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Detailed job description and main responsibilities

1. To provide high quality, effective, individualised care to all children, by assessing care needs and developing, implementing and evaluating them without supervision.
2. To assist the Clinical Nurse Manager and/or Matron in leading the nursing team and deputise in their absence.
3. To monitor standards of nursing care and take appropriate action to maintain and improve them.
4. To utilise a variety of strategies to communicate effectively with children, families, the multi-disciplinary team, other departments within the trust and pertinent agencies outside the organisation.
5. To respond to children’s and families’ concerns as they arise and take remedial action as required.
6. To act as a mentor, teaching and supervising junior staff including student nurses and health care support workers.

KEY RESULT AREA

Clinical Responsibilities

1. Act as a clinical leader and role model for the nursing team, setting standards and expectations of quality of care and developing techniques to ensure a client orientated service.
2. Carry out planned care for a group of children without direct supervision.
3. Ensure the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of evidence based, individualised patient care.
4. Supervise programmes of care given by junior staff and students.
5. Ensure the legibility and accuracy of documentation, in such a manner that enables the information to be effectively handed over to other staff.
6. Have responsibility for the correct administration and custody of medicines according to local and Trust policy.
7. Ensure registered nurses monitor children’s progress, work towards safe and timely discharge plans and ensure barriers to discharge are identified and acted on appropriately.
8. Deal with concerns raised by children and families in a proactive manner and take remedial action as necessary, as per Trust policy, informing the Clinical Nurse Manager and/or Modern Matron.
9. To maintain accurate records and prepare accurate statements concerning accidents, clinical incidents and complaints, as required by the Clinical Nurse Manager and/or Modern Matron.
10. Work with the Clinical Nurse Manager and/or Matron to ensure adherence to all official recommendations, guidelines and regulations relating to child protection.
11. Identify and refer children in need/at risk as per Child Protection guidelines and procedures.
12. Maintain competency in advanced resuscitation skills by successful completion of a recognised course (PILS/APLS).

 Managerial Responsibilities

1. Be responsible for the daily management of the ward/department, in the absence of the Clinical Nurse Manager and/or Matron.
2. Plan, organise and deploy staff according to ability and workload in order to meet the children’s needs.  This will include anticipating problems where they may exist and to inform the Clinical Nurse Manager and/or Modern Matron of the day of any changes in staff requirements as may result from changes in patient dependency, in the event of insufficient manpower being available.
3. Ensure that nursing practices comply with local and Trust policies and procedures.
4. Communicate effectively at all times and maintain a harmonious working environment.
5. Assist in organising regular ward/department meetings and attend unit and other meetings as and when appropriate. Ensure effective communication is developed via team briefing or other methods to enable staff to fulfil their proper functions.
6. Maintain a safe and healthy environment.
7. Assist the Clinical Nurse Manager and/or Matron in compiling duty rotas and be responsible for arranging adequate staff cover.
8. Assist the Clinical Nurse Manager and/or Matron in the monitoring of sickness and absence levels.
9. With the Clinical Nurse Manager and/or Modern Matron participate in the selection and recruitment of junior staff.
10. Assist in ensuring the availability of resources for patient care.
11. Ensure equipment is in good working order and report appropriately when defective.
12. Support the Clinical Nurse Manager and/or Matron and exercise leadership by example. To be aware of the effect of change amongst all staff and the importance of ensuring that any change in clinical or managerial policy is effectively communicated to all staff.
13. Actively participate in nursing research, ensuring that appropriate, relevant and valid research findings are incorporated in clinical practice.
14. Participate in the implementation of continuous quality improvements within the ward/department, in line with Trust policies, commissioners’ specifications and the NHS Plan and NSF for Children.
15. Lead the implementation of nursing audit on the ward/department and facilitate the development of multi-disciplinary audit within the directorate.
16. Ensure competence in information technology skills, relevant to ward/department.
17. Ensure the economical use of resources.
18. Carry the crash bleep when required, responding to emergency calls within the unit.
19. Promote and develop the philosophy of child and family centred care within the ward/department, ensuring that nursing staff are responsible to the needs of the individual children and their families.
20. Be proficient in relevant I.T. skills.

 Education, Training and Personal Development.

1. Participate in the education of the child and family regarding aspects of care and promotion of health and the prevention of illness.
2. Assist in the annual appraisal process and ensure all staff have an individual performance review and a personal development plan in place as delegated by and in consultation with the Clinical Nurse Manager and/or Matron.
3. Assist the Clinical Nurse Manager and/or Matron in orientating all new staff and students to the ward/department.
4. Provide teaching and development to the nursing team and students, assisting them to achieve their learning outcomes.
5. Act as a role model, mentor and preceptor to the nursing team.
6. Provide evidence based Health Education/Health Promotion to children and their carers.

Professional Responsibilities

• To keep up to date with current developments in nursing and ensure evidence based practice.
• Maintain personal records of continuing professional development.
• Contribute to the delivery of the trust’s Nursing Strategy.
• To act in accordance with NMC Code of Professional Conduct.
• Ensure confidentiality at all times, only relating confidential information obtained to those acting in an official capacity.
• To be aware of and take appropriate action in regard to cardiac arrest, fire and major incident.
• Understand your role and responsibilities in Safeguarding Children; identifying and referring children and families in need / at risk.