Radiology Lead Nurse

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Leadership and Communication:

•    Act as an exemplary role model at all times line with the codes of conduct set out by the Trust and relevant professional bodies. 

•    Provides management and leadership support for the department including; production of off duty and allocations, sickness management, and annual leave management. 

•    Lead departmental meetings, to ensure an awareness of developments within the area of practice, and directorate/Trust objectives. 

•    Maintain an effective communication network; written, verbal and electronic, informing senior staff of all matters outside your role/sphere of competence, cascading information to more junior staff. 

•    Liaise with other service providers to support the efficiency of the unit/area. 

•    Establish positive communications and relationships with the public. 

•    Ensure that important information relating to the patient’s physical condition or which would affect the nursing care is related to the appropriate personnel. 

•    Ensure that effective handover systems are in place to promote positive communication, including safety huddles. 

•    Lead in monitoring and promoting high standards of care, including audit of quality indicators, and devising action plans to address any deficits identified. 

•    Complete documentation on untoward incidents, produce reports as requested by line managers. 

•    Undertake and participate in DCIQ investigations, ensuring that action plans are formed and monitored. 

•    Feedback to the team findings from Executive Review Groups and complete any given actions. 

•    Assist the Matron in determining the appropriate skill mix for manpower, considering changes in clinical practice, to ensure maximum utilisation of funded establishment. 

•    Develop and enhance relationships within other areas of the Division/Trust/Outside Providers/CCG 

•    Demonstrate a pleasant and approachable manner and help create and promote a good working relationship. 

•    Show professional and courteous manner whilst practicing excellent communication skills at all levels

•    To show respect for members of the team and endorse the ward philosophy of giving mutual support.

•    Act as a clinical role model for new staff, reflecting the philosophy, beliefs and standards of the department.

Patient Care:

•    Develop the departmental philosophy and models of care to ensure that all policies and procedures are implemented and to lead on the development of Radiology nursing / ODP practice.

•    Demonstrate specialist advanced clinical skills in all aspects of Radiology care.

•    Provide clinical support and advice to Nursing and Medical staff on an individual or group basis.

•    To assess the effectiveness of current practices within the department and introduce innovations that lead to improved quality of care.

•    Monitor and develop the radiology nurse /ODP practitioner schedule particularly in respect to skill mix to provide safe effective staffing levels.

•    Communicate information to patients/carers/relatives regarding treatment plans and care decisions.

•    To provide expert guidance and supervision aiding problem solving and clinical decision making both within and outside the trust.

•    Communicating, influencing and working with the multidisciplinary team to promote excellent care and informed clinical decisions.

•    Ensuring that accurate and timely radiology records are maintained, monitoring standards and taking corrective action as appropriate.

•    To continually review the setting of staffing levels/skill mix in accordance with the changing needs of the service and informing the IPU Matron and Radiology Manager of any problems that may arise.

•    To be proactive in the prevention and management of complaints and when they do occur to investigate and respond in accordance with The Christie NHS FT.

•    To lead and motivate the team by giving clear direction and setting achievable objectives. 

•    Have expert knowledge and be able to advise and support nursing/ ODP staff within trust & externally regarding emergency admissions and associated issues

•    Liaise closely with the medical team and other members of the MDT in respect of patient care, promoting the highest standard of care

•    Represent the department at the Band 7 forum.

•    To highlight areas of improvement/development within the department and undertake relevant projects.

•    Keep abreast of issues influencing the Trust both internally and externally and  ensure senior colleagues and the team have a good understanding of the same.

•    Participate in policy writing for the unit and Trust.

•    Be fully aware of the divisional objectives and the Trust’s corporate plan

•    Deliver excellent standards of clinical practice to all patients and support colleagues to deliver the best possible outcomes and experience. 

•    Act as patient’s advocate in promoting, and delivering the highest standard of radiology nursing care, ensuring all fundamentals of care are addressed, and current, relevant policies and procedures are adhered to. 

•    Using evidence-based practice, assess patients' physical, psychological and spiritual needs, create care plans, implement and evaluate nursing care involving patients and carers, as appropriate. 

•    Undertakes and records full initial assessment at earliest opportunity. 

•    Performs radiology patient care and enhanced clinical skills to a high-quality standard. 

•    Has achieved and maintained core and specific competencies. 

•    Monitor patients’ condition and report observations to relevant health professionals, carrying out nursing interventions as needed. 

•     Is responsible for safe and timely administration and storage of oral and IV medications on the unit.

•    Keep patients and carers informed, when appropriate, maintaining patient confidentiality. 

•    Report any equipment faults appropriately. 

•    Collaborate with other service providers in ensuring the highest possible standards of cleanliness and nutrition are achieved.

•    Supports staff to work towards criteria discharge planning. 

•    Have expert knowledge and be able to advise and support nursing staff within trust & externally regarding emergency admissions and associated issues

•    Liaise closely with the medical team and other members of the MDT in respect of patient care promoting the highest standard of care.

Planning and Organisation:

•    Maximise the use of manpower and resources and promote new ways of working. 

•    Ensure effective staff rostering at all times, when there are gaps in provision ensure timely escalation in line with the trusts rostering policy. 

•    Allocate duties to staff in accordance with their individual levels of competence. 

•    Ensure that IPU radiology nursing / ODP team has appropriate representation at specific forums, i.e. band 7 forum, link nurses forums and that information is effectively fed back through the department.

Workforce:

•    Lead and co-ordinate staff development and performance and act as a preceptor for new staff. 

•    Undertake return to work interviews in line with trust policy and ensure staffs are supported with sickness and absence. In addition, ensure staff are escalated through the appropriate stages as part of sickness and absence management. 

•    Undertake appraisals of staff, development of Personal Development Plans, objective setting and evaluation. 

•    Complete all mandatory training and reviews as local policy. 

•    Continually develop own knowledge and skills by keeping up to date with training and education and evaluating and reflecting on practice. 

•    Monitor staff progress and when necessary, lead a process of capability assessment in conjunction with HR. 

•    Contribute to the development of the service and ensure work collaboratively and effectively and possess the relevant clinical skills and knowledge. 

•    Act as Mentor/Assessor for all learners, junior staff 

•    Exercise effective leadership using sound organisation skills and judgement, upholding equality and diversity of colleagues and patients.

•    Be actively involved in appropriate groups and working parties to develop both professionally and individually and to meet service needs.

CLINICAL GOVERNANCE, AUDIT, RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

•    Work within trust guidelines, policies and standard operating procedures.

•    Utilise incident reporting system and participate in investigation of incidents. Ensure compliance with untoward incident reporting & near misses. 

•    Contribute to and lead on disciplinary investigations where relevant.

•    Lead on departmental audits.

•    Participate in the education of pre and post registered nurses and medical staff, i.e. facilitating students via spoke placements.  Providing education on medical devices and its use.

•    Participate in addressing specific health targets related to own area of practice through education. E.g. Reduction in the rate of complications arising from conscious sedation.
 
•    Ensure compliance with policies, procedures and clinical guidelines for self and others participate in the development of the same 

•    Continually monitor standards of care and participate in leading the improvement of care, through benchmarking, audit and research.

•    Support patient and public involvement activities in the IPU radiology area as appropriate, leading to service improvement. 

•    Promote people’s equality, diversity and rights. Assist IPU Matron in the effective use and monitoring the quality of supplies / equipment.

•    Comply with, and contribute to, quality standards and guidelines, and take part in clinical governance and research and development initiatives.

Please see attached job description for further role details.