Senior Staff Nurse - ITU

PRINCIPAL DUTIES

Clinical Responsibilities

Carries out a full range of registered nurse duties, including assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of the patient’s condition. Maintain the privacy and dignity of all patients whilst adhering to hospital and department policies, reporting any difficulties you have not been able to solve to Ward Manager

Maintains a safe environment when caring for patients, including those patients requiring frequent levels of monitoring

Assist and advise staff, both registered and unregistered in the delivery of patient care

Monitors all patient care and treatment, maintaining high standards and quality at all times

Carries out instructions from the nurse in charge and implements treatments ordered by members of the multidisciplinary team

Is able to prioritise nursing care, recognise deterioration in a patient’s condition and escalate to the site team/clinician immediately

Maintains accurate, contemporaneous and legible written records of care

Ensure effective communication with all levels of staff including the whole multidisciplinary team

Under the direction of the Ward Matron, demonstrates clinical skills to pre and post registered nursing staff

Adheres to the agreed procedures as identified, and promotes by example, a high standard of good quality nursing care in the department

Fosters good relationships with other departments, the multidisciplinary team and visitors to the unit. Helps to achieve and maintain high morale for both staff and patients

Professional Responsibilities

To keep up to date with current developments in nursing and ensure evidence-based practice

Adheres to HCA’s uniform and dress code policy

Personal appearance, hygiene, and attitudes provide patient and/or staff positive assurance

Responsible as a trained nurse for the control and administration of drugs within the regulations outlined in the HCA Medication Management Policy and the NMC and completes the hospitals Intravenous and oral drug competency programmes

Participates in and leads ward projects, enhancing the standards of care

Assist in the updating of Professional practice/procedures in line with current research

Help maintain an environment conducive to the allocation of nursing students and other staff in training

Contribute and participate in the development of nurses and nursing practice across the hospital

Report to the Ward Manager accidents/incidents and be aware of the hospitals policy for voicing concerns

Patients, visitors and staff are dealt with sensitively and professionally with due regard to ethnic origin, culture, religion and sexual orientation

The dignity of the patient is maintained

The rights of the patient are protected and maintained

Verbal and non-verbal communication is maintained with all patients

Optimum use is made of working time

Ensure they meet the requirements for revalidation

Education and Training:

Attend all mandatory training and ensure that updates are booked in a timely fashion and agreed by the Ward Manager

Take equal responsibility for their own appraisal and Initiate own development within agreed parameters

Be involved in and lead any aspects of training that need to be cascaded to the whole team such as moving & handling/infection control

Help induct new staff with a formal induction programme

Act as mentor/preceptor for pre and post registration staff

Be prepared to extend knowledge and skills by rotation to other areas in consultation with the Ward Manager

Help in the implementation of group policies and ensure that the hospitals policies are adhered to

Be prepared to be trained and use any information technology that is brought into your area

Be involved in ensuring correct usage of equipment and assist in the training of others as required

Quality, Risk and Governance

Engage in ward audits and develop and disseminate outcomes and action plans where appropriate

Promote a culture of appropriate incident reporting on the ward

Adhere to HCA’s policy on complaints investigation and handling

Management Responsibilities

Participates in the management of the ward team including delegation of work on a day to day basis for junior staff

Provide feedback to the Ward Manager on individual staff progression or identify any concerns and document

Be the named nurse responsible on a shift for the continuing care of patients within the unit, ensuring that relevant policies are adhered to and that patients receive all the care/investigations in a timely fashion and to a high level

Is aware of responsibilities under the Health and Safety at Work Act reporting via the appropriate system any faulty or damaged equipment or practices in the ward or department that could be detrimental to the health and safety of patients and staff

Potential hazards in the workplace are recognised and dealt with within own capability or reported promptly as appropriate

Communications are timely, concise and unambiguous in a manner and pace appropriate to the individual’s age and level of understanding

Demonstrate an awareness of the economical use of resources and contribute to the overall control of the ward or departmental budget

Infection Prevention and Control:

The following duties are written in accordance with NHS Infection prevention and control education framework (2023).

All Staff should ensure that:

Good IPC practice is appropriately embedded into their work.

Their actions minimise risks to health and safety and contribute to positive and safe practice.

All Staff providing care to patients and/or who work in the patient environment should be competent to:

assess risks related to IPC in the workplace and take appropriate actions.

provide safe and effective care to patients as appropriate to the scope of their role.

provide optimal IPC practice as an integral part of their day-to-day working.

All Senior Staff must ensure that: 

• actions are taken to prevent, and control infection and that these are appropriate, safe and are recorded and monitored.  in accordance with the expectations of their clinical specialty.
• appropriate action is taken following a serious health and social care associated infection incident (staff and patients), and that any learning is implemented and disseminated.
• effective and appropriate reporting mechanisms and audit procedures are responsibly implemented.

Confidentiality, Data Protection Act, Freedom of Information:

During the course of your employment, you will have access to, see or hear information of a confidential nature and you are required not to disclose such information, particularly that relating to patients and staff. In order to comply with the Data Protection Act 1998, you must not at any time use personal data held by HCA for any unauthorised purpose or disclose such as data to a third party. You must not make any disclosure to any unauthorised person or use any confidential information relating to the business affairs of HCA, unless expressly authorised to do so by HCA.

Health & Safety:

It is HCA policy that all people who work for HCA or, while on its premises, obtain treatment or visit a HCA facility in any capacity, do so without exposure to tobacco smoke, and so smoking of cigarettes and E-cigarettes is not allowed anywhere on any HCA premises. HCA aims to provide appropriate support, in partnership with local Occupational Health and Community Services, to ensure that staff and patients can access practical help and support in their attempts to stop smoking. This is based on clear evidence that, in addition to the health risks taken by smokers themselves, others who breathe in exhaled tobacco smoke (passive smokers) have increased risk of disease.

Equal Opportunities:

Diversity is valued and actively promoted in the workforce at all levels. We strive to celebrate cultural and other differences and consider them strengths of our organisation. We are committed to

• providing an inclusive work environment where everyone is treated with fairness, dignity and respect.
• Recruiting and retaining a diverse staff reflective of the patients and communities we serve.

Equal employment opportunities are provided to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected category. The policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, transfer, leaves or absence, compensation and training.

Risk Management:

All staff have a responsibility to report all clinical and non-clinical accidents or incidents promptly and, when requested, to co-operate with any investigation undertaken

Safeguarding:

All staff are required to act in such a way that safeguards and promotes the health and well-being of adults and children and protects them from harm. To fulfil their responsibilities to safeguard patients and their families, all staff must:

• Attend safeguarding training.
• Comply with HCA policy in recognising and responding to any indications of abuse or neglect and escalating through their line manager or safeguarding lead. 
• Report to their line manager or safeguarding lead any incident where they witness, suspect or are told that abuse may be occurring. 
• Contribute to multi-agency safeguarding processes, in line with the Children Act 1889 and 2004 and the Care Act 2014, always seeking supervision and support in doing so.

EFFORT, SKILLS AND WORKING CONDITIONS: specific post requirements

Physical skills

Standard IT skills required. Advanced sensory skills; accuracy when dispensing or checking medicines, transcribing sheets, performing calculations. Good literacy, numeracy and communication skills

Physical effort

The post holder may be required to lift, push, pull objects, using trolleys.

Mental effort

The post holder may/will be exposed, more than once a month, to circumstances that are distressing or emotional due to working with unwell patients. The post holder has to be able to work successfully under pressure of time and resources. They may have to deal with staff and occasionally patients and their families who are angry/upset/tearful.

Emotional effort

There is a high degree of mental effort required for this job. There will be many demands on the individual meaning that there will be frequent interruptions from a variety of staff. The individual will have to work effectively and prioritise tasks accordingly.

Working conditions

Frequent exposure to VDU screens. The post holder may be exposed to chemical, environmental and infectious factors.

GENERAL

The jobholder is expected to follow relevant policies, procedures and work instructions, and report to the appropriate superior if objectives cannot be met or a problem occurs, the resolution of which is outside the scope of his/her authority.

The jobholder is empowered with the necessary authority to make decisions appropriate to the execution of the responsibilities and tasks outlined above.

The above Job Description does not limit the employee in executing his/her job in concurrence with their main area of responsibility or other relevant jobs that they may be required to do for the smooth running of the function.

Supplementary – Person Specification

Experience

E.g. experience necessary to effectively perform role

Worked as a nurse within a relevant specialty for a minimum of 2 years post registration - Essential

Mentoring experience - Essential

Experience in Managing Staff - Desirable

Managing complex and difficult emotional situations - Desirable

Delivering innovation and service improvement - Desirable

Experience of development of policies and clinical pathways - Desirable

Involved in clinical incident reviews - Desirable

Liaising with stakeholders from different disciplines - Desirable

Skills, abilities and personal attributes

E.g. Team leadership, motivational or organisational skills, communication skills etc.

IT literate - Essential

Excellent communication skills - Essential

Ability to lead and influence change - Desirable

Teaching and presentation skills - Desirable

Organisational skills - Essential

Leadership and motivational skills - Desirable

Professional - Essential

Recognition of own limitations and motivated to develop - Essential

Demonstrates enthusiasm - Essential

Ability to work independently and use initiative - Desirable

Able to work under pressure and to a deadline - Essential

Confident in challenging decisions to ensure the patient needs are met - Desirable

Knowledge and understanding

E.g. Requirement of technical expertise or knowledge specific to the role

Knowledge of current clinical advances and pathways of care relevant to specialty - Desirable

Understanding of governance and audit - Essential

Understanding of research - Essential

Education/ training

E.g. Level of Education, professional qualification, registration requirements, evidence of further professional development etc.

Registered General Nurse - Essential

Evidence of continuous professional development in clinical area. (i.e. relevant short courses and study days) - Essential

Completed a module around evidence-based practice or research methods at level 6 or 7 - Desirable

Completed relevant post graduate module, where available (level 6 or 7) - Essential

Working towards, or willing to work towards a Master’s degree within the first year of employment - Desirable

Non-medical prescribing course - Desirable

Advanced assessment skills course - Desirable

Other requirements

To be flexible on working hours to meet the needs of the service - Essential

Able to travel between sites - Essential