Junior Sister/ Charge Nurse

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• Keep up to date with changing procedures and clinical developments and be aware of relevant research that could influence practice both elective and inpatient.
• To help implement the GIRFT elective initiatives to the ward.
• Participate in the initiation of changes in practice to improve the quality of patient care and contribute to the development/revision of clinical guidelines.
• Participate in the intra -hospital transport service of patients
• To assist in the maintenance of unit stocks and resources within agreed budgetary limits.
• To be a positive role model on the ward 

Human resources

• To organise and deploy staff according to their competence to meet patient   needs.
• To identify staff training and development needs through appraisal.
• Act as a mentor to junior staff and assist in the induction of new staff to the area both trained and untrained.
• To support and maintain the nursing team, promote good working relationships within the multi-disciplinary team and other internal and external contacts
• To attend mandatory updates in fire, CPR, manual handling, blood transfusion, medical devices and risk management.
• To attend Team meetings and generate new ideas/initiatives.
• To work with the Team leader to achieve a high morale within the team.
• To show a commitment to clinical supervision.
• To assist the Senior Sister/Charge Nurse manage staff sickness and absence

• To assist and carry out all administrative and nursing duties as delegated by the Senior Sister.
• To comply with the Trust’s fire precautions and procedures for evacuation.
• To ensure confidentiality of information regarding patients, families and friends at all times.
• To promote people’s equality, diversity and rights.

• To communicate on a regular basis with staff regarding the Trusts objectives, plans and business developments.
• To train and develop members of staff

• • The Trust recognises and accepts its responsibility to provide a safe and healthy working environment for anyone on its premises.
  • As an employee you also have a duty to take reasonable care of your own health and safety. This includes ensuring that you are aware of and follow all Trust health and safety and infection control procedures relevant to your work and participate in relevant mandatory training and annual control of infection control updates.
• You will be expected to consistently follow high standards of infection control practice and this includes hand cleansing and aseptic techniques for clinical staff. .Equal opportunitiesYou are required to comply with and maintain awareness of the Trusts policies relating to equal opportunities. 
• Maintain high standards of nursing care, ensuring that nursing objectives are achieved using a systematic approach to nursing care.
• Be responsive to the acutely ill patients' fluctuating condition/response to treatments and alter plan of care accordingly.
• Continuously utilize specialist skills to interpret changes in the patient’s condition.
• Use clinical judgment to reassess and evaluate patient response to treatment/intervention. Take appropriate action in response to this within treatment guidelines.
• Maintain appropriate level of competence and being aware of personal limitations.
• Assess, plan, deliver and evaluate individualised patient & family centered care and provide support and advice to other staff as appropriate.
• Receive patients and their relatives in accordance with recognized policies and ensure that they are kept informed of treatment and progress.

• Act as shift coordinator on a regular basis, facilitate & co-ordinate effective planning, delivery, evaluation and monitoring of standards of care carried out on the Unit for all patients, with due regard to the customs, values and spiritual beliefs of patients and their families.

• Participate in the checking and administration of prescribed drugs (including controlled drugs) and other substances in accordance with Trust policy. Demonstrate competence in administration of complex intravenous therapies and titrate doses within prescribed limits.
• Demonstrate a sound knowledge of infection control standards and promote these within the health care environment.
• Arrange the care of patient's property, in accordance with Unit policies and

     within the limitations of hospital responsibilities.

• Liaise with all members of the multi-professional team to ensure that all treatments are correctly carried out in accordance with given policy.
• Give and receive regular reports on the progress of patients, reporting immediately any changes in the patients’ condition to the the medical staff as appropriate.
• Maintain accurate records of observation, treatment and care.
• Inform and assist the Senior Sister/Charge Nurse of any untoward incidents or problems affecting patients/staff/relative and visitors.
• Inform and assist the Senior Sister/Charge Nurse of any complaint received from patients or relatives.

• Adhere to the NMC Code of Conduct and Trust policies and procedures. Be familiar with the location of current files, and maintain up-to-date knowledge of Resuscitation, Health and Safety, Fire, Infection Control, Major Incident and Risk Management procedures.
• Act as an effective role model by using professional standards relating to attitudes, appearance and conduct.
• Support the Directorate as required in staffing and clinical issues.
• Co-ordinate the requirements and take part in the transfer of patients to other departments within the Trust.
• Take part in the admission and discharge patients to the department in accordance with Trust and departmental policies.
• Maintain good liaison with other nursing units and other hospital departments.
• Be familiar with and able to trouble-shoot all regularly used complex equipment. Ensure all medical equipment is functional, reporting any faults or potential hazards and arranging for replacement as necessary.