Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Planning and Organisational Duties

• Lead the team in providing evidence-based nursing/midwifery care ensuring that care is assessed, planned, implemented and evaluated utilising a patient centred approach to care
• Be responsible for reviewing and updating nursing care plans and documentation.
•  To co-ordinate nursing activity in the unit environment and ensuring the smooth operational running of the unit.
• Responsible for ensuring that there are adequate staffing levels and appropriate skill mix to meet the needs of the unit.
•  Ensure patient care is of a high standard.
• Facilitate regular meetings with staff in order to encourage the exchange and implementation of new ideas.
• Responsible for recognising and responding appropriately to situations which require immediate action.
• Deputise for the matron and participate in senior nurse rota.
• Ensure performance standards are met in accordance with agreed objectives.
• Manages effectively the use of allocated resources/funding.
•  To lead the unit in the management of ward environment in order to meet Trust objectives for Risk Management and Health & Safety
• Manage own workload autonomously.
• Ensure that effective communication has been established with all disciplines, patients and relatives.  Communicate very sensitive and distressing information to patients and their families.  Ability  to assess and advise patients in crisis situations and ensure that their needs are met by the whole team.
• Enables and supports colleagues in developing effective communication skills particularly in difficult situations.
•  Acting a resource of professional knowledge for the multi-disciplinary team, patients and relatives through application of theory in practice.
• Participate in management of complaints and patient concerns at ward level referring to relevant departments when appropriate.
• Lead patient and public involvement in the ward area leading to service improvement.

 Responsibility for Finance

• Responsible for managing the ward budget including early identification of potential budgetary pressure.
• Ensure that there are adequate provisions of equipment and stores.
• Authorised/Accountable signatory for the unit budget.

Responsibility for Human Resources

• Adhere to Trust policies and maintenance of the professional Code of Conduct. Responsible for management of staff within the unit.  Actively involved in selection, recruitment and retention of staff
• Ensure that staff receive an annual appraisal/IPR and a personal development plan.
• Ensure that all staff have continual effective registration with NMC and are aware of NMC Code of Professional conduct.

 Responsibility for Health & Safety

• Compliance with the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 – the post holder is required to fulfil a proactive role towards the management of risk in all of their actions. This entails the risk assessment of all situations, the taking of appropriate actions and reporting of all incidents, near misses and hazards, and a statutory duty of care for their own personal safety and that of others who may be affected by their acts or omissions. 

Responsibility for Teaching

• Lead in the orientation, development and identification of training needs of all members of ward team
• Take personal responsibility for own professional updating by maintaining knowledge and skills in accordance with professional and education requirements.
• Facilitate a supportive learning environment which enables all members of a team to develop.
• Promotes the nursing and midwifery strategy and encourages staff to be involved in achievement of standards.