How To Be A Senior Neonatal Staff Nurse

Transcription

1 ISLE OF MAN DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE JOB DESCRIPTION Job Title: Senior Neonatal Staff Nurse Location: Noble s Hospital, Women s and Children s Division Accountable to: Divisional Manager, Women s and Children s & Outpatients Reports to: Lead Nurse, Neonatal Services Pay Band: 6 Job Evaluation Reference No: 0241v3/JE/14 Organisation Chart: (attached) Divisional Manager Lead Nurse Senior Neonatal Staff Nurse Neonatal Staff Nurse Senior Health Care Assistant Housekeeper Ward Clerk Senior Neonatal Staff Nurse Job Description Page 1 of 15

2 JOB PURPOSE Post holder will : Be responsible for providing safe and effective care to intensive care, high dependency and special care neonates without direct supervision Responsible for assessing, planning, delivering and evaluating neonatal nursing care Participate in the supervision, mentorship, education and appraisal of junior members of staff and any students on the Unit. Practice as a member of the multi-disciplinary team Regularly act as shift coordinator for the Unit On occasion take charge of the management of the Unit in the absence of the Lead Nurse Support the Lead Nurse to manage the Unit, including the employing and selection of staff and staff deployment KNOWLEDGE, TRAINING & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED TO DO THE JOB Post holder will have /hold: Level 1 Registered Nurse or registered Midwife on Part 1 (Adult/Child) / 2 of the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) Register Diploma of Higher Education in Health Studies (or working towards), or equivalent experience over a three year period ENB 405 or equivalent post registration learning in Neonatal care Minimum of one year s post 405 (or equivalent) registration experience Attainment of a formal Leadership Qualification Following appropriate training, will be able to provide extended practices such as In-flight Nursing, Community Neonatal Outreach Nursing, Neonatal Life Support (NLS) Instructor and act as Link Nurse for appropriate speciality such as Infection Control, Resuscitation, Safeguarding Children, NLS etc Mentoring and Assessing qualification with practice supervisor workshop or ENB 998, or NVQ Assessor Awareness of responsibility and accountability of role i.e. legal and ethical issues especially those specific to neonatology Basic knowledge of IT skills, i.e. system and Microsoft Word Maintain and improve professional knowledge, skills and competence to ensure delivery of evidence-based practice in line with NMC Code of Conduct Good communication and interpersonal skills Senior Neonatal Staff Nurse Job Description Page 2 of 15

3 MAIN DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES Post holder will : Be responsible for the assessment of care needs and the development, implementation and evaluation of programmes of care for infants on the Unit to ensure delivery of a high standard of care on every shift In the absence of the Lead Nurse, assume responsibility for the management of daily operational responsibilities in the Unit, including work allocation, deployment and supervision of staff to ensure the smooth running of the area In conjunction with Lead Nurse set, monitor and evaluate standards of care within defined policies, procedures, standards and protocols to ensure adherence to and delivery of a high quality service Be aware of and work within local, directorate, hospital and DH policies to ensure that safe working practices are maintained for patients and staff, including non-nursing staff i.e. visitors to the area. Also propose changes to working practices within Unit to improve the quality and level of service delivery Lead, support, teach, counsel and appraise junior and unqualified grades of staff to ensure development needs are identified and a cohesive multidisciplinary team approach is maintained. Implement staff personal development plans to meet ongoing development needs Develop role by using evidence-based practice, continuously improving own knowledge, using PREP guidelines Ensure equipment is maintained and stock (disposables and non-disposables) is managed so all resources are economically used Contribute and participate in clinical audit within and out with area to ensure development of evidence based practice Maintain patient records within agreed standards as stated in the NMC Record Keeping Guidelines on every shift CLINICAL To provide individualised nursing and family centred care without supervision. This includes infants having a full range of ventilatory support, invasive monitoring, nutrition via central lines, and complex intravenous drug therapies Attend deliveries, as requested according to service needs, and participate in resuscitation / stabilisation without supervision To assess and re assess, by using advanced clinical and analytical skills, the care needs of Intensive Care / High Dependency / Special Care infants through interpretation of results, to include cardio-respiratory monitoring, blood gas analysis, temperature recordings, pulse oximetry, blood sugar and blood pressure measurements To formulate, develop and implement plans of care that are evidence base Adjust oxygen levels within agreed and prescribed parameters, in response to observations, reporting significant changes to the nurse in charge / medical staff Senior Neonatal Staff Nurse Job Description Page 3 of 15

4 Be able to respond quickly and effectively, to initiate resuscitation of infants, participating and supporting junior staff (both medical and nursing) in ongoing resuscitation Continually evaluate the quality and effectiveness of care given, implementing necessary changes to ensure high standards of appropriate nursing care, reporting significant changes to the nurse in charge Care for infants when active treatment has been withdrawn, including initiation and participation in post bereavement process (paperwork, communication with key stakeholders) Maintain accurate and up to date documentation of care, observations and changes to treatment Ensure development care needs of the infants are met. This will include all aspects of developmental care including positioning, environment etc Contribute to the multi-disciplinary team in discharge planning by attending multi-disciplinary meetings and communicating with the team. This would include progress reports, feedback and advice on the clinical condition of the infants involved. Also to include the preparation of relevant reports which are required Contribute to the development and maintenance of professional nursing standards within the speciality, reporting divergences to the Lead Nurse. This would involve involvement in benchmarking and networking activities Maintain safe custody and administration of medicines concordant with NMC and local guidelines Is fully competent to administer drug therapies which require central venous lines for administration Promote and undertake clinical practice sensitive to the needs of infants, families, carers and relatives from multi-cultural backgrounds Promote practice conducive to reducing the risk of cross infection in the Unit and hospital Ensure record keeping is in accordance with NMC and local policies / procedures /guidelines Frequently co-ordinate management of the Unit, whilst undertaking the management and care of a group of patients PROFESSIONAL Post holder will: Accept personal accountability for own practice as a registered nurse / midwife Maintain NMC registration At all times act in accordance with NMC Code of Professional Conduct and Competence Work within agreed Unit philosophy and hospital/departmental policies, guidelines and procedures Act as a role model for junior staff Always work with professional attitude, conduct and presentation on every shift Address and manage professional issues when in charge of the Unit, to ensure safe and harmonious working Senior Neonatal Staff Nurse Job Description Page 4 of 15

5 TRAINING, EDUCATION & RESEARCH Post holder will: Participate in orientation programmes for newly appointed/less experienced members of staff as well as students, facilitating achievement of learning outcomes and objectives Act as mentor to new staff including Registered Nurses (RNs), Senior Healthcare Assistants (SHCAs), Healthcare Assistants (HCAs) and students Provide mentorship for post registration students undertaking the specialist neonatal course and new staff, identifying learning needs and strategies Attend, and participate in, the Unit and Hospital wide mandatory teaching programmes to include Neonatal Life Support, moving and handling, infection control, etc Be responsible for identifying own continuing educational needs and development, in conjunction with Senior Nurse and show evidence of continual professional development through Individual Performance Review (IPR) and the maintenance of an up to date Portfolio Develop own and others knowledge base to ensure that practice is research / evidence based Acknowledge limitations of practice, seeking advice from senior nursing/midwifery staff as appropriate Implement Unit / Hospital policies, guidelines and procedures appropriately Participate in clinical benchmarking, guideline development, setting standards appropriate to neonatal care Ensure research based practice, introducing and implementing new methods of evidence by participating in audit and Essence of Care initiatives Participate in the performance and evaluation of new research within the clinical environment PLANNING & ORGANISATIONAL SKILLS Organise own workload and workload of junior staff, student nurses/midwives and SHCA s to ensure that the needs of the infants are met Ensure effective use of resources to minimise waste. This would include liaising with hospital stores to ensure adequate stocks are available to meet infant / Unit needs and that the need for special orders are identified to the appropriate personnel Actively input to service developments by attendance at Unit meetings, benchmarking meetings and relevant Directorate meetings Assist in the implementation of change Provide leadership, mentorship and supervision to less experienced staff working in the clinical environment Demonstrate good effective time management Senior Neonatal Staff Nurse Job Description Page 5 of 15

6 Ensure own mandatory training is up to date in conjunction with Lead Nurse. This will also include appropriate record keeping of such as well as identifying areas/issues which need to be addressed Devise, structure, participate in and continually review appropriate in-house training to include medical, nursing/midwifery and other appropriate staff, in conjunction with the Lead Nurse Maintain accurate records as requested and required by the Lead Nurse or Clinical General Manager of staff attendance, ward reports, bank staff usage etc COMMUNICATION Post holder will: Ensure parents are fully informed of changes to care and progress, either in person or by telephone communication Communicate confidential and sensitive information to patients and their families appropriately. This information could be distressing when discussing poor prognosis Be empathetic and able to handle difficult and emotional situations where persons may be angry, confused or distressed Listen to complaints from staff, parents, carers and relative and take appropriate action Participate in all aspects of Parentcraft and discharge planning, liaising with the community neonatal outreach team/ community midwifery team/ community paediatric team Communicates with all other wards / departments as well as external agencies such as Health Visitors, GPs, Social Services and other neonatal and paediatric units Maintains accurate and up to date nursing and medical records in line with NMC standards as well as using Patient Administrative System (PAS) and Patient Record Tracking system Assesses complex issues and facilitates decision-making relating to patient care, safety and treatment options / outcomes Demonstrates patient advocacy when appropriate Participates in multidisciplinary meetings as well as the Mortality/Morbidity meetings, educational sessions, Unit meetings and when appropriate Directorate wide meetings Key Liaisons: Lead Nurses, Senior Nurses, Paediatric Medical staff, Obstetric staff, Paediatric Unit, Patient Transfer Department, Community Health Services, Community Midwifery services, Social Services Department, General Practitioners, Estates Department, Ancillary staff, Infection Control Team MANAGERIAL / LEADERSHIP Post holder will: Deputise up as required for the Lead Nurse, taking responsibility for the effective efficient day to day operational management of Unit, ensuring appropriate workload allocation according to skill mix and effective staff management to promote team working. This will include day and night Senior Neonatal Staff Nurse Job Description Page 6 of 15

7 shifts Manage a defined and allocated patient workload, prioritising as appropriate Participate in the planning and production of staff rotas such as off duty, annual leave etc Liaise with Labour Ward staff, Post Natal Ward staff, Children s Ward staff and other neonatal units to negotiate transfer in and out of the Unit, when in charge Effective, efficient and economical use of resources within the area to maintain adequate levels of stock and equipment, keeping records as required Assist in developing and sharing the Unit philosophy, directorate and organisations vision Attend meetings relevant to Unit and hospital wide groups, and as delegated by Lead Nurse in their absence. Actively participating and inputting information relevant to discussions When required and in rotation with peers, act as shift co-ordinator of the Unit during shift / take responsibility for a team of infants within area during shift Contribute to the implementation of changes to practice, both managerial and clinical when local or hospital wide policies deem it necessary in conjunction with the Lead Nurse CLINICAL GOVERNANCE Post holder will: Act as an advocate for infants and their families at all times Safeguard the safety of patients, visitors and staff at all times, maintaining a safe working environment Maintain knowledge of and adhere to relevant Unit and Hospital policies and guidelines Ensure that all equipment and safety checks are performed at the start of each shift Be aware of responsibility in regard to child protection issues and act accordingly and attending inter agency meetings as required to ensure the best interest of the infant are represented Participate in the development programmes that seek to measure outcomes and quality including audit and research studies, under the guidance, support and direction of senior staff Participate in the development of clinical policies/projects that facilitate the development of best nursing practice Assist in the maintenance and monitoring of an acceptable environment for patients, reporting and taking appropriate action on hazards and faulty equipment Comply with and participate in the DH framework of Clinical Governance within the Neonatal Unit, seeking advice or guidance where necessary Record and report all incidents/complaints involving staff, patients or visitors and assist in any investigation as required in accordance with the DH Complaints Procedure Comply with the need for patient confidentiality, including requirements of the Data Protection Act Senior Neonatal Staff Nurse Job Description Page 7 of 15

8 Undertake and action as necessary risk assessment in accordance with Statutory guidance and hospital policy and procedures such as COSHH, moving and handling Maintain appropriate knowledge about and involvement in, agreed strategies and programmes to continuously improve the standards of clinical care through: Patient and user involvement Risk and complaint management Clinical effectiveness and audit programmes Continuous professional development SYSTEMS & EQUIPMENT Post holder will: Ensure accuracy is maintained in the ordering, storage and administration of medications in accordance with local hospital policy Maintain departmental stock levels, through ordering of stores, ensuring economic use of all resources Expected to co-operate with management to maintain safe systems and safe workplaces Have a knowledge of all equipment used in area Ensure equipment or instruments used have been properly checked, left clean and ready for use in accordance with the Infection Control Manual / hospital and unit policies Report and take action on faulty equipment Demonstrate and maintain competence in the use of all the equipment in use on the Unit Examples of equipment and machinery used: Very specialised Infant ventilators CPAP Drivers (assisted ventilation) Blood Gas Analyser Low Flow Oxygen Blender Giraffe Omnibeds and Incubators Resuscitaires on Labour Ward Neopuff resuscitation devices Neonatal transport incubator and system Specialised Humidification devices Continuous patient vital signs recording monitors Neonatal suctioning equipment Kenmed infant warming systems Breast Pumps Phototherapy Lamps Biliblankets (jaundice treatment) Senior Neonatal Staff Nurse Job Description Page 8 of 15

9 Generic Intravenous pumps Syringe devices PAS (Patient Administration Systems) computer system PACS (Photographic Archiving Computer System) computer system STORK maternity and neonatal computer system Maintain patient records to standards outlined by hospital and statutory bodies Working knowledge of Information Technology (IT) systems, e.g. Basic Word Processing Ensure own time sheet is completed Exercise personal duty of care when using equipment Shared responsibility for the safe use, maintenance, storage and cleaning of equipment, pumps, monitors, etc Identify training needs for equipment and develop action plan accordingly DECISIONS & JUDGEMENTS Post holder will using specialised knowledge: Assess, plan, prioritise, implement and evaluate nursing interventions to meet patient needs both independently and taking into account input from other members of the multidisciplinary team Assess and evaluate patient condition to establish any change, report and act accordingly Analysis of patient condition and subsequent planning of programmes of care, taking action as required Exercise own judgement in emergency situations (fire, cardiac arrest) initiate first responses and report to the relevant persons Exercise clinical judgement in response to the deterioration of a patient s condition ensuring appropriate action is taken Make judgements and decisions to ensure that a high standard of care is maintained, as well as monitoring and identifying potential areas for improvements Exercise own judgement, whilst supporting the Lead Nurse to implement change of practice to improve care delivery Utilise resources effectively, efficiently and economically to ensure good stock control, maintain equipment records ensuring safe and working order for use within budgetary requirements Exercise own judgement in Risk Management, providing a safe environment for patients, staff, and all visitors to the ward area Senior Neonatal Staff Nurse Job Description Page 9 of 15

10 Confidentiality In the course of your duties you may have access to confidential material about patients, members of staff or other business of the Department. On no account must information relating to identifiable patients be divulged to anyone other than authorised persons, for example, medical, nursing or other professional staff, as appropriate, who are concerned directly with the care, diagnosis and /or treatment of the patient. If you are in any doubt whatsoever as to the authority of a person or body asking for information of this nature, you must seek advice from your manager. Similarly, no information of a personal or confidential nature concerning individual members of staff should be divulged to anyone without the proper authority having first been given. Failure to observe these rules will be regarded by your employers as gross misconduct which could result in disciplinary action being taken against you. In the case of information held on computer systems, you may be held personally liable if you in any way knowingly contravene the appropriate terms of the Data Protection Act Health & Safety/Security It is the duty of all employees to work in such a way that accidents to themselves and to others are avoided, and to co-operate in maintaining their place of work in a tidy and safe condition, thereby minimising risk. Employees will, therefore, refer any matters of concern through their respective line managers. Similarly, it is each person s responsibility to ensure a secure environment and bring any breaches of security to the attention of their managers. JOB DESCRIPTION AGREEMENT I have read and agree with the content of this job description, and accept that the role will be reviewed annually as part of the development review process. Job Holder s name (please print). Date:. Job Holder s signature: Line Manager s name (please print)... Date:. Line Manager s signature:.. Senior Neonatal Staff Nurse Job Description Page 10 of 15

11 JOB DESCRIPTION APPENDIX 1 PHYSICAL, MENTAL & EMOTIONAL DEMANDS OF THE JOB AND WORKING CONDITIONS This section should describe the nature, level, frequency and duration with which you will be expected to deal with physical, mental and emotional effort and the nature, level, frequency and duration of demands arising from inevitably adverse environmental conditions. Physical Effort Repetitive movements such as bending, stretching, typing / keyboard skills Frequent movement of equipment, cots, incubators, ventilators etc Frequent answering of emergency bells from labour ward/ post natal ward Frequent standing / walking for long periods Frequent cleaning of cots, incubators and equipment Frequently stretches / crouches / bends to perform specific clinical tasks to infants in incubators, cots Mental Effort Makes decisions on a constant basis, requiring sustained mental effort, to understand the constantly changing complexities of clinical conditions, treatments, drug therapies, regarding infant s care Concentration is required when checking document/case notes, calculating drug dosages, dispensing medicines and talking to parents and relatives. This concentration is subject to very frequent interruptions by the needs of other infants, other parents and relatives, other staff, telephone calls and the security entry system on the Unit Frequent concentration when assessing, observing, implementing care or diagnosing infants condition which is unpredictable Frequent concentration required when using such equipment as cardiac monitors, ventilators, infusion devices, invasive monitoring Emotional Effort Gives unwelcome news to staff and relatives of limited treatment expectations / prognosis Cares for infants with terminal illness / poor prognosis / limited treatment expectations Deals with parents who are mentally and physically demanding due to clinical condition and circumstances of the infant, difficult social circumstances and situations etc Senior Neonatal Staff Nurse Job Description Page 11 of 15

12 Deals with distressed relatives and deceased infant s relatives Gives advice to distressed parents and relatives when an infant has died regarding contacting the undertaker, registering the death, further counselling etc Provides support to colleagues and others as and when required Working Conditions Manages contact with substances such as hazardous gases, blood, bodily fluid, contaminated waste and infective materials Frequent exposure to unpleasant smells/odours Noise Body fluids/faeces/vomit Risk of needle stick injuries Unsociable shift patterns Frequent use of computers Frequently working in a warm and humid environment Frequent use of hazardous substances such as blood, cleaning fluids, intravenous drug administration AGREEMENT OF ABOVE DESCRIPTION I have read and agree with the above description. Job Holder s Name (please print).. Job Holder s Signature: Date: Line Manager s Name (please print) Line Manager s Signature: Date: Senior Neonatal Staff Nurse Job Description Page 12 of 15

13 ISLE OF MAN DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE Neonatal Unit, Women s, Children s & Outpatients Division Senior Neonatal Staff Nurse PERSON SPECIFICATION CRITERIA FOR SELECTION (Justifiable as necessary for safe and effective performance) ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS (A clear definition for the necessary criteria) DESIRABLE REQUIREMENTS (Where available, elements that contribute to improved/immediate performance in the job) METHOD OF ASSESSMENT (Application, CV, Portfolio, Certificates, References, Interview) LINK TO KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS FRAMEWORK QUALIFICATIONS Level 1 RN / RM on Part 1 (Adult / Child) / 2 of NMC Register Formal Leadership Qualification Application CV Portfolio Certificates ENB 405 or equivalent Mentoring and Assessing course 998 or equivalent / Practice supervisor workshop KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE 1 yr. in NICU/SCBU post ENB 405 at E (RN) level Ability to attend deliveries and participate in resuscitation/ stabilisation Training and experience in areomedical neonatal transfers Training and experience in an community neonatal outreach role Application CV Portfolio Certificates Interview Experience and history of involvement in teaching/education at ward level Ability and experience in interpreting research findings into clinical practice Senior Neonatal Staff Nurse Job Description Page 13 of 15

14 High degree of accountability and responsibility of role SKILLS & ABILITIES Demonstrate knowledge of Clinical Governance Sound organisation / time management skills Application CV Portfolio Interview Ability to work as part of a team and on own initiative Good communication and interpersonal skills Awareness / knowledge / experience of involvement in IPR and appraisal Ability to manage conflict constructively Ability and experience of resource management PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES Demonstrate knowledge of Clinical Governance Reliable Application Portfolio Interview Good communication skills Adaptable to changing circumstances / health needs and the change process Motivation and enthusiasm Ability to prioritise, manage and co ordinate daily operation and workload of Unit Senior Neonatal Staff Nurse Job Description Page 14 of 15

15 OTHER RELEVANT REQUIREMENTS Demonstrate knowledge of Clinical Governance Awareness of current Professional nursing issues relevant to speciality Portfolio Certificates Interview Up to date Professional Portfolio Senior Neonatal Staff Nurse Job Description Page 15 of 15