OVERALL OBJECTIVES To assist the Ward Manager in providing clinical and managerial leadership to all staff To line manage/appraise and develop a small team of nurses within the ward establishment To lead in a specific area of ward practice/project work on the ward as agreed, making recommendations, coordinating projects and developing practice guidelines and policies based upon robust evidence, gained from risk assessment, audit and literature review. To be professionally and clinically responsible to patients within the ward, providing and maintaining a high standard of care and maintaining a communication link between patient and organisation To maintain and continually develop specialist knowledge and skills relevant to the clinical area and to provide an out of hours Triage Service and act as a specialist resource to the Trust Regularly act as shift coordinator, participating in the allocation of workload, ensuring efficient bed management, effective patient care and safety on the ward Contribute to the development of clinical practice, with regards to Departmental, Trust and National recommendations, communicating this to junior colleagues in a positive manner in order to maintain a consistent, motivated ward focus.