Senior Staff Nurse - Becket Ward

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Clinical and Patient Care

Independently manage a group of patients within the specialty whilst working as part of the multidisciplinary team, delivering individualized and personalized direct patient care

Demonstrate appropriate practice and specialist advice in the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of patient care. This includes history taking, physical examination and the requesting of agreed diagnostic procedures/clinical investigations.

Responsible for the correct administration of prescribed medication including transfusion of blood and blood products

Be responsible for assessing and recognizing emergencies in the specialty. To interpret information and take appropriate action and to lead others to do the same.

Act as an advocate for patients within the department, to ensure a patient orientated approach to the delivery of care and to meet standards within the NHS Plan and other relevant guidelines.

Ensure that patients’ receive high quality clinical care and a good patient experience, having regard for their customs, religious beliefs and doctrines.

Recognise and avoid situations that may be detrimental to the health and wellbeing of the individuals.

To provide leadership, support and guidance to staff in monitoring the planning delivery and evalua­tion of individualised care.

Is wholly accountable for his / her practice in line with the NMC code of professional conduct and takes every reasonable opportunity to sustain and improve his / her knowledge and professional competence.

Ensure safe and effective care for complex patients requiring advance clinical skills and responsible for carrying out specialist nursing procedures to area.

To be responsible, for maintaining a safe environment for patients, visitors and other staff within the clinical environment.

Ensure that sensitive patient records are stored appropriately.

Ensures the cultural and spiritual needs of patients are recognised and accommodated within resources available.

Support and enable patients and carers to make informed decisions relating to their treatment and management.

Participate in case conferences in relation to the management of patients, ensuring the coordination of ongoing care.

Ensure staff take precautions to minimise the risk of cross infection in relation to the safe disposal of body fluids (including blood).

A key member of the multidisciplinary team in supporting patients and their carers during the delivery of bad news such as caring for the terminally ill patients and the event of death.

Assess educational and information needs for patients and families, and devise plans to ensure need are met.

To be an effective communicator with patients/carers/families regarding disease treatment and management.

Promote high quality clinical care, and assist in the development of the specialist service, through the use of evidence based practice and clinical standards

Provide a seamless, high quality service from referral through to assessment, diagnosis, treatment and review.

Quality

Facilitate a high quality, cost effective specialist service through monitoring and audit and other quality initiatives agreed by the Trust

Lead on and participate in key developments relating to the specialty so that high quality patient focused services are promoted.

Enhance the interface between staff, patients, community staff and visitors

Develop and utilise information systems to aid regular audit of the clinical role and to provide a quarterly incidence report for the Health Authority and an annual activity analysis and speciality report.

Attend and participate in multi-professional team meetings.

Set, monitor and review standards of care on a regular basis and initiate corrective action plans

Identify and intervene where circumstances contribute to an unsafe environment for patients and staff. To bring instances to the attention of the Sister/Charge Nurse for the area.

Education and Leadership

Ensure that the learning environment and specialist training is appropriate for both pre and post registration learners and participate in the development of appropriate programmes

Contribute in the Trust’s clinical supervision programme for staff

Identify and raise awareness of the educational needs of patients and carers and implement appropriate education programmes

Support and participate in education and training programmes and develop training packages as required.

To assist the Sister/Charge Nurse in developing a culture that is challenging, stimulating, rewarding and supportive.

Actively participating in the selection, training, and supervision of the NVQ Clinical Support Workers and ensure that all staff are aware of the assessment process.

Assess the need for, plan and implement suitable staff development programmes for nursing staff within clinical area to ensure the effective care of all patients.

Assist the Sister/Charge nurse to ensure that all students and newly appointed staff have identified mentors/preceptors.

To act as mentor/assessor to unqualified staff and to provide education, advice and support to a team of nurses.

Ensuring within mentorship that student nurses and post-registration students allocated to the area are given appropriate teaching, support and guidance, in accordance with clinical area/personal objectives and that all documentation is complete.

Contribute and assist the Sister/Charge Nurse to foster a learning environment within the clinical area.

To participate in education on a national and international level by attending, presenting at, and/or assisting in the coordination of study days/seminars/conferences etc.

Be aware of the local equipment training programme for staff in relation to the Clinical Negligence Scheme for Trusts and maintain training records.

Research and Development

Promote and undertake nursing research updating own knowledge to promote excellence in clinical practice.

Utilise research findings in the delivery of specialist patient care, developing new ways of working and to disseminate relevant information to staff.

Participate in and be aware of other clinical research trials for patients

Participate and contribute to audit and research within the specialty in collaboration with colleagues.

Management and Leadership

Provide a leadership role model and demonstrate specialist knowledge and high standards of clinical practice and provide support or advice when necessary.

Develop the role according to patients changing needs and research findings, within the resources available.

Maintain accurate records of the clinical service and ensuring that confidentiality of information is adhered to.

Organise own work and manage own caseload and practice, identifying and maintaining supportive networks for self and other staff members.

To be fully aware of the targets set out in the NHS Plan and Corporate & Directorates objectives and in conjunction with the multi-professional team use the available resources to meet these targets.

Provide specialist education to members of the clinical team, which facilitates learning and individual personal development.

In co-ordinating the day-to-day management of the clinical area, delegates duties and care appropriately whilst maintaining overall responsibility.

Ensures that staffing and skill mix is maintained, at all times, to a level that does not compromise patient safety.

Responsible for the assessment and subsequent ordering of bank and agency staff within the clinical area including being an authorised signatory for temporary staff

To be involved in the development, assessment and implementation of guidelines, protocols and pathways.

To deputise for the Sister/Charge Nurse in their absence

Compliance and Governance

Take an active role in risk assessment, supporting implementation of strategies to minimise risk. Ensuring incidents and near misses are reported, through promoting a no blame culture.

Ensure all staff act in accordance with Local, Hospital and Statutory Guidelines & Policies including Health and Safety initiatives.

Will be familiar with the Health and Safety at Works Act, and be aware of its implications and ensure that local unit and departmental policies are followed.

Will work in accordance with Corporate Objectives and ensure that all staff are aware.

Will ensure that the Hospital’s policy is understood and carried out with regard to the care and custody of drugs/medications, especially with regard to those covered by the Control of Drugs Act.

Will be familiar with the ward’s fire, manual handling and C.O.S.H.H. policies and ensure that all nurses in the ward are aware of the policies to minimise risks to patients and staff.

Will be fully conversant with the trust major incident plan, and ensure that all nurses on the ward understand the procedure.

Take all possible precautions to safeguard the welfare and safety of staff, service users, visitors and the public, by implementing all policies related to health, safety, security and risk.

Communication

To create an environment that fosters good communication between patient and health care professionals, that meets individual’s needs.

Be an effective communicator and be a role model in liaising with the community and other members of the health care team.

Provide support mechanisms for sharing good practice within the Ward/Department and Trust wide.