JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title:
Paediatric Sister / Charge Nurse
Grade:
Band 6
Department:
Emergency Department
Reporting to:
Senior Sister / Charge Nurse
Responsible to:
Emergency Department Matron
Job Summary
You will play a key role in ensuring that the Trust provides high quality patient focused care within the Emergency
Department. You will support and assist the Senior Sister/Charge Nurse with the 24-hour clinical and managerial
responsibility for the clinical area.
You will assist the Senior Sister/Charge Nurse with the appropriate management of all resources and will provide
effective leadership for the team, either in any designated area of the department or in the absence of the Senior
Sister for the department as a whole on an ad hoc basis, to ensure that patient care and safety are maintained
and evaluated when on duty.
The post holder will be one of the key clinicians, with specific responsibility for ensuring the delivery of high
quality, evidence -based patient care and for the education for both staff and patients. You will act as a role
model to less experienced staff and through the provision of education to all staff encourage a learning
environment.
Supervisory Responsibilities
To lead a team of nurses at Band 5 or below, and by participating in the appraisal process support these nurses
to identify their learning needs.
To ensure all staff work within their competency level as appropriate to their professional qualifications.
1
Clinical Responsibilities
1.1.
To deliver patient-centred care whilst being able to articulate its benefits and in its absence the
consequences to other staff, patients and relatives.
1.2.
To provide a high standard of clinical care utilising appropriate skill sets in the assessment, planning,
implementation and evaluation of care.
1.3.
To be able to give specialist advice to outside enquiries with reference to the Senior Sister/Charge Nurse
when necessary.
1.4.
To ensure that care given is based on a problem solving approach thus ensuring learner nurses acquire
and practice new skills in a conducive learning environment with appropriate guidance from an identified
mentor.
1.5.
To assist the Senior Sister/Charge Nurse in the management of supplies and equipment to the
Department.
1.6.
Establish good working relationships within the Department and outside agencies.
1.7.
Delegating responsibility in order to develop others whilst being aware of the impact on patients and
colleagues when delegation is inappropriate
1.8.
Through the appraisal process be able to identify personal professional development needs.
2
Managerial Responsibilities
1.1
To ensure that the current philosophies of individualised patient care are implemented and developed
through experience.
1.2
To co-ordinate supporting services to ensure a satisfactory level of service.
1.3
To ensure that policies and procedures are accessible to all staff, and that updates are read and
understood.
1.4
To prepare accurate statements concerning accidents, mishaps and complaints as required by the
Senior Sister/Charge Nurse/Matron.
1.5
To participate in meetings, both local and national, thereby furthering the development of clinical
expertise.
1.6
To undertake special projects, reviews and audit as required by the Senior Sister/Charge Nurse/Matron.
1.7
To participate in nursing research and clinical audit, ensuring that appropriate relevant and valid findings
are incorporated in clinical practice.
3
Educational Responsibilities
3.1
To act as a role model to less experienced nurses and student nurses.
3.2
To ensure that all supervisors, mentors, and/or preceptors of learners provide adequate support and
supervision.
3.3
To contribute to the completion of reports on learner nurses along with contributions from both mentors
and supervisors.
3.4
To undertake a recognised assessor training and subsequently participate in the formal assessment of
learner nurses.
Additional Responsibilities
1
To be aware of the effect of change on all grades, and to implement and communicate such change as
required.
2
To assist in close and effective liaison with other agencies following a patient’s discharge from the
Department or admission to hospital.
3
To ensure religious and other support for patients and relatives.
4
To ensure safe custody of patients’ property by adhering to the agreed policies.
5
To administer medication and treatment as prescribed in accordance with hospital policy, report of their
effectiveness and report any discrepancy to the Senior Sister/Charge Nurse/Matron. To be aware of the
ethical and legal implications of drugs given and ensure the safe custody of drugs.
6
Any other duties delegated by the Senior Sister / Charge Nurse as appropriate.
Further Information
Our Purpose:
To serve our patients with the best care and improve the health of our communities.
Our Values:
Caring – Treating everyone with compassion and respect
Honest – Truthful and open with all
Accountable – Taking personal and collective responsibility for actions
Supportive – Working together to get things done
Infection control
Staff will work to minimise any risk to clients, the public and other staff from Healthcare Associated Infection
including MRSA and C difficle by ensuring they are compliant with the Health Act 2006 – Code of Practice For
The Prevention and Control of Healthcare Associated Infections (They Hygiene Code); and by ensuring they are
familiar with the Trust’s Infection Control Polices, located on the Intranet.
All employees must comply with the Trust Infection Control Policy. All employees must attend infection control
training as required within their department or as directed by their line manager.
Confidentiality
As an employee you have a responsibility to maintain the confidentiality of any confidential information which
comes into your possession regarding patients, employees or any other business relating to the Trust
In accordance with the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 protected disclosures are exempt from this express
duty of confidentiality.
Health & Safety
As an employee you have a responsibility to abide by all of the safety practices and codes provided by the Trust
and have an equal responsibility with management for maintaining safe working practices for the health and
safety of yourself and others.
All employees must comply with the Trust Health & Safety Policy. All employees must attend Health & Safety
training as required within their department or as directed by their line manager.
Quality Assurance
As an employee of the Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust you are a member of an organisation that
endeavours to provide the highest quality of service to our patients. You are an ambassador of the organisation
and, as such, are required to ensure that high standards are maintained at all times.
As an employee you have a responsibility for data quality. All employees are accountable for the quality of data
they input into Trust systems and/or document in paper-based records, and must ensure that it is accurate,
complete, valid and timely at all times.
Equal Opportunities
As an employee you have a responsibility to ensure that all people that you have contact with during the course
of your employment, including patients, relatives and staff are treated equally in line with the Trust’s Equal
Opportunities Policy.
Risk Management
You have a responsibility for the identification of all risk which have a potential adverse affect on the Trust’s
ability to maintain quality of care and the safety of patients, staff and visitors, and for the taking of positive action
to eliminate or reduce these.
Safeguarding
Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust has a responsibility to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of
children, young people and vulnerable adults who use our services. The Trust expects all staff and volunteers to
share this responsibility. As part of the selection process for this post you may be required to undergo a
Disclosure and Barring Service Check. If you are successful appointed, you will receive confirmation of which
checks and/or registration you are required to have.
The Job Description is subject to change and may be reviewed by the manager in conjunction with the
post holder.
The Trust operates a no smoking policy and is working towards a smoke free environment.