Detailed job description and main responsibilities

1. Continuing responsibility for the assessment of care needs and setting standards by:

·         Assisting in developing the nursing resource within Acute Stroke Unit

·         Ensuring staff work within national and locally agreed policies and procedures.

·         Working closely with MDT to manage the demand for acute beds

·         Assisting with recruitment and retention of staff, including sickness and absence, appraisals and staff training in line with Trust policies..

·         Planning off-duty rotas to make effective use of staff.

·         Participates in clinical research and audit and contributes to development of knowledge within field of expertise.

·         Supports and advises junior staff who wish to undertake audit and research.

·         Role modelling good behaviours and managing those who fall below expected standards of behaviour

Clinical

• Delivery of Infection Control practice as defined by National recommendations and local policies. Teaching staff to understand their responsibilities e.g. environmental cleanliness, maintenance and use of all equipment within clinical setting
• Ensuring staff understand and implement actions and responsibilities e.g. environmental cleanliness, maintenance and use of all equipment within clinical setting
• With support from the Ward Manager, lead the investigation and follow up of all clinical incidents and complaints ensuring that any corrective action is implemented.

• Acts as a role model for excellence, maintaining own clinical competence and active NMC registration.

• Identifying and interpreting complex patient needs in relation to their disease and proposed treatment.
• Actively participating in MDT meetings to ensure timely and best outcomes for the patients
• Reporting and documenting all relevant nursing/patient needs, communicating changes with other health care professionals in the multi-disciplinary team with ongoing responsibility for patient care, both verbally & in writing, as they occur.
• Providing and delivering health information, education & promotion within the clinical area and advise patients, family, and others in a manner which maintains an individual’s privacy & dignity.
• Communicates highly sensitive and emotive information about patient’s conditions to patients and significant others.
• Identifies, assesses and meet the educational and training needs of patients and carers.
• Engage & interact with carers/family encouraging them to be actively involved in patient’s care, planning as outlined in the ward philosophy.
• Work closely with the Stroke Specialist Nurses
• Supports patients, their families & carers in association with other members of the MDT

• Safely administer all medications in accordance with Trust & NMC guidelines.
• Recognise, react to & manage appropriately emergencies related to this speciality.

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Maintain a safe working environment, ensuring high standards and safe practice are maintained by:

• Adhering to the guidelines of the Health & Safety at Work Act.
• Utilisation of Trust Risk Assessment documentation, to ensure that Health & Safety / Clinical risk issues are identified and actioned in the ward area.

Communication

·         Establish and maintain effective communication channels within and outside the department by:

• Leading the establishment of a teamwork philosophy, empowering others to take part in the decision making process.
• Actively involved in regular Sisters’ Meetings

• Maintain good relationships between all members of staff, thus developing professionalism through the unit.
• Ensure good communication both verbally and via formal documentation with all members of the nursing and multidisciplinary team.

• Able to communicate effectively in demanding and challenging situations,

• Accept responsibility; be aware and able to locate all policies relating to good working practice within the clinical area and able to adhere to both by self and colleagues, and to challenge staff about their location.
• Ensure carers/family and visitors are aware of policies, standards/guidelines relevant to the patients care or clinical area.
• Provide specialist knowledge to other areas, when assistance/advice is required.

Education

To be responsible for the continuing assessment of performance and the identification of development needs of team members by:

• Participate in the induction and education of all new members of the team.
• Leading programmes to support staff in meeting revalidation requirements.
• Actively participating in the educational programme of all staff, including students, offering practical and clinical guidance and attending lectures and meetings as required.
• Constantly updating  own knowledge, recognising the importance of a critical approach to research and developments in nursing

For further details please see the attached JD & PS.