Detailed job description and main responsibilities

To be a highly competent, knowledgeable and visible practitioner within the speciality ensuring that the provision of excellent evidence based nursing care is available for patients, families and carers.

Have daily contact with staff and undertake rounds to assess and respond to clinical priorities, patient and staff concerns.

To ensure that patients are assessed on a daily basis by a qualified nurse, and that their care is planned, implemented and evaluated in negotiation with the family, and that this is accurately documented.

To work alongside all members of the team to identify new ways of working that ensure high quality of care is delivered by an educated team of nurses and Nurse Educators.

Accountable for achieving rigorous adherence to infection control safety practices including hand hygiene and universal precautions

 Liaise with clinical, non-clinical and facilities staff in order to maintain a safe, friendly and welcoming environment for patients, visitors and staff.

To communicate complex and sensitive information effectively to patients and their families/carers, and other staff, overcoming barriers to understanding and providing support during distressing or 
emotional events.

Ensure effective communication between all members of the multidisciplinary team, other hospital departments, relatives and visitors.

In conjunction with the Divisional Chief Nurse, Divisional Director and Associate Director of Operations to identify, develop and monitor clinical and non-clinical performance standards, taking action as required.

To develop and maintain clinical skills and knowledge necessary to provide holistic, evidence based nursing care. This includes completion of the Trusts clinical skills competency framework and expanded role responsibilities following appropriate training.

Leadership or managerial

Develop and strengthen the role of the ward managers and nursing teams in line with division and trust objectives.

 To ensure that all nursing staff are accountable and responsible and that care is provided in line with Divisional and Trust’s strategic objectives, e.g. financial stability, zero harm, zero waste and zero waits.

To carry out individual performance reviews with the teams and ensure they have access to relevant training and development opportunities, as defined in their PDR and in relation to their role and ensuring mandatory training is completed.

Function as line manager for designated specialist nurses within sphere of control.

To support the Divisional Chief Nurse in working with the ward managers to review staffing establishments and skill mix, and ensure that staffing is appropriate for current and projected clinical demands.

To monitor and oversee duty rotas via use of electronic staff rostering to ensure effective use of resources, ensuring rigorous control of bank and agency usage.

To support the ward managers to effectively and efficiently co-ordinate the day to day operational management of their immediate clinical area informing the Divisional Chief Nurse of anything which threatens to affect the safety of the environment or which may compromise the care of patients or the reputation of the division.

To monitor and ensure that staffing levels deliver the full complement of beds and activity targets within the agreed budget, working closely with the Divisional Chief Nurse and the Associate Director 
of Operations.

Manage nursing recruitment and foster an environment which enhances the retention of staff and looks at new ways of working in line with the improving working lives policy. Supported by Divisional Chief Nurse to reduce staff turnover by 50%.

Lead on specific service improvement initiatives as determined by the Divisional Management Team.

To actively manage in conjunction with the ward managers sickness/absence, as per Trust policy, and lead on disciplinary activities including performance management.

 Assist Divisional Chief Nurse in change management including facilitating new ways of working through implementing additional support roles, and supporting their integration and development within the clinical environment.

To manage and assist the ward managers in the appraisal process and ensure all staff have the opportunity to review their performance and develop a meaningful professional development plan in line with the knowledge and skills framework which serves to deliver personal 
as well as division wide objectives.

Working in partnership with the Divisional Chief Nurse, maximise and develop leadership abilities and skill set within senior nursing team, based within the clinical environment.

Working in partnership with Divisional Chief Nurse, introduce a model of nursing care which is patient focused. 

In conjunction with the  Service Managers  introduce processes to 
streamline communication within the clinical environment and to ensure staff, at all levels are effectively informed enabling them to successfully carry out their duties.

Provide professional advice and support to staff in the department in conjunction with the Clinical Practice Educator/Facilitator.

To ensure that all staff are familiar with the nursing vision and ensure that key indicators are met in relation to getting the basics right implementation of Ward Quality audits, Ward Accreditation and adherence to CQC standards.

Initiate and develop audits of service delivery and implementation of findings to improve patient care.

Act as an ambassador for the Division and speciality and to contribute to relevant trust wide groups.

Educational

To foster an environment conducive to learning, enquiry, and research that is linked to the Trust’s research strategy.

Support the Clinical Practice Educator with the planning, implementation and evaluation of training 
and educational requirements.

To be a professional resource for all staff within the unit including nursing, medical, administrative, support and therapeutic staff.

To contribute to the production of clinical procedural guidelines and pathways of care 

Promote, initiate and participate in audit and research studies relating to nursing and multidisciplinary care, presenting findings through presentations and writing for publication.

Maintain and develop own professional and mandatory training

To support relevant Division and Trust wide projects and facilitate forums to ensure staff are actively engaged

Professional
To maintain confidentiality surrounding the patient’s care and treatment at all times

To ensure documentation is completed accurately and within agreed timescales using Trust approved documentation, in line with NMC and Trust guidelines.

To have a knowledge of and adhere to local and Trust policy and professional standards. To ensure that team members do likewise.

To demonstrate a professional approach to work, and act in accordance with the Trust 4 P’s pledge and the NMC Code of Professional Conduct at all times.

To undertake further training and academic qualifications as relevant to the role and service requirements