Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The Registered Nurse (Staff Nurse) is required:

To provide a high standard of individualised care to patients, whilst always maintaining their privacy and dignity.

To assess care needs, develop, implement and evaluate programmes of care.

To contribute to supporting the Senior Sister/Charge Nurse.

To support the maintenance of high standards of cleanliness in their own clinical area.

Primary duties and areas of responsibility         

Responsibilities for Clinical Function:

To practice in accordance with the NMC Code of Professional Conduct and Trust policies procedures and guidelines. 

To consistently organise and deliver individualised patient care, ensuring patients physical, social and psychological needs are met.

To communicate effectively and work in partnership with patients, their relatives/carers, nursing colleagues and members of the multi-disciplinary team to ensure care is delivered in an accurate and efficient manner.

Document care provided on Electronic Patient Care (EPR). 

To contribute to supporting the Senior Sister/Charge Nurse to maintain/improve and develop high standards of patient care, and thereby ensuring that the patients are treated with privacy, dignity and respect. 

Support the Senior Sister/Charge Nurse in actively implementing initiatives outlined within the Trust’s local Nursing and Midwifery and Patient Involvement & Experience Strategies. 

To assist the Senior Sister in ensuring that nursing practice reflects current clinical developments, evidence-based guidance and is based on sound nursing audit and research, identifying opportunities for the promotion and participation in such activities.

Embrace the Essence of Care Framework and actively participate in its implementation locally.

Support Nurse Led Discharge within area of responsibility and actively participate in discharging/transferring ‘medically fit’ patients to more appropriate settings.      

Responsibilities for Management:

To manage a group of patients and take charge of the Ward/Department on occasions when sufficient experience has been gained under supervision during the absence of senior staff.

Establish and maintain good communication with the Ward/Department administrative, housekeeping and domestic staff.

To Support the Senior Sister/Charge Nurse in managing resources effectively.

To be an effective team member.

To be responsible for ensuring all patients and their relatives/carers are kept fully informed of patients treatment/progress and discharge plans/after care.

To report all accidents, hazards, incidents and complaints in accordance with Trust policies and assist in investigation of them as required.

Demonstrate appropriate assertiveness and ability to challenge others when the rights of patients and others may be infringed.

Promote interdisciplinary working, with outcomes aimed at the best interests of patients and cohesive service delivery.

Generate and sustain relationships that promote dignity, rights and responsibilities.

Be accountable for own practice and for the delegation of care given to more junior colleagues, support workers and students. 

Responsibilities for Infection, Control & Cleanliness:

To support the Senior Sister/Charge Nurse in monitoring and sustaining high standards of cleanliness in own clinical area.

To be actively involved in all infection control audits undertaken within Ward/Department.

To act as a role model in relation to embedding the Code of Practice for the Prevention & Control of Healthcare Associated Infections.

Responsibilities for Professional Development:

Maintain an active Nursing and Midwifery Council registration.

Undertake all relevant statutory and mandatory training updates.

Maintain an up-to-date professional portfolio to support Knowledge skills framework and professional development.

Responsibilities for Staff Management and Training:

Promote/develop and maintain a culture within the Ward/Department in collaboration with the Senior Sister/Charge Nurse which challenges and questions practice and promotes the quality of thinking amongst practitioners. Ensuring that and students receive effective and documented induction, mentorship, development and support.

Actively participate in developmental opportunities.

Work creatively to develop practice and new ways of working in collaboration with Senior Sister/Charge Nurse.

Fully engage in one’s own appraisal/performance review ensuring that there is clarity on the level of authority held for all aspects of the role and that they are regularly reviewed.