Detailed job description and main responsibilities

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Clinical

• To lead in the provision of the highest standards of evidence based nursing care that is in accordance with BSUH, local and national policies and guidelines
• To be responsible for the safety of patients and quality of care delivered in one’s own workload and able to work independently being fully competent
• Assess, plan, implement and evaluate holistic programmes of patient care, by utilising and sufficiently maintaining care pathways/care plans used on the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit
• To act as the patient’s advocate and contribute to the provision of information to allow patient’s and their families to make informed decisions regarding their care
• Provide specialist, technical and clinical advice to patients, relatives and multidisciplinary teams
• Contribute to the multidisciplinary team working in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit, e.g. regularly reviewing specialist team recommendations and referring patients, when appropriate, to other members of the MDT
• To ensure the safe, smooth and efficient handover from theatre and anaesthetic staff of patients admitted following cardiac surgery
• Confidently deal with emergency situations, including postoperative tamponade where a resternotomy may need to be performed, taking the lead until medical staff arrive, using management skills to direct care according to the situation.
• Ensure that nursing documentation is maintained to the Trust’s standards (including electronic records)
• Ensure that staff adhere to NMC Code of Conduct and guidelines
•  Work in accordance with the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit philosophy

Management and leadership

• ·To act as a clinical role model to all members of staff
• To lead, support and direct the nursing care of other junior nurses, students and HCA’s to maintain a high standard of excellent nursing care
• Develop management and leadership skills by undertaking the Band 6 Development Programme and Shift leader competencies
• After a period of training undertake the shift coordinator/Nurse in Charge role and complete relevant competencies
• Plan shift and ensure staff allocation is able to safely meet individual patient’s clinical needs whilst providing learning opportunities for staff and utilising resources effectively
• Prioritise unit workload and expected daily activity, liaising with other specialities as required
• Assist in implementing the elective surgery lists updating co-ordinator of any changes due to nursing shortfalls
• To be aware of and apply, where necessary the procedures surrounding patient/relative/staff complaints
• To report and act to rectify unsafe practices or unprofessional conduct
• Participate fully as a team member, sharing knowledge and information and supporting colleagues to promote a cohesive team and achieve objectives
• Contribute to the development of positive staff morale and team cohesiveness
• Use and maintain resources efficiently and effectively and encourages others to do the same. Inform senior nursing team of any of any potential or actual budgetary pressures or savings
• Help maintain adequate stocks and supplies such as medical, surgical and pharmaceutical
• Assist with the recruitment of staff including the interviewing and selection process. To be aware of factors that influence the retention process

Communication

• To maintain and promote effective communication within the multidisciplinary team on the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit. This involves all staff members and also includes relatives and patients
• Attend Team Away Days and Unit meetings in order to actively contribute, communicate and discuss new developments and issues with senior members of staff, also including junior staff members where appropriate
• Be responsible for effective shift handovers ensuring relevant detail is communicated and identify and challenge any unprofessional or subjective comments made about patients
•  Participate in medical ward rounds showing a thorough knowledge of the patient’s medical history, current condition and recent clinical events being able to present this concisely, at the appropriate time, and in the appropriate manner
•  To be involved in complex patient ‘case conferences’ when discussing future treatments for patients which could involve ’withdrawal of treatment’ in situations of poor prognosis
•  To support families on a 1:1 basis using knowledge, experience and skill to explain complicated medical conditions.
•  To provide and receive highly complex information on clinical conditions which could be sensitive and occasionally contentious. 
• To guide relatives through withdrawal of treatment, tissue / organ donation in conjunction with relevant personnel e.g. Specialist Nurse for Organ Donation (SNOD), Transplant Co-ordinator, Trust personnel available for distressed / bereaved relatives
• To recognise poor standards of care among MDT and highlight these to appropriate personnel, at an appropriate time, and in an appropriate manner
• To be responsible for accurate, appropriate and efficient communication within nursing team
• Adhere to NMC guidelines on documentation; accountability and responsibility for accurate, professional record keeping either on paper and/ or the electronic system
• Display competent use of Trust e-mail and Metavision

Health, Safety and Security

• Maintain confidentiality of information at all times and has attended Trust Caldicott training
• Has attended all Local/Trust/National mandatory/statutory training with appropriate updates 
• Ensure Health and Safety regulations are complied with
• Comply with and promote knowledge of health and safety regulations including safe and secure handling of medicines
• Maintain effective asepsis to reduce risk of cross infection through adherence to local / Trust infection control policies.
• Ensure safety checks / daily checks of equipment and take action when equipment malfunctions, and arrange for safe disposal / repair
• In conjunction with senior nursing staff provide a safe and suitable environment for the physical and psychological well being of staff, patients and their relatives/carers and report any concerns
• Challenge individuals who are not readily identifiable and is aware of the channels of report in the event of an intruder being seen
•  Challenge individuals who put themselves or others at risk
• Aware of policies related to health and well-being of staff e.g. harassment, bullying, and aggression

Quality and Service Development

• To work in collaboration with Senior Nursing staff and Practice Educator and relevant Network groups in compiling and implementing clinical guidelines/competency documents, seeking to ensure consistent evidence based practice
•  Assist with clinical research/audit programmes implemented by nursing or medical staff
• Support on the implementation and evaluation of innovative treatment/intervention e.g. Care Bundles
• Deal effectively with complaints and grievances and plaudits, informing senior staff and suggesting any necessary changes
• Identify, undertake and evaluate innovation and developments of ideas within the Cardiac intensive Care Unit
• Involved in the setting of standards and guidelines for best practice within the Cardiac intensive Care Unit
• Implement recommendations made by the Trust Strategy for Nursing
• Act consistently with legislation, policies, procedures and other quality approaches and encourages others to do so.
• To be an identified link nurse/project worker/area of interest, initiating and monitoring quality review and maintenance of identified standards of care through audit and research.

Training and Education

• To have successfully completed a recognised Mentorship course and to provide mentorship and supervision
• To assist with orientation and supervision of new members of staff, Critical Care course students, Pre Registration Nursing Students and provide mentorship for this group of staff in conjunction with the Practice Educator whilst acting as a role model
• To promote evidence based practice with portfolio evidence.
• Participate in teaching in the clinical area providing records of same. Provide written / verbal feedback from study days / courses to team members
• To participate in competency based assessments and on going reviews of scope of professional practice within Critical Care, keeping accurate records
•  Contribute to the development and maintenance of a positive learning environment
• To assist the senior nursing team, including Clinical Educator, in identifying and meeting the learning needs of staff and use motivational skills to support and encourage them to meet those needs
• Assist in the management of staff attendance, poor performance, disciplinary and grievance issues in the clinical area
• Following appropriate training undertake developmental reviews, including annual appraisal of delegated team members, in conjunction with Team Leader

Personal and Professional Development

• To be responsible for own personal, clinical and professional development in line with NMC/PREP/ KSF supported with portfolio evidence by identifying own learning and developmental needs with Team Leader and formulating a developmental plan
• Participate in Trust Developmental reviews and annual appraisal, planning own objectives and reflecting on achievements
• To act as an expert resource within the critical care unit by maintaining a knowledge base that reflects contemporary issues within speciality thus enabling the selection and application of the most appropriate care/treatment. Maintain competency with all procedures and equipment used within the department.
• Maintain statutory and mandatory training records

Please see Job Description and Person Specification for full details.