PRIMARY DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY MANAGERIAL 1. Assists the Unit Manager in the organization and control of all patient care maintaining high standards of care. 2. Develops leadership skills both professionally and managerial. 3. Ensure effective communication with all levels of staff and the whole multi-disciplinary team. 4. Assists in assessing the overall resource requirements for the ward and manages this effectively. 5. Assists in implementing and maintaining policies, and ensures staff compliance. 6. Initiates and develops new ideas for the improvement of services to patients in consultation with the ward manager and other staff. 7. Assists in producing staff rotas, creating shift patterns, which meet the care needs of the patients. 8. Assists in considering skill mix to develop a workforce capable of meeting the needs of the patient. 9. In the ward managers absence, investigate and report on complaints from patients / carers / relatives and staff and reports to either the Unit Manager or Matron 10. Investigates and reports incidents and untoward occurrences and reports to the ward manager. 11. To promote learning for all staff through risk incident reporting. 12. In the absence of the Unit Manager attends regular meetings with the Patient Services Manager/Matron. Provides effective channels of communication. 13. In the absence of the Unit Manager, Team Briefs all staff reportable to the nurse in charge. 14. Assists in fostering an environment that empowers staff and is conducive to change and development. 15. Maintains a safe environment in the ward for patients / staff and visitors. Follows all Health and Safety policies. 16. Co-operates in the trials of equipment and resources 17. Ensures the safe custody and storage of drugs held within the ward area and the practice of a regular checking system. 18. Is involved in the recruitment, selection and retention of staff. 19. Collaborates with professions allied to health. 20. Attends and assists in ward meetings. PROFESSIONAL 1. Follows the NMC Codes of Conduct/Practice. 2. Develop research skills in self and others that promotes evidence-based practice. 3. Maintains an environment conducive to learning for all staff in training. Includes involvement in Educational Audit, Liaison with Link Lecturer and the Renal Educator. 4. Implements and develops systems of care delivery in conjunction with the Unit Manager. 5. Exercise professional accountability for their practice, ensuring that any expansion of the role is achieved within the scope of professional practice. 6. To be involved in developments relating to clinical governance. CLINICAL 1. Maintaining clinical credibility through regular clinical practice updates. 2. Participate in the clinical practice assessments of staff as per competency documents. 3. 4. Keeps up to date with innovations in dialysis and nephrology nursing by attending educational sessions, study days, conferences and journal reading when staffing allows. 5. Working closely with the Practice/Professional Development Nurse for the unit, identifying learning needs of staff to develop safe and competent practitioners. 6. Leading staff in co-ordinating and managing care of patients. STAFF/ SELF DEVELOPMENT 1. Agree Personal Development Plan. This will require a commitment to develop skills in all fields of Renal. 2. Assist with the carrying out of appraisal on all members of staff 3. Assists with the maintenance of training records. 4. Ensures the environment and resources available for staff are conducive to job satisfaction and high morale. 5. Assists the Unit Manager in ensuring all staff attend mandatory training sessions as per Trust Policy and NMC regulations 6. Become familiar with the role of the Sister/Charge Nurse 7. Assists the Unit Manager to managing accurate staff records, including sickness and absence, performance issues etc. 8. Assist the Unit Manager in providing an Induction Programme for all staff, ensuring that there are appropriate mentors and preceptors for all qualified and unqualified staff. 9. Assists the Senior Sister/Charge Nurse in ensuring standards are audited and action plans are instigated 10. Participates in a rotation between all areas within the Haemodialysis service to aid in development of management skills, when required. TECHNOLOGY 1. Assists in ensuring that all staff are trained in the correct usage of equipment. 2. Assists with maintaining accurate training records. 3. Keeps accurate records of equipment on loan/hire. 4. Develop information technology skills.