JOB PURPOSE The jobholder will play an essential role assisting Senior Sister/Charge Nurse in teaching the nursing teams. As an experienced nurse the jobholder will co-ordinate activities on the unit ensuring effective communication is maintained at all times, providing support to qualified and unqualified nurses within the department. He/she will play a key role in the assessment of patient care needs and the development, implementation and evaluation of programmes of care. The jobholder will act as a role model, promoting quality evidence-based practice, developing the nursing team and ensuring effective management of the ward/department in the absence of the Senior Sister/Charge Nurse. JOB DIMENSIONS The jobholder will work within an environment caring for acutely ill patients. The jobholder will support the Senior Sister/Charge Nurse in the day to day management of registered nurses and support staff. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED Qualifications Registered Nurse (Level 1) Recognised teaching/assessing qualification Experience Significant experience at staff nurse level or equivalent Clinical audit and standard setting Working with a wide range of professionals including medical, nursing and management colleagues Skills Ability to communicate effectively within a multi-disciplinary team Ability to teach, supervise and assess qualified and unqualified staff Time management skills Recruitment and selection (desirable) Clinical leadership Knowledge Insight into clinical speciality Insight into current issues in nursing/professional issues Standards of professional practice Personal Attributes Professional and patient focused Flexible, adaptable, capable of lateral thinking Excellent interpersonal skills THE LEEDS WAY VALUES Our values are part of what make us different from other trusts, so we see this as a strength, as well as a responsibility. They have been developed by our staff and set out what they see as important to how we work. Our five values are: Patient-centred Collaborative Fair Accountable Empowered All our actions and endeavours will be guided and evaluated through these values Additionally the following are core values which relate specifically to this post: Commitment to delivering high quality evidence based care Commitment to working in a multi-disciplinary team Commitment to the clinical area, valuing the contribution of all team members, encouraging a positive and creative working environment Commitment to own development and the development of junior staff CORE BEHAVIOUR AND SKILLS Teaching and assessing skills Communication skills Time management skills Preceptorship skills Understanding of research based practice research conscious Team player Ability to act professionally at all times Understanding of the process of change CORE KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING An understanding of the organisational structure and working practices of the organisation Understanding of the local and national nursing agenda Awareness of Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust guidelines and policies PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY Clinical Maintain a high standard of patient focused care in accordance with Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust guidelines and policies Act as a role model for the development of clinical skills and knowledge within the ward team Maintain a safe working environment Support the Senior Sister/Charge Nurse in setting and monitoring standards and seek to continuously improve standards and the quality of patient care, including those standards defined in the National Benchmarks for Essential Care Provide assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of nursing care for patients, ensuring written records are kept Acts in accordance with the Nursing and Midwifery code of conduct In conjunction with the Senior Sister/Charge Nurse ensure management of clinical services and efficient deployment of staff according to service needs. Education and Training Contribute to the promotion of a positive learning environment within the clinical area In conjunction with the Senior Sister/Charge Nurse ensure all staff have an individual performance development plan Ensure both self and team members achieve annual mandatory training requirements Participate in preceptorship and mentorship programmes Undertake continuous professional and clinical development, seeking opportunities to enhance skills Managerial Working with Senior Sister/Charge Nurse provide leadership to the clinical team, developing new rotas/ways of working Support Senior Sister/Charge Nurse in staff rostering, ensuring adequate skill mix In conjunction with Senior Sister/Charge Nurse closely monitor bank and agency usage Support Senior Sister/Charge Nurse in investigating and responding to accidents, complaints, untoward incidents and other significant events Work with Matron/Senior Sister/Charge Nurse to promote the development of nurses undertaking the CNO Ten Key Roles as considered appropriate Deputise for Senior Sister/Charge Nurse in their absence. HEALTH AND SAFETY/RISK MANAGEMENT All staff are responsible for working with their colleagues to maintain and improve the quality of services provided to our patients and other service users. This includes complying at all times with the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust Policies, including Health and Safety policies, in particular by following agreed safe working procedures, and reporting incidents using the Trust Incident Reporting system. INFECTION CONTROL The jobholder must comply at all times with the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust Infection Control policies, in particular by practising Universal Infection Control Precautions. Hand hygiene must be performed before and after contact with patients and their environment. EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY The jobholder must comply with all policies and procedures designed to ensure equality of employment and that services are delivered in ways that meet the individual needs of patients and their families. No person whether they are staff, patient or visitor should receive less favourable treatment because of their gender, ethnic origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, religion etc. PATIENT AND PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT The Trust has a statutory duty to involve patients and public in evaluating and planning services. All staff have a responsibility to listen to the views of patients and to contribute to service improvements based on patient feedback. TRAINING AND PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT CONTINUOUS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT The jobholder must take responsibility, in agreement with his/her line manager, for his/her own personal development by ensuring that Continuous Professional Development remains a priority. The job holder will undertake all mandatory training required for the role. RESPECT FOR PATIENT CONFIDENTIALITY