Golden Jubilee National Hospital s3

AGENDA FOR CHANGE

NHS JOB EVALUATION SCHEME

JOB DESCRIPTION

1.  JOB IDENTIFICATION

Job Title: Staff Nurse
Reports to: Senior Charge Nurse
Ward: 4A
Directorate: Surgical & Anaesthetic Directorate
Job Reference: SSSARAIGSURU03
No of Job Holders:
Last Update:

2. JOB PURPOSE

As part of the multidisciplinary team the post holder is responsible for the assessment of care needs and the development of programmes of care, and the implementation and evaluation of these programmes ensuring the delivery of high standards of care to patients and their families.
In the absence of the Charge Nurse or Senior Staff Nurse takes charge of the Ward regularly ensuring safe, effective running of the Ward.
3. DIMENSIONS
Nursing care of 34 beds caring for –
Emergency admissions
Elective admissions for Pre and Post operative care and other treatment/procedures
Elective admissions for investigations which require inpatient stay
Patients transferred from other hospitals / wards / SHDU / ITU
Terminal care for patients
Staff management/Supervisory responsibilities of approx 4 RN’s and 2 Nursing Auxiliaries on a shift-by-shift basis.

Budgetary Responsibility

Aware of how to roster staff to make best use of resources.
Within the requirements of the Ward orders supplies to appropriate agreed levels.
Following Financial Instructions is responsible for the safe keeping of patients valuables.

4. ORGANISATIONAL POSITION

5. ROLE OF DEPARTMENT

Ward 4A has 34 beds of which 5 are triage. Sub specialities are Colorectal and Breast.
Ward 4C has 28 beds. Sub specialities are Gastro Intestinal and Endocrine.
Ward 5C has 34 beds. Sub Specialities are Vascular and Urology.
Surgical High Dependency Unit has 6 beds.
All wards receive emergency admissions, investigations, Pre and Post operative, major and minor with high to low dependency patients.
There are 3 Urology Consultants and 6 General Surgery Consultants each with a sub speciality.

6. KEY RESULT AREAS

1.  Works as a practitioner within the Statutes & Guidelines laid down by the Nursing & Midwifery Council.
2.  In the absence of the Charge Nurse/Senior Staff Nurse takes charge of the Ward/Dept for the management of the daily responsibilities, including work allocation, deployment and supervision of staff, to ensure safe and effective running of the Ward/Dept.
3.  Is involved in setting and maintaining standards of care within the agreed guidelines of NHS Highland policies and procedures to ensure adherence to, and delivery of, a high quality service.
4.  Is responsible for the assessment of care needs and the development, implementation and evaluation of programmes of care for patients, involving families/carers, ensures that appropriate documentation is correctly maintained.
5.  Provides support and advice to patients and their families/carers giving the knowledge required to help them understand and cope with their condition.
6.  With sound clinical nursing knowledge, demonstrates skills such as venepuncture, cannulation, ECG recording, catheterisation etc.
7.  Participates in the Discharge Planning process to ensure the smooth transition of the patient from hospital to community.
8.  Maintains effective communications with patients families/carers and other members of the multidisciplinary team to ensure that appropriate information is shared and patient needs are met.
9.  Leads and supervises junior staff/students who are providing care to patients and act as a source of advice to ensure their educational needs are met.
10.  Undertakes teaching of nursing colleagues and other members of the multidisciplinary team and participates in the implementation of staff Personal Development Plans to facilitate ongoing development.
11.  Has the ability to organise own workload, prioritising and adjusting priority in the face of changing demands to ensure all needs are met.
12.  Is responsible for maintaining patient records within agreed standards.
13.  Maintains Ward stock levels, through ordering of stores, ensuring the economic use of all resources.
14.  Plays an active role in the continuing development of the Ward undertaking various aspects of clinical audit as designated by Charge Nurse.
15.  Attends and participates in meetings, promoting and maintaining good relationships within the Ward and with staff of all disciplines throughout NHS Highland.

7a. EQUIPMENT AND MACHINERY

The Staff Nurse is expected to have a knowledge of all equipment used in the Ward. Ensures faulty equipment is sent for repair / maintenance timeously.
Equipment / Use
Various Intravenous Pumps
Syringe Drivers
Intravenous lines, venflons
Butterfly devices, syringes, needles.
P.C.A Pumps
Monitoring equipment for –
Blood Pressure, temperature, pulse, cardiac output, glucose, Central venous pressure
Oxygen equipment – Flowmeters, masks, Humidifiers, Pulse Oximeters
Nasogastric, Nasojujenal tubes.
PEG Feeding
(Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy).
Nasogastric fine bore tubes
Total parental nutrition
Drains –
Chest, Various Suction Devices. Latex Drains
Urinary Catheters – Suprapubic, urethral.
Bladder Scanner – flow machine
Nebulisers.
Resuscitation equipment including Defibrillator.
Huggie blanket and fluid warmer
Ophthalmoscope
Sigmoidoscopes
Proctoscopes
Doppler Machine
V.A.C Therapy
Electric Beds
Various hoists / Slide sheets
Various Pressure Relieving Mattresses.
Computers (Internet, Intranet & Word, Budgetscan)
Printers
Fax Machine.
Chute System / }
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To measure and observe patients condition and act appropriately on changes in condition.
To give correct prescribed Oxygen concentration
To drain gastric, small bowel contents. Also used to feed.
To feed direct to stomach.
Nutrition via CVP line
To drain fluid/air from various parts of body.
To drain urine.
Assess urine volumes in bladder, assess urine flow / stream
To give respiratory therapy.
To resuscitate and administer shock following cardiac arrest.
To administer warm fluids to hypothermic patients
Examination of eyes.
For internal examination.
Check blood flow in limbs.
Complicated wound dressings
Safe movement of patients.
To move patients safely
Transportation of items.
7b. SYSTEMS
1.  Maintains patients records in accordance with Nursing & Midwifery Council Guidelines and NHS Highland standards.
2.  Ensures correct use of computerised systems i.e. Patient Administration System, Immediate Discharge Letter.
3.  Budgetscan/Duty Rota Recording – inputting data.
Reorganises rotas for sudden cover requirements, sickness/absence, change in workload, training etc
4.  Stock and pharmacy ordering
5.  Complaints procedure.
6.  Patient Administration System – Recording discharges, deaths, transfers.
7.  Personal Development Plans.
8.  Ward Communication Systems.

8. ASSIGNMENT AND REVIEW OF WORK

The Staff Nurse will be responsible to Charge Nurse/Ward Manager for clinical guidance and professional management, work review and formal appraisal of performance.
Works within statutes and guidelines of the Nursing & Midwifery Council, National, Highland and local agreed policies, protocols and procedures.
Workload will be assigned by the Charge Nurse/Ward Manager or Senior Staff Nurse however the Staff Nurse will have responsibility for managing a defined workload within professional guidelines.
9. DECISIONS AND JUDGEMENTS
In the absence of Charge Nurse/Senior Staff Nurse allocates work and deploys staff within agreed resources to ensure needs are met.
Assesses patients condition to establish any change involving other members of the multidisciplinary team as required.
Continuously assesses patient condition and plans, implements and evaluates programmes of care.

10. MOST CHALLENGING/DIFFICULT PARTS OF THE JOB

In the absence of Charge Nurse/Senior Staff Nurse organises cover to ensure safe effective operation of Ward.
The ability to give good direct patient care to all patients prioritising and re-prioritising in the face of competing demands.
Maintaining up to date clinical skills and knowledge while working in a busy clinical environment.
11. COMMUNICATIONS AND RELATIONSHIPS
Communicates and listens to the patient, family/carers.
Establishes and maintains professional relationships with nursing colleagues, medical colleagues, health care professionals, voluntary services to provide a planned, co-ordinated seamless service for patients.
Communicates with support departments e.g. Estates, Supplies, Human Resources, Health & Safety.
12. PHYSICAL, MENTAL, EMOTIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL DEMANDS OF THE JOB
Physical Skills Such as: -
Administer injections, syringe pumps, various infusions.
Insertion of urinary catheters – male and female. Reinsertion of suprapubic catheters.
Removal of sutures, drains.
Insertion of venflons, venepuncture.
Complicated wound dressings.
Physical Demands:
Patient movement with use of mechanical aides, manoeuvre patients.
Push trolleys, wheelchairs.
Stand/walking/kneeling.
Transferring patients / belongings to other areas.
Mental Demands:
Concentration required when checking documents/patient notes and calculating drug dosages, whilst subject to frequent interruptions from patient/relatives/team members, answering telephones and buzzers.
Concentration required when observing patient behaviours which may be unpredictable.
Anxiety of finding empty beds in absence of Bed Manager / Senior Staff.
Emotional Demands:
Communicating with distressed/anxious/worried patients/relatives.
Caring for the terminally ill, last offices.
Caring for patients following receipt of bad news.
Responding timeously to all requests from the many medical staff.
Working Conditions:
Exposure to body fluids, faeces, emptying bed pans/urinals, catheter bags. Frequent.
Management and disposal of infectious body fluids.
Exposure to verbal aggression. Fairly often.
Exposure to physical aggression. At times.

13. KNOWLEDGE, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED TO DO THE JOB

First Level Registered Nurse.
2 years post registration experience within relevant area.
Evidence of further education/CPD e.g. short courses.
Evidence of team working skills with ability to work using own initiative.
Effective listening and interpersonal skills.
Time management skills.
14. JOB DESCRIPTION AGREEMENT
I agree that the above Job Description is an accurate reflection of my duties and responsibilities at the date of signing.
Job Holder’s Signature:
Manager’s Signature: / Date:
Date: