Job Description

Senior Sister/Charge Nurse



Are you ready to join a top performing Adult Emergency Department in the heart of London?



We are looking to recruit professional and enthusiastic Band 7 staff. We take great pride in being part of a top performing Trust and top performing Emergency Department.



The Senior Sister / Senior Charge Nurse are expected to support and provide both strong leadership and clinical expertise to staff within the Adult Emergency Department & Urgent Care Centre.



This role carries the continuing responsibility for the management of the department, as delegated by the Matrons, together with the provision of a 24 hour expert emergency nurse service.



We are looking for candidates who can demonstrate a kind and compassionate attitude, with the skills and experience to lead effective and efficient urgent and emergency care practice.



We are pleased to announce that as of 1st September 2015 Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust now includes West Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust. This move sees the organisations become one major multi-site healthcare provider and teaching hospital, across two main sites.



In light of this exciting partnership, we would like all candidates to understand that when applying for a role at any of the Chelsea and Westminster or West Middlesex sites, they are applying for a role within the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.



The Senior Sister / Charge nurse within the Emergency Department will support and lead staff to ensure high quality care is delivered to those attending the department. The role carries the continuing responsibility for the management of the department, as delegated by the Matrons, together with the provision of a twenty four hour expert emergency nurse service.



The role includes working closely and effectively with the multi-disciplinary team in the management of the Emergency Department. This includes the support and leadership provided to nursing and support staff within the Emergency Department and Urgent Care Centre. The role also includes the continuing responsibility for the effective delivery of the philosophy, policies, standards of care and morale of the department in line with the Trust values.



The post holder will aim to ensure that all patients are provided with a safe and high quality standard of care. They will be aware of the Care Quality Commission standards and support the multi-disciplinary team ensuring that they are maintained. The post holder also has clinical, teaching, managerial, and staff development responsibilities.



Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is proud to be one of the top performing and safest trusts in England. We have two main acute hospital sites--Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and West Middlesex University Hospital, plus our award-winning clinics across North West London and beyond.

Clinical/Professional Role:

Working autonomously whilst working as part of a multi-disciplinary team, assessing and managing a caseload of patients within the Emergency Department. Maintain effective communication with patients, carers and professionals to ensure seamless service delivery.



To act as a role model of expert clinical practice.



To ensure that nursing documentation is maintained to a high standard. Be a



competent user of and participate in the ongoing development of the Electronic



Patient Record.



To work in close liaison with other members of the multi-disciplinary team.



To participate in quality and audit initiatives within the department.



To use clinical expertise and skills to accurately assess patient's individual needs



and to manage clinical priorities appropriately.



To co-ordinate and supervise the management and planning of nursing care within



the department when undertaking clinical shifts.



Maintain a safe and acceptable environment for patients, visitors, students and staff, reporting and taking appropriate action on any hazards, incidents, faulty equipment or inadequate standards of cleaning. Coordinate the reporting of all such incidents for the area in liaison with the Matron and Divisional Risk Manager.



To ensure that all patients who use the Emergency Department service do so in a timely manner ensuring equality, privacy and dignity needs are met.



To challenge practice so that the best and most appropriate treatment is given to the patient.

Managerial:

To work closely with the Matron and Lead Clinician so that the vision and goals of the Emergency Department are translated into practice.



To work with the Matron to proactively identify areas for improving nursing practice and service delivery.



Ensures the safe custody, maintenance and administration of drugs in accordance with Law and established Trust procedure.



To work with the multi-disciplinary team to ensure key performance Quality Clinical Indicators for the Emergency Department are achieved.



To be responsible for the efficient management, storage and use of all stock including equipment in conjunction with the Matron and the Service Co-Coordinator.



To support the Matron to monitor and implement the performance targets for the department.



Ensures awareness and manage aspects of clinical governance including



escalation, report writing, presenting to Panels and implementing



recommendations at a local level with the support of the Matron and leads.



To manage a group of staff as allocated by the Matron/Managers ensuring that objectives for the department business plan and nursing and midwifery strategy are incorporated into their personal development plan.



Attend department/ Trust wide meetings as directed by the Matron



and support with the development of any department policies and procedures



ensuring that they are disseminated to all staff.



Knows his/her responsibilities within policies pertaining to Major Incident,



CBRNE and other emergency bleep responses. Ensures that all other staff know



their duties within these policies and carries the Departmental major incident bleep



when required.



To actively participate in the selection, recruitment and induction of new nursing and HCA staff.



Is actively involved in initiating and implementing change as directed by the Matron, Lead Consultant or Divisional Nurse .

Education:

Responsible for establishing and maintaining links with the Practice Development Nurse of the Emergency Department.



Act as a clinical supervisor and work with others to develop their ability to undertake their role.



To actively participate in supervision, and support of students in pre- registration practice placements and assessment of learning outcomes.



To ensure equitable opportunities are made available to all nursing staff in the department for learning.



Responsible for facilitating staff appraisals and supporting the achievement of PDP objectives, in line with the Trust appraisal system and with the Trust values.



To participate in teaching and assessing in clinical practice.

Professional responsibilities:

To act within the Nursing and Midwifery Council Code of Conduct.



To undertake further educational qualifications and training in order to increase professional knowledge and remain updated



To be aware of local and national policies in relation to Emergency care.



To be aware of and operate within hospital policies and procedures regarding complaints, fire & major incidents etc.



To critically reflect on own performance through clinical supervision and to



participate in own Appraisal, developing and actioning a Personal Development



Plan (PDP).



To attend appropriate educational programmes to develop his/her self and team in accordance with the needs of the service.