Staff Nurse ICCU in Worcester

WORCESTERSHIRE ACUTE HOSPITAL NHS TRUST JOB DESCRIPTION

BAND: Nursing & Midwifery Band 5

LOCATION: Intensive Care Unit

PROFESSIONALLY ACCOUNTABLE TO: Matron

REPORTS TO: Unit Sister/Charge Nurse

JOB PURPOSE

To gain experience, initiate and maintain a systematic, holistic approach to patient care, its implementation and evaluation. To contribute towards an atmosphere that is conducive to learning and the initiation of research based practices. To participate in maintaining a safe working environment. To ensure the maintenance of a high quality patient focussed care at all times through the effective leadership, management of staff and resources. To provide effective leadership and to act as a good role model, working with all members of the multi-disciplinary team and co-ordinate all aspects of care in the best interests of the patient and family. To provide supervision, support and education to qualified and unqualified staff.

DIMENSIONS

Following suitable induction and assessment period, the post holder will participate in the care needs, implementation and evaluation of programmes of care. In the absence of a more senior member of staff and as part of the Unit developmental junior sister/charge nurse act up programme, the post holder, with support, will be able to undertake clinical/shift management within the department. Work within a team of 6 to 12 per shift in an 8-15 bedded Intensive Critical Care Unit.

KEY RELATIONSHIPS

Senior and junior medical and nursing staff, wards clerks, facilities staff, other health care professionals, social workers, other care providers, patients and their relatives, volunteers.

RISK ASSESSMENT

The post involves manual handling activities and exposure to body fluids and chemicals. May involve some VDU work and individuals may be/are exposed to violence and aggression.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Professional/Clinical Leadership: To assess, develop, implement and evaluate programmes of care in the best interest of the patients. Also providing feedback to the Unit team members. To ensure that there is clear and concise reporting, oral and written, of relevant information regarding the care and well being of the patients. To discuss with the senior colleagues, the development and changes, both nursing and medical, which affect patients directly and indirectly. To actively participate in team nursing and the development of nursing responsibilities for individual patients. To be responsible for the organisation of nursing care of patients who have been assigned to them. To take appropriate action to ensure the safety of patients, including the delegation of patient care to nurses with the appropriate level of skill at all times. To report any accidents/incidents to the Unit Sister/Charge Nurse and/or Matron. Establish and maintain communication with people about routine and daily activities overcoming any differences in communication between the people involved. To maintain clear and effective communication with patients relatives and visitors to the Unit. To ensure that nursing procedures are implemented and maintained in accordance with the policies of the Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust. To gain experience in clinical/shift management by participating, with support, in the Units development programme. To assist medical staff and carry out procedures and treatments prescribed by them. To liaise effectively with other members of the multi-professional team to ensure a high standard of co-ordinated care to the patient. To participate in the development and setting of standards, ensuring that acceptable levels are maintained. To maintain personal/professional status by ensuring that it meets the requirements laid down by the NMC. To assist in ensuring that all nursing staff work within the NMC code of Professional Conduct. To lead others in the development of knowledge, ideas and skills in the clinical area. To carry out nursing duties, procedures and policies in accordance with the NMC Scope of Professional Practice June 2002 and with the Trust Policies and Procedures. To attend professional meetings and study sessions as appropriate and keep an up to date professional portfolio.

STAFF DEVELOPMENT

During your foundation year/first year in post, you will be supported by a preceptor, to identify personal and professional needs in career development. Develop own knowledge skills and contribute to the development of others. Supervise the training of qualified and unqualified staff, and assist junior staff to develop clinical and managerial skills in accordance with their level of competence. To act as a preceptor for junior staff. To participate in teaching for all learners in accordance with their objectives, working closely with the Professional Development/Unit and Trust Teams and the University. To provide support and supervision of learner nurses. Maintain a wide knowledge of current nursing by reading relevant journals and attending study days where appropriate. Promoting the implementation of research based practice. To participate in speciality teaching programmes and attend/complete courses and conferences, as recommended/approved by the Matron.

MANAGEMENT

Contribute to the implementation of service development. Maintain the custody of controlled drugs according to statutory procedure, ordering replacements, checking and administering all drugs according to the Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust policy. Support in the monitoring and maintenance of the Units physical and financial resources by having due regard for economy where appropriate. Support the ordering and maintenance of adequate stocks of supplies and provisions within the Unit under the supervision of the Unit Sister/Charge Nurse. To inform and discuss with the Unit Sister/Charge Nurse any problems regarding nurse/staff management and/or patient. To collect information for, and participate in, studies to determine patient dependency and quality assurance. To take all measures to ensure safety and report all accidents/incidents to the Unit Sister/Charge Nurse and/or Matron, and to monitor the safe and effective use of all equipment and economic use of supplies. Maintain accurate records at all times, ensuring appropriate reporting mechanisms are used. To assist in other Wards and/or Departments of the Hospital if the clinical situation or staffing levels demand. To help any other Department if that Department is unable to remain self-contained because of its own demands. Maintain good relations and communication with other Departments and multi-disciplinary teams. To be conversant with Trust and other policies and procedures, and mechanisms in place.

LOCAL WARD/DEPARTMENT VARIATION TO CORE JOB DESCRIPTION

The post holder needs to be fully aware of the principles of cross infection. The post holder will be supported and developed through the Units Specialist Educational Programme to enable them to demonstrate and contribute to the effective communications, good team spirit, and the concept of 24-hour responsibility. The post holder will have an in-depth knowledge of the nursing process, promoting and supporting the use of an agreed model of individualised patient care. The post holder will understand and assist in the Units audit processes, where appropriate. The post holder will have the opportunity within the Directorate to rotate to other Critical Care areas as part of their development.

CLINICAL GOVERNANCE

Monitor and maintain health and safety and security of self and others in own workplace. Support peoples equality, diversity and rights at all times. Contribute to ensure own/others actions promote quality and improvement, alerting others to quality issues. To participate in constantly reviewing standards on the Unit and initiate change and improvement where necessary in discussion with the Sister/Charge Nurse. To ensure that all documentation is completed in accordance with Trust policies and current care concepts. To undertake training to ensure competency in the use of all equipment and ensure that it is in good working order. To participate in maintaining a safe environment in the Unit/Department for staff, patients and visitors under the terms of the Health and Safety at Work Act.

PERSONNEL

To assist the Unit Sister/Charge Nurse in the maintenance of day to day discipline within the Unit/Department. To inform the Unit Sister/Charge Nurse or Matron in his/her absence of staff failing to meet the required standard of performance.