Ward Sister

Job responsibilities

Clinical

1. To accept the assignment of patients and monitor the assignment of Nursing team, ensuring the maintenance of manageable caseloads.

2. To assess, plan, implement and evaluate nursing care provided for patients on the ward.

3. To provide a high standard of direct care for patients and relatives in line with the ward philosophy.

4. To provide leadership and supervision for nursing team helping develop a team dynamic based upon trust and mutual understanding.

5. To ensure all procedures are carried out in line with NCH&C policies.

6. To communicate with and provide relevant information for all members of the multidisciplinary team.

7. To promote good communication between hospital and community services ensuring continuity and quality in continuing care and rehabilitation.

8. Be accountable for all actions, working within the framework of the NMC Scope of Professional Practice and Code of Professional Conduct.

9. To bring an informed nursing voice to the multidisciplinary team. Ensuring that a detailed understanding of the patients needs and abilities gained through the skills and observations of the nursing team are brought to the goal planning process.

10. To work collaboratively as an integral part of the multidisciplinary team.

11. To work with co-professionals within the service to develop multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary working to the high standard appropriate for effective integrated rehabilitation.

Professional

1. To develop clinical supervision within the unit in conjunction with the ward manager and promote reflective practice.

2. To undertake regular reviews of patient caseload with the ward manager.

3. Undergo annual Development and Review in line with Trust policies.

4. To work with your manager in regularly appraising your work and performance.

5. Have an objective based Personal Development Plan.

6. Participate in auditing the quality of patient care provided on the unit.

7. Contribute to the monitoring and development of nursing standards.

8. Demonstrate a continuous process of attaining educational, clinical research and leadership skills.

9. Be aware of and demonstrate practice based upon current advances in nursing practice and research.

10. Act as supervisor and assessor to nurses and students helping to develop an environment conducive to learning and development.

11. To challenge and correct staff when performance requires it, raising concerns with ward manager if concerns around behaviours and practice are identified and not resolved.

12. Give and accept advice without becoming defensive.

13. Help and provide teaching and learning opportunities for trained and untrained staff.

14. Act as deputy for the Ward Manager in their absence.

15. Help co-ordinate the ward and share responsibility for its resources and cost effective running.

16. Communicate with other units and departments within the organisation, developing a working environment of co-operation and understanding.

17. Participate in off duty planning and review shift patterns in order to provide the most suitable arrangements for providing high quality nursing care.

Organisational

1. Give information, as required, by any branch of the organisation, including notification of incidents and accidents involving staff, patients and visitors.

2. Be familiar with Trust policies and protocols with regard to personnel.

3. To ensure the safety of patients, visitors and staff, reporting all incidents appropriately.

4. Ensure care and custody of patients property and valuables.

5. Observe the confidentiality of patients information at all times in accordance with the Data Protection Act.

6. Undertake any other duties commensurate with the grade.

7. Administration.

Qualifications

Essential

• oRegistered General Nurse 1st Level
• o Registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council
• oDiploma in Nursing or Study to degree level

Desirable

• oEvidence of recent learning

Communication

Essential

• oCommunications skills with staff, patients who may find it difficult to communicate. In the English language and in both verbal and written formats oCommunicate difficult information re discharge options
• oAbility to present training to team members
• oSharing information which could be contentious with both staff patients families

Desirable

• oCommunicate difficult information re discharge options

Experience

Essential

• oExperience at relevant level
• oExperience of team working and leadership.
• oExperience supporting students/learners
• oExperience of managing groups staff and rosta management.
• oExperience of managing people.

Desirable

• oExperience of teaching/ mentorship.
• oWorking knowledge of care management delivered at high level.
• oEvidence of leadership
• oRehabilitation Experience

Skills, Abilities and Knowledge

Essential

• oCommitment to multidisciplinary working
• oA good time manager
• oA good communicator
• oAble to manage personal stress levels and support colleagues
• oCommitment to organisation and service
• oEvidence of relevant care for neurological rehabilitation
• oUnderstanding of management Deprivation Liberty Safeguard and Capacity Assessments
• oExcellent Documentation skills
• oAble to lead on discharge process

Desirable

• oComputer literacy oRehabilitation Experience
• oExperience of taking forward projects and developments in nursing practice
• oWound Management
• oDe-escalation skills
• oUnderstanding goal setting
• oKnowledge of long term conditions

Other

Essential

• oWill need to be able to consider internal rotation.
• oWill need to be physically fit for manual handling and a standing/walking job

Desirable

• oMay need to drive occasionally as part of role

Personal and Peoples Development

Essential

• oExperience in supervision and supporting staff development

Desirable

• oKeenness to learn and develop new skills relevant to the role for example management of staff appraisals oRecruitment oManaging absence oManaging competencies

Personal Attributes / Behaviours (linked to the Trust's Behaviour Framework)

Essential

• oEnthusiastic about nursing oPositive attitude oAttentative oWork flexibly to meet the needs of the service oTeam player oHas respect for others oLeadership Skills

Desirable

• oHas vision of service oCan demonstrate a commitment to maximising patient's functional ability

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).