Junior Sister/Charge Nurse – Ward 18 in Luton

We are pleased to advertise an exciting opportunity for a Band 6 Ward Sister/Charge Nurse on Ward 18. The ward is a 29-bedded Care of the Elderly ward. We deliver high standards of care to patients with complex needs. The post holder will deputise in the absence of the Ward Manager and ensure a positive patient experience through the delivery of high standards of patient care. As a Ward Sister/Charge Nurse, you should have the commitment and ability to support the Ward Manager and other Ward Sisters in the effective implementation of change. You will be required to facilitate effective management of clinical and non-clinical risk reporting in response to the service needs.

If you have the skills required and would like to be part of Ward 18, we will offer you professional development in a supportive environment where you can enhance your managerial and clinical skills. Ward 18 is a friendly team with an inclusive approach; you will be working alongside a team of staff nurses and healthcare assistants. We work closely with members of the multi-disciplinary team to ensure we provide a high quality of care to patients.

Main Duties of the job

• Support and work with the Ward Manager and Matron to provide effective unit management.
• Take regular charge of the clinical area in the absence of the ward manager.
• Take responsibility for the assessments of the care needs; the development, implementation and evaluation of care to ensure the highest possible standards of care are received by patients.
• Supervise and teach other nursing and non-nursing staff, acting as an excellent clinical role model and team leader to ensure quality care is delivered to the patients.

Job Responsibilities

• Deputise for the Ward Manager and liaise with members of the multi-disciplinary team both within the organisation and with external stakeholders, to ensure care is delivered to the patient both effectively and efficiently.
• Communicate proactively with all staff on the clinical condition and treatment plan of patients and ensure accurate nursing records are maintained by all staff.
• Lead and support others in coordinating the discharge process and ensure written and verbal advice is available to patients, relatives and carers.
• Actively involve others in communications between patients, their relatives and the multi-disciplinary team both within the organisation and with external stakeholders and ensure excellent communication.
• Ensure work with the Trust/unit and ward policies in order to maintain professional, clinical and patient safety.
• Have in-depth knowledge with practical experience of good hand hygiene and environmental cleaning in conjunction with Luton & Dunstable University Hospital Trust policies and procedures.
• Apply the principles of infection control and the prevention of cross infection in relation to patient care and the clinical environment.
• Plan duty rotas to meet the requirements of the clinical area and the needs of the patients and take into account skill mix requirements in relation to acuity and dependency.
• Initiate emergency treatment where necessary and coordinate other staff in this process.

Person Specification

Knowledge and experience

• Demonstrates awareness of current changes in the NHS—particularly related to nursing.
• Experience of managing a team and staff performance in a complex care ward.

Communication

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Counselling or coaching skills.

Qualifications

• Current Registered Nurse with the NMC.
• Degree in nurse-related specialty or working towards.

Skills

• Ability to prioritise and organise workload.
• Competent in all aspects of medicine management.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.