Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Clinical Responsibilities.

Practice according to the NMC Code of Professional Conduct. Assess care needs for patients, planning, implementing and evaluating care for individual patients.
Ensure nursing care is delivered in a holistic manner using an individualised approach.
Ensure that all patients receive a high standard of nursing care.
Participate in the admission and discharge planning process in conjunction with the multi-disciplinary team.
Assist with Bed Management duties, when required and in the absence of the bed manager, communicating effectively with senior management upon relevant issues to ensure the efficient management of beds across the trust.
Discuss with patients/ carers and relatives any problems or changes relating to planned care and treatment.

Participates and facilitates in the promotion of patient education and health promotion.
Act as team leader and named nurse for patients.
Ensure that all patient documentation is accurate and comprehensive.
Maintain good communication with all health care staff and ensure prescribed treatment is carried out.
Ensure the safe custody and safe administration of medicines and report any discrepancies.
Undertake extended roles of care within the unit as authorized by the Nursing  Advisory Committee.

 Educational Responsibilities.

Ensure that all new staff receive induction and orientation to the department and Trust.
Take responsibility for own professional and personal development through research, innovation and attendance at suitable study days.
Participate in research projects as appropriate, seeking to develop nursing practice.
Promote and initiate research/ innovations and change related to improvement of nursing care for patients.
Participate and teaches as appropriate in the departments in-service education programme.
Give formal lectures as required.
Facilitate the development of post-basic staff nurses.
Teach and supervise staff.
Assists and supervises facilitation of nursing students and any other learners in the department.
Maintain links with the appropriate Universities via the link tutors.
Participate in the annual educational audit for the department.
Participate and implement the annual Knowledge and Skills Framework review for self and the development of ward staff.

Management Responsibilities.

Ensure that the unit operates smoothly on a day-to-day basis, engaging with other relevant departments as required.
Deputise for the Ward Manager in their absence; regularly take charge of the unit.
Provide directorate cover as required.
Act as Site Manager within the RNOH NHS Trust as required.
Assist with supervising the maintenance of equipment and ordering of supplies.
Develop an understanding of budget setting.
Maintain the ward according to hospital and ward policies within the budget available.
Report any potential complaints or untoward incidents to the Ward Manager and participate in the Trust’s Risk Management process as appropriate.
Assist the Ward Manager in ensuring that the clinical area undertakes an annual risk assessment and that outcomes are identified and actioned.
Assist in establishing appropriate systems within the ward for the monitoring of quality standards, facilitate audit of services, risk management, complaints and act upon them accordingly.
Be flexible with working hours to facilitate the smooth running of the unit.
Be an active member of the multi-disciplinary team, ensuring good communication with other departments internally and externally.
Assist in the utilisation of staffing resources to provide the most effective cover for the ward.
Assist with planning off-duty, ensuring appropriate skill mix for each shift.
Cover any sickness or absence with temporary staff.
Assist in maintaining records of staff sickness and annual leave, implementing relevant actions in conjunction with Trust policies and procedures.
In collaboration with the Ward Manager, be responsible for the recruitment, selection and deployment of all grades of staff.

Professional Responsibilities.

Assist in promoting an open and friendly working environment. Develop good working relationships with hospital department and wards throughout the Trust
Receive visitors onto the Trust.
Undertake ward projects pertinent to the wards specialty.
Participate in nursing audits, assist in the setting and evaluation of standards of care.

Orientate new staff, learners and temporary staff to the ward and hospital.
Encourages a good working relationship with the multi-professional team and to attend multi-professional meetings as appropriate.
Promotes effective multi- professional collaboration and practice throughout the unit.
To be aware of and practice in accordance with the Trust’s policies and procedures.
Ensure working awareness of RNOHT policies and procedures.
Maintain patient and staff confidentiality at all times.

Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults At Risk

The Trust recognises its duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children, young people and adults. Staff must at all times treat patients with dignity and respect protecting, young people and adults at risk from abuse and neglect.
Employees have a responsibility to ensure that prompt and appropriate action is taken when concerns have been made about a child, young person or adults at risk. 
Employees should be aware of their responsibilities as detailed in the Local Safeguarding Children Procedures and Safeguarding Adults at Risk Policy.
The Trust will assist you by providing mandatory training, support and advice.
Safeguarding children and adults is everyone’s business
IT Skills
All staff are required to demonstrate a level of IT literacy skills appropriate to their job, as the use of IT is fundamental in delivering good quality efficient health care.
Effort and Environment.
Effort and Environment
The following information has been designed to assist the recording of the effort and environment factors required for Agenda for Change. 
 Physical
Measures the nature, level, frequency and duration of the physical effort 
required for the job e.g. Kneeling, crouching, work in confined space, sitting, standing, walking, lifting, pulling, running, pushing.
 Mental
Measures the nature, level, frequency and duration of the mental effort 
required for the job e.g. Checking documents, calculations, analyzing 
statistics, operating machinery, microscope work, assessing patients, formal  minute taking, assessing students.
Emotional
Measures the nature, level and frequency of emotional effort required to undertake clinical or non-clinical duties that are generally considered to be distressing and/or emotionally demanding. E.g. giving un-welcome news to staff/patients, dealing with difficult situations / circumstances or those with severely challenging behaviour, caring for the terminally ill, typing / processing reports / letters transmitting highly distressing events.
Working conditions
Measures the nature, level, frequency and duration of demands arising from adverse environmental conditions and hazards which are unavoidable and required for the job. E.g. Use of VDU, exposure to extreme temperatures, unpleasant smells, dust / dirt, aggression, noxious fumes, chemical spills, fleas, lice, body fluids, foul linen, Assuming normal Health and Safety standards are met.
Driving to and from work is not included.
Terms and Conditions of Service
This appointment is subject to the terms and conditions of employment of the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust.
Professional conduct
The post holder must comply with the Code of Professional Conduct applicable to their profession.
Risk Management
The Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust strives to take a holistic approach to the management of risk; Health and Safety, Caldicott, Corporate and Clinical Governance requirements are all elements of risk management.
Risk management is fundamental in ensuring the safety of all whilst on Trust premises and in ensuring that a high level of quality care is continually provided. To support staff in the management of risk, the Trust provides training programmes and facilitates staff in the use of risk management identification tools. In turn, individuals are responsible for ensuring that they attend training sessions and adhere to the Trust’s policies and procedures, which includes the reporting of incidents, both 
actual and near miss.

Health and Safety at Work Act.

Under the provisions of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 it is the duty of every employee to:
Take reasonable care of themselves and of others who may be affected by their acts or omissions.
 Co-operate with their employer in ensuring that all statutory and other 
requirements are complied with.

All staff must comply with the Trust Infection Control Policy. All employees must attend infection control training as required within their department as directed by their line manager.
Confidentiality
Post-holders must maintain the confidentiality of information about patients, staff and other health service business in accordance with the Data Protection of 1998. 
Post-holders must not, without prior permission, disclose any information regarding patients or staff. If any member of staff has communicated any such information to an unauthorised person those staff will be liable to dismissal. Moreover, the Data Protection Act 1998 also renders an individual liable for prosecution in the event of 
unauthorised disclosure of information. Following the Freedom of Information Act (FOI) 2005, post-holders must apply the Trust’s FOI procedure if they receive a written request for information.
Equal Opportunities
The Trust welcomes all persons without regard to age, ethnic or national origin, gender or sexual orientation, religion, lifestyle, presenting illness or disability. We aim to provide a non-judgemental service at all times.
No Smoking Policy
The Trust prohibits smoking in all of their buildings and premises