Job responsibilities
Clinical Responsibilities/Key Responsibilities
- Maintain a strong clinical presence within the ward, acting as a visible role model for high standards of care, evidence-based practice, and effective leadership.
- Lead on patient safety and quality initiatives within the ward, ensuring compliance with Trust standards and continuous improvement.
- Directly deliver, coordinate, and supervise patient care, ensuring assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation meet the Trust vision of Best Care for Everyone.
- Demonstrate and supervise safe, appropriate care in a dynamic clinical environment, utilising highly specialised equipment and resources.
- Support staff in the management of airway skills, ensuring competency in critical situations.
- Administer and oversee the safe delivery of medications in line with the Procedure for the Ordering, Prescribing, and Administration of Medications (POPAM) guidelines.
- Actively manage and professionally lead the nursing team as a key member of the multidisciplinary workforce.
- Work collaboratively with the multidisciplinary team to meet patient and family needs, ensuring seamless, high-quality care.
- Take an active clinical leadership role, including acting as shift coordinator when required
- Play a key role in implementing clinical initiatives and introducing new equipment or technologies.
- Promote and support continuous clinical training, education, and development for all staff members.
Professional Development, Education and Training
- In partnership with the Matron, identify personal training and development needs through the Trust appraisal process.
- Maintain and continually develop the knowledge, skills, and competencies required to perform the role effectively.
- Complete all mandatory training relevant to the role and ensure compliance with Trust and NMC requirements.
- Support the education, training, and development of staff within the service, fostering a culture of continuous learning.
- Actively contribute to departmental education programmes and initiatives.
- Develop skills to supervise, mentor, and support less experienced and non-registered staff in clinical practice.
- Organise and facilitate mentorship and educational programmes for students, ensuring a positive learning environment.
Management and Leadership
- Work collaboratively with the Matron, Band 7 colleagues, senior nurses, consultants, and the wider team to define and deliver strategic service objectives.
- Manage and lead the ward within agreed Standard Operating Procedures, supporting the development and implementation of new working practices.
- Work with the Matron to create and execute action plans that achieve key performance indicators and maintain high standards of care.
- Contribute to service development initiatives, ensuring changes are implemented effectively and sustainably.
- Liaise with site and operational teams to maintain patient flow, reduce length of stay, and enhance patient experience.
- Ensure day-to-day safe staffing levels, escalating concerns through the appropriate processes.
- Maintain and monitor the electronic roster, ensuring accuracy and compliance with Trust targets for sickness and absence.
- Ensure effective rota planning and cover arrangements to maintain safe staffing levels, including escalation when required.
- Line manage a defined group of staff, ensuring adherence to HR policies and procedures.
- Address underperformance through effective performance management and action planning.
- Promote staff retention by supporting career development, job satisfaction, and clinical supervision.
- Facilitate recruitment processes to attract and select the most suitable candidates.
- Deliver staff appraisals and encourage completion of mandatory training to meet compliance targets.
- Actively work to resolve staff conflict and maintain a positive team culture.
- Support the Matron in managing pay and non-pay budgets responsibly.
- Promote efficient use of resources and reduce unnecessary financial and environmental waste.
- Take responsibility for health and safety of patients, staff, and visitors, contributing to risk assessments and mitigation strategies.
- Manage patient, relative, and staff complaints in line with Trust procedures.
- Lead or support agreed quality improvement initiatives within Head and Neck services and collaborate with internal and external teams to share best practice.
- Deputise for the Matron during absences, representing Head and Neck services as required.
- Role model high standards of care, communication, and professionalism.
- Foster a culture of shared leadership, empowering staff at all levels to lead initiatives aligned with Trust values.
- Demonstrate a proactive, creative, and resilient approach to service development and change management.
Improving safety, quality and developing practice
- Promote and support audits and research initiatives within Head and Neck services and across the wider Trust.
- Champion the use of evidence-based practice, ensuring adherence to relevant policies, procedures, and clinical guidelines.
- Assist in the collection, analysis, and reporting of data to maintain and monitor key performance indicators.
- Collaborate with senior staff on audit and research projects, contributing to recommendations for changes in management practice and supporting implementation.
- Actively participate in the Clinical Governance and Quality agenda, including service improvement initiatives, health and safety, and risk management.
- Take joint responsibility for leading safe and effective infection prevention and control measures.
- Share knowledge and expertise with colleagues locally and nationally, fostering a culture of continuous learning.
- Identify personal development needs aligned to service priorities and proactively seek opportunities to enhance skills and knowledge.
- Contribute to the development, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of Standard Operating Procedures, policies, and protocols relevant to the service.
- Constructively challenge strategic and operational practices to ensure continuous improvement in patient care standards.
- Report and investigate incidents in line with Trust policy, ensuring lessons learned are embedded into practice.
Communications and Working Relationships
- Communicate effectively with colleagues, patients, and relatives, demonstrating sensitivity, empathy, and professionalism at all times.
- Deliver complex and sometimes contentious information to individuals and groups, including in clinical settings where engagement may be challenging.
- Lead and manage difficult conversations with staff, including those related to underperformance, with tact and respect.
- Work cohesively with all members of the Head and Neck team and foster strong multidisciplinary collaboration.
- Act as a positive role model, including maintaining professional appearance and adherence to the Trust uniform policy.
- Promote and uphold the Trust values and objectives in all interactions and decision-making.
- Demonstrate resilience and the ability to work under pressure, meeting agreed timescales and service priorities.
- Take initiative and adopt a progressive, creative, and forward-thinking approach to problem-solving and service improvement.
- Maintain compliance with the NMC Code of Conduct and ensure personal professional development, mandatory training, and NMC revalidation requirements are met.
- Seek advice and support when required and encourage a culture where others feel confident to do the same.
General Working Conditions
- Comply with all Trust and departmental policies and procedures, including Health and Safety at Work Act (1974), Manual Handling, Risk Management, Data Protection, and patient confidentiality at all times.
- Utilise recognised manual handling techniques and guidelines to ensure safe practice.
- Frequently manoeuvre patients and objects over 15 kg using appropriate equipment and aids.
- Work in environments with exposure to bodily fluids, infection risks, infestations, and substances hazardous to health, following all relevant policies and procedures.
- Regularly manage distressing and emotionally demanding situations involving patients, relatives, and staff, including exposure to verbal and physical aggression.
- Maintain concentration for extended periods while working under pressure in a fast-paced and constantly changing clinical environment.
- Uphold excellent standards of care and professionalism at all times, even in challenging circumstances.
- Ensure a smart, professional appearance that reflects Trust values and enhances public confidence in the service
