PRIMARY DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY1. Continuing responsibility for the assessment of care needs and setting standards by: Managing and developing the nursing resource. Ensuring staff work within national and locally agreed policies and procedures. Compiling, implementation and evaluation of philosophies of care, ensuring support for the patient and his/her family and all staff members. Working closely with consultants and bed management teams to manage the demand of elective and emergency admissions. Manage all aspects of recruitment and retention of staff, including sickness and absence, appraisals and staff training in line with Trust policies. Development of policies and planning of specialist/new services either as part of the multi-disciplinary clinical/management team, or where appropriate as individual lead. Working closely with the service line management team in the area of responsibility to play an active role in service development and achievement of specialty based targets. Planning off-duty rotas to make effective use of staff. Being responsible as the delegated budget holder for efficient and effective usage of the available resources, working within budget and identifying savings with support from the Matron. Maintains and develops specialist protocols and policies for specialist area of care. Be a member of relevant professional association and attend regional/national meetings and conferences. Participates in clinical research and audit and contributes to development of knowledge within field of expertise. Supports and advises junior staff who wish to undertake audit and research. Clinical Delivery of Infection Control practice as defined by National recommendations and local policies. Teaching staff to understand their responsibilities e.g. environmental cleanliness, maintenance and use of all equipment within clinical setting Ensuring staff understand and implement actions and responsibilities e.g. environmental cleanliness, maintenance and use of all equipment within clinical setting With support from the Matron, lead the investigation and follow up of all clinical incidents and complaints ensuring that any corrective action is implemented. Acts as a role model for excellence, maintaining own clinical competence and active NMC registration. Providing Specialist Nursing advice to the multidisciplinary team. Identifying and interpreting complex patient needs in relation to their disease and proposed treatment. Reporting and documenting all relevant nursing/patient needs, communicating changes with other health care professionals in the multi-disciplinary team with ongoing responsibility for patient care, both verbally & in writing, as they occur. Providing and delivering health information, education & promotion within the clinical area and advise patients, family, and others in a manner which maintains an individuals privacy & dignity. Communicates highly sensitive and emotive information about patients conditions to patients and significant others. Identifies, assesses and meet the educational and training needs of patients and carers. Engage & interact with carers/family encouraging them to be actively involved in patients care, planning as outlined in the ward philosophy. Supports patients, their families & carers during the delivery of bad news, caring for the terminally ill and in the event of death. Safely set up & maintain subcutaneous & intravenous pumps and administer all medications in accordance with Trust & NMC guidelines. Be competent in the administration procedures relating to all blood products as per Trust policy. Recognise, react to & manage appropriately emergencies related to this speciality. Organise urgent admissions & transfers to the unit in accordance with Trust policies. Able to undertake the skill of apheresis Maintain a safe working environment, ensuring high standards and safe practice are maintained by: Adhering to the guidelines of the Health & Safety at Work Act. Utilisation of Trust Risk Assessment documentation, to ensure that Health & Safety / Clinical risk issues are identified and actioned in the ward area. Communication Establish and maintain effective communication channels within and outside the department by: Leading the establishment of a teamwork philosophy, empowering others to take part in the decision making process. Actively involved in regular Sisters Meetings, organising Ward Meetings and participating in Directorate forums as required. Playing an active role in the integration of Patient and Public Involvement. Effecting change in order to meet changing patient need. Providing Senior Nurse cover within the Directorate and deputising for Matron as required. To participate in the 355 rota/Major Incident Policy. Maintain good relationships between all members of staff, thus developing professionalism through the unit. Ensure good communication both verbally and via formal documentation with all members of the nursing and multidisciplinary team. Able to communicate effectively in demanding and challenging situations, e.g. end of life issues. Accept responsibility; be aware and able to locate all policies relating to good working practice within the clinical area and able to adhere to both by self and colleagues, and to challenge staff about their location. Ensure carers/family and visitors are aware of policies, standards/guidelines relevant to the patients care or clinical area. Provide specialist knowledge to other areas, when assistance/advice is required. EducationTo be responsible for the continuing assessment of performance and the identification of development needs of team members by: Ensuring that all new members of the team have a designated Mentor and participate in the induction and education of all new members of the team. Leading programmes to support staff in meeting PREP requirements. Actively participating in the educational programme of all staff, including students. Close liaison with the Practice Development Department, offering practical and clinical guidance and attending lectures and meetings as required. Constantly updating own knowledge, recognising the importance of a critical approach to research and developments in nursing All Job Holders are required to Work to the Trust values - Put patients first, Take ownership, Respect others, Be positive, Listen, learn and improve. Adhere to Trust policies and procedures, e.g. Health and Safety at Work, Equal Opportunities etc. Maintain personal and professional development to meet the changing demands of the job, participate in appropriate training activities and encourage and support staff development and training. Attend statutory, essential and mandatory training. Respect the confidentiality of all matters relating to their employment and other members of staff. All members of staff are required to comply with the requirements of the Data Protection Act 1998. Comply with the Corporate Governance structure in keeping with the principles and standards set out by the Trust. Comply with the codes of professional conduct set out by the professional body of which registration is required for the post. Ensure they are familiar with the Risk Management Framework, follow policies, procedures and safe systems of work, make known any hazards or risks that they identify and take all necessary actions to reduce risk. Ensure the welfare and safety of children within their care. This includes staff who come into contact with children and families in the course of their work as well as those staff who have a specific role with children and families. Ensure they attend Child Protection training at the appropriate level within the specified time frame. Staff must comply with Safeguarding Policies and Procedures in order to promote safeguarding and prevent abuse to vulnerable people using Trust services. Maintain the prevention and control of infection and fully comply with all current Trust Infection Control policies and procedures. Take responsibility for any records that they create or use in the course of their duties, in line with the Public Records Act and be aware that any records created by an employee of the NHS are public records and may be subject to both legal and professional obligations. Assessing risks and implementing the necessary actions to minimise these risks within their sphere of responsibility. They must also enable staff to attend the relevant statutory and essential training. Managing attendance in accordance with the Trusts Attendance Management Policy. Ensuring all necessary risk assessments are carried out within their division, Service Line or department in liaison with relevant sources of specialist support and expertise within the Trust. They must also ensure that the risk management process is completed appropriately. Note This job description is neither definitive nor exhaustive and is not intended to be totally comprehensive. It may be reviewed in the light of changing circumstances following consultation with the post holder. This job description is to be read in conjunction with all current Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust policies, procedures & guidelines.