Senior Sister / Charge Nurse | Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust in London

The Senior Sister/Charge Nurse is expected to support and lead staff to ensure high quality care is delivered to those attending the Paediatric Emergency Department. This role carries the continuing responsibility for the management of the department, as delegated by the Matron Lead, together with the provision of a 24 hour expert paediatric emergency nurse service. The role includes working closely and effectively with the multi-disciplinary team in the management of the Emergency Department. This includes the support and leadership provided to nursing and support staff within the Emergency Department and Urgent Care Centre. The role also includes the continuing responsibility for the effective delivery of the philosophy, policies, and standards of care and morale of the department in line with the Trust values – Excellence, Respect, Kindness and Safety. The post holder will aim to ensure that all patients are provided with a safe and high quality standard of care. They will be aware of the Care Quality Commission standards and support the multi-disciplinary team ensuring that they are maintained. The post holder also has clinical, teaching, managerial, and staff development responsibilities.

The Senior Sister/Charge Nurse will be responsible for:

• The assessment of care needs and the development, implementation and evaluation of programmes of care as part of the multi-disciplinary team from admission to discharge using research based practice.
• The delivery of care in accordance with the regulatory body’s code of practice and the Trust’s and ED policies and protocols.
• Ensuring safeguarding concerns are escalated and acted upon promptly and appropriately.
• Participation with Quality Improvement; auditing effectiveness and incorporating findings into practice.
• Participation in the Trust’s achievement of quality and financial targets, locally and nationally driven.

Key working relationships:

• Emergency Consultants
• Emergency services Personnel
• ED Matron
• Clinical Site Managers
• Divisional Director of Operations
• Directorate Sisters and Charge nurses
• Medical team
• OT/Physio
• Psych liaison team
• Paediatrics team
• Support team
• Admin and Reception
• UCC

Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of England's top-performing and safest trusts. We operate two main acute hospital sites—Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and West Middlesex University Hospital—along with award-winning clinics across North West London. Our nearly 7,500 staff care for a diverse population of 1.5 million, providing full clinical services, including maternity, A&E, and children’s services, plus specialist HIV and sexual health clinics. The Care Quality Commission rates us 'Good' in safety, effectiveness, care, and responsiveness, and 'Outstanding' in leadership and resource use. We continually invest in our facilities, including a £30m expansion of critical care at Chelsea and Westminster and an £80m Ambulatory Diagnostic Centre at West Middlesex. We welcome applications for flexible working arrangements, accommodating requests where possible to support our staff and patient needs. The Trust is committed to equality and welcomes applications from all, regardless of background. Adjustments can be made for disabled candidates. Early application is advised as vacancies may close once sufficient applications are received. If you haven’t heard from us within three weeks of the closing date, your application was likely unsuccessful. Employment is subject to a six-month probationary period.

Clinical/ Professional Responsibilities:

• To demonstrate clinical expertise in practice, acting as a role model to the team.
• To maintain a clinical knowledge base and practice advanced accident and emergency skills.
• To supervise others in the delivery of these skills.
• To manage and co-ordinate the clinical area on a regular basis, participating in direct patient care and supervision of junior staff.
• To initiate care and treatment for all patients on an individual basis assessing care needs, planning, implementing and evaluating programmes of care using researched-based practice and agreed nursing models.
• To be responsible for the assessment of patient care needs and the development, implementation and evaluation of plans of care, setting standards and ensuring high standards of evidence based are implemented.
• To ensure that nursing documentation is maintained to a high standard.
• To be a competent user of and participate in the ongoing development of the Electronic Patient Record.
• To be responsible for setting, implementing and monitoring acceptable standards of care for patients within the unit in conjunction with the other members of the multi-disciplinary team.
• To work in close liaison with other members of the multi-disciplinary team communicating relevant information to families, ensuring the right to confidentiality of the patient and making sure that the information is realistic and up to date.
• To participate in quality and audit initiatives within the department.
• 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.
• To ensure that all patients who use the emergency department service do so in a timely manner ensuring equality, privacy and dignity needs are met.
• To challenge practice so that the best and most appropriate treatment is given to the patient.

Managerial:

• To manage the department in the absence of the senior staff or as part of a planned development demonstrating effective time management and leadership skills.
• To work with the multi-disciplinary team to proactively identify areas for improving nursing practice and service delivery.
• To ensure the safe custody, maintenance and administration of drugs in accordance with Law and established Trust procedure.
• To work with the multi-disciplinary team to ensure key performance clinical indicators for the Emergency Department are achieved.
• To be responsible for the efficient management, storage and use of all stock including equipment in conjunction with the NIC.
• To support the Matrons to monitor and implement the performance targets for the department.
• To ensure awareness and manage aspects of clinical governance including escalation, report writing, presenting to panels and implementing recommendations at a local level with the support of the senior sisters.
• To know responsibilities within policies pertaining to Major Incident, CBRNE and other emergency bleep responses.
• To actively participate in the selection, recruitment and induction of new nursing and HCA staff.

Education:

• Responsible for establishing and maintaining links with the Practice Development Nurses.
• Act as a mentor and work with others to develop their ability to undertake their role.
• To identify training needs for the nursing team and ensure relevant training and or study days are provided.
• To actively participate in supervision, and support of students in pre-registration practice.
• Responsible for facilitating staff appraisals and supporting the achievement of PDP objectives, in line with the Trust appraisal system and with the Trust values.

Professional responsibilities:

• To act within the Nursing and Midwifery Council Code of Conduct.
• To undertake further educational qualifications and training in order to increase professional knowledge and remain updated.
• To be aware of local and national policies in relation to Emergency care.
• To be aware of and operate within hospital policies and procedures regarding complaints, fire & major incidents etc.
• To critically reflect on own performance through clinical supervision and to participate in own Appraisal, developing and actioning a Personal Development.

This job description may be subject to change according to the varying needs of the service. Such changes will be made after discussion between the post holder and his/her manager. All duties must be carried out under supervision or within Trust policy and procedure. You must never undertake any duties that are outside your area of skill or knowledge level. If you are unsure you must seek clarification from a more senior member of staff.