Staff Nurse

Accountable to Deputy Service General Manager/Head of Nursing. The post holder will play a key role in supporting the nurse managers in providing high quality care. He/she will be prepared to work within the divisions as a Named Nurse, within a Team taking responsibility for assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating nursing care. The post holder will be a clinically credible practitioner who can provide effective patient care in a range of clinical settings, having regard for relevant policies and the evidence base nursing. The post holder will provide support and mentorship for students and junior nurses.

Key Result Areas & Performance:

• Act as a Named Nurse within a Team taking responsibility, over an appropriate span of time, in conjunction with the Ward Manager and the multidisciplinary team, for the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of care from admission to discharge within the in-patient setting.
• Be aware of current advances in clinical care and be able to facilitate the team members in implementation of evidence-based practice.
• Take an active role in the continuing development and use of protocols and standards for nursing care.
• Participate in evaluation, audit, and research of nursing care, and incorporate appropriate findings into practice.
• Actively work to promote health and prevent ill health in staff, patients and their relatives.
• Promote and maintain a safe and pleasant environment for patients, visitors, and colleagues.
• Check the readiness for use of emergency/special equipment and ensure all equipment in use is in good working order.
• Have knowledge of recording relevant patient/nursing data on to computer.
• Ensure his/her own and junior staff's compliance with the NMC Guidelines for Records and Record Keeping (1998) in all settings.
• Accept responsibility for the administration, care, and custody of medicines, in accordance with legal requirements and NMC and Trust Guidelines on drug administration.
• Attend mandatory annual updates in fire training, basic life support and maintain knowledge of relevant policies.
• Have knowledge and understanding of all relevant Trust policies, including the Major Incident Plan, ensuring that junior colleagues are aware of such policies.
• Have knowledge of and adhere to relevant parts of national legislation, including Health and Safety at Work Act, COSHH Regulations, and Moving and Handling Regulations.
• Transport people and/or items safely and to time consistent with legislation, policies and procedures.
• Ensure all biomedical investigations and interventions are undertaken safely and in a timely manner, reporting and documenting results appropriately and in line with legislation, policies and procedures.

Work force:

• Manage a group of patients, prioritising their needs in conjunction with those of the ward/department, to ensure safe and effective care.
• Manage the ward in the absence of senior staff, ensuring safe and effective patient care.
• Manage an area of responsibility as required within allocated resources.

Financial:

• Have an understanding of ward/department budgets and how the division may become more cost effective.
• Work within budgetary requirements whilst maintaining standards of care.
• Participate in the management of skill mix issues, stock control, and available resources.

Partnerships:

• Take an active role in developing and maintaining effective communication with members of the interprofessional team, patients, and relatives about difficult matters in difficult situations.

General:

• Participate in the orientation of new members of staff within their division.
• Attend relevant meetings and participate in discussions relating to the improvement of the service.
• Act as a change agent where necessary.
• Ensure all Trust Nursing policies and procedures are adhered to.
• Be aware of operational personnel issues relevant to the directorate including management of absence and sickness, disciplinary and recruitment matters.
• Where necessary, and with support, investigate the nursing aspect of complaints and clinical incidents, and initiate corrective actions.
• Ensure own continuing professional development and identify own Personal Development Plan.
• Participate in the clinical and educational development of other staff within the team.
• Act as a supervisor/mentor for learners, and as preceptor for newly qualified registered nurses.
• Act as a clinical role model for all levels of staff.
• Encourage other staff to keep abreast of new developments and encourage the exchange of information, ideas and experiences.