Job responsibilities
Clinical
To be clinically able to undertake and direct high quality research based clinical nursing care , sharing expertise with the nursing team
Develop and maintain own competence in agreed basic and advanced clinical skills
Demonstrate clinical knowledge/expertise at the level of advance practice in field relevant to clinical speciality
To have excellent verbal and written communication skills so that professional advice or care guidance and instructions are well understood by patients , their relatives and/or carers and members of the multidisciplinary team .
To manage clinical situations that may be challenging and distressing for junior staff , ensuring the needs of the child and family are paramount
To ensure effective patient flow through the department ensuring pathways and processes in place for safe discharge, transfer or admission.
Regularly check patient care documentation to see that all aspects of care have been considered, individual patients needs identified and that an appropriate plan made in relation to meeting the identified needs.
Functions as an effective role model in the clinical setting in demonstrating the application of breadth and depth of nursing knowledge and skills, and in advising and supporting members of the multi-disciplinary team.
Facilitates the professional development of other nurses working closely with the Clinical Practice Educators. Supports and mentors junior colleagues
To work collaboratively with infection control to monitor the ward environment in raising infection control and cleanliness standards
To work collaboratively with the ED Matron to ensure that clinical governance processes at department level encompass measures to ensure the quality of the fundamental and essential aspects of care are met.
Managerial
To effectively support the patient pathway from Paediatric ED to discharge, admission or transfer
To ensure appropriate patient and task allocation, taking into consideration skill mix and patient acuity
To promote staff wellbeing by ensuring breaks are managed in a timely way that ensures the nursing service is clinically safe at all times.
Provide positive effective leadership and act a role model. Delegates appropriately , and empowers staff to problem solve effectively with their daily clinical workloads
Facilitates and supports nurses in working collaboratively with all other members of the multi-disciplinary team
Adopts an appropriate management style in accordance with changing circumstances
Contribute to the recruitment and selection process. Take a leading role in the retention of nursing staff in the department
Deploys nursing staff and physical resources appropriately. Reviews the duty rota, and negotiates skill mix levels ensuring that they most appropriately meet service needs.
Works with the Paediatric ED Matron on the resolution of disciplinary or capability issues with staff
Works collaboratively with the Paediatric ED Matron and Head of Nursing for paediatrics with plans in relation to service development, quality improvement, and the resolution of any on-going problems.
Undertakes annual appraisal for nursing staff. Ensuring that they have clear agreed objectives and development needs are identified and discussed.
Is pro-active in the management of change and can support staff through times of change
To ensure the environment complies with Health and Safety, infection control and COSHH regulations and that Trust Policies and procedures are followed correctly.
Promote excellent communications within the department and multidisciplinary team and to be responsible for appropriate communication structures being in place
To promote a culture that anticipates and addresses any patient concerns before they become a complaint
To deputise for the Paediatric ED Matron in their absence
To meet regularly with the Paediatric ED Matron to discuss issues and developments relating to the ward.
To participate in the Trust clinical, professional and managerial meetings and committees relevant to the service.
Professional
To maintain and develop own professional knowledge and expertise to meet Revalidation and job requirements
To actively share knowledge and expertise and contribute to Trust as a clinical leader
To delegate appropriate areas of responsibilities to enhance individuals level of practice and professional development
To reflect as a practitioner, learning from experience and to promote reflective practices within the ward
To participate within the NMC Code of Professional Conduct at all times
To contribute of the profession within the Trust , participating in projects , committees and meetings as agreed
Has an annual appraisal and produces agreed performance objectives and a Personal Development Plan
Undertake in-house training as appropriate
Educational
To foster an environment conducive to learning, enquiry, and research that is linked to the trusts research strategy.
Oversee the education of staff, promoting competency via work based education
Working with the Clinical Practice Educator in the planning, implementation and evaluation of training and educational requirements.
To be a professional resource for all staff within the unit including nursing, medical, administrative, support and therapeutic staff.
To contribute to the production of clinical procedural guidelines and pathways of care
Promote, initiate and participate in audit and research studies relating to nursing and multidisciplinary care, presenting findings through presentations.
Maintain and develop own professional and mandatory training
In conjunction with the PED Matron/Head of Nursing, participate in agreed programmes of clinical benchmarking
Ensure that all new staff undergo orientation and induction specific and relevant to the clinical area
To support relevant Division and Trust wide projects and facilitate forums to ensure staff are actively engaged
Ensure all staff are aware of when and how to report untoward incidents and how to deal effectively with patient and relative complaints
Ensure that all staff are conversant with safeguarding policies and processes and have an understanding and recognition of those at risk
Health, Safety & Security:
Work with team members to ensure maintenance of a clean and safe environment that is conducive to therapeutic and ethical practice
Be accountable for and ensure own competence in practice
Promote nursing practice and care delivery in line with relevant research and evidence base and with reference to trust policies and guidelines
Identify potential risks for all staff, patients and visitors, take action as required and adhere to relevant incident reporting procedures
Ensure the safe custody and administration of drugs in accordance with local and Trust policy and legal requirements
Handle and dispose of all body fluids in accordance with universal precautions
Information Processing:
Ensure E-rota and electronic patient records (EPR) are implemented and used to their full potential
Collect/record data accurately in accordance with professional guidelines and ASPH Core Standards.
Provision of Care to Meet Health and Wellbeing Needs:
Supervise staff in the delivery of care
Ensure that assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of programmes of care incorporate the Named Nurse initiative
Act as an advocate for the patient, providing them with information and directing them to the relevant support services where appropriate
Take the appropriate action to address any issues or risks
Respect peoples dignity, wishes and beliefs; involve them in shared decision-making and obtain their consent before undertaking nursing procedures
Promote and maintain a patient focused multidisciplinary approach to care in collaboration with carers, health care professionals and other agencies
Ensure that treatments prescribed by the medical staff are carried out, and that multidisciplinary team members are informed of changes in the patients condition
Ensure safe and timely transfer of patients in accordance with ASPH policy
Ensure safe discharge of patients in accordance with ASPH Discharge Policy
General responsibilities
The post holder has a general duty of care for their own health, safety and well-being and that of work colleagues, visitors and patients within the hospital, in addition to any specific risk management or clinical governance accountabilities associated with this post.
To be responsible, with management support, for their own personal development and to actively contribute to the development of colleagues
To observe the rules, policies, procedures and standards of ASPH Foundation Trust together with all relevant statutory and professional obligations.
To support the department and organisation by carrying out any other duties that reasonably fit within the broad scope of a job of this grade and type of work.
