Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Management:

• Deputise and act-up for the sister / charge nurse in their absence
• Be involved in the recruitment and retention of a workforce qualified to meet the needs of the patients in that area. This may include nursing staff, support workers, administrative staff, and housekeeping staff. In liaison with the directorate human resources team and sister / charge nurse.
• Manage day to day ward staffing to ensure effective use of resources (including the prudent use of bank and agency staff)
• Lead a team of nurses, ensure that all staff in that team undergo an annual appraisal (with intervening reviews) and have a personal development plan (PDP). Report any issues of poor conduct or performance to the sister / charge nurse and assist them to manage this situation in accordance with Trust policies and procedures.
• Help the ward senior sister to maintain a safe and acceptable environment for patients, visitors, students and staff, reporting and taking appropriate action on any hazards, incidents, faulty equipment or inadequate standards of cleaning.
• Assist the senior sister to collect data and provide essential information in a timely and accurate manner as requested by the directorate and trust management teams. This could include dependency studies, manpower and a variety of audits.
• To participate in meetings and project work as identified and delegated by the senior sister or clinical nurse professional.

Clinical/Professional Role:

• To act as a role model of expert clinical practice in the speciality.
• To be a role model and effective leader.
• To provide patients care to an allocated group of patients and ensure continuity of care for the patients whom your nursing team is caring for.
• To ensure that nursing documentation is maintained to a high standard. Be a competent user of and participate in the on-going development of the Electronic Patient Record.
• To work in close liaison with other members of the multi-disciplinary team.
• To promote the development of evidenced based practice on the ward.
• To promote clinical supervision on the ward within the Trust’s strategy.
• To ensure high standards of care are given to all patients.
• Advise patients on the promotion of health and the prevention of illness.

Educational Role:

• To be aware of the educational needs of student nurses acting as a mentor and assessors. Work in close liaison with the Practice Facilitators and other educational staff.
• Assist in the orientation and development of new staff to the area, including the acting as a preceptor.
• Assist with the organisation of and participate in educational activities (eg teaching programmes) within the clinical area.

Professional Development:

• To participate in own Individual Performance Review, developing and auctioning a PSP in liaison with the sister / charge nurse.
• To attend appropriate educational programmes to develop his/her self and team in accordance with the needs of the service.
• To adhere at all times to the NMC Code of Professional Conduct and any other NMC guidelines and regulations.

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