NursingNetUK

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

MAIN DUTIES

KEY FUNCTIONS

1.  As a team member and named nurse, the post holder will assist in providing individualised, co-ordinated care for all patients assigned to him/her.
2. Provides nursing care without supervision and contributes to the development and evaluation of nursing practice in the Emergency Department.
3. Effectively co-ordinates individual areas of the department (Majors/CDU/Paeds/UCC/Resus), supervising and supporting junior staff.
4. Efficiently takes charge of the department as required, supported by a competency programme and senior staff.

CLINICAL

1. To assess, plan, implement and evaluate programmes of care for a defined group of patients with a high degree of skill. Liaises with the Nurse-in-Charge to apprise them of the acuity/dependency of patients within workload.
2. To provide direct nursing care to his/her named patients, which is consistently of a high standard.
3. To take responsibility for the defined group of patients.
4. To maintain accurate and appropriate nursing documentation, and ensure communication and liaison with the multidisciplinary team and community agencies is maintained.
5. To assist, support and supervise other nurses in the team as required.
6. To contribute to the continuing development of the Emergency Department philosophy.
7. To be aware of and demonstrate care in line with evidence based practices and latest nursing research.
8. Assign patient care to team members ensuring high quality and continuity of care, taking accountability for delegation as appropriate.
9. Participate in internal rotation within the Emergency Department including night duty.

MANAGEMENT

1.  To effectively manage and supervise allocated areas within the Emergency Department.
2. Participate and maintain the effective communication of information and data between team members, Nurse-in-Charge, patients and family networks and offer appropriate support and advice.
3. Takes responsibility for an area of service within the department, ensuring service standards and improvements are achieved.
4. Ensure the implementation of Trust, local and departmental policies, procedures and guidelines and contribute to the formation of these as required.
5. Initiate and develop new ideas and changes within the Emergency Department, which encourage staff participation and result in improvements in patient care (either directly or indirectly).
6. Participates in the Emergency Department audit cycles and provides feedback to staff where required.
7. Have responsibility for appropriate and cost effective use of resources.
8. Work within the Health and Safety at Work Act, following Trust policies for reporting accidents/incidents, showing an awareness of risk management in the workplace.
9. Work at all times as part of the team, liaising closely with senior colleagues, and respond positively to feedback from preceptors/colleagues.

EDUCATION

1. Maintain a suitable learning environment for all grades of staff.
2. Assist in the planning and implementation of induction programmes for new members of staff.
3. Contribute to the learning needs of team members, student nurses and other students allocated to the Emergency Department.
4. Demonstrate a continuing process of attaining education, research, clinical and leadership skills.
5. Participate in, and utilise the Trust’s clinical supervision and annual appraisal processes.
6. Demonstrate a continuing awareness of groups of people who have differing needs, e.g. children and their families, older people and ethnic groups.

PROFESSIONAL

1. Observe the NMC Code of Professional Conduct for nurses, Midwives and Health Visitors at all times.
2. Be responsible for maintaining an up-to-date registration on the NMC register.
3. Maintain a professional portfolio which will meet the requirements of NMC revalidation.
4. Always work in such a manner that protects colleagues, patients and visitors from any hazards (which involves recognising and reporting such hazards should they arise).

This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of responsibilities but rather a framework within which the post holder will be given the flexibility to define the detail in conjunction with the Senior Nurse for Practice Development and other senior members of the Nursing Team.

PERSONAL CONDUCT

All staff within the Integrated Clinical Service Unit are expected to treat other members of hospital staff with courtesy and respect. The hospitals rules and policies including the disciplinary procedure apply to all staff without exception.

Senior Staff Nurses are expected to plan their annual leave well in advance so that their absence is not detrimental to the service.

Senior Staff Nurses are expected to be exemplary role models within the organisation, adhering to uniform & dress code at all times.

For more information regarding the main responsibilities of the role, please refer to the attached Job Description.