Clinical Practice and Professional Leadership Responsibilities Lead and supervise a safe, high standard of nursing practice and the delivery of evidenced based Patient care in accordance with the NMC Code of Professional Conduct, the Trusts Strategy for Nursing and Trust/Unit Policies and Procedures. Lead by example in the demonstration of high standards of clinical care. Act as an advocate for the neonate. Contribute to the Corporate nursing and patient care agenda. Develop and maintain own competence in agreed basic and advanced clinical skills. Act as a source of speciality expertise within the Directorate and across the Trust as appropriate. To ensure that clinical and housekeeping practice follows policies/procedures designed to prevent Hospital acquired infection. Ensure the promotion and provision of health education for patients and their carers. Actively promote and implement research and evidence based practice. Lead a programme of standard setting and audit to implement change that meets patient requirements and improves standards. Seek feedback from carers. Management Responsibilities Deputise for the Matron in her absence. Ensure that complaints and incidents are dealt with proactively in conjunction with Divisional Governance Team. To investigate Datix incidents and complaints using Root Cause Analysis as a tool and provide reports as required. Develop, implement, monitor and evaluate associated action plans based on reflective practice and review of processes. Contribute to the recruitment and selection process. Taking a lead in the retention of nursing staff on the Unit. Responsible for effective and efficient deployment of staff, planning appropriate skill mix in relation to workload and within the defined budget. Manage the ward in accordance with budget and contract requirements and ensure the most effective use of pay and non-pay resources. Promote good working relationships and collaborative working with the multi-disciplinary team, both within the Unit and the rest of the Trust. Education Maintain a suitable learning environment for all staff working in the ward Liaise with the CPE to provide additional CPE support Ensure that registered nurses understand the educational objectives of all staff and students, acting as a mentor, assessing performance as appropriate Clinical Governance Responsibilities In conjunction with the Head of Nursing/Matron, take a lead role in the planning and implementation of quality and risk management initiatives and targets, including CNST, RPST and Controls Assurance requirements Actively develop and maintain evidence-based quality standards that are regularly audited, and initiate appropriate changes in practise In conjunction with the Head of Nursing/Matron, participate in the agreed programmes of clinical benchmarking Learning and Development Maintain own professional standards and education by attending relevant study sessions, mandatory training and reporting back to team members