Junior Sister Dermatology

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Professional
To act in accordance with the NMC Code for Nurses and Midwives and to be accountable for own clinical practice and professional actions at all times.

Regularly take charge of the department in the absence of the Dermatology Nurse Specialist.

To demonstrate professional development in the field of Dermatology.

To deputise for the Dermatology Nurse Specialist at internal and external meetings relevant to the speciality.

To maintain own skills and knowledge and demonstrate clinical excellence and high standards of practice to other staff.

Ensure that agreed nursing procedures are known and followed

Maintain profession portfolio and responsibility for own professional development. 

Clinical
Provide clinical nursing expertise and supervision of all grades of staff within the department, to ensure a high standard of care.

Supervise the assessing, planning, implementation and evaluation of patient care, thus providing high standards of patient care at all times.

Ensure that the care given reflects the hospital and departmental philosophies, standards and protocols.

Act as an effective role model and resource/adviser to colleagues, in the delivery of nursing care.

Ensure that nursing practice reflects current clinical developments and is based on sound evidence.

Promote a healthy positive and safe environment for patients and staff.

Advise patients, relatives and friends as appropriate on the promotion of health and prevention of illness.

Meet clinical objectives as agreed separately with Dermatology Nurse Specialist.

Actively participate in the assessment and management of patients with skin conditions, acute and chronic wounds and minor surgical wounds. Provide support for patients, parents and/or carers throughout their management.

Actively participate in specialist dermatology clinics as determined by service need.

Provide education and information to the patients and carers about their skin condition and treatments, promoting and encouraging self-care where appropriate.

Able to travel and conduct nurse led dermatology clinics alongside Consultants and GPwSI in a variety of settings, including hospital and community settings within the county.

Actively participate with paediatric clinics and able to deal with both children and their 
parents/carers.

Management
Assist the Dermatology Nurse Specialist in planning the staff duty rotas to meet the requirements of the

Department and patients’ needs working variable shifts as appropriate.

Assist the Dermatology Nurse Specialist in monitoring and appraising the performance of staff within their sphere of responsibility.

Be aware of the budgetary requirements within their clinical areas of nursing.

Participate in regular staff and directorate meetings.

Demonstrate leadership skills; achieve good moral, with open communication between all disciplines of staff.

Assist the Dermatology Nurse Specialist to create and maintain positive working relationships within the multidisciplinary team.

Act as a change agent to promote innovation and high standard of practice.

Help to develop methods at department level to monitor standards of care in liaison with the Dermatology Nurse Specialist

Personnel 
To Have knowledge of the Health and Safety at Work act, COSHH, Clinical Risk and the Trust policies.

Assist in ensuring that all aspects or the policies are known and followed.

Be fully conversant with emergence procedures.

Facilitate and monitor compliance of nursing staff within own team with statutory and Trust mandatory training

At all times ensure that own actions support and promote equality and the rights of patients, public and colleagues.

Display an ability tom be self-motivated, enthusiastic and to perform as a team player.

Educational
Help to facilitate a learning environment that is conducive to the acquisition of further skill and knowledge for all grades of staff.

Identify training needs for team members and help in the completion of training needs analysis for the unit to ensure all staff have the opportunity for personal and professional development.

Be aware of current nursing trends, particularly in dermatology and be responsible for developing and sustaining own knowledge and skills.

Act as role model to colleagues in the demonstration of high standards of practice by working with staff in the clinical setting.

Be actively involved in the teaching of all staff at department and directorate level and contribute to the development and implementation of the unit’s training and development strategy.

Will participate in the assessment of learner nurse and health care support nurses.