Orthopaedic Charge Nurse

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title - Orthopaedic Charge Nurse Sister

Department - FCL & FSC
Location - FSC /FCL

Contract type - Permanent full-time over 5 days

Salary - TBC

About Fortius

Fortius Clinic is the UK's leading private orthopaedic and sports injury group. Founded in London by a group of leading Orthopaedic Surgeons and Radiologists, with a shared vision of building a worldwide centre of excellence in musculoskeletal care. Their vision was to create a clinic that would bring together the country's leading experts in orthopaedics and sports injury treatment, with a shared commitment to advancing the science of medicine and a better patient experience.

That group of experts now includes over 200 leading specialists, from surgeons to sports physicians, rheumatologists, pain management specialists and radiologists. There are 4 outpatient and diagnostic clinics, a surgical centre and has recently acquired a state of the art orthopaedic and spinal hospital. Joint replacement surgery including the option for cutting edge Mako robotic assisted surgery is carried out at the new site and at Spire St Anthony’s Hospital

Job Overview

• You will be part of a ward team at either of the Surgical sites providing support to the Senior Ward Sister/Charge Nurse in providing clinical and managerial leadership to the nursing and multi-professional team ensuring that patients are receiving high quality, effective and compassionate care.
• Your contribution to the management and organisation of the ward will be essential, as will your promotion of safeguarding and risk management in respect of patients, employees and visitors.
• To participate in patient pre op assessments in outpatients, working closely with the pre op assessment team.
• To provide support to the wards, outpatient and theatre and physio teams to provide specialist orthopaedic knowledge.
• To implement and lead on the Enhanced Recovery Programme.
• To take ownership of monthly medication auditing
• To participates in MDT meetings and assists with formulation of nursing care plans for complex orthopaedic patients.
• To case manage orthopaedic patients and co-ordinate all elements of their care.
• To provide support for spinal patients, this will include pre op assessment and any follow up care needed for pain injections and occasional surgery.

Purpose of Job

• Demonstrate advanced clinical specialist skills to ensure delivery of innovative evidence-based care.
• Support the Charge Nurse/Senior Sister to monitor the safety and quality of care for patients.
• Take the lead on delegated responsibilities as defined by line manager.
• Act as a positive role model to provide leadership in the clinical area and promote excellence through practice.

Dimensions

• Support the Charge Nurses/Sisters and Registered Nurses,
• It will be operational Monday – Sunday, including nights.

Principal Accountabilities

• Pre-assessment of all complex Orthopaedic patients. Organisation of any additional tests or consultations and to ensures results of tests are completed and communicated to consultant.
• Implement and lead the Enhance Recovery Programme for all joint operations.
• Liaise with Intensivists and Anaesthetists to resolve any concerns prior to admission.
• Organise follow up calls for all ortho patients who have had surgery.
• Attendance at MDT
• Daily ward rounds with consultants and /or Intensivists
• Plan and implement orthopaedic competencies for all nursing staff, RNs and HCA’s
• Formulation of nursing care plans for Ortho patients
• Escalating areas of patient risk to the MDT and Consultant
• Communicating with the MDT and nursing team regarding pre and post-operative care for Ortho patients
• Regular communication with consultants regarding all aspects of care
• Undertake all nursing procedures in accordance with trust policies and ensure that these procedures and policies are understood and adhered to by all staff.
• Contribute to the development of evidence-based SOPs and policies relating to the ward and ensure staff are adhering to them.
• Promote effective lines of communication with other departments within the Trust.
• Plan and implement orientation programs for all newly appointed nursing staff.
• Keep and maintain accurate, comprehensive nursing documentation - both written and electronic.
• Liaise with medical staff and other disciplines on the management of patient care.
• Ensure that patient care is delivered within the Nursing and Midwifery Scope of Professional Practice and Code of Professional Conduct.
• Take shared responsibility for the delivery of patient care by all members of the nursing team on the ward/department.
• Maintain safe custody of drugs, ensuring that checking, witnessing and administration procedures are compatible with statutory and clinical requirements.
• Undertake appropriate training to expand management knowledge base, style and skills.
• Hold the on-call phone to receive texts and calls from ortho patients, liaise with consultants/anaesthetics and documents all information.
• To hold the emergency out of hours phone on a rotational basis.

Complexity

Support the head of inpatient nursing in identifying and implementing changes where this would improve service delivery and patient experience.

Leads and supports others in coordinating the discharge process and ensures written and verbal advice is available to patients, relatives, and carers.

Qualifications/ Skills/ Experience

Essential
Registered Nurse

Post registration qualification in one or more of the following: orthopaedics, pre-op assessment, day surgery, teaching and assessing

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Able to demonstrate effective consolidation of

nursing knowledge and practice

Effective communication, problem solving and interpersonal skills

Able to demonstrate an awareness of professional issues and developments

Certification as a CNS.

Able to manage stressful situations and challenge decisions to ensure that patient needs are met.

Desirable

Knowledge of clinical governance issues e.g. handling complaints, clinical risk management.

Ability to problem-solve, prioritise and to work to deadlines

Equality & Diversity

All Fortius employees must have respect for every individual, treating everyone with dignity, courtesy, fairness, and consideration, and welcoming and accepting differences between people. It is the responsibility of every employee to work towards the elimination of all discrimination and prejudice.

Health & Safety

All Fortius employees have a statutory duty of care for their own personal safety and that of others who may be affected by their acts or omissions. Employees are required to co-operate with management to enable Fortius to meet its own legal duties.

Infection Control

It is the responsibility of all staff to recognise their role in maintaining a safe environment for patients, visitors, and staff to minimise the risk of avoidable Healthcare Associated Infection. Employees are responsible for ensuring that they are fully aware of the Fortius Infection Prevention and Control policies.

Quality Governance

All Fortius employees must adhere to Fortius policies and procedures and seek advice on these when in doubt as to their scope and applicability.

Employees are specifically reminded that they must respect the confidentiality of all information they have access to during their employment including personal data.

Values

All Fortius staff are expected to display and aspire to the Fortius Values.

Making it Happen

Be proactive in reviewing the current service, making recommendations, and implementing changes to continuously improve the patient journey.

Stronger Together

Work in partnership with the multi –disciplinary team to challenge and influence clinical and managerial decision making.

Personalised Service

Deliver a patient centred service, provide patients with information regarding their care and treatment.

This job description is intended as a guide to the general scope of duties and is not intended to be definitive or restrictive. It is expected that some of the duties will change over time and this description will be subject to review.