Deputy Sister / Charge Nurse, ITU

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen to appoint an enthusiastic, experienced band 6 nurse to join our forward thinking, progressive Nursing Team as a Shift Leader responsible for the clinical management of our Intensive Care Unit (ICU) on a shift by shift basis.

Being part of an extensive network of Intensive Care Units, NHS Trusts and Local Health Commissioners, St. Peters ICU is a purposed built unit funded for 11 beds, it was part-refurbished in May 2017.

We currently see around 1,200 patients a year in our Unit,  our patients are often admitted with multi-organ failure requiring ventilatory support, renal support via continuous venous hemofiltration, cardiac support with Intra-aortic balloon pumps, cardiac output monitoring, as well as patients from  trauma and elective surgery, alongside other medical conditions.

St Peters ICU encourages Staff to develop both clinically but also from an operational and strategic viewpoint and we also provide a comprehensive initial induction programme, regular multi-disciplinary teaching sessions and in-house training.

So, not only will you be supported by our fantastic Clinical Education Team as you will be guided by your Team Leader that together will back you in this exciting role.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will

• The post holder will work as a Shift Leader responsible for the clinical management of the ICU on a shift by shift basis. To be responsible for the immediate management of critically ill patients in ICU and in collaboration with the multi-disciplinary team ensure that patients receive optimum care. The post holder will support the Team Leader in any service development projects. To lead by example as an expert practitioner.

• Will conduct appraisal of team members with the support of the Team Leader, assist in the management of resources and contribute to the corporate agenda.

• Promote a quality service using research and evidence based practice.

Please see JD for further details

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Clinical Practice and Professional Leadership Responsibilities

• Co-ordinate the management of the Unit when in charge, delegate duties and care appropriately whilst maintaining overall responsibility.

• Ensure safe and effective care for complex patients requiring advanced clinical skills.

• Supervise the a safe, high standard of nursing practice and the delivery of evidenced based patient care in accordance with the NMC Code of Professional Conduct, the Trust’s Strategy for Nursing and Trust/Unit Policies and Procedures.

• Contribute to the Corporate Nursing and Patient Care Agenda.

• Develop and maintain own competence in agreed basic and advanced clinical skills.

• Demonstrate clinical knowledge/expertise at the level of Advanced Practice in Critical Care.

• Act as a source of speciality expertise within the Directorate and across the Trust as appropriate.

• To ensure that clinical and housekeeping practice follows policies/procedures designed to prevent hospital acquired infection.

• Ensure the promotion and provision of health education for patients and their carers.

• Actively promote and implement research and evidence based practice.

• Assist in programmes of standard setting and audit to implement change that meets patient requirements and improves standards. Seek feedback from patients and carers.

Management Responsibilities

• Participate in the recruitment process with the support of the Band 7 Team Leader

• Responsible for effective and efficient deployment of staff, planning appropriate skill mix in relation to workload and within the defined budget.

• Promote good working relationships and collaborative working with the multi-disciplinary team, both within the Unit and the rest of the Trust.

• In conjunction with the Head of Nursing/Matron contribute to service development and process redesign within or related to area of responsibility.

• Contribute to professional and operational policy protocol and procedure development, within Critical Care.

• Attend Shift Leaders and Unit meetings and participate in working parties to develop standards according to the Specifications for Critical Care.

• Act as an effective role model and demonstrate effective organisational and leadership skills.

• As a Charge Nurse/Sister adhere to the ‘Shift Leader Responsibilities’ as per the Trust’s Standards for Practice and Care.

• Monitor the standards of cleanliness and catering within the clinical area and take action to rectify any problem areas.

• Ensure that complaints and incidents are dealt with proactively. Investigate incidents and complaints and provide reports as required, develop, implement, monitor and evaluate associated action plans.

• Ensure safe use of equipment, ascertaining that staffs are competent to operate Critical Care equipment and that the equipment is in safe working order.

• Deputise for Team Leader in his/her absence.