Detailed job description and main responsibilities

You will be able to find a full Job description and Person Specification attached within the supporting documents or please click “Apply now” to view in Trac

The Deputy Team Leader supports the Team Leader in the coordination of scheduled and unscheduled care for multi-disciplinary and multi-agency care packages.

Demonstrate excellent communication and negotiation skills in situations which may be highly sensitive and emotive.  All communication will be underpinned by the principles of data protection, dignity and confidentiality.

Adopt and promote the highest level of verbal, non-verbal, written and electronic communication skills.  Be open and honest, act with integrity and uphold the reputation of the profession as directed by the Nursing Midwifery Council (NMC, 2015).

Take responsibility for initiating and/or engaging in open discussion with statutory and voluntary agencies and all members of the wider multi-disciplinary team as appropriate reporting to District Nurse Team Leader.

As delegated by the District Nurse Team Leader source patients’/relatives’/carers’ views and feedback on their experience of District Nursing Services in order to influence and inform future service provision.

Compile complex written electronic care plans and Decision Support Tools as required by the District Nurse Team Leader.

Communicate complex and highly sensitive information as designated by the District Nurse Team Leader to staff, patients and others as required.

As delegated by the District Nurse Team Leader undertake supervision of staff that work with highly sensitive and contentious information.

Identify and assist with the management of risk and exposure to hostile environments while undertaking supervision and support of team members.

Ensure effective communication to support continuity of care on transfer between hospital, community, residential and nursing care settings and vice versa.

To attend meetings as required and ensure that information is disseminated within the nursing team. 

The post-holder must be a Registered Nurse and hold, or be working towards, the Diploma/Degree/Masters in Community Health Studies (District Nursing) and be a registered Nurse Prescriber.

Provide evidence of both continuing professional development and completion of Core Skills Training.

Demonstrate working knowledge of risk management, safeguarding, concerns and wider governance related issues.

Must facilitate and actively participate in the mentorship of students and others to develop their competence and confidence.

Critically appraise research to influence best practice.

You will supervise and partake in the identification of nursing need, prescription, implementation and evaluation of nursing care of patients on the caseload.

The Deputy Team Lead will recognise triggers of deterioration/increased need of patients and initiate the Continuing Healthcare/NHS Funded Nursing Care assessment process.

Be able to recognise actual and potential risks to patient safety and initiate the investigation process as appropriate, reporting to the District Nurse Team Leader.

Ensure that potential risks are identified and managed both efficiently and effectively therefore avoiding unnecessary escalation.

Manage incoming referrals and triage to ensure they are appropriate and relevant to the District Nursing Service. Monitor and report any significant increase in referrals to the District Nurse Team Leader giving consideration to the complexity of the referral.

Have the knowledge and skills to recognise safeguarding issues and have the ability to initiate the formal safeguarding process taking into account the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards and Mental Capacity Act requirements.

Responsible for identifying opportunities for health promotion within families in domiciliary, residential and clinic settings contributing to public health initiatives.

Advise, encourage and motivate patient’s and their families to develop strategies to manage their own health.

The post holder will have some responsibility for the operational management of the District Nursing team, for example assisting the District Nurse Team Leader with sickness/absence management, planning of work patterns.

Contributing to the promotion of team morale and management of conflict within the team by adopting an open and honest approach in order to seek resolve.

In conjunction with the multi-disciplinary team, plan and implement programmes which promote and protect health, for example, immunisation, chronic disease management and health promotion.

To provide evidence-based, highly skilled nursing care encompassing a broad range of clinical interventions to all adult patients including the transitional cohort where necessary.  The anticipated outcome in all cases will be a promotion of both quality of life and end-of-life care, maximising independence and minimising the effects of debilitating conditions. 

Have the necessary dexterity to manipulate and manage intricate procedures, for example pleurex drains, complex dressings and other procedures. Other clinical interventions range from screening activities to complex interventions i.e. calculating drug doses on multiple medications for infusions; caring for central and mid lines, and administering cytotoxic drugs.

Be physically able to undertake activities that require fine dexterity e.g. keyboard skills, computer skills/IT literacy and some specialised aspects of wound care, etc.

Responsible for ensuring that all patients/carers/relatives are treated with respect and dignity. He/she act as an advocate for those in their care particularly those who lack capacity or the ability to consent and are deemed vulnerable.  There may be a requirement to seek advice from the wider disciplinary team.

To provide clinical leadership to direct, demonstrate and participate in the assessment of patients/relatives/carers, ensuring the assessment process is holistic, accurate and comprehensive referring to other agencies as appropriate.

The District Nurse must recognise and work within the limits of his/her competence actively seeking the appropriate skills for self as well as all members of the nursing team.  This will ensure that knowledge and skills acquired are evidence-based and proficient to provide a safe and effective level of practice to enable patients with complex needs to be discharged safely into the community setting.

Facilitate clinical supervision with staff as delegated by the District Nurse Team Leader.

To contribute to the implementation and audit of policies, guidelines and procedures ensuring practice is evidence-based and patient centred.

Assist the District Nurse Team Leader with the implementation of all University Health Board’s policies/guidelines and procedures within the nursing team.