Staff Nurse - PICU

Heading

Duty/Responsibility

Key Aims



To provide and develop in conjunction with the multidisciplinary team and other relevant agencies a high quality service for patients and carers that takes into account individuals’ physical, psychological, spiritual and social needs.



To develop and support a culture which values people rights, enables them to make informed choices and recognises each individual’s right to valued life-style, positive social experiences and use of valued resources.



To lead & contribute to the smooth running of the unit in a consistent way that reflects the philosophies of the unit, service & hospital.



Contribute to and ensure a therapeutic and safe environment is maintained whist on duty for patients, staff & visitors.

Management

Responsibilities



To contribute to and ensure the smooth running of the shift while on duty, supporting the shift co-ordinator and maintaining a safe environment.



To act as shift co-ordinator when allocated, providing a consistent approach to the management of the nursing team during the shift and the effective use of available resources to meet day-to-day tasks, care needs and maintaining a safe environment.



To supervise & support junior and support staff, ensuring that their practice is safe and therapeutic throughout the shift. 



To demonstrate a working knowledge and application of  all Trusts policies, procedures and protocols.



To make use of available resources efficiently, informing the ward manager of any shortfalls or recommendations.



Have good knowledge of and practice effective multidisciplinary teamwork and the role of individual team members.



Report any change in the patients' condition to the senior nurse.



Be able to report on the clinical performance of all staff to the senior nurse.



To ensure the physical environment is conducive to developing & maintaining a therapeutic environment consistent to the wellbeing of both patients & other staff.



Demonstrate a good working knowledge of the 1983 Mental Health Act and the Care Programme Approach.



To have adequate administrative skills, maintain appropriate records, adhering to the NMC and Trust guidelines on record keeping.

Clinical

Responsibilities



Assess, plan, prioritise, implement and evaluate nursing interventions to meet patient needs.



Contribute to the organisation of multi-professional, patient centred care.



Enable patients and carers to take an active role in care given.



Undertake practice sensitive to the needs of patients/clients from multi-cultural backgrounds.



Undertake comprehensive health care needs assessment of patients, re-assessing as appropriate.



Recognise the effects of prescribed drugs and drug interactions.



Planning systems of nursing activity that satisfy agreed standards at a local or at a Trust level.



Co-ordinating the multidisciplinary team for discharge planning.



Dealing personally with patients, their families and carers who make a complaint.



Monitoring the action of others to whom responsibility for patient care has been delegated.



Demonstrate adequate skills in the establishment and maintenance of effective systems of communication with all disciplines and agencies.



Enable adequate reporting takes place on all aspects of care within the ward and department.



Demonstrate the ability to communicate information to patients' relatives as agreed by the clinical team.



Demonstrate the ability to assist in the clinical review of major incidents.



Ability to contribute to service development as and when appropriate.



Demonstrate the ability to lead and/or assist with the care and responsibility of the patient.



Ability to liaise with user groups and any other voluntary organisation.



Ability to work on night duty.



Participate in the development of the Trust’s Link Nurse Framework as required.



Identify, collect and evaluate information to support clinical decision making.



Contribute to the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of standards in effective patient care.



Support the dissemination and implementation of evidence based care.



Participate in multi-disciplinary clinical audit.



Participate in the writing of shared protocols for care.

Personal and

Professional

Responsibilities



Comply with the NMC Professional Code of Conduct, relevant legislation, policies and procedures. 

•        Undertake regular review of performance with line manager to agree personal and service goals.

•        Undertake regular clinical supervision.

•        To ensure practice is updated and evidenced based. Undertake relevant training as required. Follow life- long learning principles.

•        Demonstrate and take ownership for professional growth and development using Personal Development Plan and Portfolio.

•        Supervise the professional work of other nursing staff, including nurses in training.

•        Act as a positive role model to colleagues in relation to personal and professional conduct and practice.

•        Maintain up to date knowledge of Trust procedures and policies, with effective communication to all staff.

Education

Responsibilities

•        Demonstrate adequate knowledge in rendering safe and effective nursing care.

•        Contribute to the creation of the learning environment.

•        Undertake health promotion and health education.

•        Ability to assist with the development of "on-site" teaching activities.

•        Ability to participate in all appropriate training events.

Health and Safety Responsibilities

All Staff Will:

•        Take care of their own safety and others who may be affected by their actions or omissions.

•        Adhere to Partnership and Departmental Health and Safety Policies and use any equipment or personal protective equipment provided to ensure safety.

•        Co-operate with their managers to maintain safe systems and safe workplaces.

•        Report any accidents, incidents or ill health, failings in premises equipment or personal protective equipment.

•        Not interfere with any equipment provided to ensure Health and Safety.

 Not attempt to carry out tasks or repairs beyond their competence.

Mental Effort

The post holder is required to:

•        Remain alert and responsive throughout the shift maintaining prolonged levels of concentration.

•        Manage a rapidly changing environment, responding to changing need and prioritising accordingly

•        Concentrate when managing a medication round, drawing up intramuscular injections etc.

Physical Effort

The post holder is required to:

•        Frequently engage in care and responsibility restraints.

•        Respond rapidly to panic alarm systems, fire alarms or emergency calls from other areas.

•        Assist patients with mobility and all physical care where necessary, exerting ongoing moderate physical effort to push wheelchairs, support individuals when walking, or to operate hoists.

Working Conditions

The post holder is required to:

•        Walk to and from the general hospital, at all times of the day and night, and at times in inclement weather.

•        Deal with the aggressive and unpredictable behaviour of patients, frequently including sustained verbal abuse and threats.

•        Deal with the aggressive behaviour of relatives and carers.

Emotional Effort

The post holder is required to: 

•        The post holder is required to:

•        Undertake occasional exposure to tragic circumstances.

•        Frequently deal with people with severely challenging behaviour.

•        Assist in alleviating distress or episodes of verbal/physical aggression.

•        Support relatives/carers when distressed and report to the nurse in charge.

 Deal with frequent exposure to incidents on the ward to include serious untoward incidents.



