OPD Junior Sister

Job description

Job responsibilities

Roles and responsibilities

COMMUNICATION:

Maintain effective, accurate communication and dissemination of information to all staff, patients and visitors.

Give information to patients; including helping resolve their queries with colleagues and other health care professionals as appropriate.

To communicate distressing information to patients and provide the necessary support as required, involving the multi-disciplinary team when necessary.

To ensure information is communicated to patients in manner that encourages and promotes understanding, taking into consideration any difficulties with language or hearing.

Give information and advice to patients regarding health promotion.

Communicate with other members of the multi-disciplinary team to ensure patients receive prompt, effective care and treatment.

Put in measures to anticipate the information needs of others.

Ensures patients are kept informed about their treatment and the waiting times in clinics.

Ensure effective communication is established within the nursing team by holding regular team meetings and recording discussions and following up on actions agreed.

Maintain accurate documentation, both paper and electronic, in order to ensure timely and effective communication.

Ensure all communication, which may be complex, contentious or sensitive, is undertaken in a responsive and inclusive manner, focusing on improvement and ways to move forward.

Ensure all communication is presented appropriately to the different recipients, according to levels of understanding, type of communication being imparted and possible barriers such as language, culture, understanding or physical or mental health conditions.

Personal and People Development:

Attend and keep a record of Trust statutory and mandatory training.

Support staff to take responsibility for their attendance at all Trust Mandatory and Statutory training as per Trust policy.

Complete PDRs for all nursing staff within the designated area and manage sickness / absence and other HR issues, with the support and guidance of the Outpatients senior sister and Matron.

Attend annual review and identify own training and development needs with the Outpatients Matron.

To develop competency in advanced nursing skills in a designated clinical skill set and to teach, inform and coach others as appropriate.

Participate under the direction of medical staff and senior clinicians in the education of patients and their families / carers regarding aspects of their care.

Coordinate the teaching and development of nursing staff to support and deliver patient centred care.

Continually seek to develop both professionally and personally and maintain evidence of a professional portfolio

QUALITY:

To respond to incidents & complaints as they arise and report to the Outpatients senior sister and Matron.

Contribute to the Outpatients clinical and non-clinical risk management by documenting incidents and near misses.

Participate in clinical bench marking activities

Participate as required in programmes to improve the patient experience within outpatients and actively look for ways to develop and improve the service

CLINICAL SKILLS:

Maintaining high standards of patient care throughout the patients journey.

Ensure all procedures performed in the department are in line with Infection Control policy and Trust policy / guidelines.

To undertake Nurse led clinics, assist with clinical procedures and consultation

To comply with all Trust and Department policies and procedures to ensure clinics and equipment are cleaned according to Infection Control policy and stored correctly.

Ensure that relevant healthcare professions review the patients and report any concerns through the Outpatient senior sister and Matron and relevant senior managers.

Ensure staff are kept informed of changes to patient care and the running of the clinics.

Maintain high standards of evidence based patient care.

Keep up to date with clinical developments on clinical practice and implement and change practice of self and others as appropriate

Ensure safe clinical practice is maintained in the Outpatients Department at all times, especially in relation to junior staff

MANAGEMENT:

Ensure annual reviews and Personal Development Plans are conducted and agreed

Support junior staff in their professional growth and development e.g. Band 5 nurses, student nurses, clinical support workers, health care assistants, return to practice and overseas nurses through mentoring, monitoring and assessing

Participate in the induction of new and bank staff into the department in accordance with the Trust and local induction guidelines.

To supervise temporary/bank staff.

Support the OPD senior sister and Matron in the management of staff and deputising as appropriate.

Ensure staff rotas are completed and staff shifts are updated regularly on the Rostering system

Ensure all adhoc clinics are dealt with in a timely manner i.e. staffing/room allocation

Maintain records of all absences, sickness, annual leave and study leave, ensuring the electronic database is up to date and report any concerns to the Outpatient senior sister and Matron.

Participate in the recruitment and selection of junior staff.

To aid less experienced staff to set priorities.

To take the lead in specific areas of delegated responsibility within the outpatient nursing team

Ensure all equipment is regularly maintained and serviced. Supervise the programme of care and maintenance of equipment; keeping records of all servicing and maintenance.

Ensure staff are trained and competent to use all Outpatients equipment and appropriate specialist equipment and ensure records of staff competencies are maintained.

Demonstrate effective leadership skills in the management of staff.

Maintain accurate written records of all procedures in the designated clinical area and be able to demonstrate that all documentation adheres to NMC & Trust guidelines

Demonstrate a working knowledge of and applications of Trust Policies, guidelines and protocols.

Regularly review and update working practices with the Outpatients senior sister and Matron to ensure the department is meeting service needs.

Regularly review and update all OPD room allocations

Support the Outpatients senior sister and Matron and other senior managers in the management of Outpatients

Take responsibility for assigned tasks, ensuring completion, with support and guidance as necessary.

SPECIFIC TO SPECIALITIES

Take responsibility for the day to day running of designated clinics in the Outpatients department, ensuring there is appropriate and safe levels of nursing staff with the relevant skill mix; ensuring maintenance of stock levels and maintenance of equipment.

To provide a high standard of care to patients ensuring this is provided in a safe, tidy and clean environment for all clinical procedures.

To provide advice to patients and relatives as appropriate to their clinical condition, seeking advice as required.

Lead and participate in audits, quality improvement projects and research in specialist areas.

This job description may be subject to change according to the varying needs of the service. Such changes will be made after discussion between the post holder and his/her manager.

All duties must be carried out under supervision or within Trust policy and procedure. You must never undertake any duties that are outside your area of skill or knowledge level. If you are unsure you must seek clarification from a more senior member of staff.

Key working relationships

Outpatients nursing team

OPD Senior Sister

Outpatients Matron

Consultants and other medical and surgical doctors

Administrative & clerical staff for various specialities

Clinical nurse specialists

Senior clinical, nursing and managerial staff within the Division

Person Specification

Education & Qualification

Essential

• Registered Nurse on NMC register
• Mentorship Qualification

Desirable

• Post-registration clinical course

Skills & Knowledge

Essential

• Effective leadership skills
• Ability to work under minimum supervision
• Ability to delegate

Experience

Essential

• Recent experience at post-qualification level, preferably in an outpatient setting
• Evidence of recent professional development

Desirable

• Experience of auditing and Quality Improvement Projects

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

Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Address

West Middlesex University Hospital

Twickenham road

Isleworth

TW7 6AF

Employer's website

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