Ward Sister/Charge Nurse

Job responsibilities

POST: Ward Sister/Charge Nurse (IPU)

ACCOUNTABLE TO: IPU Manager

JOB PURPOSE:

• Toact as a nominated deputy to the IPU Manager and, in their absence, to liaise with senior management at all levels on matters pertaining to the IPU as appropriate. To attend delegated meetings in the absence of the IPU Manager, both internal and external to Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice, as the senior representative of the In-Patient Unit (IPU).
• To provide effective leadership and management, developing and supporting the team in accordance with PTs values.
• To co-ordinate the team of registered nurses and health care assistants on the IPU in the delivery of the highest standards of individualised holistic patient care to enhance patient and carer experience. To support nursing students during placement on the IPU.
• To support the IPU Manager in the management and instigation of change, the management of risk, and the maintenance of quality to ensure safe and effective clinical practice.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

1.0 Clinical

1.1 To manage the provision of the highest possible standards of physical, psychological, social and spiritual nursing care for patients, their relatives and friends, ensuring everyone is treated with dignity and respect at all times.

1.2 To use a systematic process of assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation as the foundation for the organisation of individualised nursing in accordance with unit philosophy for the delivery of safe and effective care.

1.3 To ensure patients, carers, families are encouraged to be involved in all aspects of the patients care as appropriate and be observant of the needs of carers and family members.

1.4 To adopt an evidence-based approach to specialist palliative care nursing and to contribute to the overall knowledge of the multi-disciplinary team, by participating in, and delivering educational sessions.

1.5 To maintain the safety of the ward environment, and to ensure the effective and economical use of all resources, including an understanding of/adherence to budgetary constraints.

1.6 To follow all agreed policies and procedures, and statutory regulations relating to the custody and administration of medication.

1.7 To manage the ward audit programme, including the design and construction of spreadsheet analysis tools (in conjunction with the Quality & Audit Lead), and the documentation of audit reports.

2.0 Professional

2.1 To motivate, support and supervise nursing and voluntary ward staff to enable them to develop and be competent within their own roles.

2.2 To support the Senior Staff Nurses in the management of their staff groups, and to help manage and support them with any staff performance issues.

2.3 To be able to act in all emergency procedures using appropriate equipment correctly, e.g. cardiac arrest, fire, suction equipment.

2.4 To always adhere to the NMC Code of Conduct and the NMC guidelines on record keeping and be able to maintain accurate and clearly written/computerised records.

2.5 To promote the aims and values of the PT service to the public.

2.6 To comply with all PT policies and procedures and all information detailed in the staff handbook.

2.7 To support registered nurses through the revalidation process and to fulfil the role of Confirmer for same.

3.0 Managerial

3.1 To be responsible for the delivery of high quality & consistent clinical care to our patients. Whilst the IPU Manager is responsible for the day to day running of the In-Patient Unit and the instigation of systems, methods of working etc to achieve same, the Ward Sister should be able to deputise for the IPU Manager in their absence, and make appropriate well-judged operational decisions.

3.2 To act regularly as Nurse in Charge (NIC) of the shift and manage the nursing team to ensure the smooth provision of inpatient services.

3.3 To report complaints or concerns made by patients and members of the public, initially to the IPU Manager, in accordance with PT Complaints Policies and Procedures.

3.4 To develop an understanding of current issues in palliative care.

3.5 To promote effective team working and professional working relationships across the PT nursing and multi-disciplinary teams / services.

3.6 To work in conjunction with, and to support, the IPU Manager in bringing about agreed changes within the nursing and ward environment that promote clinical effectiveness, staff support and patient safety.

3.7 To assist the IPU Manager with the recruitment of staff to include short-listing, interview selection, induction of staff and probationary review for their team members.

3.8 To promote clinical supervision, critical incident review and risk management reviews in line with Clinical Governance recommendations and the PSIRF framework.

3.9 To manage directly a small group of staff, and as such, ensure the provision of regular 1:1s, 3 and 6 monthly initial reviews for new starters, and annual appraisals.

3.10 To over-see the IPU off-duty ensuring that the ward is adequately staffed for forthcoming shifts, and compiling/quality controlling the off-duty, working with colleagues in production of same.

3.11 To participate in the multi-disciplinary unit meetings and other support meetings as appropriate, as representative of the IPU Manager. These may include: - the Hospice Managers meeting, Hospice Managers Forum, Medicines Management meeting, Clinical Governance meetings, Senior Clinical team meetings, Nutritional Steering group, Education MDT &, Patient safety meetings.

3.12 To identify and manage risk and risk assessments as part of patient and staff safety. To manage selected data bases for the management of risk, as delegated by the IPU Manager, and to manipulate and extract data from the risk management databases.

3.13 To attend and, take an active part in, the Quality and Patient Safety Meeting (QIP) presenting learning from the IPU, and taking back learning from other areas to the ward.

3.14 To contribute to the writing of policies, as delegated by the IPU Manager.

4.0 Training and Development

a) Team

4.1 To contribute to, and to teach both formally and informally, within clinical and service education sessions.

4.2 To contribute to the support and development of Health Care Assistants, student nurses and other registered nurses by ensuring delivery of an effective induction programme and continuing development programme identified through 1:1 meetings, appraisal and education.

4.3 To assist the IPU Manager in identifying the training and development needs of individuals within the nursing team, and to participate in relevant programmes.

b) Personal

4.4 To develop and maintain own knowledge and skills in palliative care.

4.6 To maintain and extend leadership and management knowledge and skills.

4.7 To attend and participate in clinical supervision.

4.8 To attend lectures, formal meetings etc. to maintain professional update, adhere to aspects related to the Health & Safety at Work Act and promote the effective running of the PT service

4.9 To undertake training and development as required for PT and personal development using clinical supervision, performance review and the NMC revalidation process as a basis for identifying training needs.

5.0 Research

5.1 To participate in research and audit within the PT environment, encouraging staff participation.

5.2 To implement findings of evidence-based practice and be part of the PT review and audit team.

5.3 To be familiar with current research and developments within palliative care settings.

6.0 Safeguarding, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Role holders are required to understand their responsibilities in the safeguarding context, ensuring that Phyllis Tuckwell reduces the risk of harm or abuse of adults and children at risk.

You are required to:

• adhere to Phyllis Tuckwells Safeguarding Policy (held on the NEST), which supports the local authoritys multi agency safeguarding policy, the law (Care Act 2014) and Mental Capacity Act 2005 (including Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards).
• inform the appropriate PT professional where there is concern that an adult or child may be at risk of harm, abuse, or neglect.

Phyllis Tuckwell is committed to an Equal Opportunities approach, valuing, and respecting everyone as individuals, with diverse opinions, cultures, lifestyles, and circumstances.

This job description is underpinned by Phyllis Tuckwells philosophy, culture, and core values, which actively embrace diversity and inclusion and promotes total team spirit.

This job description is current and subject to yearly review in consultation with the jobholder. It is liable to reflect and anticipate necessary changes to support the PT strategy.

Other

Essential

• Motivated and Enthusiastic
• Flexible
• Confident decision maker
• Computer literate emails/Word/Excel/Power Point
• Awareness of resources, including financial and headcount budgets, and ability to operate within these

Qualifications

Essential

• Registered Nurse
• Current NMC registration in adult or general nursing
• Educated to diploma/degree level or equivalent.
• Has Essentials in Palliative Care, or palliative care module, or recognised training in end of life care.
• Mentorship qualification/updates

Experience

Essential

• Have a range of relevant post registration nursing experience (transferable skills)
• Experience of clinical leadership and management within an inpatient setting. Will preferably have previously worked at Ward Sister/Charge Nurse level.
• Experience of clinical governance and risk management
• Palliative and end of life care experience
• Experience of mentorship and assessing clinical competencies
• Experience of team development and support

Skills and Knowledge

Essential

• Excellent clinical skills
• Excellent communicator, both verbal and written, with coherent and professional written style. Able to maintain objectivity and observe boundaries in all interactions with patients, families and colleagues.
• Numerate, with the ability to manipulate and interpret data
• In possession of good presentation and teaching skills
• Professional commitment and self-awareness
• Be able to motivate self and others
• To work without direct supervision
• Sound knowledge of current issues in nursing, developments
• Ability to work within a multi-disciplinary team
• Good organisational and time management skills
• Good interpersonal skills
• Comprehensive understanding of palliative care and understanding of the hospice care setting and philosophy

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).