Band 6 Sister/Charge Nurse Accident and Emergency

The closing date is 5th Feb 2023

Job summary

The post holder will act as a role model for junior team members in the delivery of a consistent high standard of nursing practice. They will deputise for the Senior Sister / Charge Nurse and will support the leadership and management of the department with particular emphasis on quality and clinical standards. They will have continuing clinical responsibility for managing the wards/departments in the absence of the Senior Sister/Charge Nurse which will include: understanding finances, the deployment, delegation and supervision of all grades of staff and be visible and approachable for patients, staff and visitors. 

Main duties, tasks & skills required

* The post holder will be professionally accountable for the maintenance of standards and professional practice as set by the NMC Code of Professional Standards of Practice and Behaviour and relevant professional guidelines,

* They will regularly take charge of the practice setting or defined area of the practice setting / group of patients and take responsibility for ensuring the coordination and direct provision of high standard of holistic, patient centred care by assessing nursing care and health education needs, and the development, implementation and evaluation of programmes of care for each patient.

* To be designated to act as a deputy to the person holding continuing responsibility for the organisation and management of the practice setting.

* To demonstrate and facilitate others to develop the necessary skills and experience in ward/department management and provide leadership in the absence of the Senior Sister/Charge Nurse.

* Use a range of techniques to set and monitor standards of clinical practice, audit, research and teaching to continually improve standards of care and patient experience.

* To support the development and implementation of audit, quality and risk management initiatives.

* To teach and act as a facilitator/ mentor /assessor / preceptor to nursing students, junior registered and unregistered staff, volunteers and work experience candidates, as well as participating in clinical supervision programmes as appropriate.

About us

We are recognised as one of the leading NHS Foundation Trusts in the UK. Our vision is to Build Healthier Lives, and we recognise that we need incredible staff to do this.

Our commitment to our staff is to create the best place for them to work, and we are dedicated to:

Investing in the health and wellbeing of our staff, including a commitment of offering flexible working where we can;
Offer our staff a wide variety of training and development opportunities, to support their personal and career development objectives.

UHB is committed to ensuring that our staff are treated fairly and feel that they belong, by creating a kind and inclusive environment. This is about equity of opportunity; removing all barriers, including discrimination and ensuring each individual member of staff reach their true potential, achieve their ambitions and thrive in their work. This is more than words. We are taking action. Our commitment to an inclusive culture is embedded at all levels of the organisation where every voice is heard, driven by our diverse and active staff networks, and at Board level by the Fairness Taskforce led by our CEO. We nurture a culture which empowers staff to challenge discriminatory behaviours and to enable people to bring their 'whole self' to a kinder, more connected and bold place to work.

Job description

1.Clinical leadership and team working

As a visible, clinical nurse leader, promote teamwork within a multi-professional environment. Leading and ensuring planning and delivery of care is aligned to the professional values of care, compassion and respect. Demonstrating critical analysis and decision-making skills when undertaking, leading and or supervising the delivery of consistent high-quality evidence-based care. Ensure care is aligned to the professional values of care, compassion and respect. Influence and facilitate change within the practice setting

2.Evidence"based, clinically effective practice

Responsible for carrying out clinical practice within designated clinical area(s) ensuring high quality, current evidence-based nursing care underpins all actions and interactions with patients

Act as a change agent, developing clinically effective practice through effective use and integration of evidence-based practice, setting implementing and monitoring evidence-based standards of care, policies, procedures and protocols through regular audit. Be accountable in ensuring all delegated clinical/documentation/activity and audits are completed and submitted in a timely manner, make changes to care delivery as required to sustain and improve practice standards

To achieve and maintain clinical skills and competencies specific to the post/department/role, facilitating the development and achievement of competence in others

Advise on the promotion of health and the prevention of illness. Assess educational and information needs of patients, their families and carers and staff and devise plans to ensure needs are met

Use professional judgement to intercede and act as patient advocate to clarify plans of care and treatment. Observe changes in patient's attitude, behaviour and emotional state, physiological observations and report/escalate findings

3.Patient safety

Promote a clean and safe environment by ensuring compliance with legislation / policies and procedures, health care associated infection prevention, clinical governance, including risk management and critical incident reporting

Act to avoid situations that may be detrimental to the health and wellbeing of patients and escalate as required

Accountable for the correct administration and custody of medicines according to the Trust Policy to include the safe administration of medicines, controlled drugs, intravenous drugs, transfusion and blood products

Report incidents and near misses promptly and take effective action

Ensure standards of care and record keeping is in accordance with, Trust and National policies, procedures, standards and guidance

Utilise the clinical and workforce dashboards in practice to support service improvement initiatives

4.Co-ordination of the patient journey

Ensure effective and efficient patient journey by supervising the planning and coordination of the admissions / discharges, outpatient review of the episode of care including the smooth transition to other settings, promoting safe, timely and effective discharge and optimising communication

Ensure effective handover of patients between shifts / health care professionals using a range of communications aids

Ensure patient feedback is encouraged and utilised to improve patient experience

5.Promote a culture of person-centred care

Support the development of a culture of person-centred care. Act as advocate for patients within the area, to ensure a patient focused compassionate approach to the delivery of care

Be highly visible within the ward/department, communicating regularly with staff, patients, relatives and or carers to promote transparency of services for patients and staff. Promote a caring environment which respects individual's values and beliefs and promotes, equality and diversity, ensuring patients are enabled to be partners in their care, management and treatment

In conjunction with the Senior Sister/Charge Nurse use patient, carer and family feedback to develop services in response to feedback. Ensure that staff are aware of concerns and complaints which relate to service provision and learning points/actions are disseminated

Ensure people are treated as individuals and uphold their dignity; listening to and responding to their preferences and concerns, respecting the right to privacy and confidentiality whilst ensuring people are treated equally

6.Role Model

Act as a visible role model setting and maintaining expected standards of personal behaviour and appearance and ensure effective communication with all members of the multidisciplinary team, patients, carers and relatives. Practice in a consistent manner which demonstrates clinical practice skills of the highest standard

Lead by example, develop yourself and other staff, influence the way care is provided, and be open and responsive to the needs of others. Work alongside staff to support development

Ensure that the nursing team take responsibility for the care they provide, communicate clearly, work cooperatively with others, share skills knowledge and experience with others in a manner which meets the requirements of organisational policies, procedures and guidelines

Undertake staff appraisal and support staff to develop personal development plans which are effective. As required support staff to undertake professional revalidation processes

Support the Senior Sister/Charge Nurse in ensuring and maintaining robust communications process within and external to your team. Participate in and lead team meetings at an appropriate frequency. Where required record and circulate minutes of these and encourage the exchange of ideas

Take all reasonable care of health and safety at work for you, your team and others and undertake delegated tasks required by the departmental manager in relation to Health and Safety record keeping, risk assessment and aspects of procedural compliance

Be proactive in risk assessment, management and mitigation whilst maintaining accurate records. Manage clinical incident reporting, ensuring staff are fed back to

Be conversant with Trust policies, procedures and systems for Safeguarding including the assessment of Mental Capacity, the process for consideration requests for Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DOLS) and application of the principles of Prevent (counter terrorism awareness)

Develop and maintain a supportive working relationship with senior nursing staff responsible for the practice setting. Ensure they are made aware of changes to circumstances which may affect safe competent practice, which could impact on patient experience or adverse incidents

7.Learning and development

Motivate, develop and support the learning and development of all staff including support staff, including mandatory and statutory training and education

Support the Senior Sister/Charge Nurse in creating a learning environment that supports effective learning for staff/students including provision of clear induction and orientation programmes for newly appointed staff

Participate in a training needs analysis to support standards of care and practice

Teach and supervise practice as required using proven and credible methods. Contribute to/ lead on the development of teaching materials as required

8.Managing the practice setting

In the absence of the Senior Sister/Charge Nurse manage the practice setting or an area within the setting, sign staff time sheets, manage and coordinate nurse staffing rotas and demonstrate effective use of resources. Comply with Trust standing financial instructions and understand trends and expenditure, taking steps to support the local pay controls in place for all resources

Ensure the department has adequate resources/equipment to provide an effective service. Ensure equipment is safe and in working order by ensuring where required proactive and reactive maintenance contracts are in place

Support workforce planning and staff deployment by interpreting and monitoring trends, and through efficient staff rostering. Plan and maintain appropriate staffing levels and skill mix in line with the agreed funded establishment, taking into account role and competence of staff when planning and delegating work. Understand and mitigate any workforce risks. Utilise the clinical and workforce dashboards in practice to support service improvement initiatives with maintaining a safe practice setting being mindful of the patient dependency and acuity

Ensure registered health care professionals uphold and maintain professional standards of practice and behaviour and dress according the Trust dress code

Participate in the recruitment of staff. Engage in attendance and performance management of staff ensuring any concerns are identified, reported, actioned in accordance with the relevant Trust policy and procedure

Be aware of and take appropriate action in regard of deteriorating patient condition, clinical emergencies, cardiac arrest, fire and major or internal incidents which affect business continuity

9.Service Development

Work cooperatively in partnership with others in planning, reviewing and developing the service/ward/department

Contribute to innovation and take a proactive approach to service redesign or review, ensure these are linked to organisational priorities and support improved outcomes

Support the Senior Sister(s)/Charge Nurse(s) and the wider team through the process of change, demonstrating tenacity, drive, professional integrity, balance and perspective. Ensure consistent application of any organisational policies and procedures

Support the development of and be responsible for implementation of new ways of working, to include updated nursing practice and/or standards

Seek opportunities for personal and team development

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential

Registered Adult Nurse on the NMC register 

Desirable

Health care management / leadership qualification

Experience

Essential

Substantial post registration experience working in a complex health care setting / Acute NHS care setting supervising / mentoring junior staff
Evidence of professional /clinical knowledge in area supplemented by specialist clinical and or managerial training and CPD
Demonstrate understanding / experience / willingness to be a practice-based supervisor / assessor as detailed in the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) standards for student supervision and assessment
Professional portfolio which demonstrates continuing professional development, evidence of ability to maintain professional registration
Relevant and recent clinical experience within the speciality /acute care setting, including the supervision /education of junior staff
Experience of mentoring undergraduate students
Evidence of ability to lead /coordinate a shift /area of department
Experience in learning from incidents /complaints and supporting changes in practice 

Additional Criteria

Essential

Demonstrates specialist expertise underpinned by theory acquired through CPD
Evidence of involvement and leadership in teaching and mentoring learners
Competence in expanded clinical practice associated with the role
Excellent Communication skills/written/verbal/IT
Ability to work under pressure across competing demands
Ability to articulate the principles of safeguarding and mental capacity
Demonstrate an ability, experience, passion in the following:
Leadership
Team Building
Managing resources
Time management
Role modelling
Change management / clinical developments
Clinical governance
Audit and research
Workforce planning / management
NHS policy and political awareness
Positive and enthusiastic attitude
Approachable and friendly
Supportive
Flexible
Well organised
Effective communicator
Sound clinical reasoning and decision making
Ability to perform in complex and challenging situations
Ability to inspire and lead a team
Ability to work flexible shift pattern, where required to include rotation of day /night duty and unsocial hours according to service need

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants.

UK Professional Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.

For help with your application, contact: 

Denzil Findley 

 

07795353512 

Pay scheme

Agenda for Change 

Band

Band 6 

Salary

£33706.00  to £40588.00 Yearly 

Contract

Permanent 

Working pattern

Full-Time, Flexible Working 

Reference number

304-47966DH 

Job locations

Heartlands Hospital 
Bordesley Green E 
Birmingham 
West Midlands 
B9 5SS 

Attachments

This vacancy is closed to applications.