Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Duties and Responsibilities

- Clinical Leadership and Managerial 

§  Lead the ward/Department team and build successful links between key professionals to support and promote effective multi-disciplinary team working.

§  Manage the department nursing staff, ensuring the patients receive high quality clinical care and a good patient experience, having regard for their customs, religious beliefs and doctrines.

§  Be wholly accountable for his / her practice in line with the NMC code of professional conduct and takes every reasonable opportunity to sustain and improve his / her knowledge and professional competence.

§  Communicate effectively and efficiently and liaise with other members of the multi-disciplinary team to ensure that patients receive seamless care within the trust. 

§  Act as a professional nurse leader and role model to the staff. To apply clinical skills of the highest standard and to take a proactive approach to the development of clinical competence in self and others.

§  Maximise use of clinical resources, implementing best practice in patient flow, admission and discharge arrangements.

§  Monitor monthly budget statements, identifying trends, understanding spending patterns in order to stay in budget and to take action as required.

§  Comply with the Trust’s standing financial instructions.

§  Ensure that the departments have adequate resources / equipment to provide an effective service.

§  Develop and maintain effective channels of communication between all members of the multi disciplinary team.

§  To ensure the Matron is informed when changes to circumstances may affect safe competent practice.

§  Participate in nursing and multi professional research and audit and to implement actions identified from quality initiatives.

§  Identify and intervene where circumstances contribute to an unsafe environment for patients and staff.  To bring instances to the attention of the Matron / Head of Nursing for the area.

§  Lead and support the ward team through the process of change, demonstrating tenacity, drive, professional integrity, balance and perspective.

§  Deputise for the Matron as appropriate

§  Responsible for the correct administration of prescribed medication including transfusion of blood

§  Responsible for the correct administration of blood products.

§  Be responsible for assessing and recognising emergencies in the speciality. To interpret information and take appropriate action and to lead others to do the same.

§  Act is an advocate for patients within the department, to ensure a patient orientated approach to the delivery of care and to meet standards within the NHS Plan and other relevant guidelines.

§  Recognise and avoid situations that may be detrimental to the health and wellbeing of the individuals.

• Monitor length of stay and effectively escalate barriers to discharge.

4.2         Staff Management, Education and Training

§  Motivate, develop, support and identify training needs for department staff.

§  Implement and work within the Trust’s HR policies on all staffing matters, including sickness, capability and disciplinary issues. Take corrective measures if indicated in liaison with Human Resources and the Matron.

§  Work with the Matron and Human Resources Department in the recruitment, selection, appointment and retention of staff. 

§  Monitor recruitment and retention and use all available strategies to retain and motivate staff e.g. flexible working policy.

§  Participate in appraisals and the setting of objectives for junior staff in the department to enable them to achieve optimal effectiveness and to understand their contribution to the directorate.

§  Ensure that appropriate written induction programmes are available and utilised for all new staff within the department

§  Working closely with the Practice Development Team, ensure that relevant clinical based teaching programmes are in place and maintain accurate training records.

§  Actively participate in teaching of junior staff and students.

§  Ensure that nursing staff receive appropriate training and professional education in accordance with the NMC’s PREP Recommendations.

§  Ensure that staff attend and assist in training where appropriate on mandatory training sessions and maintain accurate records of these.

§  Liaise with affiliated Institutes of Higher Education to ensure that the learning environment is appropriate for both pre and post registration learners and undertaking any action identified through audit.

§  Participate in the education and assessment of staff undertaking a specialist course or further education programmes.

§  Keep abreast of developments and research in Nursing Practice.

§  Adhere to trust and departmental policies and procedures, ensuring that all staff do the same.

§  Ensure optimised skill mix within the department/ward and reviewing the skill mix as required and monitoring the use of bank and agency staff.

§  Organise team meetings at an appropriate frequency, recording and circulating minutes of these. To ensure a good method of communication within the department at all times and to encourage the exchange and implementation of new ideas and evidence based practice.

4.3         Clinical Governance, Audit And Research

§  Ensure that the delivery of care to all patients meet the standards set by yourself and the Trust.

§  Take responsibility for ensuring the highest standards of Infection prevention and control are practiced at all times.

§  Demonstrate a high level of commitment to and enthusiasm for research, evidence based practice, audit and education in the clinical area.

§  Actively contribute to reconfiguration projects, service redesign developments and Directorate business planning as required.

§  Be proactive in the risk assessment, management, clinical incident reporting and management of complaints.

§  Ensure all staff move and handle patients and goods in ways that promote the health of the patient and care team and are consistent with legislation.

§  Contribute to the development of Directorate and Trust policies, procedures and clinical guidelines and ensure adherence by self and ward team.

§  Undertake clinical and associated audits as appropriate for the given area.

§  Record and report all incidents, accidents and complaints involving staff, patients and visitors in accordance with the trust policies and initiate investigations as required.

§  Participate in, and comply with, the trusts framework for clinical governance within the department area.

§  Assist in the investigation and timely resolution of complaints, incidents and comments within the Pre operative Assessment Unit and Surgical Admissions Lounge.

4.4         Service Development

§  Lead on the implementation of the clinical and organisational model for the area.

§  Lead on ensuring that the area continues to be based upon sound business projections, good financial planning and delivered according to appropriate standards within financial resources.

§  Contribute to and to be aware of the business plan and its implication for service delivery and nursing', 

§  Lead on monitoring the overall activity for the area. 

§  Identify opportunities to develop new ways of working and challenge, change and expand roles, working in conjunction with the Education and Practice Development Team/s, Matrons and Head of Nursing.

§  Proactively seek feedback on patient and public experience in order to address concerns in a timely manner and build on success.

§  Assist with the development, implementation and evaluation of departmental protocols ensuring coherence and consistency across both sites.

§  To undertake audit and monitoring of the department/ward and participate in the implementation of changes to improve service delivery.