Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Planning and Organisational Duties

·       Manage the unit in the absence of the Unit manager in co-ordinating the activities of the Unit team and deploying resources effectively. Implements best practice in patient flow, admission and discharge arrangements.

·       Allocates staff according to patient needs, skill mix and individual learning needs of staff.

·       Reviews and adjusts staff rosters in accordance with unit/organisational requirements.

·       Ensure that effective communication is maintained both within the unit itself and with other relevant external agencies or individuals to ensure the management of the service meets the demands.

·       Organise own workload and adjust priorities in response to issues arising in the workplace.

·       Recognise and respond appropriately to issues which require urgent or immediate attention, reporting to other members of the multi-disciplinary/management team as necessary.

·       Deputise for the unit lead as requested at meetings and other events.

·       Ensure compliance with policies, procedures and clinical guidelines for self and others.

·       Provide support to organisation in maintenance of equipment to ensure quality control standards are met.

 Patient related duties

·       Perform a comprehensive assessment of the patients nursing needs, plan, implement and evaluate care delivery in accordance with their individual health care needs and varying level of complexity.

·       Ensure the accurate maintenance of records is compliant with legal, professional and organisational standards. Collect, analyse and evaluate information, report and act in accordance with unit protocols and guidelines.

·       Maintain effective communication, both written and verbal with all professional colleagues, hospital departments and other agencies.

·       Maintains good relationships through effective communication by addressing people regardless of discipline in a responsible and appropriate manner.

·       Actively encourages, in an understanding and sensitive manner, the participation of the relatives in the planning and implementation of care.

·       Work in close collaboration with members of multidisciplinary team to ensure that patient needs are met.

·       Undertakes investigative procedures in accordance with unit guidelines. Interpreting and acting upon results as appropriate.

·       Maintains safe administration of medicines, concordant with the NMC and trust policies.

·       Supervise and direct the work of more junior staff by taking responsibility in ensuring that instructions regarding on-going patient care needs are followed.

·       Recognise and respond appropriately to urgent and emergency situations.

·       Responsibility to maintain their professional accountability through the practice of safe standards in compliance with the NMC Code of Conduct.

·       Records and reports untoward incidents to the unit manager and in their absence, actively carries out steps to minimise further risk as advised.

 Communications and Key Working Relationships

·       Ensure effective communication is maintained both within the unit itself and with other relevant external agencies or individuals to ensure the management of the service meets the demands.

·       Maintain effective communication, both written and verbal with all professional colleagues, hospital departments and other agencies in co-ordinating the overall management of the patients’ needs.

·       Maintains good relationships through effective communication by addressing people regardless of discipline in a responsible and appropriate manner

 Responsibility for Finance

·       Contribute to ensuring the effective use of all resources.

·       Assist in the maintenance of the stock and equipment requisitioning within the due economy. Bring to the attention of the unit manager any potential efficiency savings or anticipated budgetary pressures.

·       Request and authorise the booking of additional staff to cover sickness/absence in agreement with the Unit Manager.

 Responsibility for Human Resources

·       In the absence of the senior nurse, manages the unit including the supervision of staff, ensuring that Trusts policies and procedures are adhered to.

·       Participates in the recruitment and selection of staff.

·       Ensure Trust policies and procedures are adhered to on the Unit.

·       Participate in the PDR process, undertaking the PDR of staff as required by the unit manager, identifying staffs strengths and weaknesses and to provide support and counselling as necessary.

·       Participates in the management of sickness and absence and escalates appropriately.

·       Plans, supervises and monitors staff rostering to facilitate maximum care delivery in line with Improving Working Lives initiatives.

·       Assist the Unit Manager in ensuring all newly appointed staff receive an induction to the unit and obtain mentorship as appropriate.

 Responsibility for Health & Safety

Compliance with the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 – the post holder is required to fulfil a proactive role towards the management of risk in all of their actions. This entails the risk assessment of all situations, the taking of appropriate actions and reporting of all incidents, near misses and hazards, and a statutory duty of care for their own personal safety and that of others who may be affected by their acts or omissions. 

 Responsibility for Teaching

·       Facilitate a supportive learning environment for all levels of staff

·       Assist staff members to identify their own training and development needs and support them in achieving individual goals.

·       Formally assess staff competency producing verbal and written reports as required by the Unit Manager

·       Maintain a responsibility to keep oneself updated to ensure competence and develop own clinical knowledge.

·       Deliver health education to patients and their families in accordance with their needs.

·       Promotes and demonstrates innovative practice and implements changes required to meet changing needs of the service.

·       Take a lead role in the audit of nursing care within the unit and share learning experiences with other staff and assist in ensuring the identified scope for improvement is realised.

 Work Circumstances

·      36 hours per week across a 7 day week with day/night/long shifts