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Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Key Tasks:

• To assist in leading the nursing team in the provision of high quality, research based, nursing care that is patient and family focused.
• To act as a leader, advisor and role model to less experienced nurses, ensuring appropriate care is planned, implemented and evaluated.
• To support the senior sister in the management and facilitation of the development of staff creating an effective team.
• To take responsibility for identified management/professional/clinical areas and projects under the direction of the senior ward sister.
• To foster a multidisciplinary approach to patient care in line with Clinical Governance

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

Clinical

• To ensure high quality, research based, individualised patient care is maintained at all times.
• To provide a problem solving approach to patient care
• To work effectively and collaboratively on discharge planning with all members of the multidisciplinary team and interested agencies
• To act as a leader, advisor and role model to less experienced staff.
• To support the clinical governance processes at ward level ensuring the quality of the fundamental and essential aspects of care including use of Essence of Care Benchmarking.

Managerial

• To work with the senior sister to ensure the efficient use of the ward budgets utilising allocated resources appropriately
• To ensure the effective utilisation of staff.
• To support the senior sister in managerial issues, taking the lead for agreed areas and projects.
• To support Individualised Performance Review and objective setting for staff, identifying training and development needs .
• To ensure clinical and managerial records are maintained in accordance with current guidelines.
• To ensure that the environment and staff comply with Health and Safety, infection Control and COSHH regulations and that Trust policies and procedures are followed correctly.
• To promote excellent communications within the ward and multidisciplinary team and to be responsible for appropriate communication structures being in place.
• To ensure that incidents and accidents are reported according to Trust policy and that appropriate clinical risk management structures are in place developing action plans and demonstrating evidence of resulting practice development.
• To promote a culture that anticipates and addresses any patients concerns before they become a complaint.
• Investigate complaints; prepare responses and action plans, implementing actions as agreed.
• To act as a change agent to promote innovation ensuring practice developments are fed back to the Trusts Practice Development Group.
• To encourage staff and maintain high standards of personal and professional conduct and performance, participating in the disciplinary procedure according to Trust policy.
• To be aware of the broader Trust wide issues and resources, work as part of the managerial team of the care group.
• To effectively manage the ward environment ensuring that there is appropriate liaison with other departments and good utilisation of resources.
• To provide leadership and support to the ward team.
• To utilise supernumerary time to further develop ward team, to identify ways of improving service delivery
• To participate in the nurse bleep holding system. To cover/act-up in the absence of the Senior Sister/Matron.
• To ensure patient and carers views are actively sought and fed back into the appropriate communication link
• To meet regularly with Matron to discuss issues and developments relating to the ward.
• To participate in the Trusts clinical, professional and managerial meetings and committees relevant to the service.

Teaching, Training and Research

• To ensure the ward provides a positive learning environment for students, staff, patients and their families.
• To ensure positive and appropriate links with the University of Surrey, particularly in regard to clinical placements and other continuous development opportunities.
• To manage study leave in accordance with trust policy, ensuring equity of opportunity, promoting professional development, which is responsive to service need. Co-ordinate and maintain records and register of study undertaken by staff.
• Ensure staff are trained to use equipment within the ward area and that equipment training records are maintained.
• To actively seek to improve practice through the application of research and participate in the clinical audit activities within the unit and the Trust.

Professional

• To maintain and develop one’s own professional knowledge and expertise to meet PREP and the job’s requirements.
• To actively share knowledge and expertise and contribute to the Trust as a whole
• To delegate appropriate responsibilities to enhance individuals level of practice and professional development
• To reflect as a practitioner, learning from experience and to promote reflective practices within the ward.
• To participate within the NMC Code of Professional Conduct at all times
• To contribute to the development of the profession within the Trust, participating in projects, committees and meetings as agreed.