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Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The Deputy Sister/ Charge Nurse will be expected to:

• work autonomously in all areas of the Emergency Department as required.
• Provides supervision and evaluation of nursing care within the department and overseeing individual areas of the department to ensure high quality care is maintained
• Regularly manages the flow of patients through their assigned areas of the department and maintaining excellent communication with the shift leader.
• Taking charge of the department as required with the support of a senior nurse / use of competencies.

CLINICAL

• To assess, plan, implement and evaluate programmes of care for a defined group of patients with high level of acumen
• To provide direct nursing care to his/her named patients.
• To supervise care given to patients by junior staff, monitoring standards and ensuring adherence to evidence based practice
• To maintain accurate and appropriate nursing documentation, and ensure communication and liaison with the multidisciplinary team and community agencies is maintained.
• To contribute to the continuing development of the Emergency Department philosophy.
• To be aware of and demonstrate practice based on evidence in nursing and research.
• Assign patient care to team members ensuring high quality and continuity of care.
• Participate in internal rotation within the Emergency Department including night duty.

• MANAGEMENT

• To manage and supervise allocated areas within the Emergency Department or to take charge of the department in the absence of a senior nurse.
• Participate and maintain the effective communication of information and data between team members, patient and family networks and offer appropriate support and advice.
• Ensure the implementation of Trust, local and departmental policies, procedures and guidelines and contribute to the formation of these as required.
• Initiate and develop new ideas and changes within the Emergency Department, which encourage staff participation and result in improvements in patient care (either directly or indirectly).
• Have responsibility for appropriate and cost effective use of resources.
• Work within the Health and Safety at Work Act, following Trust policies for reporting accidents/incidents, showing an awareness of risk management in the workplace.
• Work at all times as part of the team, liaising closely with senior colleagues, and respond positively to feedback from preceptors/colleagues.
• To assist and become involved in line management responsibilities under the supervision of a senior sister

EDUCATION

• Maintain a suitable learning environment for all grades of staff.
• Assist in the planning and implementation of induction programmes for new members of staff.
• Contribute to the learning needs of team members, student nurses and other students allocated to the Emergency Department.
• Demonstrate a continuing process of attaining education, research, clinical and leadership skills.
• Demonstrate a continuing awareness of groups of people who have differing needs, e.g. children and their families, older people and ethnic groups

PROFESSIONAL

• Observe the NMC Code of Professional Conduct for Nurses, Midwives and Health Visitors at all times.
•  responsible for maintaining an up-to-date registration on the NMC register.
• Always work in such a manner that protects colleagues, patients and visitors from any hazards (which involves recognising and reporting such hazards should they arise).
• Ensure compliance with mandatory and statutory training for oneself and allocated junior members of staff

This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of responsibilities but rather a framework within which the post holder will be given the flexibility to define the detail in conjunction with the Senior Nurse for Practice Development and other senior members of the Nursing Team.