Job Description:-

Title: Staff Nurse

Reports to: Charge Nurse

Department, Ward or Section: Ward A Lorn and Islands Hospital

CHP, Directorate or Corporate Department: A&BHSCP

Job Reference: ARGLLORNNURSHOSP08

No of Job Holders: n/a

Last Update (insert date): October 2021

JOB PURPOSE

-As part of a multidisciplinary team the post holder will have responsibility for assessment of care

needs and the development of programmes of care, and / or implementation and evaluation of these

programmes ensuring the delivery of high-quality care to patients.

-Taking guidance and advice from Charge Nurse/Senior Nursing Staff on a day to day basis ensuring

best practice on the ward.

-In the absence of the Charge Nurse/Senior Staff nurse will take charge of the ward ensuring safe,

effective running of the ward and deputise at meetings as requested.

DIMENSIONS

Patient care provision includes the following (the exact mix will vary according to current requirements)

Acute medical – patients who require medical and/or nursing care which cannot be provided in their own

homes, either because of the nature of the care required or because of the patient’s social

circumstances.

Rehabilitation – admission must be for active rehabilitation including post-operative surgical patients and

those requiring stroke rehab or periods of extended re-ablement following an acute medical crisis

Terminal care – patients needing care at the end of their lives may choose to be care for in hospital.

Observation/monitoring – some patients may be admitted to the ward for short stay observation,

monitoring and/or investigation e.g. blood transfusions, continuous blood pressure monitoring.

Investigation – patients whose condition requires treatment and/or investigation which cannot reasonably

be carried out at home.

ROLE OF DEPARTMENT

To provide a safe and supportive environment to deliver a high standard of care for patients within Ward

-Lorn and Islands Hospital provides services to people of Oban, Lorn and the Islands. Patients typically

have multiple pathology and complex health and social care needs leading to chronic ill health, and

acute exacerbations of conditions, and dependence on carers, families, statutory and voluntary services

to remain in the community.

MAIN TASKS, DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES CLINICAL

-Works as a practitioner within the Statutes & Guidelines set out by the Nursing & Midwifery Council

and NHS Highland policies and procedures.

-Is involved with the setting and maintaining standards of care within the agreed guidelines of NHS

Highland Policies and Procedures and to ensure adherence to, the delivery of, a high-quality

service.

-In the absence of the Charge Nurse/Senior Staff Nurse takes charge of the ward/dept for the

management of daily responsibilities, including work allocation, deployment, and supervision of staff,

to ensure safe and effective running of the ward/dept.

-Is responsible for the assessment of care needs and development , implementation, and evaluation

of programmes of care for patients, involving families/carers, ensures that appropriate

documentation is correctly maintained

-Provides support and advice to patients and their families/carers giving the knowledge required to

help them understand and cope with their condition, offering psychological, physical, and spiritual

support - including health promotion.

-With sound clinical knowledge demonstrates skills within the scope of professional practice ie,

venepuncture/cannulation/IV drug administration/ECG.

-Participates in the discharge planning process to ensure the smooth transition of the patient from

hospital to community or to other hospitals.

-Maintains effective communications with patients/families/carers and other members of the

multidisciplinary team to ensure that appropriate information is shared, and patient’s needs are met.

-When taking charge of a shift is responsible for work allocation and deployment of staff, safe and

effective running of the ward, rota reorganisation matching resource to activity.

-Leads and supervises junior staff, who are providing patient care, acting as a source of advice

ensuring their educational needs are met.

-Participates in developing and maintaining a positive learning environment. Undertakes teaching of

students, nursing colleagues and other members of the multidisciplinary team.

-Awareness of PIN guidelines

-Has the ability to organise own workload prioritising and adjusting priority in the face of changing

demands to ensure all needs are met in the care of the acute medical patient/rehabilitation patient.

-Is responsible for maintaining patient records within agreed standards.

-Through ordering of stores, maintains ward stock levels ensuring the economic use of all resources.

-Participates in Health & Safety policies and Procedures e.g.

- Completion of Risk Assessment

- Moving and Handling Policies

- Control of Substances Hazardous to Health

-Ensures a high standard of cleanliness throughout the department, promoting good standards of

hygiene in conjunction with the Control of Infection team ensuring infection rates are minimised

-Creates an environment for evidenced based nursing and plays an active role in the continuing

development of the ward undertaking various aspects of clinical audit as designated by the Charge

Nurse. Promotes a positive learning environment for all staff.

-Promotes and maintains good working relationships within the ward, the medical unit and within

NHS Highland. Actively participates in relevant meetings pertinent to and promoting the ward and

the nursing profession generally.

-Recognises patient/ carer/relative and staff beliefs, values and culture and acknowledges them.

ASSIGNMENT AND REVIEW OF WORK

-Workload will be assigned by the Charge Nurse/Senior Staff however the post holder will have the

responsibility for assessing, planning, and implementing care of medical patients within professional

guidelines.

-The staff nurse will be responsible to the charge nurse/ward manger, deputy charge nurse for clinical

guidance, professional management, work review and formal appraisal of performance.

-Works within statutes and guidelines of the NMC, NHS Highland and local agreed policies, protocols,

and procedures.

-The Staff Nurse will delegate / allocate work to the team in absence of the senior staff.

-The post holder may be required to work shifts in another ward area to meet the demands of the

service ie, to cover short term absence.

DECISIONS AND JUDGEMENTS

 In absence of Charge Nurse/Senior Staff Nurse allocates work and deploys staff within agreed

resources to ensure clinical needs are met.

 Makes autonomous clinical nursing decisions in planning and prioritising patient care and delegation

to team members

 Assesses patient’s condition to establish any change involving other members of the

multidisciplinary team as required.

 Recognises own limitations in the provision of clinical care and urgency of patients needs referring to

other healthcare professionals accordingly

 Continuously assesses patient condition and plans, implements, and evaluates programmes of care

 Support staff training needs

 Responds to suggestions from staff and colleagues and helps to drive and implement changes

which lead to improved patient care and staff satisfaction.

MOST CHALLENGING/DIFFICULT PARTS OF THE JOB

 The ability to give good direct patient care to all patients prioritising and re-prioritising in the face of

changing demands within existing resources.

 Shift Work – Day and night shift rotation

 Maintaining up to date clinical skills and knowledge

 Violent/ aggressive/ challenging behaviour patients in an acute medical environment

 In the absence of senior registered nursing staff, provide cover to ensure the effective operation of

the ward

COMMUNICATIONS AND RELATIONSHIPS

 Establishes and maintains professional relationship with patients/ relatives/ carers.

 Establishes and maintains professional relationships with nursing colleagues, medical colleagues,

healthcare professionals, voluntary services to provide a planned, co-ordinated seamless service for

patients.

 Identifies potential and existing challenges in care options for patients, carers, and staff, using

negotiation and counselling skills to achieve reconciliation and the best outcomes for patients.

 Communicates with support departments e.g Estates, Supplies, Human Resources, Health & Safety

 Ensures effective communication with all team members which proves challenging because of

varying shift patterns across the 24-hour period.

 Communications may be face to face, telephone, email or written.

KNOWLEDGE, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED TO DO THE JOB

 RGN

 Post registration experience within relevant area

 Evidence of further education/CPD eg short courses

 Evidence of team working skills with ability to work using own initiative

 Effective listening and interpersonal skills

 Time management skills

JOB DESCRIPTION AGREEMENT

I agree that the above Job Description is an accurate reflection of my duties and

responsibilities at the date of signing.

For informal enquiries please contact:

Kinga Cholewa

Kinga.cholewa@nhs.scot

01631788906