Senior Staff Nurse

Staff development, training and mentorship

·         Undertake induction and competency programmes appropriate to the role.

·         Undertake specialist education training as required that will allow paediatric care to be delivered through new ways of working

·         Act as a clinical expert and use own knowledge to develop and enhance the development, skills and competence of others.

·         Work collaboratively with the practice development team to ensure that education and development opportunities are provided for the ward team to enable staff to be both confident and competent to perform their roles safely.

·         Act as a clinical resource, mentor/assessor/supervisor/preceptor of learners and staff as required.

·         Actively promote and participate in clinical supervision/mentorship or equivalent support mechanisms.

·         Ensure that learners are provided with and encouraged to take advantage of learning outcomes that will enable them to meet their clinical placement outcomes and objectives.

·         In the absence of the ward manager ensure there is adequate support, safe mentorship and supervision of learner nurses and all staff.

·         Accept delegated line management responsibilities of other team members actively contributing to performance review and the appraisal and personal development planning process within the knowledge and skills framework.

·         Ensure that self and all nursing staff practice at all times in accordance with the NMC code of professional practice, raising any concerns with the ward manager and action as directed.

Improving patient and visitor experiences

·         Promote, develop and implement patient and public involvement activities in the ward, leading to service improvement.

·         Ensure that self and team members act at all times to provide a personalised service to patients in accordance with agreed standards and promote quality, diversity and rights.

·         Identify child protection issues, which affect the child’s right as an individual.

 Using audit, evaluation and research

·         Ensure the delivery of care to own patients and for all patients when in charge meets the standards determined by the ward manager and the standards for better health.

·         Share responsibility with the ward manager to ensure the highest standards of infection prevention and control are practiced at all times.

·         Contribute to the development of Trust and directorate policies, procedures, standards and guidelines and ensure compliance of self and others.

·         Take regard to the importance of the effect and consequence of the unit care environment with regard to its physical, psychological and social effects on patient care and delivery.

·         Participate in ward audits and the development and implementation of relevant action plans and implementation of changes as required.

·         Participate in service redesign, reconfiguration projects effecting change and new ways of working.

Management and Teamwork

·         To promote effective communication channels both within the ward /department

/directorate and Trust.

·         Continued responsibility for providing professional leadership to the team. Co- ordinate and develop team activities to ensure the delivery of a cost effective, efficient and quality service.

·         Keep the Ward Manager informed of all the relevant issues affecting patient care

e.g. risk, resources, staffing levels, skills and equipment needs.

·         Be aware of budgetary responsibilities and limitations; ensure resources are used effectively, assisting in managing resources within directorate budget.

·         To be responsible for the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of programmes of evidence based care to a group of children according to changing health needs and varying levels of complexity.

·         Responsible for the allocation of children to nursing staff and the delegation of duties and care priorities to the multidisciplinary team in the absence of a ward manager who has 24 hour responsibility.

·         Provide advice, education, support and information to parents/carers as required and involve parents/carers and the child’s family in the planning and delivery of care.