Ward Manager Betts Ward in Orpington

Main Duties and Responsibilities of the Post

• Staff Management and Supervision: Exercise strong clinical leadership to support and inspire colleagues, improve standards and quality, and develop professional practice. Be visible and accessible for all team members and other Heads of Department. Act as Team Leader within the nursing framework and work collaboratively with the multi-disciplinary team to ensure all staff development needs are maintained. Ensure adequate staffing levels and balanced cover to meet patients' needs within the financial restraints placed on the unit budget. Co-ordinate the nursing teams in providing care for the patients on the ward. Ensure that all staff have yearly job development reviews. Monitor and manage sickness absence within the team. Ensure annual leave is taken and cover is maintained. Lead in selection and recruitment of staff within each ward. Ensure safe practices are in place and act on areas of concern, e.g., Health and Safety. Ensure that staff rota covers the ward's needs in line with managing resources.
• Financial Management: Manage the ward's current budgets. Ensure that all members of the ward team consider the financial constraints imposed upon the ward during their working day. Ensure adherence to financial constraints regarding ad-hoc usage of temporary staff. Meet monthly with the service manager to discuss budgets and identify potential cost pressures/savings.
• Quality and Standards: Responsible for infection control including audits, best practice, and use of protocols within the ward environment. Responsible for ward cleanliness in association with Initial Services. Handle complaints from patients, members of the public, and staff in accordance with the Trust's Policies and Procedures. Implement policies and propose changes to practice and procedure for own area. Contribute to policy and practice changes arising from audits and complaints. Investigate complaints and prepare a structured response following the investigation of complaints or clinical incidents. Evaluate the service against national and international benchmarks characteristic of the best evidence-based practice and promote further improvements in services provided by the team. Set, monitor, audit, and lead on appropriate practice protocols and standards within the Trust's clinical governance framework. Undertake clinical audits and surveys to maintain best practice in compliance with the Trust's clinical audit programme and Essence of Care programme. Play a key role in clinical governance by providing expert advice, working to secure quality improvements, liaising with and influencing other disciplines, the wider organisation, and across organisational boundaries. Participate in clinical audit and review results that affect own area and patient care. Provide leadership in evaluating service against national benchmarks, including essence of care, National Service Framework for Older People, and the NHS plan. Deputise for Service Manager at clinical meetings.
• Training Research and Development: Ensure the maintenance of the correct educational environment for student nurses and other learners and collate yearly learning needs analysis. Participate in student assessment and liaise with educational staff where appropriate. Act as an effective role model/mentor/preceptor. Organise and participate in the orientation/induction of new staff to the ward. Lead in ward and trust teaching programmes. Act as a resource and advisor to junior colleagues in the delivery of research-based programmes of care ensuring that appropriate assessment, planning, and evaluation takes place. Initiate research within the ward environment.
• Professional Responsibilities: Maintain high standards of communication and collaboration with the multi-professional network. Ensure all nursing records and documentation are completed accurately and legibly to meet legal requirements. Maintain and develop own professional practice, keeping abreast of new developments and concepts, both clinically and professionally. Maintain and develop own knowledge on the administration of drugs and ensure a structured training programme is rolled out to all nurses working within the clinical area. Maintain own record of professional development in the form of a personal professional profile. Advise the most appropriate person of any change in circumstances which may affect patient care. Act at all times in accordance with the NMC Code of Professional Conduct. Provide a role in the Hospital Major Incident Plan. Manage the beds on a day-to-day basis.
• Communication and Working Relationships: Liaise with other care providers pre-admission and discharge ensuring the best use of ward beds and ensuring all stakeholders are aware of the ward role and dimensions. Hold and chair monthly ward meetings. Act as a co-ordinator and lead for patient, relative, and carer enquiries. Regular contact with all levels of Trust nursing staff, consultants in elderly care, older persons service, senior management team, senior managers, multi-disciplinary team members including social care and health, voluntary and independent organisations, and academic institutions is crucial to the success of the post. Well-developed negotiating skills are required. Communicate with clarity and confidence in a variety of situations, which may be demanding and difficult and may include barriers to understanding. Receive sensitive and complex information concerning patients' medical condition and health needs. Highly skilled persuasive and reassurance skills are necessary. Establish local, regional, and national networking influences, facilitate, persuade, and promote ongoing team development in achieving all local and emergent strategies.
• Vulnerable Adults, Children and Young People: All members of staff have a duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of vulnerable adults, children, and young people in all relevant areas of their work. This includes timely attendance at relevant training events and compliance with agency safeguarding procedures.
• Clinical Obligations: If statutory/professional registration is a requirement of this role, it must be maintained at all times. Responsibility to maintain continuous professional development to meet requirements of professional registration. Work within the boundaries of your relevant Professional Code of Conduct. Adhere to national guidelines and best practice evidence on infection control. Comply with the Trust's clinical policies and those adopted by the Trust. Participate in the Trust's clinical governance structure.
• Job and Development Review: All employees are entitled to have at least an annual job and development review with their Line Manager, which will include drawing up a personal development plan and reviewing the job description.
• Trust Identity Badges: Trust ID badges must be worn at all times while on duty.
• Major Incidents: On limited occasions, the Trust may be asked to respond to a major incident called by the emergency services. All staff will be expected to respond to a major incident if required, which may include arriving for work when asked or remaining at work until relieved.