Job responsibilities
JOB SUMMARY
This job description is an outline of the main duties of the post. The postholder will be required to undertake other duties commensurate with the grade as directed.
The content of this post will be reviewed in consultation with the postholder when necessary and in line with the service developments.
KEY RESULT AREAS:
To work closely with the Ward Manager to provide strong clinical and managerial leadership to the nursing team.
To demonstrate a commitment to the philosophy of acute services and the local service provision.
To be responsible and accountable for the high quality standards within the work of the team.
To actively work as an effective member of the team.
To utilise excellent core nursing/specialist skills.
To act as a positive and professional role model for junior staff and other colleagues at all times.
To oversee and support junior members of staff in implementing planned treatment and care.
To support the Ward Manager in carrying out his/her duties.
To act up in the absence of the ward manager and communicate fully with the ward manager upon their return.
The service operates 365 days/year twenty four hours per day.
Workload Management
- To work flexibly to cover shifts to provide a 365 day per year service
- Co-ordinate and lead the team to make effective use of team skills to provide the best possible standards of care and treatment / interventions
- To prioritise work load in keeping with the team and service objectives
- To support the Primary Nurses in raising issues or challenging opinion in complex cases.
- To support and empower colleagues to problem solve effectively.
- To actively participate and contribute to service users reviews, ward rounds, meetings
- To provide supervision to ensure that high quality care plans are developed and implemented.
- To ensure that the ward manager is fully appraised of issues.
Communication
- To actively work with the ward manager to develop a communication strategy at ward level
- To engage actively with the ward manager in a two way flow of communication.
- Actively support the philosophy of the Recovery Model within OPS Acute Inpatients.
- Role model excellent working relationships with all members of the Multi Disciplinary Team.
- Develop positive relationships with non-statutory and voluntary agencies to develop working partnerships as appropriate to the service development and local delivery
- Positively embrace service user / carer involvement in all aspects of service delivery wherever and whenever possible
- Act as a positive role model to develop and communicate a shared philosophy of culture and practice within the team.
- To work within the boundaries of accountability and confidentiality
- Ensure that the nursing team is fully briefed regarding relevant CQUINs and key performance indicators.
Human Resources / Supervision / Management
Ensure that high standards of care are maintained by self and peers
To provide professional direction, guidance and support to junior staff
Actively participate in and provide clinical supervision to a high standard
Actively participate in and provide managerial supervision to a high standard
Actively participate in the Appraisal process
To actively promote other colleagues personal and professional development through the appraisal process in line with the objectives of the ward.
To positively promote discussion and reflection on practice with the aim of achieving higher clinical standards.
To participate in the selection and recruitment process
To recognize poor performance and take the necessary action
Ensure that good practice is acknowledged and recognized.
To participate in managing attendance
To actively participate in all aspects of managing attendance to include return to work interviews, informal sickness absence meetings and referrals to occupational health or as directed by the ward manager.
To actively participate in the ward management team meetings.
To appraise the ward manager of relevant issues.
Resource Management
Actively participate in the day to day resource management of the ward and be proactive in solving problems.
To have a good working knowledge of the electronic systems that support resource management.
To be able to formulate an Electronic roster and carry out any necessary changes
To assist in co-ordinating all leave e.g. study leave, annual leave.
To support staff to help them work within the budgetary constraints of the ward.
To undertake audits as required
To monitor staffing levels and take the necessary action if there are deficits or necessary staffing changes to be made.
To ensure induction of new staff is fully completed.
To appraise the ward manager of relevant issues.
Decision Making and Advice
To make comprehensive risk assessments and implement management plans appropriately
Identify training needs and contribute to the education and development of all staff and students.
To be actively involved in decision making and conflict management.
To play an active role in supporting and empowering junior colleagues.
To demonstrate excellent leadership skills through practice, both with service users and other professionals.
To ensure that the ward manager is fully appraised of any complex issues.
Initiating and Implementing Change
To work as an active member of the team with regards to the development of the productive ward series.
To actively take a lead in creating an environment that respects and values equality, diversity and rights
- To actively take a lead in creating an environment that promotes health, safety and security for service users, carers and staff
- To actively take a lead, both individually and in partnership with the team, to develop clinical governance
- To lead in the development and dissemination of evidence based practice.
- To have an excellent knowledge of current developments in clinical practice
- Actively promotes a positive desire to improve / change, be flexible and confident
- Actively promote and facilitate innovation of clinical practice
- To lead in positive customer service as specified by the Trusts Mission, Vision, Values and Goals
- To take an active lead in the change management of the service in relation to local and national agendas.
- To work closely with the ward manager and other deputies to ensure that the ward objectives are achieved.
Profession Specific
To contribute specific professional support and advise to the team, service users and carers
- Maintain an up to date awareness of current thinking in mental health, health and nursing research, and apply this in practice
- Administer medication within the NMC and Trust guidelines
- To take a lead and train the team with issues relating to medication management
- Educate and train the team in monitoring service users physical observations including Blood Pressure, Pulse, Respirations, BM, Weight etc
- To take a lead in working collaboratively with all of the disciplines.
- Act as mentor for nursing students and foster a positive learning environment.
- To work actively with Link Tutors and Placement Co-ordinators to promote effective working relationships.
- To work collaboratively with the ward manager and other deputies to ensure a cohesive approach to the management of the ward.
Health & Safety
You are required to inform your line manager of any safety issues that could affect you or others in the workplace. You are responsible for your own health and safety and must co- operate with management at all times in achieving safer work processes and work places, particularly where it can impact on others.
You will be trained in the correct use of any equipment provided to improve safety and health within the Trust. You are required to use the equipment when necessary and as instructed; it is your responsibility to ensure the equipment is safe to use, prior to its use and must report any defects immediately to your manager.
Plus for supervisory grades
You are required to provide adequate supervision to ensure compliance with safe work practices.
You will be expected to carry out risk assessments, identify hazards in your work area, and evaluate the level of risk associated with identified hazards and implement adequate controls to eliminate or reduce the level of risk.
The postholder will support the Trusts commitment to a healthy work life balance and the achievement of the IWL Practice and Practice plus standard.
For full Job Description please see the attached supporting information.
