Job responsibilities MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES CLINICAL To take responsibility for the clinical leadership and direction of the nursing team. To undertake and document a comprehensive, systematic, and accurate nursing assessment of the patient as appropriate. To promote and deliver a high standard of nursing care based on best practice to maintain patient safety and provide an excellent patient experience. To create and utilise opportunities to promote health and well-being of patients in their care. To undertake clinical shifts. To work within the NMC Guidelines and Trust Policies recognising ones own abilities and limitations. To facilitate and build team working between nurses and the multi-disciplinary team to effect high standards of care. To participate in clinical audits within the clinical areas to monitor and improve standards of care. To ensure effective communication with the multi-disciplinary team and respect the confidentiality of patients, relatives, and colleagues. Managerial To assist the Head of Nursing/Matron to review staffing requirements using an initiative-taking approach to retention and recruitment of staff. To support the Head of Nursing/ Matron to initiate and implement improvements using a systematic approach. To ensure staffing levels within the area are adequate to provide safe and effective care delivery, maximising the resources that are available by competent duty rostering. Through effective negotiation and political awareness create an environment for partnership working and dissemination of information across multi-disciplinary teams. To manage the financial resources for the clinical area. To lead on the investigation of complaints and clinical incidents related to own clinical area and ensuring learning is shared with own team and the Trust. To deputise for Matron in their absence as requested. To ensure information on the Ward/Department/Clinical area information system is correct and updated regularly as appropriate. Education and Training To undertake annual reviews for staff and identify learning needs of the ward team developing training plans to submit the Matron. To ensure own competence and own personal development plan is reviewed and discussed with the Matron annually. To ensure each team member has an annual appraisal and personal development plan. To ensure annual attendance of self and staff at mandatory training sessions keeping records of attendance. To create a learning environment which supports and facilitates learning and structured personal development for all staff and learners. To support all staff to complete competency training packages. Professional leadership Provide a credible source of clinical knowledge and advice, taking an active role in self-development, reviewing own performance, identifying own needs, and taking active measures to meet those needs. To act as an ambassador for the clinical environment and the Trust, where appropriate, by promoting a professional image of nursing. To ensure current registration of all qualified staff at recruitment and during employment in line with Trust Policy. To support staff and actively participate in their NMC revalidation. To ensure current registration with NMC. Professional development Contribute to the development of team objectives. To be aware of the impact of service changes across the organisation Contribute to the monitoring and control of expenditure and the use of resources. Comply with Health & Safety and Infection Control policies and ensure that staff, patients, and visitors are appropriately informed and advised. Maintain a clean and safe environment. Ensure equipment used and techniques employed by staff comply with the Directorate Health & Safety policies. Participate in the managerial duties at Directorate level as required in the absence of the Team Leader / Matron. Implement change in response to clinical, organizational, and national demands, in agreement with appropriate others in the unit. Support others to lead or participate in the management of change. Responds to change initiatives in a positive manner. EFFORT AND ENVIRONMENT Participate in providing a seamless service that reaches across hospital and community. Have the ability and skills required for situations that are stressful and have barriers to communication. Participate in any physical care required. Be able to concentrate for lengthy periods for report writing, research activities, audit, and patient contact.