Job Description

4.SCOPE AND RANGE Utilise general and specialist nursing skills including: assessment, administering medications (including IVs), conducting health education, tracheostomy care and weaning, bowel care, recognising signs/symptoms of autonomic dysreflexia, collar care and providing support to patients and their families throughout the rehabilitation process to ensure a high-quality standard of nursing care is provided at all times. Collaborate closely with the multidisciplinary team, including Doctors, Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Speech and Language Therapists, Psychologists, Dietitians and other healthcare professionals, to ensure holistic and coordinated care for patients. Effectively lead and contribute towards the continuing development of professional nursing practice in the team. Enhance team development through education, clinical governance and management of resources, ensuring effective communication within the inter- professional/interagency team, patients, carers and relatives.



Undertake evidence-based audit and research projects to further own and team clinical practice. May lead the implementation of specific changes to practice or contribute to service protocols/policy changes. To carry out on call Site Coordinator shifts (weekdays and weekends), including providing support for medical and clinical emergencies and liaison with on call doctor. This role also includes responding to non-clinical matters on site e.g.



out of hours fire alarms across site, trespassers on site etc. Be an active participant in the inter-professional working of the MDT and input into the complete patient pathway, including acting as a Keyworker ensuring goals are met. Support the ward manager to ensure the clinical area has appropriate establishment and skill mix and that the duty rotas meet the needs of the clinical area over the 24hr period using the principles of internal rotation of all grades of staff. 5.MAIN DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES To assess capacity, gain valid informed consent, document appropriately and have the ability to work within a legal framework with patients who lack capacity to consent to treatment.



To comply with local confidentiality policies, child protection and vulnerable adult procedures. Provide professional nursing leadership within the team and support the Ward Manager in managing the team; ensuring safe and effective staffing levels and provision of resources to ensure continuous service delivery and enhance nursing practice. In the absence of the Ward Manager actively manage admissions/discharges, including the assessment of patients on the waiting list, updating waiting lists including the receiving and making referrals and monitoring of discharge plans. Ensure that evidence-based standards of care are maintained, monitored and continuously reviewed in line with the national guidelines, and national and organisational policies.



Support patient care through provision of excellent clinical knowledge, clinical reasoning skills, practical clinical nursing skills and act as an expert resource assisting in teaching knowledge and clinical skills for other health care professionals. Responsible for co-ordination of transfers of patients to other health care providers ensuring appropriate escort and documentation. Ensure timely and appropriate care is given to patients and delivered by the relevant Health Care professional. Lead ward meetings in absence of Ward manager and contribute to unit /designated meetings and feedback to staff.



Ensure that robust induction programmes are in place and monitor competency completion within the team. To support the Ward Manager in maintaining robust approaches to managing sickness, absence, line management, appraisals, mandatory training, standards and staff performance using LWSW policies and guidance. 5.1Responsibility for People Management Supervise, educate and assess performance of students and junior staff, in order to provide expert advice and clinical support whilst promoting the effective and efficient delivery of a high-quality service. This will include the use of formal appraisal, line management, practice supervision and use of related documentation.



Develop the learning environment to promote lifelong learning and staff development. Be an active member for the in-service training programme by the attendance and delivering of presentations/training sessions at staff meetings, tutorials, training sessions in-house and by attending external/organising courses and practising reflective practice. To assist in the recruitment of relevant grades of staff as required. To support the Ward Manager in ensuring that all staff undertake and maintain mandatory and essential training in accordance with LWSW policy and clinical requirements.



This includes booking staff onto training sessions. Identify areas of practice/role development and enable and support staff to initiate change. In conjunction with workforce development groups implement student/staff induction programme and information packs. Take responsibility for your own personal and professional development, maintain competence, knowledge and skills commensurate with the role.



5.2Responsibility for financial and/or physical resources Support the Ward Manager in the creation and management of eroster to ensure best utilisation of agreed workforce levels, while maintaining the appropriate skill mix for the ward. The post holder will have no direct responsibility for finances; however, they will adhere to the relevant trust policies on financial issues. The post holder will use Livewell Southwest resources responsibly ensuring that resources are utilised effectively to meet changing service needs. Track stock levels and ensure the supply levels are sufficient to meet the demands of the service 5.3Responsibility for administration To maintain an up-to-date record of all patient contacts, MDT care plans, goals, assessments and reports whilst ensuring confidentiality at all times in line with professional and LSW policies and procedures.



To report accidents, incidents or complaints following LSW procedures and policies and to comply with the most recent Health and Safety at Work Act. To support Patient Safety Incident Investigations, after action reviews, case reviews and incidents, providing feedback as required to staff, patients and relatives. To be responsible for overseeing and monitoring of nursing equipment and ensuring maintenance and repair. 5.4Responsibility for people who use our services To undertake the comprehensive nursing assessment of inpatients using investigative and analytical skills, to formulate individualised management and treatment plans.



Use clinical reasoning, and a wide range of treatment skills and options to formulate a specialised programme of care and patient goals. To support junior staff in this work. Act as a patient advocate ensuring individual needs, preferences and choices are delivered by the service. To participate in working parties developing changes within the unit, which will impact positively on the service and its users.



To provide spontaneous and planned advice, teaching and instruction to patients, relatives, carers and other professionals, to promote understanding of the aims of rehabilitation, and to ensure a consistent approach to patient care. Demonstrate clinical leadership and make clinical decisions without supervision. Act as an effective role model by demonstrating expertise in own practice and support others to identify and deliver best practice. To have a flexible approach to competing priorities to meet the needs of the patient and the service.



To undertake comprehensive risk assessments of all situations associated with the care of patients to ensure own and others safety. To ensure privacy, dignity and human rights are respected for all patients and carers. Be an autonomous practitioner, working within appropriate professional guidelines and code of conduct. To comply with local confidentiality policies and be able to respond effectively to any concerns of abuse/safeguarding and know procedures they need to follow to escalate their concerns.



Comply with all infection control policies and guidance and attend relevant updates to support the needs of the service. 5.5Responsibility for implementation of policy and/or service developments Ensure adherence to Livewell Southwest Policies. To demonstrate a sound understanding of Clinical Governance, Risk Management and apply to work situation. Facilitate the development of service objectives within own area, taking into account relevant guidelines and the needs of the Organisations and national drivers.



Identify and undertake areas for research and evaluations within specialty, facilitating the involvement of appropriate staff Monitor the emergence of new evidence and implement and evaluate research-based recommendations that are expected to improve patient care.