Deputy Sister/Charge Nurse, Willow Day Unit (Fixed Term 10 months)

Job overview

To safely administer prescribed IV medication and therapeutic interventions within Willow Day unit to facilitate early discharge from hospital and admission avoidance. To safely work in Ambulatory Care Centre, facilitating in-patient discharges.

To support the doctors in signposting patients when discharged.

To promote and help to manage delivery of a quality nursing service, setting and monitoring clinical standards.

To be responsible for the assessment of patient care needs, the development, implementation and evaluation of programmes of care.

To work as a team leader and deputise for the Unit manger in accordance with the nursing philosophy of Ashford and St Peters Hospital NHS Trust.

Main duties of the job

• Facilitate early supported discharge thus reducing the length of stay in hospital for patients who meet the criteria for IV at Home Services /Willow Day unit/Ambulatory Care Centre.
• Delivery of safe patient care according to the prescribed medication.
• Assessment and identification of potential risks and issues and escalation to the appropriate clinician in accordance with agreed pathways.
• Undertaking role in line with NMC Code of Practice and registration; working within professional guidelines and being accountable for own professional actions.
• Offer telephone advice, using a problem solving approach, and follow up with a visit if required to patients and relatives.
• Undertake the safe handling and administration of medicines, ensuring all consumables are in date and stored appropriately.
• Ensure that all infection control and aseptic techniques are followed in accordance with good practice..
• Maintenance of accurate, dated and signed clinical records
• To comply with the departmental and organisational policies

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• Ensure that resources are used effectively
• Plan and manage own workload, adjusting plans to meet the needs of the service and patients, utilising the support of clinical and operational supervision.
• Input into the development and evaluation of policies, guidelines and protocols
• Ability to exercise clinical and professional judgement which may be in conflict with other professions or the service user.

Leadership or managerial

• Maintain all mandatory and other relevant training required for the role
• Comply with all policies and procedures that are relevant to the role
• Engage in induction, training and development of new staff to the service
• Assist in maintaining and identifying new training needs of staff involved in the administration of IV
• Maintain professional portfolio in line with NMC revalidation requirements and manage professional and personal development
• Engage in the ASPH appraisal process
• Responsible for maintaining stock control of medicines and equipment as per Trust Policy.
• Responsible for the safe use of specialised equipment and have an awareness of financial restraints, ensuring equipment etc. is used efficiently

Information and reporting

• Reporting of incidents as per policy
• Report adverse drug events as per protocol
• Ensure audits of services are undertaken and data is provided to help inform and improve practice across the Trust.
• Maintain accurate contemporaneous notes for all patients.