JOB DESCRIPTION AND PERSON SPECIFICATION NB: Please do not change the Word format or Page Set Up of this document. 1. JOB DETAILS Job Title: Staff Nurse Reports to: Senior Sister/Charge Nurse Accountable to: Matron Band: 5 Unit/Department: Renal Services Directorate: Abdominal Medicine & Surgery Location Huddersfield Satellite Unit AfC Job No: 2419 2. JOB PURPOSE To provide and be responsible for the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of individualised programmes of care. To deliver care without supervision. To take charge of the ward or department as necessary in the absence of the Sister or Charge Nurse. To participate in the in-service training, preceptorship and mentorship of junior staff, post basic learners and students. To take responsibility as the prime care provider for a group of patients. To promote confidence in our commitment to provide excellent compassionate patient care. To maintain personal development. 3. JOB DIMENSIONS The jobholder will work within an environment caring for adult patients. 4. ORGANISATIONAL CHART Matron Senior Sister/Charge Nurse Sister/Charge Nurse Staff Nurse (this post) Senior Clinical Support Worker Clinical Support Worker 5. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED Qualifications Registered Adult Nurse (Level 1 or 2) Training Ability to demonstrate and explain skills to other staff. Willing to undergo relevant training as necessary. Skills Literate and numerate. Ability to perform accurate drug calculations. Competent in written, and verbal communication skills. Competent in the use of information technology. Able to organise and prioritise workload. Understand the skills and knowledge required to develop team members. Knowledge Current issues in healthcare. Standards of Professional Practice. Personal Attributes Ability to work as part of a team. Committed to working with people. Demonstrates a commitment to personal development. Compassionate, enthusiastic and motivated. Flexible and adaptable. Professional and patient focussed. Courageous. 6. 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 related specifically to this post: Commitment to maintain high standards of care in accordance with Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (LTHT) guidelines and policies. Commitment to own development and the development of junior staff. Commitment to the development of nursing within the clinical setting. Commitment to working in a multi-disciplinary team. Commitment to support, uphold and demonstrate the core values and behaviours of LTHT. Commitment to lifelong learning, to maintain personal development within the role. 7. CORE BEHAVIOURS AND SKILLS Ability to act professionally at all times. Effective communication skills. Effective numeracy skills e.g. accurate drug calculations. Ability to organise self and others. Teaching and assessing skills Team player. Effective time management skills. 8. CORE KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING An understanding of research and evidence based practice. An understanding of the organisation and working practices of the area. An understanding of the process and philosophy of preceptorship. An understanding of the training and development needs of junior staff and students. 9. PRINCIPAL DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY Clinical Acts in accordance with the Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC) Code of Conduct. Communicate with patients and carers to ensure they have access to appropriate information. Maintain and deliver compassionate patient focused care in accordance with LTHT guidelines, policies, values and behaviours. Maintain a safe working environment. Provide assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of nursing care for patients, ensuring documentation standards are upheld in accordance with NMC and LTHT guidelines, whether written or computerised. Promote and maintain positive relationships between all staff involved in the care of patients. Promote evidence based practice. Participate in the audit and evaluation of clinical practice in the interests of promoting and improving quality care through action on findings. Undertake duties on other wards or departments as and when required by service demands or patient need. Act in such a way that safeguards the health and wellbeing of children and vulnerable adults at all times. Is familiar with and adheres to, the LTHT safeguarding policies. Education and Training Contribute to the promotion of a positive clinical learning environment. Keep up to date with developments, advances and research in individualised patient care. Participate in research and or education programmes relating to professional nursing issues and practice. Complete mandatory training annually. Participate in annual appraisal. Participate in preceptorship and mentorship programmes Participate in teaching, supervising and assessing of student nurses and other supervised staff, where allocated. Undertake continuous professional and clinical development, constantly seeking opportunities to enhance skills. Managerial Demonstrate effective use of resources. In the absence of the Sister or Charge Nurse take charge of the ward or department and co-ordinate ward or department activities. Take responsibility for the prime care provider for a group of patients When in charge of the ward takes responsibility for reporting, investigating and responding to accidents, complaints, untoward incidents and other significant events. As delegated and directed by the Senior Sister or Charge Nurse, participate in, investigating and responding to accidents, complaints, untoward incidents and other significant events. Raise concerns with regards to risk, danger, malpractice or wrong doing by following the LTHT Whistleblowing policy and supporting processes. 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 jobholder will undertake all mandatory training required for the role. Respect for Patient Confidentiality The jobholder should respect patient confidentiality at all times and not divulge patient information unless sanctioned by the requirements of the role. 10. COMMUNICATION & WORKING RELATIONSHIPS Matron All grades of nursing staff Allied Health Professionals Medical staff Facilities staff Patients, families and Carers Social Care 11. SPECIAL WORKING CONDITIONS i) PHYSICAL EFFORT: Frequent standing, sitting, walking, kneels and crouches to attend to patient needs. Responding to changes in patient condition. Patient Care (e.g. drug administration). Shift working. Moving & handling of patients and equipment on a daily basis: Patients - 10-120kg (with lifting aids). Equipment - medical equipment, specialised mattresses (weight 1-20kg). ii) MENTAL EFFORT: Continuous mental effort/concentration required in relation to responding to and meeting patients nursing care needs (e.g. for 8-12 hour shift). Co-ordinating Ward or Department activities in the absence of a Sister or Charge Nurse. Responding to changing circumstances (e.g. changes in patient condition, prioritisation of workload). Dealing with complex and changing care needs of patients within an acute hospital environment (includes communication with relatives/carers). Calculating drug doses. Robust verbal and written communication skills required at all times. iii) EMOTIONAL EFFORT: Exposure to difficult situation including death and dying, distressed patients and relatives/carers. Dealing with complex workload. Dealing with staffing issues and or performance issues on shift basis. iv) WORKING CONDITIONS: Temperature - should be controlled, but may experience hot or cold work environment. Smells - dealing with body fluids. Violence & Aggression - may experience violence and aggression from patients and or relatives or carers