Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Operational Site Management

Operationally lead and manage the Patient Flow Team.

The post holder will possess the skills and experience to identify and implement contingency plans to resolve capacity pressures and show sound clinical judgement regarding appropriate patient placement at times of extreme pressure on bed capacity.

The post holder will use their clinical expertise and local standard operating procedures to identify and authorise patients to ‘outlie’ at times of extreme capacity pressure.

This will require the delivery of effective site management to meet agreed local and national performance targets and standards, within budget and resources available. The post holder will be aware of financial limitations and ensure the effective use of Trust resources.

The post holder will ensure that the SMOC and DOC are appraised of problems and that all potential incidents are dealt with effectively as per Trust Policy.

Monitor the effectiveness of admission/discharge management on a regular basis, providing feedback and implementing changes as required.

Maintain effective communications systems to ensure that information on capacity is kept up to date and used to inform decision-making. Work proactively to reduce delays in the admission and discharge of emergency and elective patients.

 Provide advice and support for patients, carers and relatives, by being visible and accessible, acting as the first point of call for information and concerns referred on from the ward, liaising with other staff, clinical teams, patient services and external agencies as required.

Collect, collate, analyse and report information, ensuring that accurate patient records/documentation are maintained, taking action to address issues and solve problems.

Establish an effective working relationship with ward nursing and clerical staff to promote services and embed changes.

Assist with the logistical challenges of opening escalation areas during times of capacity pressure.

Implement the Major Incident Plan if required.

Implement disciplinary procedures & initiate first line action where required.

Clinical Leadership

 To be responsible for the management of sickness & absence, appraisals and mandatory training, for the Patient Flow Team.

To proactively attend appropriate meetings to support team and service development.

To maintain clinical skills and knowledge appropriate to the role.

Ensure nursing practice is undertaken within the policies and procedures of the Trust.

To manage violence and aggression, attending all inpatient security calls if needed, ensuring safety of patients, staff and visitors.

Use the e-roster, Safe care systems and IRIS to facilitate and organise nursing skill mix across the Trust out of hours, to ensure every area is as safe as possible.

Respond to clinical areas that escalate staffing concerns out of hours in line with the Trusts Safer Staffing and Escalation Policy.

Respond to all emergencies, clinical, security and fire calls.

Respond to concerns and complaints from patients and relatives.

Maintain overview of all patients requiring special observations during the out of hours periods to ensure that patient safety, policy compliance and efficient use of staff resources are maintained.

Monitor all wards to assess and maintain assurance of patient safety and quality each night.

Provide safeguarding adults and children and DOLS advice. Carry out regular quality reviews focussing on elements of care provision on wards at night, sharing findings with Divisions.

PERSONAL AND PEOPLE DEVELOPMENT

To support line reports with confidence in decision making, interpersonal and organisational knowledge and skill and managing the implementation of frameworks that provides evidence of patient experience and quality of care.

To undertake projects Trust wide, developing nurses’ contribution to the Trust strategy as well as national and local nursing strategy.

To contribute to and ensure a culture that encourages each individual to take responsibility for his/her own performance.

CLINICAL GOVERNANCE

 Promote the individual needs of the patient, by acknowledging preferences, rights and choices, respecting privacy and dignity, and by promoting anti-discriminatory practice, including acting on inappropriate behaviour, alerting senior staff if patient care appears to be disrespectful or discriminatory.

Establish and maintain effective communication, maintaining confidentiality of information.

Continually monitor standards, by identifying risks, benchmarking, audit and research, ensuring that ward action plans are prepared and implemented to improve quality of care and services. 

Monitor systems and processes for ensuring the effective management of risk, accurate recording and reporting, and maintenance of all records and documentation.

Analyse clinical risk reports/complaints, develop, implement and monitor action plans to address specific issues and shortfalls, reporting on improvements.  

Monitor the implementation of policies, procedures and clinical guidelines, ensuring that reviews take place, including influencing improvements to care provided by other clinical teams and external agencies.

Ensure compliance with Trust policies, procedures and clinical guidelines for self and others, alerting senior staff if practice appears to contravene policy, or if concerned about any aspect of patient care. 

Financial Resources

Work within agreed budget targets and with the Head of Patient Flow identifying changes in service delivery to release agreed efficiency savings.

Identify and report on the resource implications of proposed and likely developments in the service.

Work collaboratively with the senior management team in the directorate in the preparation of bids for financial resources

Supports the senior management team in procurement and commissions services products and equipment.

Identify any problems with financial resource use/availability and make recommendations which are consistent with directorate objectives and organisational policies.

Plan and schedule the efficient and effective use of material resources/supplies within the directorate and actively manage variances.

Ensure systems are in place to effectively monitor and manage the use of agency staff.

Research development and Audit

Contribute and implement the Strategy for Nursing and Midwifery and lead the implementation and monitoring of the local delivery ensuring that it is reflective of national and local agendas and priorities and contributes to the achievement of the Trust’s objectives.

Contribute to the development and auditing of nursing practice, ensuring that the Trust is at the leading edge of practice development and that supporting policies and procedures are developed and reviewed through a robust mechanism.

To keep up to date and act consistently with quality standards and guidelines within their own clinical area and associated areas

To alert others to new developments and lead them in understanding how their practice should change to improve quality

To continuously monitor quality and take effective action to address quality issues and promote quality.

To raise quality issues and related risks with relevant people and follow this up and address poor performance as per Trust policy e.g. complaints, incidents, poor communication.

To inform and influence Clinical Governance Issues

To informally and formally network and share achievements.