Detailed job description and main responsibilities

 Job Summary:                                      

To provide leadership, guidance and support to all nursing staff within the clinical area, and continuous quality care to a specified group of patients. 

To take responsibility for the management and co-ordination of the clinical area in conjunction with and in the absence of the OPD Manager. 

To provide support and expertise in the assessment, planning and evaluation of all patient care within the surgical and orthopaedic setting.  To assist in the budgetary management, training and development of staff to provide high quality care which is evidence-based. 

Key Result Areas:

Continually assess, plan, implement and evaluate evidence-based programmes of care in order to ensure the provision of a high standard of care.

Personally deliver a high standard of care to a group of patients, acting as a team leader / named nurse and clinical role model at all times

Ensure the provision of advice, support and health information to patients and their carers in order to promote a health-based service.

Transports/manages people and/or items such as equipment or specimens safely and to time consistent with legislation, policies and procedures.

Maintain accurate and legible records of all clinical and legal documentation to include accident / incident reporting, with regard to NMC, statutory and Trust polices.

Ensures all aspects of clinical care including interventions and investigations are performed, assessed and reported upon in a timely fashion and in a manner consistent with legislation, policy and procedures.

Performance

Works in close partnership and co-operation with the OPD Manager and Matron, thus ensuring effective management of the clinical area.

Deputises for the OPD Manager in their absence seeking advice from the Matron where appropriate.

Assists in leading the nursing team, taking responsibility with support and guidance, for Personnel Management and participating in the recruitment, selection and orientation of new staff and students to the clinical area. 

Assist in developing the ward philosophy and framework of care in line with unit / organisational, beliefs / values.

Where necessary, investigates the nursing aspect of complaints, accidents and clinical incidents and initiates corrective action with the guidance of the OPD Manager and Matron, reporting any serious or untoward incidents in line with Trust policy.

Ensures all Trust / Directorate nursing policies and procedures to include EC Directives, Health and Safety at work, COSHH and Movement and Handling are adhered to.

Ensures all equipment and supplies in the clinical area are maintained to enable nurses to deliver care with efficiency and safety.

Assists in providing and maintaining an environment conductive to learning and development to maximize the potential of nursing staff.

Assists in creating and maintaining, in conjunction with the OPD Manager and Matron, systems which provide effective clinical supervision and practice supervision for all staff members to include learners allocated to the clinical area.

Liaises with the OPD manager in all aspects of practice/educational developments able to access.

Ensures nursing staff in the clinical area are up-to-date with new developments, and able to access appropriate continuing education.  Encourages the exchange of information, ideas and experiences.

Keeps up-to-date with current trends and developments in nursing practice related to all nursing.

Continually monitors and evaluates the standard of care delivered to patients through the use and facilitation of quality assurance tools in clinical areas.

Is involved in nursing and clinical audit, taking action with support and guidance to improve any areas of weakness.

Assists in facilitating and encouraging the setting of standards and development of guidelines and protocols, which ensure provision of a high quality, up-to-date, evidence based service.

Is self-aware and takes own continuing education and professional development needs into account, accessing advice, guidance and support as appropriate.

Is aware of and adheres to NMC Code of Professional, Trust and Divisional Policies at all times.

Promotes equality and values diversity supporting individuals customs, values and spiritual beliefs ensuring anti-discriminatory practices are maintained 

Represents the Division and clinical area both internally, within the Trust and externally.

Takes positive action, with support and guidance, to safeguard the welfare and safety of the ward team, patients, visitors and staff.

Accesses effective clinical supervision to allow personal reflection on own practice and development of staff both personally and professionally.

Ensures complete and accurate recording or relevant patient / nursing data on to the computer

Utilizes research findings, where applicable, in the delivery of surgical patient care, disseminating relevant information to colleagues.

Is aware of and participates in, where appropriate, clinical research trials for patients within the clinical areas, liaising with relevant health care professionals.

Work force

As a leader of the nursing team, participate in establishing a good working environment in which patients receive a high standard of care and ensure effective communication with all disciplines, patients and relatives.

Assist the OPD Manager in providing advice, guidance, support and professional leadership for all nursing staff in the clinical area.

Ensure workload of nursing staff and colleagues does not jeopardise safe standards of practice and initiate action if necessary.

Ensures appropriate and safe staffing structure and skill mix of nurses and health care workers through formulation of staff rota’s ordering bank/agency staff and initiating action where unable to provide such cover.

Conducts regular performance reviews and objective setting with the aid / advice of the OPD Manager and Matron. Takes responsibility for the development and professional guidance of a group of staff, through the formulation of Personal Development Plans, which meet the needs of the individual and organization.

Financial

Is involved in the management of a developed ward budget, utilizing advice and help from appropriate professionals, maintaining budgetary requirements and limitations that are understood and adhered to.

Knows, understands and acts upon the Divisional Business Plan; participates in and supports the Trust Nursing Strategy.

 Partnerships

Liaise with all members of the multi-professional team to ensure that care is assessed, planned, delivered and evaluated within a multi-professional framework, in the interests of the patient, and that care is communicated to all team members