Registered Nurse

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

A motivated, dynamic practitioner who supports the ward team in striving for improvements in care and practice   

• Works within own limits of competency provide a holistic package of care that meets the patients psychological, social and physical needs; as dictated by patient pathway and clinical condition  
• Act responsibly as a team member and seeks help whenever necessary  
• To implement relevant clinical assessment tools and risk assessments  
• To cover clinical workload and other duties in the absence of other staff of the same or lower banding  
• To be aware of safeguarding procedures, ensuring that they maintain their knowledge of the Mental Capacity Act Assessment, Deprivation of Liberty and Best Interests to ensure patients overall safety within clinical environment  

  To work effectively and communicate with the multi-disciplinary team regarding patient care notifying and escalating to them any changes in patients condition or other useful information. Contribute in effective handovers of patient care between shifts, other departments and other healthcare providers   

• To communicate effectively with patients and carers regarding all aspects of care, admission, preparation for procedure, care delivery post procedure, discharge, medications etc. Communication skills of persuasion, motivation and explanation will be needed. Barriers to communication may be physical, cognitive or cultural; i.e. poor hearing, altered perception, pain, or fear. This might be complex, sensitive or contentious information where empathy and reassurance is required  
• To maintain confidentiality at all times in relation to patients and their treatment  
• To take responsibility to ensure that Professional Registration is up to date at all times and does not lapse or expire and to inform line management immediately with any concerns or if registration lapses or expires  
• Maintain effective relationships within the trust by attending team and departmental meetings. Annual leave is requested in a timely manner in line with Trust policy  
• Sickness/ Maternity/Paternity and Special leave is notified to the department/ line manager in accordance with Trust policy  
• To complete patient documentation in a concise, accurate and timely manner in line with departmental, Trust and NMC standards  
• Informed consent to treatment is obtained and documented in accordance with Trust procedures. Keep accurate and complete records consistent with legislation policies and procedures  
• To ensure all patient data is kept secure at all times  
• Ensures Ward patient board is kept up to date with all appropriate clinical & operational information  
• Demonstrates an understanding of relevant admission & discharge pathways and the relationship with high quality, safe care  
• Promotes and prioritises appropriate operational patient flow through ward area ie timely patient admission / transfer and use of discharge lounge  
• Demonstrates knowledge of SAFER principles and application in practice eg conversion of red patient days to green  
• Demonstrates ability to lead the Ward Board Round and complete associated documentation eg updates IST sheet, completes daily task sheet and board round audit  
• Effectively communicates ward update at daily Safety Huddle and completes associated documentation  
• Communicates and escalates operational & safety risks appropriately eg Lead Nurse, Discharge team, Clinical Operational team  

Clinical and professional leadership   

• At all times act as a professional role model using appropriate language to address patients and following Trust standards in care delivery  
• To be responsible for the implementation of planned programmes of care required ensuring physical, social, psychological, cultural and spiritual needs are met: and be aware of patients exhibiting altered behaviours, whose condition may be intensified due to  investigation/ management or environment  
• To implement a plan of care which is in accordance with the patients individual care needs and the predicted date of patient discharge  
• Be able to demonstrate knowledge of how to escalate concerns in practice regarding risk, e.g. a patient with delirium who is at risk of falling  
• To be responsible for the implementation of the on-going evaluation of the effectiveness of planned care and ensure accurate and meaningful nursing/midwifery records are maintained as per NMC guidelines  
• To present a positive image of self and of the Trust by maintaining a professional attitude at all times.  
• To practice as a ‘competent’ team leader and supervise other staff as delegated  

  Education and practice development   

• To support the education of patients, carers and junior members of staff including students ensuring that any education and training delivered is evidence based and done so within the bounds of their role, responsibility and knowledge  
• Act as a mentor post mentorship training for pre-registration and post-registration students, working closely with the Learning Environment Lead to ensure student needs are met  
• Support the development of Healthcare workers and Assistant Practitioners ensuring knowledge around the accountability and responsibility of delegating to this staff group  
• Work with the team to ensure there is an effective learning environment on the ward/unit at all times  
• To identify a Personal Development Plan through annual appraisal/ performance reviews and maintain a professional portfolio in line with PREP requirements from the NMC  
• To develop appropriate clinical skills and competencies in line with job description and local requirement’s within the trust policy  

Improving Quality   

• To adhere to and maintain standards of practice in line with the ‘I Will’ campaign  
• Demonstrates a good understanding of and role models best practice standards  
• To participate in service improvement by contributing ideas for improvement to existing work procedures  
• Demonstrates an understanding of the information displayed on the ward/unit boards  
• Actively participate in Practice Improvement Facilitator roles  
• Engage with Healthwatch and feedback to ward/unit managers/matrons  
• Completing of Incident forms as necessary in line with trust policy  
• To maintain standards of cleanliness and hygiene, in line with standards for Saving Lives within the clinical environment minimising the risk of cross infection  
• Support team openness so that an evidence-based approach is utilised and applied to  

  To support a questioning culture within nursing and midwifery teams   

• Responsible for cost effective use of resources and engagement in service improvement change  

  Management   

• As role develops undertake shift management, coordinating allocation of patients and supporting and managing staff in accordance with the nurse in charge competency  
• To identify and report health and safety issues appropriately  
• Demonstrate ability to manage conflict effectively  
• Defective equipment is reported and made safe without delay in accordance to Trust procedures  
• To input ‘real time’ accurate data onto IT systems including for admission, discharge and transfer or assuring delegation of this responsibility as required  
• Act independently in maintaining a clean and safe ward/ department environment, ensuring equipment and resources are stored away appropriately and defaults are reported/actioned immediately