Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Clinical Responsibilities

• To demonstrate clinical expertise in the care of any patients receiving treatment in the unit/department.
• To assess, plan, implement and evaluate the needs of patients in the unit on an ongoing basis, co-ordinating the care given by all members of the clinical team.
• To accurately assimilate and interpret clinical information about the patients’ condition, instigate appropriate remedial action and promptly report changes.
• To act as a clinical resource to others, providing accurate information, advice and support to the multidisciplinary team, patients and their relatives.
• To ensure accurate records are maintained reflecting both changes in the patient’s condition and the treatment delivered.
• To ensure patients and their relatives are updated regularly with accurate information, for this to be presented in a sensitive way and one they understand.
• To ensure Clinical Guidelines are implemented and to be actively involved in auditing practice, in conjunction with Line Manager and Practice Development staff.
• To ensure practice is evidence based and, with support, assist in the development of policies and protocols within the clinical area.
• To uphold high standards of nursing care, according to existing Trust & local policies and guidelines.
• To support the process of continuous quality improvement, assisting in audits etc to formally evaluate standards of care and aid the implementation of changes in the light of such findings.
• To organise patient transfers both within and outside the hospital, escorting critically ill patients as requested.
• To actively support the Trust’s Nursing & Midwifery strategy in clinical practices.
• Advocate for patients' needs and preferences, ensuring their rights and dignity are respected.
• Provide emotional support to patients and their families, addressing concerns and facilitating communication between healthcare providers and family members.
• To maintain up to date and comprehensive records of care in accordance with NMC and legal requirements.
• To support junior colleagues, students, and visitors to the department.
• To demonstrate effective communication and customer care skills with patients and their relatives/carers, thereby acting as a positive role model for nurses and other staff.
• To act in a professional manner at all times.
• Manage an agreed workload with support from colleagues and senior staff, as appropriate.
• To ensure that all Trust and local policies, protocols and procedures are adhered to by colleagues as appropriate.
• To work within and support the multi-disciplinary team.
• To maintain effective communication and professional relationships with all  areas in the care group and with associated clinical areas within the Trust.
• To participate with the monitoring of standards of hygiene and cleanliness in the clinical environment and associated areas in the department, and report as appropriate.
• To share knowledge and skills developed with other members of the multidisciplinary team.
• To participate in reflection &/or Clinical Supervision sessions.
• To take personal responsibility for resource management in line with the sustainability goals for the King’s Green Plan.

Education & Training

• To act as a mentor to junior staff, responsible for the orientation, supervision and ongoing development of junior nurses and pre-registration students, in conjunction with Line Manager and Practice Development Team.
• To act as a mentor/assessor to learners undertaking further education, ensuring a positive learning experience and facilitating the development of their clinical skills and knowledge.
• To contribute to the wider educational activities within the Division – ensuring attendance at and contributing to the delivery of educational activities to the multi-disciplinary team within the Division.
• To promote and encourage the application of research and evidence based practices.
• To participate in any research projects conducted in the clinical area, as appropriate.
• To act as “link nurse” (e.g. for infection control, tissue viability) ensuring attendance at and contribution to Trust wide meetings, being responsible for ensuring dissemination of relevant information from these meetings to all staff within the units.
• Stay updated on advancements in critical care nursing through continuous education and professional development
• Participate in quality improvement initiatives to enhance patient outcomes and contribute to the overall excellence of critical care services.
• To support the use of Trust and local protocols and guidelines to enhance best practices.
• To participate in Trust and Divisional initiatives to develop nursing practice.
• To undergo, and actively participate in, your own yearly performance appraisal.

People Management and Performance 

• Lead coach and manage the performance of the team in line with good people management practices. Ensuring excellence is recognised and underperformance is addressed.
• Participate in regular performance appraisal meetings and ensure each member of the team has a clear set of objectives and development plans.
• Ensure the team is compliance with all statutory, mandatory training together with any professional training requirements, ensuring they are up to date and fully compliant.
• Manage team absences including sickness in line with Trust policy ensuring the appropriate return to work meetings occur, e-roster is updated and productivity is at keep to the highest possible level
• Identify and fill any vacancies that arise within the team in line with the Trust’s recruitment policy and process.
• Identify talent and support the internal talent management process in order attract and retain and succession plan for your people.
• Review skills mix at regular intervals in order to identify any potential opportunities to maximise resource utilisation / allocation, ensuring job descriptions are kept up to date.
• Ensure overall wellbeing of the team is maintained. Continuously support in improving the morale of the team and implementing a culture of zero-tolerance for bullying and harassment