ACHD Lead Specialist Nurse

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

•  Be a visible, accessible, credible and assertive leader to whom patients, relatives and staff can turn for assistance, advice and support.

•  Lead the ACHD Nursing team and build successful links between nursing and other professions to support and promote effective multi-disciplinary team working.

•  Lead and support the ACHD Nursing team through the process of change, demonstrating tenacity, drive, professional integrity, balance and perspective.

•  Develop the role of other team members, supporting them in gaining the appropriate competencies to achieve the required standards of care.

•  Motivate all team members and lead innovation and expertise in clinical practice by example.

• Through effective communication, disseminate information across the health care teams and CMGs.

•  Communicate and share clinical experiences and good practice within and across CMGs.

•  Resolve conflict as speedily as circumstances allow and ensure feedback and planning for the future occurs.

•  Maximise use of clinical resources, implementing best practice in patient flow, admission and discharge arrangements.

•  Act in a professional manner and ensure self and staff adhere to the UHL Uniform policy at all times.

• Practice clinically by actively participating in the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of evidence-based care for a defined caseload.

• Contribute to the continual improvement in patient care utilising national and local agendas, including Standards for Better Health and UHL Business and Strategy plans (Eight Pillars Strategy) and also peer review.

• Monitor the quality of patient care delivered to ensure that patients and users receive the highest standards of care at all times and participate in the regular audits and evaluation of patient satisfaction.

• Regularly monitor standards of clinical care and documentation, developing and implementing strategies to improve performance.

• Build effective working relationships across Directorates and other departments, referring hospitals and across Primary Care.

• Facilitate communication regarding shared experiences of care that will benefit the needs and experiences of patients and carers.

• Identify opportunities to develop new ways of working and challenge, change and expand roles, working in conjunction with the Education and Practice Development Team/s, Matrons and Head of Nursing.

• Work together with the Matron and Head of Nursing to develop auditable standards of care that actively support national benchmarking.

• Act at all times in accordance with the NMC Code of Professional Conduct associated codes of practice.

•  Proactively seek feedback on patient and public experience in order to address concerns in a timely manner and build on success.

•  Support the Matron to ensure the environment is safe, clean, comfortable and well maintained in line with patient and public expectations.

•  Take professional responsibility for liaising with leads in facilities and infection control to ensure that prompt, appropriate and relevant actions are undertaken to properly maintain a clean and healthy environment.

  3.4 To lead and actively participate in Patient and Public Involvement initiatives such as focus groups/citizens’ councils and act on recommendations as required.

•  Maintain professional and patient advocacy at all times.

•  Consult with Operational Managers, Matron and relevant others on key developments ensuring the efficient and effective management of ward resources.

• Work collaboratively with the Operational Managers and Matron to implement agreed changes in resource management and achieve efficiency targets.

•  Manage and supervise the rostering, allocation, utilisation and prioritisation of workload to ensure the maximum effectiveness for delivery of care within the Specialised team and Outpatients Department.

•  Actively engage in the Trust’s selection, recruitment and retention strategies.

•  Ensure confidentiality is maintained at all times and information relating to patient/ users and personnel is used only in connection with authorised duties.

•  Use health-related information only for the purposes of what it is intended for and in accordance with the Data Protection Act.

• Ensure that the delivery of care to all patients meet the standards set by you and the Standards for Better Health.

• Responsible for ensuring the highest standards of Infection prevention and control are practised at all times.

• Demonstrate a high level of commitment to and enthusiasm for research, evidence-based practice, audit and education in the clinical area.

• Actively contribute to reconfiguration projects, service redesign developments and CMG business planning as required.

• Be proactive in the risk assessment, management, clinical incident reporting and management of complaints.

• Ensure all staff move and handle patients and goods in ways that promote the health of the patient and care team and are consistent with legislation.

• Contribute to the development of CMG and Trust policies, procedures and clinical guidelines and ensure adherence by self and team.

• Undertake clinical and associated audits as appropriate for the given area.

• Responsible for managing staff performance and competence within area of responsibility following Trust policies and procedures and to identify and manage poor performance.

• Undertake the Trust Corporate and CMG-specific Induction and competency Programmes appropriate to role.

• Take responsibility for ensuring self and all staff comply with mandatory training and NMC professional re-registration requirements.

• Undertake specialist education training as required that will allow health care to be delivered to the user through new ways of working.

• Teach and assist others to develop professionally, reaching their full potential. Encourage professional accountability in others

•  Take responsibility for ensuring that all learners in their area are appropriately supported and competently assessed in line with NMC guidelines and other professional bodies.
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• Work collaboratively with the Education and Practice Development Team to ensure that education and development opportunities are provided for the workforce to enable staff to be both confident and competent to perform their roles safely.

• Work collaboratively with the Education and Practice Development Team to develop policy, protocols and education that will support new initiatives and quality care delivery.

please see job description/person specification for further details on the role