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Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The post holder will be responsible for the assessment of care needs, the development, implementation and evaluation of care and the setting of standards of care.

The post holder will be responsible for the management of the Neonatal Unit including the following:

To ensure the delivery of high quality, patient focused services in the Neonatal Unit through effective leadership and collaboration with the multi-disciplinary team.

• Oversee the assessment of patient care needs, and the planning, implementation and evaluation of care.
• Manages performance, provides support and facilitates the continuing professional development of staff and students on placement within the area including Junior Medical and other multidisciplinary team members.
• Maintains and develops service quality, contributing to audit and service review, standard setting and the implementation and evaluation of service development.
• Has responsibility to minimise risk and maintain the safety of the work environment.
• Will provide / perform special nursing/neonatal skills and procedures relating to their area of work
• In collaboration with the Multidisciplinary Team has responsibility for the documentation and implementation of the discharge plan.

The Neonatal Unit comprises of 8 Special care cots; including 2 high dependency cots.

• Oversees and undertakes the assessment of neonatal patient care needs, and the planning, implementation and evaluation of care in the neonatal unit
• Responsible for ensuring care in the neonatal area is consistent with local and national policies and protocols, and leads on the use of evidence based guidance to improve clinical practice.
• Participates in the development, implementation and monitoring of local and national policies and protocols
• Acts as a source of expert advice in clinical neonatal nursing practice.
• Responsible for the safe administration, storage and ordering of drugs in the Neonatal Unit
• Responsible for health promotion and health education within Neonatal Unit.

• Communicates effectively with parents / carers, relatives and members of the multi-disciplinary and management teams, in styles appropriate to people and situations.
• Ensures accurate record keeping and the maintenance of patient confidentiality in line with local and NMC guidelines.
• Minimises potential for conflict and complaint, resolving disputes locally wherever possible and making appropriate referral to the management team as necessary.
• Ensures that documentation completion is undertaken in line with National and local guidelines
• Act at all times as the patients / family advocate
• Be aware of the requirements for diversity and equality all for clients and staff groups, ensuring that all staff are aware of the systems in place to support this agenda
• Identifies opportunities to develop and improve services for individual patients and client groups, using clinical audit and research to ensure that practice is evidence based and ensuring patient, public and staff involvement in evaluation and development.
• Ensures that high standards of ward / area cleanliness are maintained and policies for the control of infection implemented.
• Assesses and manages risk responsibly, ensuring the safety of the work environment and work processes, for patients, staff and visitors
• In collaboration with the Team Manager ensures that statuary and mandatory training needs are met.
• Participates in staff appraisal and personal development planning and on the recruitment, induction and development of new staff.
• Supports the implementation and evaluation of educational programmes for pre and post registered and non-registered staff and maintains the quality of the Neonatal Unit as a learning environment.

• Provides professional leadership to the Neonatal Unit nursing team, creating a sense of common purpose and developing the team’s ability to achieve service and organisational objectives.
• Takes charge of clinical shift in the Neonatal Unit, acting as resource for junior staff and MDT members.

• Is accountable for the quality of own practice and for delegating duties to other members of the team.
• Adheres at all times to the Nursing and Midwifery Council Codes of Professional Practice.

Workload is determined by the needs of the service. The post holder will be responsible to the Unit Manager/Matron and Head of Midwifery for clinical guidance and professional management, work review and formal appraisal of performance.

Clinically and professionally expected to make autonomous decisions on a daily basis, including provision of advice to junior staff and other multi-disciplinary team members in clinical decision making.

The post holder has discretion to make decisions regarding patient care within clinical/professional guidelines and as part of multi disciplinary team.

Recognises own ability and limitations and identifies these to the line manager. Making   use of formal and informal contacts.

Promote good relationships with parents / carers, public and staff in verbal and written communication.

Actively listen and seek parent opinions on aspects care delivery. 

Maintain effective professional communication with members of the multi-disciplinary care team, management team, wards and departments in Gateshead health NHS Foundation Trust and associated agencies and organisations, internal and external

Maintain patient and staff confidentiality at all times.

Prepare and write reports and make presentations as required within Gateshead Health NHS Foundation trust and associated institutions. To contribute to informal and formal teaching programmes.