Senior Staff Nurse

Job summary

We have a vacancy for an enthusiastic, professional and motivated band 6 children's nurse to join our team. Significant post registration experience is essential for this post.

The ward consists of 16 beds/cots and cares for children with varying medical, surgical, ENT, orthopaedic conditions. We have specialist services for Cystic Fibrosis, Sickle Cell and Diabetes.

Main duties of the job

To provide high quality, individualised care to children between the ages of 0-16 years.

To assist the ward sister in leading the nursing team and deputising in their absence.

To monitor standards of care and take appropriate action to maintain and improve.

To act as a mentor, both teaching and supervising student nurses and junior staff nurses.

To respond to the children's and their families concerns and respond accordingly.

To employ effective communication skills with the children and their families and with the MDT.

About us

Our people are our greatest asset. When we feel supported and happy at work, this positivity reaches those very people we are here for, the patients. Engaged employees perform at their best and our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) initiatives contribute to cultivate a culture of engagement. We have four staff networks, a corporate EDI Team and a suite of programmes and events which aim to insert the 5 aspirations:

Improving representation at senior levels of staff with disabilities, from black, Asian, and ethnic minorities background, identify as LGBTQ+ and women, through improved recruitment and leadership development Widening access (anchor institution) and employability Improving the experience of staff with disability Improving the EDI literacy and confidence of trust staff through training and development Making equalities mainstream Job description

Job responsibilities

To provide high quality, effective, individualised care to all children, by assessing care needs and developing, implementing and evaluating them without supervision. To assist the Clinical Nurse Manager and/or Matron in leading the nursing team and deputise in their absence. To monitor standards of nursing care and take appropriate action to maintain and improve them. To utilise a variety of strategies to communicate effectively with children, families, the multi-disciplinary team, other departments within the trust and pertinent agencies outside the organisation. To respond to childrens and families concerns as they arise and take remedial action as required. To act as a mentor, teaching and supervising junior staff including student nurses and health care support workers.

KEY RESULT AREA

Clinical Responsibilities Act as a clinical leader and role model for the nursing team, setting standards and expectations of quality of care and developing techniques to ensure a client orientated service. Carry out planned care for a group of children without direct supervision. Ensure the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of evidence based, individualised patient care. Supervise programmes of care given by junior staff and students. Ensure the legibility and accuracy of documentation, in such a manner that enables the information to be effectively handed over to other staff. Have responsibility for the correct administration and custody of medicines according to local and Trust policy. Ensure registered nurses monitor childrens progress, work towards safe and timely discharge plans and ensure barriers to discharge are identified and acted on appropriately. Deal with concerns raised by children and families in a proactive manner and take remedial action as necessary, as per Trust policy, informing the Clinical Nurse Manager and/or Modern Matron. To maintain accurate records and prepare accurate statements concerning accidents, clinical incidents and complaints, as required by the Clinical Nurse Manager and/or Modern Matron. Work with the Clinical Nurse Manager and/or Matron to ensure adherence to all official recommendations, guidelines and regulations relating to child protection. Identify and refer children in need/at risk as per Child Protection guidelines and procedures. Maintain competency in advanced resuscitation skills by successful completion of a recognised course (PILS/APLS).

Managerial Responsibilities

Be responsible for the daily management of the ward/department, in the absence of the Clinical Nurse Manager and/or Matron. Plan, organise and deploy staff according to ability and workload in order to meet the childrens needs. This will include anticipating problems where they may exist and to inform the Clinical Nurse Manager and/or Modern Matron of the day of any changes in staff requirements as may result from changes in patient dependency, in the event of insufficient manpower being available. Ensure that nursing practices comply with local and Trust policies and procedures. Communicate effectively at all times and maintain a harmonious working environment. Assist in organising regular ward/department meetings and attend unit and other meetings as and when appropriate. Ensure effective communication is developed via team briefing or other methods to enable staff to fulfil their proper functions. Maintain a safe and healthy environment. Assist the Clinical Nurse Manager and/or Matron in compiling duty rotas and be responsible for arranging adequate staff cover. Assist the Clinical Nurse Manager and/or Matron in the monitoring of sickness and absence levels. With the Clinical Nurse Manager and/or Modern Matron participate in the selection and recruitment of junior staff. Assist in ensuring the availability of resources for patient care. Ensure equipment is in good working order and report appropriately when defective. Support the Clinical Nurse Manager and/or Matron and exercise leadership by example. To be aware of the effect of change amongst all staff and the importance of ensuring that any change in clinical or managerial policy is effectively communicated to all staff. Actively participate in nursing research, ensuring that appropriate, relevant and valid research findings are incorporated in clinical practice. Participate in the implementation of continuous quality improvements within the ward/department, in line with Trust policies, commissioners specifications and the NHS Plan and NSF for Children. Lead the implementation of nursing audit on the ward/department and facilitate the development of multi-disciplinary audit within the directorate. Ensure competence in information technology skills, relevant to ward/department. Ensure the economical use of resources. Carry the crash bleep when required, responding to emergency calls within the unit. Promote and develop the philosophy of child and family centred care within the ward/department, ensuring that nursing staff are responsible to the needs of the individual children and their families. Be proficient in relevant skills.

Education, Training and Personal Development.

Participate in the education of the child and family regarding aspects of care and promotion of health and the prevention of illness. Assist in the annual appraisal process and ensure all staff have an individual performance review and a personal development plan in place as delegated by and in consultation with the Clinical Nurse Manager and/or Matron. Assist the Clinical Nurse Manager and/or Matron in orientating all new staff and students to the ward/department. Provide teaching and development to the nursing team and students, assisting them to achieve their learning outcomes. Act as a role model, mentor and preceptor to the nursing team. Provide evidence based Health Education/Health Promotion to children and their carers. Professional Responsibilities To keep up to date with current developments in nursing and ensure evidence based practice. Maintain personal records of continuing professional development. Contribute to the delivery of the trusts Nursing Strategy. To act in accordance with NMC Code of Professional Conduct. Ensure confidentiality at all times, only relating confidential information obtained to those acting in an official capacity. To be aware of and take appropriate action in regard to cardiac arrest, fire and major incident. Understand your role and responsibilities in Safeguarding Children; identifying and referring children and families in need / at risk. Person Specification

Qualifications and Training

Essential

RSCN or RN Child PILS provider Functioning at minimum diploma level Mentorship level 5/6 or applied for. High Dependency module or equivalent level of experience.

Desirable

Functioning at degree level.

Experience

Essential

Good written & verbal communication skills. Ability to document legibly and precisely Significant post registration experience at band 5 or above. Interest & experience in teaching. Acute Children's ward experience.

Desirable

Significant experience of working with children and family. Competent in IV drug administration. Experience in managing the ward on a regular basis.

---