Paediatric Sister / Charge Nurse

Job overview

Full time Post 37.5 hours / minimum 30 hours will be considered.

Join a world-leader in cancer treatment and research.

Work with a successful paediatric radiotherapy team, and an award-winning organisation which invests in its staff. Awarded Good by CQC.

We are looking for an experienced, motivated, forward thinking Registered Nurse to work in our Paediatric day unit within the Proton/Radiotherapy department. Our oncology treatments include conventional radio therapy and Proton beam therapy.

At The Christie we see staff health and wellbeing and career development as our underpinning drive in delivering excellent patient care. We place a strong emphasis on personal and professional development, with opportunities to undertake further courses in support of your on-going professional development and career progression. We are supported by an award-winning education department.

In return we are seeking professional, flexible, motivated and committed team members, capable of delivering high quality, patient focused care.

Main duties of the job

The successful candidate will hold the appropriate qualifications to be a Registered Nurse (RN Child) with current NMC registration and be able to demonstrate evidence of continuing professional development. You will be committed to delivering high-quality paediatric care, with a desire to further develop your career within this rewarding specialty. The role involves caring for children and young people under the age of 16 undergoing radiotherapy and Proton Beam Therapy treatment. You will require excellent communication skills and be highly motivated, organised and able to work using your own initiative. The ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary team is essential.

The successful candidate will also be encouraged to participate and lead projects, quality improvement initiatives and service developments to support the ongoing advancement of the Paediatric Radiotherapy service and enhance patient experience and care delivery.

The post is offered at 37.5 hours per week; however, applications from candidates seeking a minimum of 30 hours per week will also be considered. Clinical service hours are between 7:00am and 7:00pm, including bank holidays. Shift patterns may vary, and weekend working may be required for contingency cover.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• To manage the clinical workload effectively, ensuring care is prioritised appropriately.

• To contribute positively towards the delivery of a cost-effective service, adjusting staffing levels to meet demand and assisting the senior sister to keep within agreed resources.

• To assist with the ongoing organisation of the unit on a daily basis and to ensure timely admission and discharge of patients.

• To act as a team leader to the nursing staff, monitoring and documenting the development of their clinical skills.

• To develop own skills in recruitment and retention, sickness management and performance management as determined by line manager/senior sister.

• To actively support the process of risk management and health & safety  – upholding relevant policies to promote this and ensuring incidents are reported appropriately (using datix) and helping identify ways of preventing errors and accidents to both patients and staff.

• To make a positive contribution to service development affecting the clinical area and positively influence others to adapt to change.

• To actively promote patient care, assisting in resolving local (informal) complaints and supporting the senior sister to investigate formal problems.

• To assist with the monitoring of stock levels of clinical stores and technical equipment, resolving any shortfall as appropriate.

• To maintain standards of hygiene and cleanliness within the clinical area, actioning remedy as appropriate and reporting deficits to Senior Nurse/ Matron/Service Manager/infection control lead as appropriate.

• To resolve local problems/ conflicts, keeping managers/others informed and maintaining positive team dynamics across the proton unit at all times.

• To take a leadership role in crisis situations, resolving problems as necessary.

• To maintain confidentiality regarding personal information pertaining to staff.

• EDUCATION:
• Maintain own awareness of current paediatric nursing practice.  Use relevant educational opportunities to maintain the highest standards and up to date care offered to paediatric patients.
• Supervise nursing staff and disseminate knowledge and current developments.  Develop oneself and others in area of practice.
• Participate in planned programmes of appraisal with the Senior Sister.
• Ensure own learning and development needs are met.
• Highlight areas of improvement and development within the Department.
• Assist in the implementation of new practices, undertaking project work to ensure that working practice is evidence based.
• Ensure own Essential Training is kept up to date by completing appropriate training packages.
• Participate and undertake research and audit which will influence practice.
• To be up to date in all IV training programs including annual updates and competent in all areas of clinical practice including assessment of critically ill child and competent in performing intermediate paediatric life support.
• PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT:
• To demonstrate an insight into own professional development, contributing to the process of identifying own educational and clinical training needs in conjunction with the senior sister.
• To work within and accept responsibility for maintaining agreed levels of clinical competence and ensure clinical accuracy as new technologies are introduced.
• To keep up to date with NMC and Trust policies and guidelines and to adhere to these at all times.
• Participate in own individual Performance Development Review (PDR) and after suitable training, to be responsible for undertaking timely reviews of junior staff.
• To attend and take part in leading team meetings.
• To actively seek mentorship/supervision to enable development and reflection within the role.
• Contribute to improvement of the service.
• Contribute to improving quality through monitoring of incidents.
• Promote equality and diversity.
• Attending MDT’s and new patient clinics within the trust and at other trusts.
• Attend conferences and study days.

This job description is intended to reflect the main duties and responsibilities of the post holder, but is indicative only.  It may be reviewed in consultation with the post holder as circumstances change and develop.

• CLINICAL PRACTICE
• To adhere to the NMC Code of Professional Conduct at all times.
• To demonstrate clinical expertise in the care of any patients receiving treatment in the department.
• To assess, plan, implement and evaluate the needs of patients on an ongoing basis, coordinating the care given by all members of the clinical team.
• To accurately assimilate and interpret clinical information about the patients’ condition, instigate appropriate remedial action and promptly report changes.
• To act as a resource person to others, providing accurate information, advice and support to the multidisciplinary team, patients and their relatives.
• To ensure that accurate records are maintained reflecting both changes in the patient’s condition and the treatment delivered.
• To ensure that patients and their relatives are updated regularly with accurate information and ensure that this is presented in a sensitive way and one that they understand.
• To ensure that Clinical Guidelines are implemented and to be actively involved in auditing practice in conjunction with senior sister and nurse clinicians.
• To ensure that practice is evidence based and with support, assist in the development of policies and protocols within the clinical area.
• To uphold high standards of recovery care, according to existing policies and standards.
• To support the process of continuous quality improvement, assisting in audits etc to formally evaluate standards of care and assist in the implementation of changes in the light of such findings.
• To organise patient transfers both within and outside the department.
• To contribute to the health education of patients and their families, ensuring that all patients receive appropriate advice and support.