Job overview
The post holder will be responsible and accountable for the professional evidence based nursing care delivered to patients. Ensuring the highest quality, effective and compassionate care is received by the patients and their families / carers whilst on the ward. Excellent, holistic and individualised nursing care will be delivered through assessment, planning, implementing and evaluating. This will be in line with local, Trust wide and National policies, procedures, values and behaviours. To support the ward manager in providing effective clinical leadership that ensures patient safety at all times together with high quality patient care. Promoting a supportive learning environment in which to supervise and mentor Staff Nurses, student nurses and Health Care Assistants. The post holder will act as an advocate whilst demonstrating effective communication and listening skills.
Main duties of the job
·To support the ward manager in providing effective clinical leadership that ensures patient safety at all times together with high quality patient care.
·To assist the ward Manager in the effective management of prevention and control of infection within the ward area.
·You will be able to communicate effectively both within the department and to external partners.
·To manage a small team of nurses and be responsible for mentoring and assessing their skills and be responsible for their annual appraisals.
·To manage to work within allocated resources and assist in the management of the budget.
·To act as role model and expert practitioner.
·To undertake delegated responsibility in the absence of the ward manager.
·To manage the day to day activity with the ward to allow flow through the ward in a timely manner to reduce the LOS and ensure that quality of care is maintained throughout the 24 hour period
·Participates in ensuring effective multidisaplinary communication links within the digestive diseases ward and department and in areas within the trust.
·To adhere to NMC guidelines on documentation accountability and responsibility for record keeping.
Working for our organisation
At UHSussex (UHSx), diversity is our strength, & we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness & experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, & can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) & a Veteran Aware Trust.
We treat our patients & staff with the same compassion & empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above & beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our candidate information pack & wellbeing programme, for staff which is extensive & designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.
As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching & training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us & throughout your career we will help you to grow & develop. We hope that in choosing UHSx you are choosing a long & happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make & feel valued for all that you do.
We look forward to receiving your application & the start of your journey with UHSx.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
·Responsible for effective shift handovers ensuring relevant detail is communicated and identifies and challenges any unprofessional or subjective comments made about patients.
·Participates in ward rounds showing knowledge of the up to date situation and condition of the patients, with the ability to be able to present this concisely in an appropriate manner encouraging one stop ward rounds.
·Responsible for the discharge of patients from the ward and to manage complex patient case conferences which may involve end of life care.
·Support families and carers to understand complicated medical conditions.
·Recognize poor standards of care amongst the MDT and be able to highlight these to the appropriate personnel at an appropriate time.
·To maintain correct standards of uniform and personal appearance, as indicated in the Dress Code & Uniform Policy.
·Report / action any accidents, incidents or undue occurrences reported or witnessed.
·Take an active role in the management of risks, in line with Trust and Directorate policy
·Ensure your role has a positive influence on key performance indicators.
·Seek consistently to improve nursing practice in line with evidence, recent best practice innovations and new developments.
·Proactively manage ward level complaints and report to senior staff so that they can be dealt with according to Trust Policy.
·Maintain flexibility with staff rosters in order to provide cover with the optimum skill mix, making best use of available resources.
·Deal with patient/relative complaints proactively.
Person specification
Experience
Essential criteria
1. Acute surgical experience is essential
Qualifications
Essential criteria
2. mentorship qualification
3. Care of the acutely Ill adult course
Desirable criteria
4. pain management
Qualifications
Desirable criteria
5. care of the acutely ill module
Skills
Essential criteria
6. Basic computer skills
7. Knowledge of Band 6 role Understanding of Accountability and Responsibilities
8. Ability to use initiative Ability to calculate complex drug dosage IV Drug Administration, Venepuncture and Cannulation
9. Excellent management, leadership and organisational skills
10. Ability to delegate and prioritise
11. Ability to deal with challenging behaviour
Desirable criteria
12. Evidence of training and awareness in equality and diversity
13. Advanced computer skills. Knowledge and experience of NHS IT systems/applications
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Essential criteria
14. Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
15. Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role)
Important information for applicants:
A Note on AI Use in Applications
We value the individuality and authenticity that each candidate brings to the application process. While AI tools are increasingly accessible, we strongly discourage their use in completing your application. Your responses should reflect your own voice, experiences, and motivations—elements that are essential to a fair and accurate evaluation.
Applications that rely heavily on AI-generated content may misrepresent your abilities and could result in your application being rejected. We encourage you to take the time to present your genuine self, as this helps us better understand your potential and ensures a transparent selection process.
Closing Adverts Early: In the event of exceptional interest, we may close adverts earlier than specified.
Some of our adverts are capped for a limited number of applications; therefore, the advert will close once the cap has been reached. We therefore encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible if you are interested in the position to prevent you from missing out on applying for the opportunity.
Flexible Working: If you would like to explore potential options regarding flexible working please speak with the appropriate recruiting/line manager.
DBS Checks: As part of our commitment to a safe working environment, we undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check on all new employees where the role is eligible for a criminal record check. We make offers in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1975.
Skilled Worker Visa: Applications for Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome for the roles that meet the Visa and Immigrations eligibility criteria. For further information please visit the gov.uk website searching for Skilled Worker. It is your responsibility as the applicant to ensure that you meet this criteria.
UHSussex reserves the right to close the role early if we receive a high volume of applications