Detailed job description and main responsibilities

 Clinical Practice

• To have advanced holistic patient assessment skills so that clinical decision making leads to prompt and appropriate action in the best interests of patient's well-being 
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills so that professional advice or care guidance instructions are well understood by patients, their relatives and/or carers, and members of the multi-disciplinary team.
• Ensures continuity of patient care through effective staff deployment.
• Ensures good discharge planning so that individual patient’s needs are met with an appropriate plan of action and involving the multi-professional team as required.
• Regularly checks patient care documentation to see that all aspects of care have been considered, individual patients’ needs identified and that an appropriate care plan exists in relation to meeting the identified needs.
• To work in accordance with the NMC Code of Professional Conduct, and Trust Policies and Procedures
• Communicates effectively with patients and their carers; colleagues and students.
• Works effectively as part of the multi-professional, inter-disciplinary team.
• Is clinically and professionally up-to-date with current trends and developments in the clinical speciality.
• Functions as an effective role model in the clinical setting, demonstrating the application of breadth and depth of nursing knowledge and skills, and in advising and supporting members of the multidisciplinary team
• Helps to facilitate the cascade of information ensuring awareness of Care Group, Trust and NHS  initiatives supporting staff discussion and responding to feedback 
• Supports ward teams through regularly working clinical shifts including long day shifts 
• To ensure compliance with the Trust's Equality and Diversity Policy supporting the delivery of the Trust's duty to positively promote race equality and equality of opportunity for disabled people ensuring services are responsive to the needs of equality groups 
• To have full knowledge of Trust's Major Incident Plan and your role within it 
• To have full knowledge of the Trust's safeguarding policies and procedures and demonstrate ability to raise concerns and work with other agencies to protect children 

Education and Research 

• Works collaboratively with the Practice Development Nurse so that staff receive appropriate education and staff development 
• Manages the wards/department's allocated education and staff training budget in accordance with the Trust's corporate need and the Care Group's business objectives 
• Ensures the development and provision of a good quality clinical learning environment that supports pre-registration nursing students and continuing professional development 
• Participates in Trust approved research studies, keeping the Assistant Director of Nursing (Education and Research) informed of the progress of these if the fieldwork is being undertaken within the department 

Management

• Facilitates and supports nurses in working collaboratively with all   other members of the multi-disciplinary team.
• Adopts an appropriate management style in accordance with changing circumstances
• Deploys nursing staff and physical resources appropriately. Reviews the duty rota, and negotiates skill mix levels ensuring that they most appropriately meet service needs
• Works with the Human Resources Manager on the resolution of complex HR issues.
• Keeps the Matron/Head of Nursing informed of any untoward incidents and complaints.
•  Discusses with the Matron and Head of Nursing any plans in relation to service development, service improvement, and the resolution of any on-going problems.
• Undertakes certain grades of nursing staff’s annual appraisal and to ensure they have a Personal Development Plan, and to assist with the appraisal of other staff in liaison with the Matron and Head of Nursing.
• Provides effective leadership and acts as a positive role model. Delegates appropriately, and encourages staff to develop and advance their skills.
• Communicates well with staff, holding regular ward meetings.
• Plays an active role in the recruitment and retention of staff.
• Ensures safe storage of the patients’ records at ward/departmental level so that confidentiality is maintained.
•  Participates in benchmark and quality audits, and observations of care
• Ensures that staff receive feedback on the results of audits, and that where necessary action is taken to improve standards
•  Manages the allocated ward budget effectively, maximising the use of resources and reducing any wastage in accordance with Trust and Care Group objectives
• Acts up across suitable roles as required by management for service need, or as part of an agreed personal development plan
• Is proactive in the management of change and can support staff through times of change
• Investigates complaints and adverse incidents as required by Matron and Head of Nursing, taking appropriate action in dealing with situations that could result in the need for disciplinary procedure
•  Ensures Health and Safety regulations are complied with
• Ensures that staff are aware of the Trust policy on Adverse Incident reporting and that forms are completed correctly
• Ensures that staff are aware of Trust policies and procedures and the need to comply with these 

Personal and Professional Development

·     Has an annual appraisal and produces agreed performance objectives and a Personal Development Plan.

·      Is an active member of the Ward Managers Forum.

·      Reflects on own practice and keeps a personal learning portfolio.

·      Works in accordance with the Trust’s documented standards on nursing skills and required competences.

·      Works towards achieving and then maintaining the Trust’s Care Group Competency in oral drug administration. Undertakes the university-accredited intravenous drug administration training programme and achieves and maintains the associated practical competences

•  Undertakes other in-house training as required  

People Management and Performance

• Lead, coach and manage the performance of the team in line with good people management practices. Ensuring excellence is recognised and under performance is addressed
• Participate in regular performance appraisal meeting and ensure each member of the team has a clear set of objectives and development plans 
• Ensure the team is compliant with all statutory, mandatory training together with any professional training requirements and ensuring they are up to date and fully compliant 
• Manage team absences including sickness in line with Trust policy ensuring appropriate return to work meetings occur, e-roster us updated and productivity is kept to the highest possible level 
• Identify talent and support the internal talent management process in order to attract and retain and succession plan for your people 
• Review skills mix at regular intervals in order to identify and potential opportunities to maximise resource utilisation/allocation, ensuring job descriptions are kept up to date 
• Ensure overall well being of the team is maintained. 
• Continuously support in improving the morale of the team and implementing a culture of zero tolerance for bullying and harassment 

General 

• The post holder has a general duty of care for their own health, safety and well being and that of work colleagues, visitors and patients within the hospital, in addition to any specific risk management or clinical governance accountabilities associated with this post.
• To observe the rules, policies, procedures and standards of King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust together with all relevant statutory and professional obligations.
• We want to be an organisation where everyone shares a commitment to delivering the very best care and feels like their contribution is valuable and valued.To observe and maintain strict confidentiality of personal information relating to patients and staff.
• To be responsible, with management support, for their own personal development and to actively contribute to the development of colleagues.
• This job description is intended as a guide to the general scope of duties and is not intended to be definitive or restrictive. It is expected that some of the duties will change over time and this description will be subject to review in consultation with the post holder.
• All employees must hold an 'nhs.net' email account which will be the Trust's formal route for email communication.
• Everyone is responsible for promoting inclusion no matter their role or team. At King’s, we want to create an environment where everyone feels valued, respected and welcomed

Safeguarding

The Trust takes the issues of Safeguarding Children, Adults and addressing Domestic Abuse very seriously. All employees have a responsibility to support the organisation in our duties by;

• attending mandatory training on safeguarding children and adults
• familiarising themselves with the Trust's processes for reporting concerns 
• reporting any safeguarding child or adult concerns appropriately

Infection Control

·      The post holder has an important responsibility for and contribution to infection control and must be familiar with the infection control and hygiene procedures and requirements when in clinical areas

• The post holder has an important responsibility for and contribution to make to infection control and must be familiar with the infection control and hygiene requirements of this role.

·      These requirements are set out in the National Code of Practice on Infection Control and in local policies and procedures which will be made clear during your induction and subsequent refresher training.  These standards must be strictly complied with at all times.

·         In carrying out the duties of the post, the employee is required to work in accordance with the policies and procedures of PRUH, including Health and Safety, confidentiality, data protection and equal opportunities. PRUH operates a no smoking policy.