Deputy Ward Manager/Charge Nurse

Job Summary

Band 6 Deputy Ward Manager/Charge Nurse - 12 month fixed term contract

Oncology Ward, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced oncology nurse to join our team as a Deputy Ward Manager/Charge Nurse on the Oncology ward at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. The post is a 12-month fixed term contract covering maternity leave.

The role of Deputy Ward Manager is to assist the Ward Manager in providing clinical and managerial leadership on the ward. You will have the opportunity to gain an insight into the ward manager role and be supported to develop the necessary skills and expertise to undertake the job.

Main Duties of the Job

The successful applicant should be in possession of or working towards degree level education, and have at least two years' experience in cancer care. Relevant specialist training in cancer care is essential.

We aim to provide a service tailored to the individual's needs, as well as ensuring our staff are supported through regular clinical supervision, educational programmes, and ongoing professional development. The ward actively supports nurse-led activities and research, offering opportunities for professional and personal development. Funding is available for degree and masters modules within the specialty.

About Us

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest NHS teaching trusts in the country. It provides a wide range of general and specialist clinical services and is a base for medical education, training, and research. Find out more about our values, standards, and behaviours that define the quality of clinical care we offer and the professional relationships we make with our patients, colleagues, and the wider community.

Job Responsibilities

• Demonstrate and promote a patient and family centred style of clinical practice.
• Be responsible for the assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of patient care from admission to discharge, by demonstrating a collaborative approach through effective communication and decision making between the multi-professional team, patients, and significant others.
• Ensure the safe custody and administration of drugs according to the Trust policy. Ensure patients and relatives are taught the correct method of administration, where appropriate.
• Accurately document and report to other members of the nursing team and multidisciplinary team information regarding the care given to patients, communicating changes as they occur.
• Respond to emergency situations with composure, maintaining patient safety and seeking immediate support, and supporting the patient, family, and other staff as required.
• Identify and discuss patient needs with the team/staff, patients, carers, and the multidisciplinary team. Be able to plan own workload and those of others as required.
• Demonstrate a problem solving approach to effectively execute planning, implementation, and evaluation of individualised plans of care based on a person centred model of care.
• Communicate complex and sensitive information effectively to patients, carers, and other staff, overcoming barriers to understanding and providing support during distressing or emotional events.
• Maintain patient dignity and confidentiality at all times.

Professional Practice

• Ensure clinical practice is evidence based or peer reviewed best practice.
• Develop and maintain clinical skills and knowledge necessary to provide person centred, evidence based nursing care.
• Lead in a specific area of ward practice, as agreed, making recommendations, coordinating projects, and developing practice guidelines and policies based upon robust evidence gained from risk assessment, audit, and literature review.
• As negotiated with Sister/Charge Nurse set and maintain standards of practice, conduct, and decision making.
• Be competent in the use of all relevant Trust information technology (IT) systems, including the use of electronic patient records, (EPR), email, and associated professional media, ensuring that data is entered in an accurate and timely fashion, in accordance with Trust policy and procedure.
• Engage in and promote a paper light approach to information management.
• Maintain the use of email and other modes of communication in order to keep abreast of information disseminated across the Trust.
• Demonstrate an awareness and understanding of Accountability, Responsibility, and Duty of Care, and work towards the provision of support and education for less experienced and non-registered staff on the implications for practice.

Leadership and Management

• Promote effective interpersonal relationships with all members of the multi-professional team, thereby ensuring a good team spirit and collaborative and person centred working practices.
• Deputise for the sister/charge nurse in their absence, demonstrating a sound problem solving approach to clinical and management issues, seeking advice from senior nurses as appropriate.
• Regularly act as shift coordinator, participating in the allocation of resources, ensuring effective patient care and safety on the ward.
• Be proactive in undertaking specific responsibilities as delegated by sister/charge nurse on a rotational basis with colleagues, take responsibility for off duty planning, work allocation, and monitoring off annual leave and sickness/absence.
• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of budgetary restrictions and their implications. Act as a budgetary signatory in the absence of the Sister/Charge Nurse.
• Ensure that electronic patient acuity and dependency and safe staffing tools are consistently and effectively inputted on a daily basis.
• Ensure compliance with the Health and Social Care Act regulations 2010 by adhering to the Care Quality Commission standards at all times, raising concerns to Sister/Charge Nurse or an appropriate senior person.
• Ensure the appropriate management of clinical and general waste.
• Ensure staffing resources are used appropriately when prescribing and implementing care and treatments.
• Report near misses and untoward incidents, complaints, clinical emergencies, injury, or medicine administration errors as detailed in departmental and Trust protocols and procedures, assist the Sister/Charge Nurse Manager in investigating incidents as required. Be proactive in seeking a response to the issues raised in order to disseminate the actions identified and provide own account of events if asked to support an investigation.
• Demonstrate an awareness of and compliance with Health and Safety Regulations that apply to staff and patients. To escalate concerns to senior staff in an appropriate and timely manner.
• Be familiar with the Oxford Model of Exemplary Nursing and Midwifery Practice and ensure that key performance indicators are met.
• Maintain and contribute to the development of standards of practice, conduct, or decision making in conjunction with team leaders/ward manager/unit co-ordinator.
• Discuss personal and professional development needs during an annual appraisal, developing, agreeing, and documenting action points in the electronic recording and personal development plan.

Person Specification

• Able to demonstrate the ability to put patients at the heart of what you do and recognising different needs by encouraging a spirit of support, integrity, respect, and teamwork.
• Registered Nurse (Part 1. 8. 12 or 15 of register depending on area of practice) or National certification in area of Practice.
• Evidence of ongoing professional development through maintenance of an ongoing NMC revalidation.
• Minimum of 3 years acute care registered nurse experience.
• Evidence of achievement on a Nursing and Midwifery, (NMC) approved Mentorship qualification.
• Understanding of professional and current issues related to area of practice.
• Previous evidence of leadership within practice and the multi-disciplinary team.