Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Key results from the job holder

• Manage the ward in the absence of the Ward Manager, co-ordinating the activities of the ward team and deploying resources effectively.
• Participate in the directorate senior nurse bleep rota as required dealing with emergency/urgent situations, the redeployment of staff and giving advice to staff on other wards as the need arises.
• Ensure that effective communication is maintained both within the ward itself and with relevant external agencies or individuals.
• Organise own workload and adjust priorities in response to issues arising in the workplace.
• Recognise and respond appropriately to issues which require urgent or immediate attention, reporting to other members of the multi-disciplinary/management team as necessary.
• Deputise for the ward manager as requested at meetings and other events.
• Maintain ward management records and produce timely management reports at the request of the ward manager or as required in his/her absence.
• Maintain comprehensive clinical records.
• Maintain an awareness of current identified best practice within the relevant sphere of nursing.
• Deliver nursing care on the basis of available valid evidence and as detailed in clinical guidelines and protocols.
• Take a lead role in the audit of nursing care within the ward, share learning with others and assist in ensuring that identified scope for improvement is realised.
• Maintain effective registration in accordance with NMC standards.

Planning and Organisational Duties

• Manage the ward in the absence of the Ward Manager, coordinating the activities of the ward team and deploying resources effectively.
• Participate in the directorate senior nurse bleep rota as required dealing with emergency/urgent situations, the redeployment of staff and giving advice to staff on other wards as the need arises.
• Ensure that effective communication is maintained both within the ward itself and with relevant external agencies or individuals.
• Organise own workload and adjust priorities in response to issues arising in the workplace.
• Recognise and respond appropriately to issues which require urgent or immediate attention, reporting to other members of the multi-disciplinary/management team as necessary.
• Deputise for the ward manager as requested at meetings and other events.

Communications and Key Working Relationships

• Assess, plan, implement and evaluate the nursing care of patients in accordance with their clinical pathway and individual needs.
• Liaise with patients and their families on a daily basis and deal efficiently with their questions or concerns.
• Ensure that nursing care delivered within the ward is compliant with legal, professional and organisational standards.
• Supervise and direct the work of more junior staff.

Responsibility for Finance

• Contribute to ensuring the effective use of all resources.
• Bring any potential efficiency savings or anticipated budgetary pressures to the attention of the ward manager.

Responsibility for Human Resources

• Support the ward manager in managing attendance within the ward area in accordance with trust policy.
• Participate in the IPR/PDP process, undertaking the IPR/PDP of staff as required by the Ward Manager.
• Assist the ward manager in ensuring that all newly appointed staff receive induction to the ward and preceptorship as appropriate.

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

• Facilitate a supportive learning environment for all levels of staff including student nurses.
• Undertake the role of mentor/preceptor/supervisor to other members of the ward team.
• Assist members of the ward team to identify their own training and development needs and support them in achieving individual goals.
• Formally assess the competence of staff and students producing verbal and written reports as required by the ward manager, the university or other departments or agencies.
• Deliver health education to patients and their families in accordance with their needs.