Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Main Tasks and Responsibilities

• Provide exceptional patient care which is underpinned by evidence based practice and OUH values.
• To work proactively and with a person centred approach, to ensure the needs of a person with learning disabilities are identified and met, working collaboratively with carers, family and support staff.
• Provide specialist nursing care for the team’s caseload of patients.
• Communicate effective information to patients/relatives/carers/ and all members of the multidisciplinary team.
• Demonstrate high standards of nursing care, reflecting the beliefs about professional nursing practice and patient care.
• Demonstrate, develop and maintain specialist knowledge of learning disability nursing practice in order to act as a clinical expert and professional resource. Undertake the responsibilities associated with being a mentor and preceptor reflecting the beliefs about professional nursing practice and patient care commensurate.
• Demonstrably contribute towards the continuing development of professional nursing practice in the department.
• Conduct oneself in a professional manner and be a role model to others at all times commensurate with The Code (NMC 2015).

Patient Care

• Demonstrate and promote a patient and family centred style of clinical practice.
• Be responsible for the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of patient care from admission to discharge, by demonstrating a collaborative approach through effective communication and decision making between the multi-professional team, patients and significant others.
• Ensure the safe custody and administration of drugs according to the Trust policy. Ensure patients and relatives are taught the correct method of administration, where appropriate.
• Accurately document and report to other members of the nursing team and multi-disciplinary team information regarding the care given to patients, communicating changes as they occur.
• Respond to emergency situations with composure, maintaining patient safety and seeking immediate support. Also supporting the patient, family and other staff as required.
• Identify and discuss patient needs with the team/staff, patients, carers and the multi-disciplinary team. Be able to plan own workload and those of others as required.
• Demonstrate a problem solving approach to effectively execute planning, implementation and evaluation of individualised plans of care based on a person centred model of care.
• Communicate complex and sensitive information effectively to patients, carers and other staff. Overcoming barriers to understanding and providing support during distressing or emotional events.
• Maintain patient dignity and confidentiality at all times.
• Be able to communicate and support people with learning disabilities and their families in complex situations.
• Support communication between clinical staff and individuals with learning disabilities using a variety of approaches and resources.
• To contribute to the development of information in an easy read format as required.

Professional Practice

• Ensure clinical practice is evidence based or peer reviewed “best practice”.
• Develop and maintain clinical skills and knowledge necessary to provide person centred, evidence based nursing care.
• Lead in a specific area of learning disability practice, as agreed, making recommendations, coordinating projects and developing practice guidelines and policies based upon robust evidence gained from risk assessment, audit and literature review.
• As negotiated with Lead Liaison Nurse set and maintain standards of practice, conduct and decision making.
• Be competent in the use of all relevant Trust information technology ( IT) systems including the use of electronic patient records, (EPR), email and associated professional media ensuring that data is entered in an accurate and timely fashion, in accordance with Trust policy and procedure.
• Engage in and promote a paper light approach to information management.
• Maintain the use of email and other modes of communication in order to keep abreast of information disseminated across the Trust.
• Demonstrate an awareness and understanding of Accountability, Responsibility and Duty of Care and work towards the provision of support and education for less experienced and non-registered staff on the implications for practice.

Leadership and Management

• Promote effective interpersonal relationships with all members of the multi-professional team thereby ensuring a good team spirit, collaborative and person centred working practices.
• Deputise for the Lead Liaison Nurse in his/her absence, demonstrating a sound problem solving approach to clinical and management issues, seeking advice from senior nurses as appropriate.
• Be proactive in undertaking specific responsibilities as delegated by Lead Liaison Nurse e. on a rotational basis with colleagues, take responsibility for off duty planning, work allocation and monitoring off annual leave and sickness/absence.
• Ensure that electronic patient acuity and dependency and safe staffing tools are consistently and effectively inputted on a daily basis.
• Ensure compliance with the Health and Social Care Act regulations 2010 by adhering to the Care Quality Commission standards at all times raising concerns to Sister/charge Nurse or an appropriate senior person, (CQC 2010 Guidance about compliance: Summary of regulations, outcomes and judgement framework).
• Ensure the appropriate management of clinical and general waste.
• Ensure staffing resources are used appropriately when prescribing and implementing care and treatments.
• Report near misses and untoward incidents, complaints, clinical emergencies, injury or medicine administration errors as detailed in departmental and Trust protocols and procedures, assist the Lead Liaison Nurse in investigating incidents as required. Be proactive in seeking a response to the issues raised in order to disseminate the actions identified and provide own account of events if asked to support an investigation.
• Demonstrate an awareness of and compliance with Health and Safety Regulations that apply to staff and patients. To escalate concerns to senior staff in an appropriate and timely manner.
• Be familiar with the Oxford Model of Exemplary Nursing and Midwifery Practice and ensure that key performance indicators are met.
• Maintain and contribute to the development of standards of practice, conduct or decision making in conjunction with team leaders/ward manager/unit co-ordinator.
• Discuss personal and professional development needs during an annual appraisal, developing, agreeing and documenting action points in the electronic recording and personal development plan.
• Ensure that a smart, professional image that enhances the public perception of the Trust and the professionalism of its staff is portrayed.

Education and Training

• Be actively involved in the development, delivery and support of training for all OUH staff to raise awareness and develop skills and knowledge of the needs of people with learning disabilities.
• Complete or be working towards any local and Trust competency frameworks within a time frame agreed with the Lead Liaison Nurse and with the support of a named mentor.
• Supervise, teach and support the nursing and non-nursing staff involved in direct patient care, ensuring they have the necessary knowledge and skills to undertake the planned care, within a conducive learning environment.
• Undertake all relevant Statutory and Mandatory (SM) training using the Trust E-Learning packages and study opportunities.
• Demonstrate a commitment to research based practice and clinical excellence and play an active part in the ongoing introduction of research-based change to improve patient centred care.
• Undertake the responsibilities of a mentor participating in induction and orientation programmes, guiding practice, assessing competence, enabling and supporting learning for pre and post-registration students.

Improving Quality and Developing Practice

• Comply with post registration education and practice (Prep) requirements for NMC Revalidation or equivalent, identifying own learning needs and ensuring own professional development is maintained by keeping up to date with practice developments.
• Demonstrate a commitment to evidence based practice and clinical excellence. Using these skills works collegiately to promote innovation and work within the nursing team in the provision of an excellent standard of patient care in line with Oxford University Hospitals (OUH) values and The Oxford Model of Exemplary Nursing and Midwifery Practice.
• Develop and share own clinical knowledge with other members of the multi-disciplinary team and as relevant with practitioners locally.
• Act as a role model for the nursing/midwifery team promoting consistent professional and clinical excellence.
• Provide guidance for junior and less experienced staff to improve quality and develop practice.
• Engage in and promote Clinical Supervision in order to enhance one’s own practice and that of others.
• Identify own development needs, aligning these to service requirements and personal aspirations. Proactively develop and improve own practice through appraisal the Trust’s clinical development ladder and other available resources.
• Understand and contribute to the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of policies/protocols/guidelines relevant to the care of people with learning disabilities. Participate in the OUH culture of audit and research in practice. Participate in developing and undertaking audits as appropriate.
• Keep up to date with professional issues that influence nursing practice relating to the area of clinical practice, management education and research.
• Promote and practice, evidence based nursing care, embracing new ideas and changes for the benefit of patient care.
• Openly question and challenge nursing practice in a constructive way so that standards of patient care are continually evaluated and improved.