Job responsibilities Key Responsibilities CLINICAL LEADERSHIP The Senior Registered Nurse will maintain a nursing culture which is open to change, new ideas, concepts and innovations. Strive for continuous improvements in the delivery of high quality patient focused care. Participate within the ward team including the delegation of work on a day to day basis for junior staff. Act as clinical expert providing specialist knowledge and advice to both nurses and medical staff working within the unit. Be the named clinical expert responsible for on shift for the continuing care of patients within the unit. Organise own workload and support junior staff to time manage and prioritise. Plan and manage skill mix to reflect the workload and meet the needs of the patients, including using the e-rostering system effectively. Actively participate in the department budget and with support from ward sister exercise care and economy in the ordering and use of supplies/ equipment. Participate in the development and delivery of a philosophy of care which involves/respects the rights of patients carers and staff. Lead by example, motivate and empower others. Promote effective communication when liaising with all members of the multidisciplinary team. Relate to all staff and patients in a confident manner, demonstrating good listening skills and work effectively as part of team. Acting as a positive ambassador for the Trust, always promoting the best clinical and professional practice. Create, maintain and enhance effective working relationships and collaborative working within the ward/ department and across professional boundaries with the Trust. Recognise areas of conflict and assist in the management of this to promote a healthy working environment. In the absence of the Ward Sister take responsibility for maintaining staff records e.g. sickness, annual leave, taking appropriate action where necessary. Assist in the orientation/ induction of new staff, nursing students, allied health professionals and medical staff. Mentor and supervise pre and post registered staff; demonstrate procedures to pre and post registered nursing staff without direct supervision, always promoting a high standard of best practice, quality nursing care. Ensure that nursing practices comply with Trust policies and procedures and are maintained at the highest standard. Within the frame of clinical governance assist the senior sister/ charge nurse to be proactive in responding to and investigating complaints, clinical and non-clinical incidents to ensure robust systems are in place for informing and improving evidence based practice. Respond to patient, relatives and carers concerns as they arise and take action as required. Assist in maintaining a safe clinical environment through participation in risk management processes, through audit, risk assessment, managing, reporting and investigating incidents. Maintain an awareness of national and regional initiatives. Participate in supporting individual performance review processes. Foster good relationships to achieve and maintain high morale and for both staff and patients. Provide feedback to the senior sister/ charge nurse on individual staff progression or identify any concerns and document. Utilising and contributing to resources within the ward environment which encourage evidence based nursing. Assessing the information needs of patients, relatives and carers and provide information as needed. Promoting patient/carer independence through relevant teaching and support. Developing own teaching skills and participate in staff and student education. Maintaining a supportive learning environment for all staff and as a mentor assist in the training and development of junior staff and learners. Supervising and assessing competence as required. Providing teaching and development opportunities to the nursing teams and students supporting them to achieve their learning outcomes. Ensuring compliance amongst colleagues regarding Trust policies, procedures, guidelines and standards. Undertaking further training and academic qualifications as relevant to the role and service requirements. Ensuring compliance with the annual appraisal process. Conducting oneself in accordance with the NMC code of conduct and Trust policies. Undertaking responsibility for tasks delegated by ward sister/ charge nurse. Ensuring statutory training is undertaken. COMPETENT PRACTICE The Registered Nurse will combine theory and experience to demonstrate clinical competence in practice. The Senior Registered Nurse will: Carry out a full range of registered nurse duties, including assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of the patients condition. Escalating and reporting any difficulties they have not been able to solve. Maintain a safe environment when caring for patients for patients, including those patients requiring frequent levels of monitoring. Monitor all patients care and treatment, maintaining high standards and quality at all times. Continually assessing and evaluating the patients condition and the effectiveness of the care delivered with a senior member of the team. Be able to prioritise nursing care, recognise deterioration in a patients condition and escalate as per Trust guidelines and policy. Have completed and maintained all appropriate clinical competencies relevant to area of working. Contribute towards the formulation of a plan of care with the patient and their family/carers. Participate in meeting the health related needs of patients and their families/careers. Delivering direct care to patients in accordance with the Trusts policies and NMC Guidelines. Promote a multi professional approach to maximise the patients health and independence utilising resources appropriately. Maintaining up to date knowledge of current nursing issues/practices. Work as a registered nurse, without direct supervision in the absence of the Ward Sister where necessary. The post holder should not: undertake any task which has not been fully explained to him/ her and for which he/she does not feel competent to undertake.