Crewkerne Community Hospital are seeking a highly motivated, conscientious Band 6 Junior Ward Sister to act as clinical lead, assist in the leadership and development of staff on the inpatient ward and to deputise for the Ward Manager or Matron in their absence.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will be required to take direct managerial responsibility for the ward and hospital over the 24 hour period as delegated by the Community Hospital Matron and Senior Ward Sister.
The post holder will be required to assist in the leadership and development of staff on the ward and to act as a positive role model for more junior members of staff.
The post holder may be required to deputise for the Senior Ward Sister, Charge Nurse or Matron in her or his absence.
The post holder will be responsible for ensuring appropriate stock levels are maintained on the ward.
The post holder will be responsible for the day-to-day management of staff nurses and healthcare assistants and the supervision of the ward team.
The post holder will ensure all staff act in accordance with Trust HR and other relevant policies, along with the appropriate professional code of conduct.
The role will require the Sister or Charge Nurse to practice autonomously and make decisions under their own initiative using professional judgment and drawing on their clinical expertise.
About us
As an organisation, Somerset NHS Foundation Trust offers employees a wide range of benefits including flexible working, NHS pension scheme, generous annual leave allowance and a commitment to career development. You will be eligible for our Blue Light Card and a wide range of NHS exclusive shopping and leisure discounts. We are proud of our skilled, diverse workforce and as an inclusive employer we welcome applications from all backgrounds. Working in Somerset enables you to enjoy the idyllic countryside, areas of outstanding beauty and stunning coastlines whilst still only being a stone's throw away from bustling city centres like Bristol, Bath and Exeter and only two hours away from London. There are excellent educational facilities in the area and, when compared to other regions, house prices are reasonable. Somerset offers the countryside and the cosmopolitan, there is truly something for everyone.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Communication and Key Working Relationships:
1. All members of the nursing team contributing to the development of a highly skilled workforce
2. Community Hospital Matron and Senior Ward Sister
3. The multidisciplinary team to ensure a high quality, seamless service for all patients
4. Locality Manager
5. Acute care providers
6. GPs and Doctors
7. Patients, carers and the public
8. Director of Nursing and Patient Safety
9. Clinical Practice team
10. Senior managers within the Trust
11. District nurses, community Matrons, infection control team, primary link staff, community psychiatric nurses
12. External agencies i.e. social services, ambulance trust, voluntary organisations and charities
Planning and Organisation:
1. To prioritize own work efficiently and effectively.
2. To assess, plan, implement and evaluate the needs of patients on the ward on an ongoing basis, coordinating the care given by all members of the clinical team.
3. Works with Senior Ward Sister and Matron to develop and ensure effective processes are in place for the assessment and planning of patient care.
Analytics:
1. Supports the development of the quality improvement initiatives and local audit programmes as delegated by the Matron and Senior Ward Sister.
2. To support Senior Ward Sister and Matron to ensure effective data entry and reporting as required by the trust.
3. Provide data as required to contribute to the review of patient care.
Responsibility for Patient Care, Treatment and Therapy:
1. To ensure that the care provided on the ward puts the patient at the centre of the care.
2. Ensures a safe and clean environment for staff, patients and visitors is maintained by ensuring compliance with legislation, policy and practices including health and safety, healthcare associated infection, risk management and critical incident reporting.
3. To demonstrate clinical expertise in the care of any patients receiving treatment on the ward.
4. To accurately assimilate and interpret clinical information about the patients' condition, promptly report changes and instigate remedial action as appropriate.
5. To act as a resource person to more junior staff, providing accurate information, advice and support to the multidisciplinary team, patients and their relatives.
6. To ensure that patients and their relatives are updated regularly with accurate information and ensure that this is presented in a way that they understand.
7. To ensure that accurate records are maintained for all patients on the ward reflecting both changes in the patient's condition, the treatment delivered and patient's choice.
8. To ensure that clinical and professional practice is evidence-based and in line with best practice standards.
9. To support the Matron and Senior Sister in processes of continuous quality improvement, formally evaluating standards of care and assisting in the implementation of changes in the light of such findings.
10. Ensures they remain clinically up to date in order to be able to assess patients thoroughly, plan care and audit and evaluate nursing interventions based on evidence and locally agreed protocols and policies.
11. Escalates clinical incidents or concerns about patient care to appropriate level taking into consideration communication with immediate line manager and the nature of the incident.
12. To adhere to the Nursing and Midwifery Council code of professional conduct at all times.
13. To abide by the legal requirements and statutory rules related to practice.
Policy, Service, Research and Development Responsibility:
1. To support the ward team in proactively working to deliver all trust objectives and local targets, collecting and collating performance data as instructed by the Matron and Senior Sister.
2. Ensures compliance with all Trust policies and processes for self and all ward staff.
3. In the absence of the Matron and Senior Sister to ensure ward based compliance with all regulatory requirements, with particular reference to CQC and continuously monitor standards.
4. To support service developments affecting the ward and positively influence others to adapt to change.
5. To utilise the Trust's personal development review process in order to identify personal and professional development needs.
6. To take responsibility for personal development and education including in-service training, reviewing and reflecting own practice and performance.
7. To contribute to the experience of learners and ensure delivery of mentorship requirements, meeting standards of the NMC. To be aware of, and act in accordance with, Trust policies and procedures, ensuring that changes and additions are adhered to and adopted locally.
DEVELOPMENT:
1. To actively develop and participate in the Trust performance and developmental planning process.
2. To ensure clinical practice undergoes lifelong learning and development through PDR.
3. To actively be involved in the development and delivery of training.
4. To be responsible for own development and contributes to the development of others in a manner that is consistent with legislation, policies and procedures.
5. To collaborate in a positive and constructive way with national and Trust developments.
6. To undertake appropriate developmental opportunities, agreed by the ward manager, to improve individual or service needs.
Responsibility for Finance, Equipment and Other Resources:
1. To contribute positively towards the delivery of a cost-effective service, adjusting staffing levels and skill mix to meet demands and assisting the Matron, Senior Ward Sister to keep within agreed budget.
Responsibility for Supervision, Leadership and Management:
1. Supports the Matron and Senior Ward Sister in ensuring the ward fosters a culture of learning from incidents and complaints, and the learning is disseminated to all staff.
2. Acts as a role model and motivator and encourage positive working relationships both within and outside of the team.
3. Provides an environment to ensure the ward culture and ethos strives to continuously improve care.
4. Develops a leadership approach which motivates and empowers ward staff in attaining and developing high standards of patient care and professional development, and to take ownership of your actions on the ward in your absence.
5. Balances clinical risk against clinical context when making decisions in conjunction with Matron and Senior Ward Sister.
6. Supports communication systems within the ward ensuring the flow of current information to and from ward meetings and the wider Trust for all staff.
7. To manage the clinical workload effectively, ensure care is prioritised appropriately.
8. To support the ongoing organisation of the ward by coordinating the activities of the clinical area on a day-to-day basis.
9. To monitor and document the development of ward clinical skills, practice and conduct and liaise with the Matron and Senior Ward Sister.
10. To undertake appraisals identifying staff's learning objectives.
11. Ensure that all ward staff regularly participate in clinical supervision in accordance with trust policy.
12. To actively support the process of risk management on the ward.
13. Ensures compliance with mandatory and essential training for self and all ward staff.
14. Ensures appraisal, management and supervision, 1 to 1s take place in accordance with Trust Policy.
15. Contributes to, and supports the Matron and Senior Ward Sister, with human resource management.
16. Acts as the primary interface with all members of the Multi Professional team within and outside the organisation.
17. Acts as an advocate for ward staff, patients, carers and families.
18. To be responsible for the maintenance of standards of hygiene and cleanliness within the ward and working with the Matron to take remedial action as appropriate.
19. To communicate a range of information in a way that is understood by all.
20. Completion of local induction with all new ward staff.
21. Responsible for signing off time sheets and annual leave requests for ward team.
22. Escalate managerial concerns or incidents to an appropriate level.
23. Facilitation of Link Nurses.
Information Resources and Administrative Duties:
1. To support Senior Ward Sister/Matron in the investigation and resolution of related formal and informal complaints.
2. To ensure all patient documentation is accurately completed in a timely manner.
EDUCATOR:
1. Act as a mentor to staff, responsible for the orientation, supervisor and ongoing development of junior and student nurses.
2. Act as a practice supervisor for staff.
3. Act as a mentor, as required, to students undertaking further development, ensuring a positive learning experience and facilitating the development of their clinical skills.
4. To promote and encourage the application of research and of evidence-based practices.
5. Support staff in developing confidence and are competent to deliver the required quality of care in their roles.
GENERAL:
1. To help maintain good communication, liaison and working arrangements with other Trust teams, Trusts and external agencies.
2. To keep up to date with all relevant guidance and NHS targets and ensure the effective dissemination of relevant information.
3. To contribute to relevant projects as required and appropriate.
4. To undertake any necessary skills training, professional updates and mandatory training as appropriate to the post.
5. To encourage team members to embrace change and have a positive attitude to challenges.
6. Commit to professional development in nursing as appropriate.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
* BEHAVIOURS ALIGNED WITH TRUST VALUES
* Outstanding care
* Listening and leading
* Working together
* QUALIFICATIONS & TRAINING
* Registered Nurse
* Current Registration with Nursing and Midwifery Council
* Teaching and/or Assessor qualification
* Diploma in Nursing studies
* Evidence of recent study to diploma level
* Evidence of continuing professional development
Desirable
* Degree in Nursing or equivalent
Experience
Essential
* Demonstrate post registration leadership experience
* Able to demonstrate effective consolidation of nursing knowledge and practice after qualification and preceptorship
Desirable
* Ability to demonstrate leadership skills and to act up in the absence of the person in charge
* Experience of managing change.
Additional Criteria
Essential
* Skills and Abilities
* Ability to communicate verbally at all levels and possess good written skills
* Ability to work autonomously and independently
* Ability to demonstrate good time management skills
* Ability to demonstrate good organisational skills
* Ability to demonstrate good people skills
* Ability to demonstrate high clinical standards when dealing with patients
* Ability to demonstrate the ability to lead and work as part of a team
* Ability to demonstrate teaching and mentorship skill
* Computer and IT skills
* COMMUNICATION SKILLS
* Evidence of a good standard of literacy and English language skills
* High standards of written and verbal communication skills.
* Able to communicate with relatives, carers and other organisations about complex and sensitive issues.
* Ability to deliver and delegate tasks.
* Able to demonstrate ability to work effectively as part of a team.
* PLANNING AND ORGANISING SKILLS
* Good organisation skills, ability to manage own time.
* Ability to deliver and delegate tasks
* Able to recognise and respond to challenging behaviour
* PHYSICAL SKILLS
* Access to vehicle for travelling to other Trust sites.
* Ability to record and retrieve information on charts, paper and electronic records.
* Ability to undertake PMVA training for required level for role.
* Must have high clinical standards when dealing with patients.
* Demonstrates the ability to lead and work as part of a team.
* Flexible and adaptable to meet the needs of the patients.
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