work as part of a team ensuring effective communication with all health care professionals within the clinical team and across all disciplines.

• Recognise and act on situations that may be detrimental to the health and well-being of an individual.

• Recognise own limitations and only work within own scope of professional practice and competence.

• Maintain own professional development.

• Teach/assess and facilitate learning for all learners in the ward area, particularly students and healthcare assistants

• Adheres to Trust policy and has a personal duty of care when handling patient valuables

Learning and Development

• Attend mandatory training updates as required.

• Undertake training as necessary in line with the development of the post and as agreed with the line manager as part of the personal development process.

• Achieve and demonstrate agreed standards of personal and professional development within agreed timescales.

• Identify own learning needs and jointly plan training requirements with your line manager

• Participate in the Trusts appraisal process to discuss how your role will help deliver the best possible care to our patients and help to deliver any changes in service.

This job description is an outline of the role and responsibilities. From time to time due to the needs of the service, we may ask you to flexibly undertake other duties that are consistent with your role and banding, including project work, internal job rotation and absence cover.

The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the department and the organisation.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• 1st level RN UK NMC Registered

Desirable

• Adult Critical Care Course
• 1st degree or willingness to undertake
• Teaching and Assessing course or equivalent
• ALS/ILS
• Aims course or equivalent

Knowledge and experience

Essential

• Previous experience of work in an acute NHS hospital setting
• Record of continuing professional development
• Evidence of knowledge of current issues in professional practice

Desirable

• Previous experience within a Critical Care area
• Team leading experience
• Certificate for IV administration
• Knowledge of relevant research

Skills

Essential

• Computer literacy and keyboard skills
• Demonstrates good verbal and written skills

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

Essential

• Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
• Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).

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.

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

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)

Address

St Richards Hospital

Chichester

PO196SE

Employer's website

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