Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Specific Responsibilities
1. Clinical responsibilities: 
1.1 Responsible for the assessment the care needs of babies, children and adolescents, and develops programmes of care in relation to the needs of the child and family
1.2 Responsible for the implementation of programmes of nursing care and evaluation of their effectiveness, ensuring that the care plan provides a continuous record of progress, response to treatment, rehabilitation and nursing care
1.3 Responsible for the co-ordination of patient care throughout the 
24 hour period
1.4 Work in partnership with children and their families in order to support and encourage involvement in their care, thus supporting family centred care
1.5 Takes the lead in supporting parents, carers, siblings and other members of the child’s support network as appropriate
1.6 Responsible for, and takes the lead in setting and maintaining optimum standards of nursing care, ensuring that nursing guidelines and policies are adhered to
1.7 Co-ordinates the orientation of children and their families to the environment on Willow as part of their admission
1.8 Co-ordinates the reception, care and discharge of children and their families ensuring they receive safe and competent care during their stay
1.9 Receives with courtesy babies, their families and visitors into the ward area
1.10 Co-ordinates chaperones for children, ensuring that all babies are safely accompanied them to other wards, departments, hospitals etc.
1.11 Is aware of the spiritual, psychological and emotional needs of the child and their family and endeavours to meet these at all times
1.12 Co-ordinates the preparation of children and their families for discharge addressing any practical, emotional or psychological issues and ensuring that there are clear plans for the future care of the child
1.13 Liase with the Children’s Community Nursing Team, GP, Social Services, Health Visitor, Community Midwife or School Nurse to identify issues for children and their families on discharge
1.14 Responsible for, and co-ordinates the custody of all drugs by checking, ordering and administering them in line with Trust policy and ensuring that more junior staff are instructed in their safe handling and administration
1.15 Responsible for the location of emergency and resuscitation equipment and procedures, and co-ordinates the checking of emergency equipment each shift
2. Managerial responsibilities:
2.1 Reports to the Senior Nurse or General Manager any concerns in relation to patient care, the environment, staffing or any thing that may affect the service as a whole to children and their families
2.2 Reports any accidents or incidents involving children, relatives and staff to the Senior Nurse or General Manager. Completes statements and incident form, reporting such incidents appropriately, undertaking investigations as required
2.3 Counsels staff and implements the first stage of the Trust disciplinary procedure as appropriate, liasing with the Senior Nurse
2.4 Deals with staff grievances and complaints, referring on to the Senior Nurse or personnel as appropriate
2.5 Undertakes return to work and sickness reviews in line with Trust policy, referring on to occupational health and personnel as appropriate
2.6 Maintains accurate staff records in relation to study leave, annual leave, sickness, maternity leave, special leave and other meetings as they occur
2.7 Reports any concerns to the Senior Nurse, General Manager or doctor in relation to child protection. Liases with Named Nurse, Named doctor or other professionals as appropriate. Responsible for ensuring that all staff attend child protection training annually
2.8 Responsible for, and co-ordinates the provision of care, ensuring that there is effective communication within the ward and liaison with members of the multi disciplinary team and other services as required
2.9 Exercises leadership within the ward, and supervises and coordinates the work of the ward team 
2.10 Acts up and carries an air pager for the Senior Nurse in their absence to provide advice, expertise and management advice for Willow, Community Children’s Nursing Team, Paediatric Outpatients and child protection advice for the Trust as a whole
2.11 Undertakes duties on different wards or departments as required by service demands, within the 24hr period
2.12 Responsible for organising the off duty rotas, ensuring that there is adequate skill mix for each span of duty in order to meet the needs of all children on the ward
2.13 Arranges for property and valuables to be cared for according to Trust policy
2.14 Responsible for adequate supplies of stores, having knowledge of budgeting costs in order that all resources are used appropriately and judiciously
2.15 Responsible for ensuring that nursing staff are professionally competent in the performance of their duties, and that they receive relevant training and assessment before being asked to perform those duties
2.16 Responsible for ensuring that all staff are aware of their responsibility in the prevention and control of infection, liasing with the Senior Nurse and members of the infection control team as required
2.17 Assists in the recruitment and retention of all nursing staff, under the guidance of the Senior Nurse
3. Professional responsibilities:
3.1 Organises, gives assistance to and mentors newly appointed staff, as part of their orientation process
3.2 Acts as an effective role model to all staff, students, children and their families
3.3 Promotes and maintains a professional appearance and manner at all times in accordance with Trust policy
3.4 Promotes the Department and the Trust as a whole, in the most positive manner to the children, parents and local population at all times
3.5 Responsible for the co-ordination of accurate documentation and information systems both manually and by using the wards computer system
3.6 Maintains and promotes confidentiality at all times ensuring that 
information is only given out with appropriate permission
3.7 Responsible for co-ordinating and actively maintaining a safe environment for children and families, visitors and other staff, as required by the Health and Safety at Work Act, Health and 
Safety policy, Risk Management policy and COSHH regulations
3.8 Acknowledges and abides by the Code of Professional Conduct for Nurses and is guided by advisory documents issued by the NMC
3.9 Maintains and develops own professional practice, keeping breast of new developments and concepts, both clinical and professional
3.10 Maintains good relationships with staff organisations and voluntary bodies