JOB DESCRIPTION. In conjunction with the Senior Charge Nurse to provide clear and consistent leadership to a team of nurses.

Transcription

1 JOB DESCRIPTION 1. JOB IDENTIFICATION Job Title: Charge Nurse Band 6 Responsible to (insert job title): Directorate: Operating Division: Senior Charge Nurse Emergency Care Directorate Fife Acute Hospitals Job Reference: No of Job Holders: Last Update (insert date): February JOB PURPOSE As part of a multidisciplinary team the post holder will have responsibility for assessment of care needs and the development of programmes of care and/or the implementation and evaluation of these programmes ensuring the delivery of high quality care to patients. In the absence of the Senior Charge Nurse the post holder will have continuing responsibility for the management of a ward area including supervision and deployment of staff. In conjunction with the Senior Charge Nurse to provide clear and consistent leadership to a team of nurses. 3. DIMENSIONS The Fife Acute Hospitals NHS has a management structure based on Clinical Directorates. The Directorate of Medicine provides a service on both the Dunfermline and Kirkcaldy sites. The total Directorate budget is 44M and it has 901 wte staff. The Directorate Nursing Budget is 21M and there are 746 wte Nursing Staff. The role of the Directorate is to provide medical services to residents throughout Fife. This includes new and review out-patients, investigation and medical intervention for a variety of specialties including General Medicine, Care of the Elderly, Gastroenterology, Dermatology, Palliative Medicine, Endocrinology, Nephrology, Haematology and Oncology, Cardiology, Respiratory Medicine and Neurology.

2 4. ORGANISATIONAL POSITION Clinical Director Directorate Manager Director of Nursing & Therapies (professionally accountable) IAD Manager Directorate Accountant/ Directorate Nurse Manager Business Manager Bed Manager/Clinical Co-ordinators Clinical Nurse Managers Senior Charge Nurse Charge Nurse Band 6 (this post) Staff Nurse Band 5 Nursing Auxiliary Band 2 5. ROLE OF DEPARTMENT To provide a high quality, safe and supportive environment in order to care for patients within the ward/department, meeting the identified physical and psycho-social needs. The emphasis will be on teamwork, flexibility and the provision of a patient-focused service.

3 6. KEY RESULT AREAS PROFESSIONAL At all times act as a professional role model in accordance with all directives and guidance from the NMC. In conjunction with the Senior Charge Nurse to ensure that all nursing staff are aware of, and work within, local, directorate and division policies and procedures to ensure the safe working practices are maintained for both patients and staff. To take a leading role in specific areas of ward responsibility and development. MANAGERIAL To be responsible for the assessment of care needs and the development, implementation and evaluation of programmes of care for patients in the ward area to ensure delivery of a high standard of care. In conjunction with the Senior Charge Nurse to set, monitor and evaluate standards of care within the defined policies, procedures, standards and protocols of the ward, directorate and division to ensure adherence to, and delivery of a high quality service. In the absence of the Senior Charge Nurse assume responsibility for the management of daily operational responsibilities in the ward including, work allocation, deployment and supervision of staff to ensure smooth running of the ward. To take a leading role in supporting the Senior Charge Nurse in recruitment and selection. To develop the role by using evidence-based practice and continuously improve own knowledge, following PREP guidelines. To ensure that (both disposable and non-disposable) is maintained and stock managed to ensure economical use of all resources. Responsible for maintaining patient records within agreed standards. Recognise and act upon situations that may be detrimental to the health and well-being of the individual. To act as hospital co-ordinator for short periods. EDUCATION & TRAINING To participate in leading, supporting, counselling and appraising junior grades of staff to ensure development needs are identified and a cohesive multidisciplinary team approach is maintained. To undertake teaching of qualified and unqualified nursing staff, including basic and postbasic students, and participate in the implementation of staff personal development plans and appraisals to facilitate and meet ongoing development needs. Advise on the promotion of health and prevention of illness. RESEARCH To participate in clinical audit and research programmes within the ward area to ensure to continuous development of evidence based practice.

4 7a. EQUIPMENT AND MACHINERY The Charge Nurse is expected to have a knowledge of all used in the area however may not have daily clinical involvement. GENERIC Nurse call system SPECIALISED Infusion devices & associated VERY SPECIALISED Cardiac monitor Personal computer Observation recording equip. Intubation Equipment Office Photocopier & fax Fridge Fire Wheelchairs Walking aids Trolleys Glucometer Pulse oximeter Enteral / Parenteral feeding Doppler Bladder scanner Defibrillator Electrocardiograph Beds Oxygen systems Urinary catheter Laboratory specimen cont. Manual handling Patient hoists Vacutainer systems Commodes / toilet aids Clinimatic Intravenous infusion stands Resuscitation Equipment Suction Pressure relieving Electric beds Sharps boxes Syringe drivers Patient controlled analgesia Central venous pressure recording monitor Blood warmers Bear Hugger Portaneb - nebuliser Vacupump dressings Surgical drains Chest drains Naso-gastric tubes

5 7b. SYSTEMS Budgetscan/Timesheet recording roster input Computer literate, updating Oasis, training schedules, rotas, staffing statistics Maintenance of patient records Fife Early Warning System Datix Manage Incident Reporting 8. ASSIGNMENT AND REVIEW OF WORK The Charge Nurse will be responsible to the Senior Charge Nurse for clinical guidance and professional management, work review and formal appraisal of performance, including self, Band 5 and Band 2 colleagues. The Charge Nurse will delegate/allocate work and have responsibility for managing defined and unpredictable workload within professional guidelines on a daily basis, in the absence of Senior Charge Nurse. 9. DECISIONS AND JUDGEMENTS Assessment of complex decision making, including managing staff. Assessment of patient condition to establish change and subsequent planning of care and prioritising workloads. Prioritising and organise routine / complex activities and bed management. In the absence of Senior Charge Nurse allocate allocation of work and deployment of staff. 10. MOST CHALLENGING/DIFFICULT PARTS OF THE JOB Achieving a balance between the demands of direct patient care within existing resources. In the absence of the Senior Charge Nurse provide cover to ensure the effective and safe operation of the ward. Dealing with members of the public in potentially difficult situations. Dealing with demands/needs of other staff members. Maintaining protocols within a stressful environment. To deal effectively and within operational policies in times of reduced bed availability.

6 11. COMMUNICATIONS AND RELATIONSHIPS The postholder will be expected to communicate and liaise with Internal: The patient, their relatives, designated next of kin, and the multidisciplinary team involved in the provision of care more than once a day. Junior nursing staff patient care, allocation of work, workload issues - continuously. Nurse Managers and Co-ordinators daily as required. Participate in case conferences to identify and discuss with patient, family, social services and community providers, plan of discharge as required. Other relevant departments within the Division e.g. Estates, Supplies, Human Resources, Fire Officer, Infection Control - frequently. Staff Organisations as required. Bed Manager and other related workers - daily. External: Discharge planner weekly. Social Services regarding patient discharge daily as required. Other relevant external agencies regarding patient care daily as required. General Practitioners daily as required. District Nurses daily as required. Palliative Care Team as required. 12. PHYSICAL, MENTAL, EMOTIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL DEMANDS OF THE JOB Physical Skills: The ability to operate machinery and as listed in No 7. Assessing nutritional requirements, serving and assisting patients to eat meals more than once a day. Administration of prescribed medications more than once a day. Ability to carry out vital signs and patient observations more than once a day. Administer sub-cutaneous injections and or intra-muscular injections, syringe pumps and infusions more than once a day. Collection of specimens more than once a day. Insertion/removal of cannulae more than once a day. Insertion/removal of urinary catheters as required. Removal of sutures as required. Venepuncture more than once a day. IV additives as prescribed. Physical Demands: Carrying out physical care to patients i.e. washing, dressing, mobilising, wound care and all other aspects of care associated with the activities of living more than once a day. Patient movement with/without use of mechanical aides, manoeuvre patients more than once a day. Push trolleys, wheelchairs and beds more than once a day. Stand/walking for the majority of shift. Escort duties internal/external as required. Manage patients with challenging behaviour regularly.

7 Housekeeping duties including cleaning ward daily. Moving daily as required. Working in cramped or restricted positions. Mental Demands: Concentration required when checking documents/patient notes, calculating and administering drug dosages, whilst working in a work pattern which is unpredictable, and subject to frequent interruptions from patient/relatives/team members continuously. Concentration required when observing patient behaviour, which may be unpredictable continuously. Basic numeracy and English language skills. Retention and communication of knowledge and information continuously. Effective time management skills continuously. Recognising and managing conflict continuously. Emotional Demands: Communicating with distressed/anxious/worried patients/relatives in highly distressing conditions frequently. Caring for the terminally ill frequently. Performance of last offices regularly. Caring for patients following receipt of bad news regularly. Identifying/managing emergency situations daily. Supporting staff in the working environment daily. Working Conditions: Exposure to body fluids, faeces, emptying bed pans/urinals, catheter bags - continuously Exposure to verbal aggression frequently. Exposure to a demanding and stressful environment continuously 13. KNOWLEDGE, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED TO DO THE JOB Educated to degree level (or working towards) Evidence of further education/continuous professional development, eg short courses. Evidence of team working skills with ability to work using own initiative. The post holder will be required to demonstrate excellent team working skills, with proven change management experience and the ability to use own initiative Effective listening and interpersonal skills. Time management skills. 14. JOB DESCRIPTION AGREEMENT A separate job description will need to be signed off by each jobholder to whom the job description applies. Job Holder s Signature: Head of Department Signature: Date: Date:

8 RECRUITMENT AND SELECTION STANDARDS PERSON SPECIFICATION FORM Post Title/Grade: Charge Nurse Band 6 Department/Ward: Experience ESSENTIAL DESIRABLE MEASURE Post registration experience Post registration experience within Acute Medicine Application form and interview Qualifications/ Training 1 st Level Registration Educated to degree level or working towards degree Evidence of ongoing professional development. Evidence of clinical governance. Infection control champion. Application form and interview Knowledge A sound knowledge of acute medical nursing. Research/Audit Application form and interview Skills Venepuncture Organisational skills Teaching / I.T and presentation skills Good communication and interpersonal skills A level of English language competency and communication skills necessary to perform this role safely and effectively Cannulation Counselling skills Male / Female catherisation skills Application form and interview

9 Aptitude ESSENTIAL DESIRABLE MEASURE Innovative Interview Enthusiastic Demonstrate leadership ability Able to work on own initiative Calm under pressure Must regard the patient and family as partners in care. Other e.g. Team Player, Be able to travel Multidisciplinary Team player Ability to travel across sites Interview