Neonatal Nurse

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Clinical Duties

Promote a baby focused, family centred ward environment at all times.

Promote family involvement in care planning, ensuring parents and carers are kept informed of treatment and progress, together with any necessary family education.

Sound knowledge of local & national Child Protection procedures.

Provide clinical leadership for ward teams in order to facilitate a high standard of evidence based individualised nursing care from admission to discharge.

Provide clinical leadership for the care of high dependency and Intensive care babies during the acute phase and when stabilised.

Liaise with other Neonatal centres and Community teams to provide effective shared care as required.

Act as a resource providing clinical information for other areas, throughout the organisation where children are treated.

Act as advocate for all inpatient babies and ward attenders.

Act as key worker as required to provide specific expertise & leadership in identified areas.

Provide telephone advice for parents requesting information and support.

Management & Leadership

Contribute to the planning, monitoring and control of Ward resources, assisting the Ward Manager to keep expenditure within budgets.

Assist the Ward Manager to optimize nursing resources by even distribution of staff annual leave and matching skill mix to workload.

Provide information and advice for action towards achieving Organisational objectives.

Attend Ward, Divisional and Corporate meetings on behalf of Ward Manager, as required, in order to disseminate information up and down the Divisional line management structure.

Assist the Ward Manager to collect and organise ward information for incorporation into the divisional service plan.

Contribute to the recruitment and selection of quality staff for the Ward, identifying future job requirements for profiling to complement the Ward teams.

Contribute to the planning, organisation and evaluation of work, ensuring excellent induction of new staff including effective Preceptorship for newly qualified nurses, nurses new to the area, and mentorship for student nurses on Ward placement.

Create, maintain and enhance productive working relationships within and outside the Ward, by minimising unproductive conflicts and promoting positive team working. Inform the ward manager of unresolved and potential problems.

Manage all Neonatal bed related issues, liaising with the Maternity department, and other Neonatal units as necessary.

Knowledge of current NHS priorities.

Education & Development

Attend annual IPR and complete a personal development plan, with agreed learning objectives.

Responsible for own personal and professional development and assist the Ward manager in the development of junior staff as required.

Attend relevant internal and external training days in accordance with ward training plan.

Contribute to the development of teams, individuals and self to enhance performance.

Facilitate staff development to achieve ward objectives using the principles of IPR and PDP. Monitor staff performance and report progress to the Ward Manager at regular intervals.

Knowledge of current health care related developments, ensuring that nursing practice is up to date, evidence based and cost effective.

Clinical Governance

Ensure National and Safeguarding Children guidelines are adhered to at all times.

Investigate complaints and untoward incidents in accordance with Trust policies and procedures. Provide accurate, timely and professional statements. Support the Ward Manager in improving systems to prevent recurrence.

Undertake audits as required to facilitate the maintenance and improvement of patient care.

Review the standard of Ward nursing documentation at regular intervals.

Review Neonatal policies and procedures at regular intervals, ensuring they are evidence based.

Maintain services to meet contract and quality standards, take corrective actions and inform the ward manager of unresolved problems.

Ensure staff compliance of Trust policies and procedures. Undertaking counseling as appropriate and report difficult cases to the Ward Manager for further action.

Responsible for own professional registration and assist the Ward Manager in ensuring that all qualified nurses have valid NMC Registration and practice in accordance with the NMC code of professional conduct, and in addition have enhanced DBS clearance.

Ensure Health and Safety guidelines are adhered to within the ward environment at all times.