Ward Sister/Manager

Job responsibilities

Ward Sisters will:

• Work at a leadership level of practice influencing and directing the ward and multi-disciplinary team.
• Work clinically to optimise health and wellbeing, acting as a role model to ensure an individualised, holistic approach to patient care.
• Apply expert judgement and accept accountability for the standards of care on the ward.
• Work at an advanced level drawing on a diverse range of knowledge in complex decision making to determine evidence-based therapeutic interventions.
• Use professional judgement in managing complex and unpredictable care events.
• Draw upon an appropriate range of multi-agency and inter-professional resources in their practice.
• Promote a high standard of nursing by initiating and co-ordinating the assessment, planning, delivery and evaluation of the holistic needs of patients/families through evidence based practice following agreed policies, protocols and guidelines.
• Practice a high standard of communication including highly sensitive and complex information to develop and sustain partnership working with individuals, groups, communities and agencies. Utilise evidence based information through a variety of communication media.
• Maintain adequate patient documentation fulfilling NMC requirements for all patients on the ward, setting and monitoring the standard to which it is delivered.
• Ensure effective management of patient journey / flow by ensuring good systems for operational performance are developed and consistently delivered.
• Ensure all patients have an active discharge plan and work with the multi professional team to ensure reduced length of stay.

Leadership/Management:

Ward Sisters will:

• Collaborate with the multi-professional team and ward / unit team to develop a shared vision of the service.
• Act as a role model and resource in expert clinical evidence based practice.

• Work collaboratively with colleagues to develop effective documentation, pathways, protocols and guidelines for care. Demonstrate a commitment to share expertise and disseminate information.
• Lead the development of the team and the service to continuously improve patient care
• Actively manage the ward budget and apply detailed level of understanding of the budgetary constraints.
• Use effective change management skills to initiate and implement service and practice development, making the best use of resources to improve practice and health outcomes.
• Participate in the selection, interviewing, appraisal and professional development of team members.
• Monitor and ensure that all members of the ward team maintain their clinical competence.
• Ensure all members of the ward team have an annual appraisal and personal development plan, with appropriate aims and objectives agreed and monitored.
• Ensure all members of the ward team maintain their statutory and mandatory training.
• Maintain involvement and active input in multidisciplinary meetings and appropriate local bodies / forums to contribute to practice and service development.
• Monitor and manage all issues related to staff sickness, absence or performance, liaising with human resources and occupational health as necessary.

Education/Training:

Ward Sisters will:

• Maintain, advance and develop personal theoretical knowledge, high standards of clinical competence and professional development through ongoing self education and attendance at relevant courses of study.
• Maintain own professional portfolio and support others with their own.

• Lead the development and acquisition of nursing knowledge and skills to enhance and extend the practice of the ward team.
• Identify and address the educational needs of patients, families, carers and staff involved in the delivery of this service.
• Contribute to the teaching and support of students from the multi professional team within relevant educational programmes.
• Provide an appropriate learning environment, including mentorship, coaching and preceptorship.
• Organise and contribute to relevant educational programmes and in house study days.

Improving quality and developing practice:

Ward sisters will:

• Coordinate and participate in ongoing service review and evaluation, including seeking and monitoring patient experience and outcomes

• Evaluate clinical practice in relation to its evidence base and clinical effectiveness including policy and guidance
• Identify areas of risk and poor quality, and address these through appropriate governance structures and forums.

• Participate and actively seek peer review in practice and sound evidence for assurance purposes
• Have responsibility to ensure annual appraisal, agree objectives which reflect local and national service needs and develop personal development plans.
• Advocate and contribute to a working environment that promotes continuous learning and development, evidence based practice and succession planning, as well as identifying learning opportunities at local and national levels.
• Have a high level of communication skills to enable the participation in the dissemination of practice through conferences and professional publications.
• Ensure statutory and mandatory training updates, as well as role /speciality updates are completed and necessary records maintained.

Shortlisting criteria

Essential

• Qualifications
• Experience
• Personal skills
• Behavioural skills
• Technical skills

Desirable

• Qualifications
• Expereince
• Personal skills
• Behavioural skills
• Technical skills

Education/Qualifications

Essential

• Registered Nurse (part 1,8,12,15 of register depending on the area of practice)
• Post Graduate level study (HEI level 7) or demonstrable post graduate level working evidenced via a continuous professional development portfolio
• Teaching/assessment mentoring qualification
• Relevant Respiratory qualification or relevant experience in Respiratory

Desirable

• masters degree level ( HEI level 7)
• Relevant specialist post basic programme to Master's level or equivalent

knowledge

Essential

• Demonstrates up-to-date knowledge and expertise in specialty
• Knowledge of the key professional issues and NMC guidelines relating to professional practice
• Evidence of being able to work across organisational boundaries

Skills and Abilities

Essential

• Evidence of Continuing professional development
• Previous experience of fromal/informal teaching of patients and staff
• Demonstrates a clear vision of the role and service
• Ability to initiate, sustain and evaluate change
• Decision making skills
• Demonstrates skilled written and verbal communication skills
• Presentation/IT skills
• Must have knowledge relating to health and safety and clinical risk management and be able to advise other staff regarding issues raised
• Effective leadership skills and understanding of leadership theory and practices
• Can demonstrate understanding, knowledge and relevant application of budgetary and resource management in the clinical area
• Knowledge of effective people management practices

others

Essential

• Demonstrates understanding of relevant national strategy / policy and how this relates to the service
• Commitment to maintain own fitness for practice through maintaining a personal profile of competencies (portfolio)
• Understanding of appropriate health and safety legislation
• Understanding of equal opportunities

Personal qualities

Essential

• Ability to work flexibly to meet the needs of the service in conjunction with other members of the team

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).