Radiology Sister/ Charge Nurse in Harlow

The post holder is responsible for supporting the Manager/Senior in providing leadership and effective management of patient activity, staffing and utilisation. To take an active role in planning and providing a high standard of care to all patients requiring invasive and non-invasive radiological investigations and thus contributing to the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the Radiology department. Promoting high quality standards of clinical skills and education, to promote a patient centred approach in line with professional and Trust values. To support the delivery of a high quality, safe and compassionate healthcare service, all staff are expected to act as a role model to others in all aspect of their work and demonstrate the Trust values.

Main duties of the job:

• To maintain a high clinical competence and act as a resource to the team members.
• Ensure that optimum care is given to all patients and is appropriately documented in accordance with Trust’s policy and NMC Code of conduct.
• Act as a role model and be credible practitioner within the clinical area.
• Facilitate the induction of new staff within the department and support the education of the learners – ensure high standards of clinical competency are maintained within the group.
• To allocate and supervise junior staff/students and healthcare/radiology assistants in the care of patients during radiological procedures/examinations.
• To ensure that the patient’s privacy and dignity are preserved at all times.
• To respect confidential information obtained and refrain from disclosing it inappropriately in accordance with trust policy, Data protection act and Health record act.
• To act always in such a way as to promote and safeguard the wellbeing, and the interests of patients, their families and carers.
• To explain tests, procedures, and examinations and post procedure instructions to all patients, carers in accordance with trust policy.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities:

• To ensure the custody and administration of drugs and therapeutic substances in accordance with N.M.C, trust and departmental policy.
• To maintain stock levels, and work with the Radiology Nursing Manager/Lead nurse in purchasing of specialist equipment in the department.
• To be actively involved with new developments and innovations within the speciality of radiology and promote change.
• Participate in audit of practice to evaluate clinical outcomes.
• To comply with the trusts policies and procedures, particularly fire, cardiac arrest and health and safety.
• To check emergency equipment and demonstrate competence in its use in the department.
• To effectively communicate with all disciplines of staff, patients, carers and relatives in the preparation of patients.
• To ensure that all patients are prepared correctly according to the departmental policy.
• Assist with the preparation of patients who may require investigations prior to their procedure being performed i.e. blood tests and initiate a response if they are abnormal informing the Consultant Radiologist or specific team.
• Communicate with specific medical/surgical teams and the bed manager when a bed is required for a patient post interventional procedure.
• To effectively communicate with all disciplines of staff in the post care instructions of the patient following a radiological procedure, ensuring continuity of care.
• To ensure own practice is up-to-date and evidence based, with the ability to demonstrate an awareness of current and relevant practice with the requirement to demonstrate professional development.
• To ensure that procedures for the control of infection are carried out in accordance with local trust policy.
• Undergo an annual performance assessment and agree a personal development plan which will ensure that the objectives of the individual, the unit and the Trust are achieved.
• To exercise leadership by personal example, fostering good interpersonal relationship and encouraging high staff morale.
• Accept continuing responsibility for the day to day management of patient activity ensuring the service provided is maintained at a high standard.
• Able to deal with changing situations on a daily basis and out of hours, e.g. organisational changes/other occurrences that may directly affect patient care.
• To attend mandatory, in-service training and staff development.
• To comply with the trusts complaints procedure.
• To report all incidents, accidents and near misses to the senior nurse or departmental manager and initiate actions appropriately.
• To observe the Ionising Radiation Regulations (2000).
• Using aseptic technique, take on the scrub role during an interventional procedure with competence and experienced knowledge.
• To participate in the mentorship of nursing/radiographic students during their allocation.
• To actively take part and initiate resuscitation in the department during cardiac arrest and anaphylaxis.
• To undertake specific training enabling the individual the ability to give and monitor sedation, this being after training and competence has been assessed.
• To undertake immediate life support and Alert training, enabling the individual to act quickly and respond to emergency situations.
• Represent staff interest and concerns as required at Directorate level.

Equal Opportunities: As a Disability Confident and equal opportunities employer, we welcome applicants from all backgrounds and experiences.