Ward Manager Rainsford Mowlem Discharge Ready Unit

Roles and Responsibilities

• Management: To be responsible for the provision of nursing care on the ward 24 hours a day. Overall responsibility of the area, including admissions using agreed criteria.
• To identify and move suitable medically fit patients for the Discharge Ready Unit (DRU) to optimise patient flow and reduce length of stay on acute wards.
• To assist in updating the Standard Operating Procedure for DRU patients and provide an environment for holistic patient assessment, care planning, and support.
• Recruit and retain a qualified workforce, including nursing staff, support workers, administrative staff, and housekeeping staff.
• Manage ward staffing day-to-day, ensuring effective use of resources, including duty rotas, annual and study leave, bank and agency usage.
• Ensure all staff undergo an annual performance development review and have a personal development plan (PDP).
• Identify and investigate issues of conduct, discipline, and performance within the team, in accordance with trust policies and procedures.
• Maintain the area budget (pay and non-pay) within the agreed budget and report any deviations.
• Maintain a safe environment for patients, visitors, students, and staff, reporting and taking action on hazards, incidents, and inadequate standards of cleaning.
• Collect data and provide essential information as requested by management teams.
• Ensure safe custody and administration of drugs in accordance with Trust policies and procedures.
• Participate in meetings and project work as delegated by Matrons, Service Managers, and Lead Nurse.
• Investigate and respond to complaints in a timely manner, encouraging an open and learning environment.
• Monitor incidents within the clinical area and undertake root cause analysis as required.
• Provide 24-hour responsibility for frailty clinical areas, ensuring safe, effective, and compassionate care for older people living with frailty.
• Promote effective multidisciplinary working across acute, community, therapy, and social care teams.
• Monitor standards of cleanliness, safety, and the patient environment.
• Ensure health and safety compliance with infection control, medicines management, and other relevant standards.
• Support reduction in length of stay for frail patients through early assessment and proactive discharge planning.

Clinical Practice:

• Act as a role model of expert clinical practice in the specialty.
• Participate in direct patient care and audit the effectiveness of DRU.
• Work closely with carers and relatives to ensure individualised patient-centred care.
• Ensure nursing documentation is maintained to a high standard and audit documentation.
• Promote the development of evidence-based practice on the ward.
• Explore opportunities to develop nursing roles in accordance with the Chief Nursing Officer of England's Ten Key Roles.

Educational Role:

• Identify educational needs of staff through regular appraisal and review.
• Be aware of the educational needs of student nurses and ensure preceptors are available.
• Organise and participate in educational activities within the clinical area.

Professional Development:

• Participate in own performance development review and develop a Personal Development Plan (PDP).
• Attend appropriate educational programmes to develop self and team.
• Adhere to the NMC Code of Professional Conduct and other NMC guidelines.

Communication:

• Ensure all communication is undertaken in a responsive and inclusive manner, focusing on improvement.
• Present communication appropriately to different recipients, considering barriers such as language and understanding.