NursingNetUK

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Specific Responsibilities
1. Clinical responsibilities: 
1.1 Assists in the holistic care of the baby under the supervision of a registered nurse or midwife, undertaking interventions as required, that they have been assessed as competent to undertake. Takes the lead in providing care for babies who require transitional care, under the supervision of a registered nurse or midwife
1.2 Gives and maintains a high standard of patient care at all times, ensuring the dignity and self-esteem of the baby and family is preserved
1.3 Complies with the principles of the maintenance of hygiene and the 
control of infection
1.4 Is aware of the physical, psychological and spiritual needs of the baby 
and family and endeavours to meet these at all times
1.5 Reports to the nurse / midwife in charge or doctor, on observations 
made of the patient and changes in condition
1.6 Reports any concerns to the nurse / midwife in charge or doctor in 
relation to child protection. Liases with Named Nurse, Named Midwife or Named Doctor as appropriate
1.7 Chaperones babies, and accompanies them to other wards, departments, hospitals etc. as requested by the nurse / midwife in charge
1.8 Receives with courtesy, babies, their families and visitors into the ward 
area
1.9 Assist the named midwife with providing postnatal care to women 
within the hospital setting.
1.10 Assist the named midwife with providing postnatal care to women 
within the hospital setting
1.11 Complete Trust documentation relevant to the Transitional Care setting
1.12 Attends to the physical needs of mothers and babies
1.13 Supports women and families with aspects of daily care and parenting 
of their baby
1.14 Observe the mothers and report to the nurse/midwife responsible for 
their care, any signs of comfort, distress or cause for concern
1.15 Takes an active role in assisting registered nurses / midwives and parents/carers to ensure that the babies nutritional and hydration needs are met whilst in hospital
1.16 Undertakes routine maternal observations: Temperature, pulse, blood pressure and respiration and report finding to the midwife with responsibility for Transitional Care
1.17 To take emergency action as necessary to safeguard mothers and 
babies, notifying the lead nurse/midwife of any deviations from normal
1.18 Maintains the nursery areas to a high standard as directed by the 
nurse/ midwife in charge
1.19 Reports any accidents or incidents to the nurse / midwife in charge 
1.20 Is aware of the location of emergency and resuscitation equipment and procedures
1.21 Maintains confidentiality at all times ensuring that information is only 
given out as instructed by a registered nurse / midwife or doctor 
1.22 Assists in maintaining a safe environment for babies and families, visitors and other staff, as required by the Health and Safety at Work Act, Health and Safety policy, Risk Management policy and COSHH regulations
1.23 Undertakes other duties as required by the nurse / midwife in charge, 
such as ordering, cleaning, storing and checking of equipment, and the tidying of clinical and storage areas
1.24 Undertakes operation of the PAS system to support the ward clerk, 
such as entering children onto the system and making further appointments
1.25 Maintain accurate documentation and information systems both 
manually and by using the wards computer system
1.26 Undertakes duties on different paediatric wards and departments within the 24 hour period, as required by service demands
2. Managerial responsibilities:
2.1 Reports to the nurse / midwife in charge or Senior Nurse any concerns 
in relation to patient care, the environment, staffing or anything that may affect the service to babies and their families
2.2 Works under own initiative with workload arranged in conjunction with the lead nurse/midwife
2.3 Works both as a member of the team, and individually, using own initiative as appropriate
3. Professional responsibilities:
3.1 Gives assistance to newly appointed staff, as guided by a registered nurse / midwife
3.2 Promotes and maintains a professional appearance and manner at all 
times in accordance with Trust policy
3.3 Promotes the department and Trust as a whole, in the most positive 
manner to the patients and local population at all times
3.4 To be responsible for communicating effectively and efficiently at all 
times, with both internal and external agencies
4. Education and development responsibilities:
4.1 Participates in a system of individual performance review 
4.2 Attends annual updates on fire, moving and handling, child protection, 
neonatal resuscitation and others as directed
4.3 Attends other study days as identified by the Ward Sister / Senior Nurse as being relevant to their sphere of practice
4.4 Identifies in partnership with Ward Sister / Mentor areas of practice 
where their role can be extended and expanded to enhance development and patient care
4.5 Following competency based training, assist with clinical duties as requested by the nurse/midwife in charge