POSITION DESCRIPTION TITLE: RESPONSIBLE TO: LOCATION: Registered Nurse Hawera Hospital Clinical Nurse Manager Hawera Hospital DATE: March 2010 AIM OF POSITION The Staff Nurse will provide optimum care utilising nursing knowledge and skills. To be available for rostered shifts. To be available as a nurse escort for transfers if required. Liaise with Clinical Nurse Manager regarding any aspects of nursing issues, risk management, equipment maintenance, or patient safety. Ensure efficient and effective use of all equipment and resources. Work effectively and efficiently with the multi-disciplinary team throughout Hawera Hospital as and when required. Update and maintain clinical knowledge and skills. To perform nursing duties in other areas as required as appropriate. Taranaki Health is the primary provider of health services to the people of Taranaki. Its vision is to lead the provision of an efficient integrated health service that improves the health of the people of Taranaki. OUR VALUES Taranaki District Health Board is committed to the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi and in particular we value: The provision of appropriate and culturally acceptable services. Ongoing consultation and partnership with the people of Taranaki. Good customer service and satisfying or exceeding community needs and expectations. Treating people with respect and fairness. Encouraging personal and professional growth of staff. Team work and a multi-disciplinary approach. Continuous quality improvement of our health and disability services. -1 of 6
CLINICAL DUTIES KEY AREAS OF RESPONSIBILTY To perform nursing duties with optimum patient management and care. Patients and families are educated and informed at all appropriate stages of treatment and rehabilitation. All information accurately documented with regard to immediate and future care of the patient. Maintain risk management standards at all times. Effective communication between all disciplines is maintained at all times. Maximum safety levels are observed at all times. Able to undertake assessment and management of patients in a safe effective, timely, and appropriate manner to maximise patient wellbeing. Optimum patient management and care meets the standards of nursing practice. Health promotion activities are undertaken relevant to patients and the HealthCare setting. Care is customer focused and planned with regard to ethnic, cultural, religious, and other individual needs. Accurately documents all patient data as appropriate. Regular assessment of patient condition / treatment is undertaken. The role of patient advocate is undertaken and ensures procedures and care is appropriate. Respond appropriately in an emergency situation. Ensure nurse is familiar with and follows ward routines. Regular reviews of protocols. Customer satisfaction Complaints Performance assessments -2 of 6
PATIENT CARE AND CUSTOMER SERVICE Responsible for providing quality care for patients and ensuring an excellent customer focus to all patients and working relationships. Take responsibility for patient care in the department. Use assessment skills to plan and implement appropriate patient care. Evaluates effectiveness of care and treatment. Coordinates with other health personnel to ensure quality service. Provides a friendly secure environment to overcome patient fear and stress. Acts as patient advocate when necessary. Communicates with patients and staff in a friendly, clear, effective, and helpful manner. Demonstrates cultural sensitivity. Maintains confidentiality and the patient s right to privacy. Informs relatives and / or support groups (whanau) as appropriate and necessary. Customer and clinical staff satisfaction and complaints. Regular performance reviews. ENVIRONMENT AND FACILITIES Maintains environment and facilities to ensure effective, quality service provision. Reports equipment malfunction and facilities issues to the Clinical Nurse Manager. Provides patients with a clean, tidy environment, enhancing patient and staff comfort and safety. Maintains an environment which prevents spread of infection. Disposes of sharps, glass and infectious material in accordance with established protocols. Is proactive and responsible in respect to health and safety. Ensures that equipment, and other related support infrastructure is well maintained in area of responsibility. Accident and Incident Reports Customer satisfaction and complaints Health and Safety Emergency Procedure audit -3 of 6
TEAM WORK Respects and appreciates input from all disciplines for the holistic care of the patient. Promotes the fostering of a team environment enhancing partnership and co-operation. Is available for team development workshops as determined by Clinical Nurse Manager. Assists in the development of new policies and procedures within the organisation. Attends organisational / team staff meetings where possible. Demonstrates a commitment to continual improvement activities and undertakes such, as appropriate. Develops and encourages customer focus. Customer satisfaction Complaints Performance Assessment Peer evaluations STAFF DEVELOPMENT Participates in regular Performance Reviews. Participates in in-service education and encourages others to do so. Provides feedback, relevant to team. Participates in ongoing training of staff in the advent of equipment or protocol changes. Undertakes additional courses and conferences promoting personal and professional development. Shares knowledge and skills with others, as required. Maintains a high level of nursing practise and expertise with equipment for safety reasons. Customer satisfaction and complaints. Peer evaluations. Staff have attended appropriate training courses and have reported back to the wider group. DECISION MAKING The Nurse will have delegated authority to make all necessary decisions about the management of the patient in position s area of responsibility and accountability. This position has no financial authority. This position description is not exhaustive and the incumbent may be requested to perform any reasonable task requested by Clinical Nurse Manager / Clinical Nurse Coordinator. This position description will be reviewed from time to time in consultation with the incumbent. -4 of 6
KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS: Clinical Nurse Manager Reporting relationship and performance appraisal Other Nursing / Administration Staff Liaison and communication re daily activities. Clinical Nurse Manager Direct report, project management, support, communication. HCA Liaison and communication re daily activities. TDHB teams Liaison and communication Clinicians Liaison and communication Public and patients Care of customer STAFF RESPONSIBILITIES: This position has no direct staff responsibilities -5 of 6
PERSON SPECIFICATION: KEY PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS REQUIRED: Openness - The person must have a natural, open manner and a level of self confidence which helps generate trust and good working relationships. Innovative - To succeed, Taranaki District Health Board needs people who are prepared to be innovative and prepared to push the boundaries by trying new initiatives. Fairness - The successful person must demonstrate a natural inclination to be fair with all parties they deal with. This recognises that a successful sustainable team will be created by ensuring relationships are built and strengthened by dealing with people on this basis. Commitment - The person must have an absolute commitment to make a difference and to achieve the objectives set for the department/organisation. The drive and commitment to make a difference is an essential attribute in an environment dedicated to quality improvements. ESSENTIAL: Qualified Registered Nurse with current practising certificate. Understanding of, and commitment to the process of AT&R principles. Is able to communicate effectively with all staff, patients, and patient s families or care givers. Have a mutual respect positively contributing for the good of the ward. Has a commitment to quality and accuracy and is keen to learn and develop new skills. Is a dedicated team player with a willingness to learn new skills. Shows a caring and professional manner in all aspects of work. Is aware of and sensitive to all cultural issues. Is able to cope with a high and varied workload including emergency situations. Good health. Has time management skills and the ability to prioritise. Demonstrates initiative and flexibility. Has knowledge of quality assurance and accreditation principles, and a commitment of continuous quality improvement. Has the ability to maintain confidentiality at all times. DESIRABLE: Recent Acute / ED / or medical experience Computer literate Ability to work alongside / with multidisciplinary team Knowledge of Tikanga Maori -6 of 6