Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Planning and Organisational Duties

·       Manage the unit in the absence of the Unit manager in co-ordinating the activities of the Unit team and deploying resources effectively. Implements best practice in patient flow, admission and discharge arrangements.

·       Allocates staff according to patient needs, skill mix and individual learning needs of staff.

·       Reviews and adjusts staff rosters in accordance with unit/organisational requirements.

·       Ensure that effective communication is maintained both within the unit itself and with other relevant external agencies or individuals to ensure the management of the service meets the demands.

·       Organise own workload and adjust priorities in response to issues arising in the workplace.

·       Recognise and respond appropriately to issues which require urgent or immediate attention, reporting to other members of the multi-disciplinary/management team as necessary.

·       Deputise for the unit lead as requested at meetings and other events.

·       Ensure compliance with policies, procedures and clinical guidelines for self and others.

·       Provide support to organisation in maintenance of equipment to ensure quality control standards are met.

 Patient related duties

·       Perform a comprehensive assessment of the patients nursing needs, plan, implement and evaluate care delivery in accordance with their individual health care needs and varying level of complexity.

·       Ensure the accurate maintenance of records is compliant with legal, professional and organisational standards. Collect, analyse and evaluate information, report and act in accordance with unit protocols and guidelines.

·       Maintain effective communication, both written and verbal with all professional colleagues, hospital departments and other agencies.

·       Maintains good relationships through effective communication by addressing people regardless of discipline in a responsible and appropriate manner.

·       Actively encourages, in an understanding and sensitive manner, the participation of the relatives in the planning and implementation of care.

·       Work in close collaboration with members of multidisciplinary team to ensure that patient needs are met.

·       Undertakes investigative procedures in accordance with unit guidelines. Interpreting and acting upon results as appropriate.

·       Maintains safe administration of medicines, concordant with the NMC and trust policies.

·       Supervise and direct the work of more junior staff by taking responsibility in ensuring that instructions regarding on-going patient care needs are followed.

·       Recognise and respond appropriately to urgent and emergency situations.

·       Responsibility to maintain their professional accountability through the practice of safe standards in compliance with the NMC Code of Conduct.

·       Records and reports untoward incidents to the unit manager and in their absence, actively carries out steps to minimise further risk as advised.

 Communications and Key Working Relationships

·       Ensure effective communication is maintained both within the unit itself and with other relevant external agencies or individuals to ensure the management of the service meets the demands.

·       Maintain effective communication, both written and verbal with all professional colleagues, hospital departments and other agencies in co-ordinating the overall management of the patients’ needs.

·       Maintains good relationships through effective communication by addressing people regardless of discipline in a responsible and appropriate manner

 Responsibility for Finance

·       Contribute to ensuring the effective use of all resources.

·       Assist in the maintenance of the stock and equipment requisitioning within the due economy. Bring to the attention of the unit manager any potential efficiency savings or anticipated budgetary pressures.

·       Request and authorise the booking of additional staff to cover sickness/absence in agreement with the Unit Manager.

 Responsibility for Human Resources

·       In the absence of the senior nurse, manages the unit including the supervision of staff, ensuring that Trusts policies and procedures are adhered to.

·       Participates in the recruitment and selection of staff.

·       Ensure Trust policies and procedures are adhered to on the Unit.

·       Participate in the PDR process, undertaking the PDR of staff as required by the unit manager, identifying staffs strengths and weaknesses and to provide support and counselling as necessary.

·       Participates in the management of sickness and absence and escalates appropriately.

·       Plans, supervises and monitors staff rostering to facilitate maximum care delivery in line with Improving Working Lives initiatives.

·       Assist the Unit Manager in ensuring all newly appointed staff receive an induction to the unit and obtain mentorship as appropriate.