NursingNetUK

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

CLINICAL/MANAGERIAL

1. 1. To support the Ward Manager in providing clinical advice, expertise and leadership to all Ward Staff.

2. 2. To take a key role in ensuring Service Users’ care plans are developed to meet the assessed needs of the individual. To monitor the care plans developed for Service Users, where necessary to supervise and train others to carry out and deliver planned care
3. 3. To ensure a seamless approach by liaising with other professionals as required.

4. 4. To liaise appropriately with family members, carers and significant others with regards to the assessment of Service User To refer to the service manager as necessary. To support the Ward Manager in addressing  and  resolving  concerns  by  Service  Users  and  Carers  sensitively  and promptly.

5. 5. To assist the Ward Manager monitor and work with the ward team to ensure that Service User risk is assessed and managed appropriately, and that risk management plans are of a high standard
6. 6. To direct and supervise ward staff, in order to ensure delivery of a high standard of care to Service Users
7. 7. To assist the Ward Manager in identified clinical audit projects and setting standards for care based on sound research findings. Ensure that the ward team maintains standards. Assist the ward manager/ service manager in the implementation of change arising from new finding
8. 8. To co-ordinate the systematic monitoring and evaluation of Service Users and ward environment
9. 9. To use verbal and non-verbal communication skills gained through training and experience to impart sensitive information e.g. diagnosis or symptoms to Service Users and their families. To offer support to other staff to do this.
10. 10. To support the Ward Manager in ensuring that the ward resources are managed appropriately to maximise care and efficient work patterns. This will include tasks such as producing rotas, management of sickness and absence, annual leave and extra resources, keeping  the  service manager informed at all times
11. 11. To use skills gained through experience to communicate with members of your team in the implementation of change and in the interest of good, cohesive team working
12. 12. To check understanding of information where there are often barriers to effective communications due to distress of psychiatric symptoms in Service Users, or where there is resistance in staff. This may include situations where English is not the first language
13. 13. To use skills gained through experience to give and receive information (adhering to Caldicott guidelines) to other individuals with regards to a Service User’s care in reviews and multi -disciplinary meeting These individuals may be external to the Trust
14. 14. To have an in-depth knowledge of the Mental Health Act 1983. To support staff involved in the application of the Mental Health Act 1983, ensuring that they are aware of and fulfilling their dutie Ensure that Service Users are aware of their rights under the Mental Health Act 1983 and that they are exercised appropriately
15. 15. To liaise with other professionals offering a service within the ward to ensure a high quality of service delivery
16. 16. To provide  and  monitor  a  range  of  therapeutic  activities for  Service  Users  by  appropriate guidance and supervision of the ward team
17. 17. To ensure that all relevant information with regards to a Service User’s care and treatment is documented accurately and legibly into the health record. Supervise and monitor the entries made by junior team members, through performance management and audit
18. 18. To lead the provision of teaching sessions in order to pass on knowledge and skil
19. 19. To assist the Ward Manager in the implementation of change or new systems within the area
20. 20. To use skills gained through experience to assess and monitor the physical/mental health of Service Users, seeking an opinion from other professionals, where appropriate
21. 21. To use skills gained through training and experience to de-escalate situations where Service Users become physically or verbally aggressive
22. 22. To use skills gained through experience to deal with team members who become angry, hostile or distressed
23. 23. To ensure that team members get appropriate support following violent incidents and liaise with the Ward Manager to ensure any identified actions arising from such incidents are implemente
24. 24. To ensure that all incidents or near misses are documented as per Trust policy and that any follow-up action is taken
25. 25. To lead Service User reviews ensuring that the team has all the relevant information on which to base their clinical decisio
26. 26. To co-ordinate the team in order to ensure that medical or psychiatric emergencies are acted on promptly and appropriate
27. 27. To provide nursing reports both in written and verbal formats, as requested e.g. for a Service User Mental Health Act appeal
28. 28. To support and assist the ward team develop care plans that enable Service Users to reach and maintain their optimum level of health and independence
29. 29. To ensure the safe administration of medication to Service Users, ensuring that the Nursing and Midwifery Council regulations are followed.

30. 30. To take part in the implementation of the Trust’s PDP process for all staff in the ward team
31. 31. To act as a mentor to junior staff and students
32. 32. To support the Ward Manager to provide reports and statistical returns to a variety of Trust departments and approved external audit agencies as requested
33. 33. To assist the Ward Manager tackle any unsatisfactory performance promptly and constructive
34. 34. To participate in the investigation process regarding the disciplinary procedure and Service User/Care complaints.

PROFESSIONAL

1. 1. To be  responsible  for  maintaining  your  own  Nursing  and  Midwifery  Council  registration, revalidation and PREP requirements

2. 2. To develop effective working relationships with other professionals outside of the Trust in order to enhance the delivery of care to Service User

3. 3. To participate, as a supervisor and supervisee, in the Directorate’s performance management/supervision framewor Work towards and help others work towards goals and objectives, as agreed in Personal Development Plans.

4. 4. To take responsibility for maintaining and developing your knowledge and skills within your area of wor

5. 5. To attend, as appropriate, courses and conferences which will provide information for new developments within the field of Peoples’ Mental Health and to feedback and share knowledge gained from attendance.

6. 6. To be professionally accountable for your actions as a registered nurse.

7. 7. To act, at all times, in accordance with Trust policies and procedures, ensuring that all team members are adhering to policy and procedure.

8. 8. To undertake mandatory training as stipulated by the Trust and ensure that all actions are in line with training. To monitor that all team members take up mandatory training annuall

9. 9. To keep up to date with developments in nursing practice and make recommendations for change to the ward manager / service manager as appropriate.

10. 10. To co-ordinate projects to look at specific nursing practices and ensure findings are implemented within the team.

11. 11. To take an active role in the reporting of adverse incidents as per Trust poli Ensure tha t team members follow the policy and appropriately report all incidents.

12. 12. To seek advice and further training, if appropriate, before carrying out any duty you are unsure of.

13. 13. To organise the local induction of new staff.

14. 14. To support junior staff nurses participate in the preceptorship process, including ensuring they all have mentors and supporting them in fulfilling any actions plans agreed with their mentor `

ORGANISATIONAL

1. 1. To liaise with other Ward Managers in the absence of own Ward Manag er to maximise the use of resources to meet unplanned clinical need, e.g. temporarily redeploying staff to/from own Ward.

2. 2. To adhere to the Trusts rights based approach taking into account service user choice.

3. 3. To assist in and participate in the recruitment and retention of ward staff.

4. 4. To identify to the Ward Manager any problems or concerns that may affect/disrupt the provision of service and to contribute to supporting any agreed action

5. 5. To take reasonable care for the health and safety of yourself and any others that may be affected by your acts and omissions at wor

6. 6. To ensure that you are familiar with the terms and conditions of your post.

7. 7. To support the Ward Manager in identifying, reporting and managing environmental risk and ensuring appropriate action is taken to maintain a safe environment.

OTHER

1. 1. To maintain and promote with other staff, service user confidentiality at all times both on and off duty.

2. 2. To ensure that work is conducted in accordance with the Trust’s Equality and Diversity Strategy and contribute to its development.

3. 3. To deal sensitively with Service Users who have a high level of anxiety or aggression due to their mental health problem

4. 4. To maintain appropriate professional boundaries with service users at all times both on and off duty.

5. 5. The post holder will be expected to use their judgement/flexibility about their working hours in order to meet service needs and ensure that staff working outside hours receive appropriate supervision.

6. 6. In exceptional circumstances, to co-operate with reasonable requests from more senior staff to vary your area of work to meet unplanned clinical need.