Sister/Charge nurse

Job overview

An opportunity has arisen for a suitably experienced nurse to join Alex ward as the Sister/Charge Nurse. ALEX Ward is a 35 bedded surgical ward caring for a range of patients pre and post complex cardiothoracic surgery. This surgery would include open and minimally invasive cardiac surgery including valve repair and replacement, coronary artery bypass grafts, lobectomies and pneumonectomies.

We are looking for a Sister/Charge Nurse with excellent leadership and communication skills. The role will involve providing strong leadership, effective team management and staff development. You will act as a professional role model to your team in delivering the highest standards in patient care. The candidate must have substantial experience in cardiothoracic nursing and have proven evidence of self-development and innovation. We are able to offer a wide range of opportunities and training to support personal development needs.

As an experienced nurse you will be working at the leading edge of cardiothoracic practice in a fast-paced ward setting. If you are looking to develop your career in cardiothoracic nursing, this is your chance to join a friendly and supportive team at the Royal Brompton Hospital.

Closing date: 24th June 2024

Interview date: 8th July 2024

Main duties of the job

·To be a professional role model, leading and co-ordinating the ward/department team. Taking continuing responsibility and accountability for the 24-hour management and organisation of the ward/department. 

·Act as a clinical leader, role model, clinical facilitator and educator for all members of staff providing daily unit management, clinical competence, continuity of care and a high standard of excellent nursing care.

·To develop leadership strategy to ensure that the needs of the patient are placed at the centre of care delivery.

·To be flexible in the approach to the clinical area and provide cover as appropriate for any area specified.

·To be responsible for ensuring that Infection Prevention and Control is an integral part of service delivery on ward/department and all infection control policies are being adhered to.

·To act as a role model and a leader to all staff dealing with complex situations, involving inpatients level 0-3 in the critical care score, initiating treatment and taking emergency action where appropriate.

·The post holder will be accountable for their nursing practice, adhere to the policies and protocols of the trust and the NMC. 

·Lead and direct the nursing care and competence of other nurses, learners and Health care assistants, and maintain a high standard of excellence. 

·The post holder will have a pivotal role within the multidisciplinary team. 

Working for our organisation

On 1st February 2021 the Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospitals became part of Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust – a truly once-in a generation development. Together, we are taking our first steps towards our vision of creating a brand-new centre of excellence, which will be the global leader in the research into and treatment of heart and lung disease in patients from pre-birth to old age. We are developing some exciting plans and we want you to join us – so come and help to change the shape of healthcare for our heart and lung patients world-wide.

Royal Brompton & Harefield hospitals are the largest heart and lung centre in the UK and among the largest in Europe. We are a partnership of two specialist hospitals which are known throughout the world for their expertise, standard of care and research success. We are passionate about what we do and the patients we serve. We are an equal opportunities employer and our patients are rich in diversity. We recruit to ensure we build a similarly diverse mix across our workforce. We are a values led organisation and we are rightly proud of our world class reputation and our people. The CQC visited the trust in October 2018 and our Surgical Directorate was rated as outstanding. Our priority is to deliver excellent patient care and we are proud that the CQC has recognised our services and awarded us this rating.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

To provide sound clinical leadership and develop support mechanisms for sharing good practice within the Ward/Department and Trust wide.

Monitor the quality of nursing care and action audit information to achieve agreed standards and take the lead on customer care initiatives. 

Takes the lead in ensuring the provision of care is in accordance with the Trust’s Polices & procedures.

To lead in developing, implementing, evaluating and maintaining a Ward/Departmental ethos and a standard approach to the delivery of excellent nursing care.

To act as patient advocate in line with the NHS plan and to actively apply in depth knowledge of holistic/socio-economic and cultural aspects of the care to clients within your specific speciality.

Assess, plan, implement and evaluate programmes of care, actively seeking evidence based practice which will support clinical outcomes as appropriate

Ensure that nursing documentation is maintained to the Trust standard (including electronic records) and implement nursing audit of records to measure and evaluate care planning.

To be aware of and champion current trends and developments in nursing and in the NHS and be responsible for taking the lead in the continuing professional development of ward/departmental staff and self.

To lead on the implementation of the Trust’s framework for Clinical Governance and patient safety walkabouts and ensure all staff adhere to the Trust’s core behaviours and the 6C’s within the ward/department.

 In conjunction with the staff develop a mechanism for setting goals and benchmarking standards of care. Develop tools to improve the quality of the service and co-ordinate clinical services across the Ward/Department Have continuing responsibility for the provision of a suitable, clean, uncluttered and safe environment for the physical and psychological well being of staff, patients/clients and their relatives. Identify clinical risks and ensure that appropriate action is taken under the supervision of the modern matron/senior nurse manager, in accordance with the Trust Risk Management policy.

 To take overall responsibility for the clinical area utilising resources effectively and to ensure that safe staffing levels are maintained for their shifts.

Work in partnership with support staff to ensure that care, treatment and service needs are met, ensuring a standard approach to the delivery of excellent nursing care.

To investigate complaints, accident reports and untoward incidents within the ward/ department in line with Trust Policies and procedures and in conjunction with the Directorate Senior Nurse and implement recommendations for action.

To take the lead in ensuring compliance to Trust policies and procedures amongst the multi-disciplinary team.

Provide information and support to relatives/carers as appropriate, following consultation with members of the multi-disciplinary team. Leading in assessment, re-assessment and discharge pathways for patients. 

To take a lead role in promoting a healthy lifestyle for patients and staff, in line with national strategy requirements.

 Communication

Provide support mechanisms for sharing good practice within the ward or department and Trust wide.

Delegate tasks and activities to a range of team members ensuring that staff have the appropriate support to take on projects. Ensure that all outcomes are evaluated.

Maintain and promote effective communication with ward team and all members of the multi-disciplinary team and other Wards/ Departments, including formal presentation of information relating to your ward/ Department

To adapt communication skills to meet the needs of patients who may have barriers to understanding language. 

Promote the corporate image of the Trust to all individuals, groups and organisations both within the Trust and to the community at large.

To support the Directorate Senior Nurse/Modern Matron and to deputise for them in their absence.

 People management

 Ensure and provide effective orientation of staff, including welcome to the department and early objective setting and follow-up.

To ensure appropriate staffing levels and skill mix are in place to reflect the workload and meet the needs of the patient through an effective rostering investigate and manage staff issues that relate to sickness and absence, poor performance, conduct, harassment, disciplinary and grievance issues using the relevant Trust policies and in liaison with your senior colleagues and Human Resource advisor and implement recommendations for action

To work closely with the Practice Educator and/or Facilitator to educate staff and undertake both formal and informal training as required

To actively support the implementing of flexible working practice, in line with Improving Working Lives Standards and Trust Change Management Policy. 

Participate in the Trusts appraisal and personal development plan schemes by meeting with the manager annually and to take and perform appraisals on a delegated group of staff and to ensure personal development plans for individuals.

To ensure that a suitable learning environment is maintained for all grades of staff and implement ward teaching programmes. 

Participate in the Trusts appraisal and personal development plan schemes by meeting with the team leader/appraiser at least annually which includes feedback from a selection of internal trust and team members.

Service development

To set annual Ward/Departmental objectives with the line manager and/or clinical services manager, Directorate Senior Nurses ensuring that all staff are aware of them and their implementation.

In conjunction with the Divisional Management participate in the Trust Business Planning cycle, identifying areas of service development.

To involve staff in the developments and business of the Trust. Actively encourage and promote, supporting where possible within the constraints of service delivery, staff membership of Trust wide initiatives/committees, professional organisations/forums and/or relevant Trade Unions.

  Resource management

To recruit, retain and select staff within the budgeted establishment.

 To manage the efficient and effective use of supplies, provisions and equipment of the ward/department within the designated budget. This includes management of the temporary staff and environmental budget.

In conjunction with the Divisional Management team identify, analyse and discuss cost pressure and financial constraints in a timely manner.

 To act as a role model to others by adopting a flexible approach to personal rostering.

  Policy development

Lead projects relating to local policy development.

To be actively involved in the development and implementation of Trust policies and procedures at ward / department level, and reinforce their use.

To actively promote a healthy lifestyle for patients and staff appreciating national strategy requirements.

  Information management

Plan, lead and delegate local audit and research as required, ensure findings are disseminated appropriately and recommendations implemented.

Maintain data quality standards for PAS for ward / department or similar systems in the future.

Ensure self and team undertake training for electronic information systems in place & under development.

To have an active email account and use this as one of the methods of disseminating information to ward team.

To have an active intranet and email account and adhere to the Trust’s Information Services and Information Governance Policies.

Role model use of Trust intranet and internet to staff. 

To ensure all team members have a real voice in the development of the clinical areas service to patients/customers.

 To maximise the potential of all team members.

 To ensure that all team members have a meaningful appraisal/personal development plan that includes feedback to the individual from a selection of internal customers and team members.

 To provide a safe and attractive working environment for team members within available resources.

 To attend and play a major role in corporate groups as a representative of the directorate and team.

 To represent the Trust at regional and national conferences and on working groups as appropriate.

 To deputise in the absence of the Senior Nurse/Matron.

This job description is intended as a basic guide to the scope and responsibilities of the post and is not exhaustive. It will be subject to regular review and amendment as necessary in consultation with the post holder.

Person specification

Application form

Essential criteria

Registered nurse

Application and interview

Essential criteria

Extensive cardiothoracic nursing experience

Desirable criteria

Cardiothoracic critical care experience

Application and interview

Essential criteria

Evidence of leading and managing a nursing team

Guy’s and St Thomas’ celebrates, respects and values the diversity of its staff and patients. We review our policies, procedures and practices to ensure that all employees, patients and carers are treated equitable according to their needs. We are actively committed to ensuring that no one who applies for a job, works or study’s at the Trust, or accesses our services is discriminated against on the grounds of race, ethnicity, nationality, disability, religion or belief, age, gender identity , gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity/paternity, or marital/civil partnership.

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