NursingNetUK

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

1. Clinical Practice Management

To act as a Clinical Leader with continuing clinical responsibility for designated clinical areas, ensuring that services provide high quality evidence-based nursing assessment, care planning, interventions and
evaluations for patients. This will include: 
• Confidential, sensitive and comprehensive, person-centred mental health nursing assessment that includes a Risk Assessment and ICPA/SAP to people who present with mental health problems. 
• Contributing to the professional development and the clinical supervision of team members on a formal and regular basis to maintain and develop quality standards of practice in accordance with appropriate professional guidelines, Trust Policies and level of responsibility of the post. 
• Assess and monitor service provision against CQC standards (e.g. healthcare, associated infection control, health and safety, catering and food hygiene, fire safety and emergency planning) and contribute to the development of services that meet these standards. 
• Enable service users by providing accurate and appropriate information, offering choices and involving them as fully as possible in the care process. 
• To demonstrate a working knowledge of the key elements of relevant Mental Health Legislation. 
• Ensure the ordering, storage, administration and disposal of medication complies with relevant Trust and legislative guidance e.g. NMC Standards for Medicines Management 2010, Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 and MHA (1983). 
• Demonstrating knowledge, experience and competence specific to the area of practice. 
• Enabling staff to use evidence-based strategies and person-centred/psychosocial interventions in the care and treatment of people with mental health problems. 
• Leading by example, motivating and empowering others and promoting positive attitudes, mutual understanding and collaboration between all services involved in the care process. 
• To provide a source of information on how to best meet the mental health needs of service users and their carers. 
• Pursue legitimate patient concerns, resolving problems on their behalf in an efficient and effective manner. 
• Ensure that all staff have access to, and are familiar with all clinical and other policies and procedures operational within the Trust. 

2. Teaching, Education & Health Promotion

To use the Practitioner’s specialist skills, knowledge and resources to co-ordinate learning opportunities for staff within designated areas. This will include: 
• Regular provision of advice and training to staff.
• Contribute to the provision of an appropriate learning environment for pre- and post- registered students, novice practitioners, and new team members. This may include formal teaching sessions. 
• Evidence of promotion of positive attitudes towards mental health. 
• To contribute to a culture of learning within the designated clinical areas. 

3. Continuing Professional Development

To maintain and develop professional knowledge, skills and expertise to ensure that own clinical practice remains evidence based, is current and responsive to meet changing patient and NHS service needs, as 
outlined in the NHS Plan (2000). 
• Implement all legal rules, statutory regulations and professional responsibilities relating to practice outlined in the NMC's 'The Code': Standards of Conduct, Performance and Ethics for Nurses and Midwives. 
• Take responsibility for post-registration education and for continuing professional development as outlined in NMC Standards. 
• Actively participate in regular clinical supervision from an identified Senior Practitioner, as identified in Trust Clinical Supervision Policy. 
• To be aware of the need for appropriate management support and supervision from the line manager, and to maintain records of these meetings.
• To maintain Health and Safety in accordance with the Health and Safety at Work Act (1974). 
• Implement the Clinical and Personnel Policies and Procedures of AWP Trust. 
• Maintain up to date knowledge of relevant medicines, related medication management issues in line with the appropriate NMC standards and Trust policy, and ensure that staff also work within these guidelines. 
 
4. Finance and Workforce

To manage all budgets within the post holders sphere of control and make best use of available workforce resources based on agreed staffing models. 
• To agree and manage all pay and non pay budgets for area of responsibility. 
• To contribute to PLACE and environmental risk assessments on a regular basis so that best use is made of non pay/capital resources. 
• To work with the Modern Matron to monitor all SLA activity and ensure specified standards are met. 
• To manage any staffing resources in line with AWP best practice guidance 
• To contribute to the review of staffing resource and skill mix, ensuring that service provision is both safe and therapeutic. 
• Develop staff rosters in line with AWP guidance utilizing electronic rostering systems. 
• Monitor record and manage staff attendance as detailed in Trust Policy and procedure, and to take appropriate action. 
• To ensure structured appraisal systems are in place for all staff. 
• Take part in initial investigations of staff disciplinary issues. 

5. Record Keeping and Administration

To maintain standards of record keeping and associated administration in accordance with AWP Trust Policy, local joint arrangements and professional guidelines. This will include: 
• The upkeep of contemporaneous, chronological and accurate mental health records in accordance with relevant NMC Guidelines and Trust Policy, and Guidance. Ensure and evidence that staff are compliant with NMC and Trust Guidance. 
• To establish comparison groups and clinical benchmarking activity concerning documentation as outlined in “The Essence of Care”, and to work under the direction of Essence of Care lead.
• To contribute to the achievement of Controls Assurance Standards relating to Records Management within their span of control. 
• Implement Trust and Service Policies and Procedures relating to health and safety at work. 
Ensure that all staff are aware and compliant, in order to maintain safety of service users and staff within the Unit at all times.

6. Evidence-Based Nursing, Practice Development& Clinical Audit

To contribute to practice development activity and evidence-based mental health nursing. This will include: 
• Contribute to relevant practice development/research activity. 
• Take part in a regular programme of audit. 
• Input to clinical benchmarking activity as outlined in “The Essence of Care”.
• To keep up to date with national audits and research regarding people with mental health needs, specific to the post’s requirements. 
• To work within the framework of AWP and Department of Health Research Governance. 

7. Service Overview and Planning
 
To contribute to the development and planning of services specific to the post’s designated areas. This will include:
• Contribute to the planning and development of clinical services, including the review of team establishments, grade mix and skill mix, and to be actively involved in the recruitment, selection and interviewing process for all staff. 
• To have a say in clinical policy development and clinical governance functions, working collaboratively with Clinical Leads, Lead Nurses, Service Users, Carers and local Managers. 
• Work with the Modern Matron to develop effective and innovative ways of delivering integrated mental health services which reflect the principles of best value, advising them about ways of using budgets and resources that safeguard users and promote professional standards. Monitor budgets and contribute to the delivery of cost effective nursing services. 
• To ensure processes are in place that support the development of quality improvements in the nursing service, consulting with service users, their carers and service staff. 
• To provide people management function to identified staff for the designated areas, including the development and implementation of regular appraisal and performance management systems. 
Maintain accurate records. 
• To respond to the objectives outlined within the Trust’s Nursing Strategy. 
• Take part in Patient Forums and associated PPI requirements. 

8. Professional Nursing Advice
 
To provide professional nursing advice within the post-holder’s area of responsibility. This will include: 
• To be actively involved in giving professional advice relating to nursing issues. 
• Involvement in nursing disciplinary and grievance procedures and investigations. 
• To give accurate advice around nurse grading and associated appeals.