NursingNetUK

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Clinical Duties

• Responsible for carrying out clinical practice within designated clinical areas, ensuring that high quality, current evidence-based nursing assessment, care planning, implementation, interventions and evaluations for patients is provided from admission through to discharge.

• Will be responsible for the application of knowledge across the range of work procedures and practices, underpinned by theoretical knowledge and practical experience.

• To act as advocate for patients within the area, to ensure a patient orientated approach to the delivery of care and to meet standards within the NHS Plan and other relevant guidelines.

• To ensure that patients’ receive high quality clinical care and a good patient experience, having regard for their customs, religious beliefs and doctrines.

• Recognise and avoid situations that may be detrimental to the health and wellbeing of the individuals.

• Will advise on the promotion of health and the prevention of illness.
• Recognise the significance of observations made, and use them to develop and initiate nursing assessments and devise a plan of care.

• Carry out those activities necessary to conduct a comprehensive assessment of a person’s nursing requirements.

• Will ensure that all patients will have a discharge plan that is safe and appropriate for their needs.

• Carry out nursing procedures and treatments, checking on and maintaining the highest possible standards.

• Work alongside the multi-disciplinary team to ascertain treatments and advise on nursing priorities in theatre and OHDU.

• Take a clear and concise history from patients by assessing their health and well being and complete documentation ensuring that all entries are accurate and legible and that all information systems are maintained.

• Undertake prescribed physical observations as follows: blood pressure, temperature, respirations, blood sugars, urinalysis, weight and height, and report exceptions appropriates.

• Responsible for the correct administration of prescribed medication including transfusion of blood and blood products

Professional Responsibilities

• Is wholly accountable for his / her practice in line with the NMC code of professional conduct and takes every reasonable opportunity to sustain and improve his / her knowledge and professional competence.

• Will act in accordance with Local, Hospital and Statutory Guidelines & Policies including Health and Safety initiatives.

• Will be familiar with the Health and Safety at Works Act, and be aware of its implications and ensure that local unit and departmental policies are followed.

• Will work in accordance with Corporate Objectives
• Will compile a personal & professional portfolio (in conjunction with the Performance management process and the compilation of a Personal Development Plan).

• Will maintain a high standard of care and give courteous reception to all patients and visitors.

• Will adopt a patient orientated approach to work
• Will practice in a cost effective and cost aware manner
• Will ensure that the Hospital’s policy is understood and carried out with regard to the care and custody of drugs/medications, especially with regard to those covered by the Control of Drugs Act.

• Will be familiar with the ward’s fire, manual handling and C.O.S.H.H. policies and ensure that all nurses in the ward are aware of the policies.

• Will be fully conversant with the trust major incident plan, and ensure that all nurses on the ward understand the procedure.

• Will establish a relationship with a clinical supervisor
• Take all possible precautions to safeguard the welfare and safety of staff, service users, visitors and the public, by implementing all policies related to health, safety, security and risk.

 Communication

• Will be responsible for the provision and receipt of complex, sensitive or contentious information related to patients, patient care, relatives, staff and other multidisciplinary colleagues.

• Provides highly specialised advice concerning the care or treatment of identified groups or categories of patients/clients

• Communicate effectively and efficiently with all members of the multidisciplinary team regarding patient care.
• Will communicate with patients and relatives, making reports and liaising, as appropriate; with medical staff other members of the care team and management.

• Will give and receive day/night reports. Acting as team leader/member/coordinator as necessary.
• Report to the Doctor/Sister/Charge Nurse and members of the multidisciplinary team on patient’s conditions, both verbally and in writing as necessary.

• Liaise with inter-hospital departments/personnel
• Attend and participate in ward meetings and help promote new ideas and methods and assist in their implementation.

• Attend and participate in multidisciplinary team meetings and  case conferences to benefit patient care.

Education & Professional Development

• Act as a role model, giving guidance, counselling and support to unqualified staff and students.

• Actively contribute to the teaching programme within the ward.
• Act as mentor and introduce new staff members to their role within the team.

• Act as preceptor for newly qualified members of staff.
• Act as mentor/assessor to unqualified staff.
• Assist in producing written reports concerning the basic learner nurse in the clinical setting as required by the university.

• Take every opportunity to maintain and improve knowledge and competence, and take steps to keep up to date with clinical and nursing developments.

Please see attached job description for full details.