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Detailed job description and main responsibilities

1. Communication and relationship skills

Exercise good clinical practice and assist the senior staff to achieve high morale on the ward.

To work in a team structure, liaising with and maintaining an adequate/effective communication with colleagues and other members of the multi-disciplinary team to the benefit of patients and staff.

Communicate any issues affecting the unit to the unit manager/sister.

Participate in ward/unit meetings.

Maintain an adequate/effective communication with other members of the multi-disciplinary team to the benefit of patients and staff.

The post holder is expected to communicate effectively so that the trained nurse/appropriate member of the multi-professional team is aware of any changes to patient’s needs or problems associated with prescribed programme of nursing care/rehabilitation.

To act courteously and professionally towards patients and colleagues.

2. Knowledge, training and experience

Ability to attend training courses/sessions which are required by the remit of the post.

Commitment to continued education and personal development.

NVQ level 2 or equivalent with evidence of working towards NVQ level 3 or care certificate.

Good written and verbal communication skills.

IT skills.

Able to demonstrate empathy and be able to motivate and persuade patients to take part in rehabilitation programmes.

Ability to work as part of a team.

3. Analytical and judgement skills

Ability to recognise when to call for assistance and/or report changes in the patient.

To handle written and verbal enquiries in a professional manner and to deal with them promptly and effectively

4. Planning and organisational skills

Decision making and acceptance of personal accountability for ones own actions.

5. Physical skills

To participate in appropriate moving and handling of patients during nursing care tasks.

To assist the physiotherapist and occupational therapist in the rehabilitation of patients using a range of techniques.

6. Responsibility for patient / client care

Implement individual patient care for a group of patients as one of the team healthcare assistants.

Support staff working with you to achieve the agreed standards of care within the unit.

Ensure the patient’s needs are met as identified in the care plan.

Undertake prescribed nursing care/rehabilitation with the patient independently.

To support the ward team in maintaining high standards of care delivery by reporting areas where care has not been delivered to set standards.

Using empathy, sensitivity and good interpersonal skills to encourage patients and their carers in an active approach to regaining and maintaining personal independence.

To maintain patient’s privacy and dignity at all times.

7. Responsibility for policy and service development implementation

Identify any problems, which may interfere with the smooth running of the unit and together with the senior staff of the unit, discuss ways of resolving these.  Put forward suggestions and ideas to the unit manager/sister in charge nurse and encourage others to do the same.

Complies with organisation operational policies, procedures and values.

To be able to report/act on accurately, clearly and effectively care undertaken/prescribed in line with service policies and guidelines.

To be proactively aware of health and safety aspects of your work (area) and implement any policies, which may be required to improve the safety of your work (area), including your prompt recording and reporting of (near miss) accidents or concerns.

8. Responsibilities for financial and physical resources

To ensure that all resources are used appropriately to provide quality care.

9. Responsibilities for human resources (HR)

Take part in orientation and induction programmes for new staff.

Participate in team training.

To participate in the appraisal process so that personal and organisational goals are met.

The post holder is expected to act in ways that support equality and value diversity, in accordance with legislation and national local policies.

By undertaking mandatory and professional study days/courses to ensure up to date evidence based practice.

Undertake individual performance review as required.

To maintain NVQ level knowledge and competencies by reading clinical/professional literature and research, study days/courses associated with.

To undertake relevant CPD (continued professional development) activities to maintain and develop skills, knowledge and abilities.  To keep a CPD portfolio.

10. Responsibilities for information resources

Expected to ensure correct use of confidential information and sensitive information in line with CALDECOTT.

Ensure that you record all interactions in relation to patient care and rehabilitation and appropriately/accurately and timely.

To be responsible for maintaining accurate and prompt records of all own clinical interventions (SOAP notes and communication to the MDT) in line with legal requirements and local and national standards.

11. Responsibilities for research and development (R&D)

Understanding of research and development in the practice of nursing

To provide information as required to support service delivery to patients/carers and other users of the community and intermediate care services.

To participate in audits as required ensuring a high standard of care delivery.

12. Freedom to act

The ability to plan and organise own workload without direct supervision; with regular progress reports to line manager on key tasks. Guided by defined policies and procedures.