NursingNetUK

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

1. Delivery of effective health care within the organisation

 

• Responsible for the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of programmes of evidence-based care to a group of patients according to changing healthcare needs and varying levels of complexity.

 

• Responsible for the allocation of patients to nursing staff and the delegation of duties and care priorities to the multi-disciplinary team in the absence of the person with continuing responsibility.

 

• Provide advice, education, support and information to patients and their relatives/ carers as required and involve patients and relatives/carers in the planning and delivery of care.

 

• Establish and maintain effective communication with patients and relatives/carers.

 

• Recognise, prioritise and respond appropriately to urgent and emergency situations.

 

• Receive reports from team members on the progress of own patients during and at the end of each shift and for all patients when in charge.

 

• Facilitate effective communication and liaison with other disciplines as necessary to meet the needs of patients especially relating to ongoing care needs and discharge arrangements.

 

• Ensure that fully accurate, complete and contemporaneous nursing records are written and maintained for each patient in accordance with agreed policy.

 

• Actively participate in the development and implementation of new ways of working, implementing research-based practice in order to promote ongoing care improvement.

 

 

2. Establishing effective leadership and communication

 

• Co-ordinate, prioritise, facilitate and monitor the delivery of care to own patients and to other patients when in charge, ensuring continuity of care.

 

• Act as a professional and clinical role model to all staff, patients, carers and the public at all times.

 

• Supervise the performance standards of own team members and, in the absence of the Ward/Unit Manager, other nursing staff within the ward.

 

• Assist with and deputise for the Ward/Unit Manager in the management and organisation of the ward.

 

• Maximise use of clinical and staff resources, implementing best practice in patient flow, admission and discharge arrangements.

 

• Promote the development of new services within the ward area and assist the Ward/Unit Manager in implementing change.

 

• Maintain efficient and effective communication with the Ward/Unit Manager, the multi-disciplinary team and the Matron on issues relating to patient care, ward management and organisation.

 

• Participate in staff recruitment and selection processes and wider recruitment and retention strategies.

 

• Act in a professional manner and ensure self and ward staff adhere to the UHL Uniform policy at all times.

 

 

3. Continuing education, professional and personal development

 

• Undertake the Trust Corporate and CMG specific induction and competency programmes appropriate to role.

 

• Ensure own compliance and compliance of others with regard to mandatory training and NMC professional re-registration requirements.

 

• Responsible for maintaining up-to-date skills, knowledge and competence, and awareness of professional issues.

 

• Undertake specialist education training as required that will allow health care to be delivered to the user through new ways of working.

 

• Act as a clinical expert and use own knowledge to develop and enhance the development, skills and competence of others.

 

• Work collaboratively with the Education and Practice Development team, Clinical Support Nurses and multi-professional teams to ensure that education and development opportunities are provided for the ward team to enable staff to be both confident and competent to perform their roles safely.

 

• Act as a clinical resource, mentor/assessor/supervisor/preceptor of learners and staff as required.

 

• Actively promote and participate in clinical supervision/mentorship or equivalent support mechanisms.

 

• Ensure that learners on placements are provided with, and encouraged to take advantage of, learning opportunities that will enable them to meet their clinical placement outcomes and objectives.

 

• In the absence of the Ward/Unit Manager ensure there is adequate support, safe mentorship and supervision of learner nurses and all staff.

 

• Accept delegated line management responsibilities of other team members actively contributing to performance review and the appraisal and personal development planning (PDP) process within the Knowledge and Skills Framework (KSF).

 

 

4. Clinical Governance, reduction of risk, audit and research

                       

• Ensure that the delivery of care to own patients and for all patients when in charge meet the standards determined by the Ward/Unit Manager and the Standards for Better Health.

 

• Share responsibility with the Ward/Unit Manager to ensure that the highest standards of infection prevention and control are practiced at all times.

 

• Contribute to the development of CMG and Trust policies, procedures and clinical guidelines and ensure compliance of self and others.

 

• Pay due regard to the importance of the effect and consequence of the ward/care environment with regard to its physical, psychological and social effects on patients and care delivery.

 

• Promote, develop and implement patient and public involvement activities in the ward area, leading to service improvement.

 

• Ensure that self and team members act at all times to provide a personalised service to patients in accordance with agreed standards and promote quality, diversity and rights.

 

• Contribute to setting, maintaining and monitoring of standards of care to the optimum level and lead the improvement of care, through benchmarking, audit and research.

 

• Ensure that self and all nursing staff practice at all times in accordance with the NMC Code of Professional Conduct, raising any concerns with the Ward/Unit Manager and action as directed.

 

• Participate in ward audits and the development and implementation of relevant action plans and implementation of changes as required.

 

• Participate in service redesign, reconfiguration projects effecting change and new ways of working.

 

 

 

 

5. Management and use of resources and information

 

• Ensure the effective and efficient use of physical and financial resources and fulfil the responsibility of an authorised signatory.

 

• Assist the accountable budget holder for the ward/department to undertake cost containment strategies as appropriate.

 

• Bring to the attention of the budget holder any concerns, ideas, or creative solutions relevant to the effective use and management of ward resources.

 

• Assist the Ward/Unit Manager with the allocation and utilisation of staff ensuring that there is maximum use of resources available to enable the delivery of highest standards of care.

 

• Assist the Ward/Unit Manager to allocate student learners to appropriately qualified mentors and assessors and ensure learning opportunities are provided and learning outcomes met.

 

• Ensure confidentiality is maintained at all times and information relating to patient/users and personnel is used only in connection with authorised duties.

 

• Use health-related information only for the purposes of what it is intended for and in accordance with the Data Protection Act.

 

6. Maintaining a safe environment and quality

 

• Monitor health, safety and security of self and others and promote best practice in the ward area.

 

• Ensure own actions assist with maintaining best practice and Standards for Better Health.

 

• Carry out duties in accordance with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1971.

 

• Move and handle patients and goods in ways that promote the health of the patient and care team and are consistent with legislation.

 

• Actively responsible for the maintenance of a clean and safe environment adhering to infection control policies, procedures and best practice.

 

• Responsible for maintaining safe and hazard-free area of work.

See Job Description for further details