Band 6 Deputy Sister/Charge Nurse Foulis Ward Royal Brompton

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

 Main tasks & responsibilities:

Patient/customer care (both direct & indirect)

• To lead the provision of care and service for respiratory in-patients in accordance with the Trust Policies & clinic protocols reflecting current trends and developments in nursing and the NHS.
• To identify clinical support activities required in OPD and ensure all relevant staff can deliver this in a timely way, safely and effectively.
• In conjunction with the department manager, to develop and maintaining patient/customer care training and audit for all staff who work in Victoria ward.
• To comply with and participate in the Trust’s framework for Clinical Governance within the Ward or Department area, incorporating the trust core behaviours and the 6C’s and to work with the trust nursing strategy.
• Ensure all supplies, medication and oxygen are sufficient and stored safely
• Identify clinical risks and ensure that appropriate action is implemented in accordance with the Trust risk management policy.
• Record and report all incidents/complaints involving staff, patients, and visitors in accordance with the Trust policies and lead in any investigations where required to.
• Monitor the quality of care and action audit information to achieve agreed standards under the direction of the Department Manager.
• Ensure through good practice that customer care initiatives are improved and sustained. Act as a resource for advice to patients, relatives/carers and staff.
• To actively promote a healthy lifestyle for patients & staff in line with national strategy requirements.

Communication

• Provide support mechanisms for sharing good practice within the Department and Trust wide. 
• Maintain and promote effective communication with all members of the multi-disciplinary team and other Wards / Departments.
• To adapt communication skill to meet the needs of patients/visitors and staff who may have barriers to understanding e.g. language
• Promote the corporate image of the Trust to all individuals, groups and organisations both within the Trust and to the community at large.
• Participate fully as a team member, sharing knowledge and information and supporting colleagues, including support staff to promote a cohesive ward team and the achievement of team objectives
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of a positive learning environment for colleagues, patients, and visitors.
• To ensure self-development through own completion of Trust and specialist competencies as per the Trust educational policies, update through reading and contributing to update policies, procedures, guidelines and seeking advancement of clinical and knowledge.

 Policy development

• Lead on delegated quality improvement projects relating to local policy development.
• To be actively involved in the development and implementation of Trust policies and procedures at department level and reinforce their use.

People management

• Identify, recruit, and retain sufficiently suitably skilled staff to deliver the in-patient care.
• Management of staff attendance, poor performance, disciplinary and grievance issues of the in-patient team.
• Ensure that all staff provides high quality services, patient centred care always maintaining patient confidentiality.
• Identify, plan and deliver training, education, assessment and support for all in-patient clinical staff, ensuring they are competent to provide care.
• Actively manage own and clinical teams annual leave in line with Trust and local Policy and Procedure and as delegated help others to do the same.
• Participate in the Trust Appraisal and Personal Development Plan schemes by meeting with the manager at least annually which includes feedback from a selection of internal staff and team members; and undertaking staff appraisals.
• Actively deputise for the Department Manager at meetings, workshops, visits etc. 

Service development

• To participate in staff education and development, including orientation and supervision and act as a resource for learners and the nursing team and the multi-professional teams.
• Maintain, update, and develop personal and professional knowledge and skills, using the Trust’s Performance Review System, enabling standards of patient care to be constantly monitored and improved.
• To participate in the business planning process, helping to identify areas for service development.
• Design and undertake audit and implement research and quality audit cycles specific to the area.

Resource management 

• Assist the department manager in the effective and efficient use of resources by adhering to the procedures for the use of supplies
• Ensure appropriate activation of Bank and Agency staff when permanent staff are unavailable. Have an awareness of budget management and budget setting.
• Ensure appropriate staffing levels and skill mix are scheduled to reflect the workload and meet the needs of the patient.
• To be a role model to other staff in adopting a flexible approach to personal duty rostering to ensure the needs of the service are met.

Information management

• Identify areas where local audit is needed, conduct the audit and analyse the data ensuring targets are met.
• Arranges for the collection and analysis of audit and research data as required.
• To have an active and intranet and email account and adhere to the Trust’s Information Service and Information Governance Policies.
• Participate in the collection of audit and research data as required.
• Use data which will contribute to the improvement of patient care. 
• Use the Trust internet to enhance care and for professional development.
• Undertake relevant training for electronic information systems in place and under development.   

Further sections

• To ensure all team members have a voice in the development of the in-patient service to patients/customers.
• To maximise the potential of all team members.
• To ensure in conjunction with the ward/departmental managers that identified members have a meaningful appraisal/personal development plan that includes feedback to the individual from a selection of internal customers and team members.
• To provide a safe and attractive working environment for team members within available resources.
• To attend and play a major role in corporate groups as a representative of the directorate and team.
• To represent the clinical area on working groups as appropriate and at relevant conferences at regional and national level and on working groups as appropriate.

 Core behaviours for all Trust staff:

All staff will commit to:

• Act with honesty and integrity always
• Demonstrate respect for others and value diversity
• Always focus on the patient and internal and external customer
• Make an active contribution to developing the service
• Learn from and share experience and knowledge
• Keep others informed of issues of importance and relevance
• Consciously review mistakes and successes to improve performance
• Act as ambassadors for their directorate and the Trust
• Be aware of the impact of their own behaviour on others
• Be discreet and aware of issues requiring confidentiality

In addition, all managers and supervisors will:

• Value and recognise the ideas and contributions of all team members
• Coach individuals and teams to perform to the best of their ability
• Delegate work to develop individuals in their roles and realise their potential
• Give ongoing feedback on performance, and effectively manage poor performance
• Provide support and guidance to all team members
• Encourage their team to achieve work/personal life balance
• Actively listen to comments/challenges and respond constructively
• Lead by example, setting high standards
• Ensure that there are sufficient resources for their team and rebalance priorities accordingly
• Provide a safe working environment

Nurses working within the Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospital are expected to abide by the essentials of nursing care (6 C's)

• Competence: to continually develop nursing knowledge and skills
• Care: to always provide the highest quality care to all patients
• Compassion: to always treat people with kindness and respect
• Commitment: to always strive to do the best for patients
• Communication: to be always open and transparent with patients and colleagues
• Courage: to always speak out if it is in the patient's best interest