Junior Sister/Charge Nurse

Job overview

Accountable to Head of Nursing

To be responsible for the planning, provision and delivery of an effective, 24-hour nursing service for the ward / department area. To manage, support and develop the ward / department team and ensure that nursing practice and procedures conform to identified NMC and Trust policies and standards.

To be a role model for all staff and ensure that the ward environment is a safe and effective learning area for staff and student nurses.

To be an advanced clinical practitioner and support and direct the educational and training needs of the nursing team to enable the provision of a patient focused, evidence / research based nursing service.

To be responsible for making the patient the focus of care within the ward environment.

Main duties of the job

Continually assess, plan, implement and evaluate evidence-based programmes of care in order to ensure the provision of a high standard of care.

Personally deliver a high standard of care to a group of patients, acting as a team leader / named nurse and clinical role model at all times

Ensure the provision of advice, support and health information to patients and their carers in order to promote a health-based service.

Transports / manages people and/or items such as equipment or specimens safely and to time consistent with legislation, policies and procedures.

Maintain accurate and legible records of all clinical and legal documentation to include accident / incident reporting, with regard to NMC, statutory and Trust polices.

Ensures all aspects of clinical care including interventions and investigations are performed, assessed and reported upon in a timely fashion and in a manner consistent with legislation, policy and procedures.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Works in close partnership and co-operation with the Matron, thus ensuring effective management of the clinical area.

Deputises for the Matron in their absence seeking advice from the Senior Matron where appropriate.

Leads the nursing team, taking responsibility with support and guidance from Matron and/or the Workforce Development Manager, for personnel management and participating in the recruitment, selection and orientation of new staff and students to the clinical area.

Assist in developing the ward philosophy and framework of care in line with unit / organisational, beliefs / values.

Where necessary, investigates the nursing aspect of complaints, accidents and clinical incidents and initiates corrective action with the guidance of the Ward Manager and Matron, reporting any serious or untoward incidents in line with Trust policy.

Ensures all Trust / Directorate nursing policies and procedures to include EC Directives, Health and Safety at work, COSHH and Movement and Handling are adhered to.

Ensures all equipment and supplies in the clinical area are maintained to enable nurses to deliver care with efficiency and safety.

Covers the medical bleep rota when required, being available for clinical advice and responsible for the assessment of staffing needs.

Ensures the clinical environment is conductive to learning and development to maximize the potential of nursing staff.

Assists in creating and maintaining, in conjunction with the Matron, systems which provide effective clinical supervision and practice supervision for all staff members to include learners allocated to the clinical area.

Liaises with the ward manager in all aspects of practice/educational developments able to access.

Ensures nursing staff in the clinical area are up-to-date with new developments, and able to access appropriate continuing education. Encourages the exchange of information, ideas and experiences.

Keeps up-to-date with current trends and developments in nursing practice related to surgical/orthopaedic nursing.

Continually monitors and evaluates the standard of care delivered to patients through the use and facilitation of quality assurance tools in clinical areas.

Is involved in nursing and clinical audit, taking action with support and guidance to improve any areas of weakness.

Assists in facilitating and encouraging the setting of standards and development of guidelines and protocols, which ensure provision of a high quality, up-to-date, evidence based service.

Is self-aware and takes own continuing education and professional development needs into account, accessing advice, guidance and support as appropriate.

Is aware of and adheres to NMC Code of Professional, Trust and Divisional Policies at all times.

Promotes equality and values diversity supporting individuals customs, values and spiritual beliefs ensuring anti-discriminatory practices are maintained

Represents the Division and clinical area both internally, within the Trust and externally.

Takes positive action, with support and guidance, to safeguard the welfare and safety of the ward team, patients, visitors and staff.

Accesses effective clinical supervision to allow personal reflection on own practice and development of staff both personally and professionally.

Ensures complete and accurate recording or relevant patient / nursing data on to the computer

Utilizes research findings, where applicable, in the delivery of surgical patient care, disseminating relevant information to colleagues.

Is aware of and participates in, where appropriate, clinical research trials for patients within the clinical areas, liaising with relevant health care professionals.

Takes pro-active responsibility in the planning of timely discharges

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.