Senior Sister / Charge Nurse

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Job overview

The Whittington Emergency Department (ED) serves the diverse local community of North London. We pride ourselves on providing high quality, compassionate care and give structured support and development to all our nursesOur CQC inspection in January 2020 praised the teamwork displayed amongst our staff who support each other to provide good care. We are a dedicated trauma unit as part of the North East London and Essex Trauma Network.

Due to an increase in our Senior Nursing establishment, we have a vacancy for a dynamic, enthusiastic, innovative senior nurse who is looking for their next challenge to help us build on our reputation as one of the safest hospitals in England. The role of the Senior Sister / Charge Nurse is pivotal in providing leadership and support to our nurses, while ensuring the department is managed smoothly on each shift.

You will be given the freedom to manage your department and a team of nurses, with appropriate support and development opportunities. We have very strong nursing leadership and can offer support from our substantial senior team, which includes our two ED Matrons and a Practice Development Nurse who provide a clinical support rota.

Main duties of the job

You will be expected to work in all areas of the department acting as a role model and providing evidence based care. You would also regularly act as a shift leader maintaining patient flow and ensuring patient safety and quality of care in the department. You will be given management time to undertake you line management duties and take on a key area of responsibility.

You may already be working at a Band 7 level or looking for your next challenge. We will tailor a development programme to meet your needs to excel in this role. This includes building upon your portfolio of courses, for example ALS, ATNC, APLS, Physical Assessment or Minor Illness/Injury. To support your leadership development the Trust offers both internal and external leadership courses. There are also opportunities for teaching or involvement in research/national audit.

Applicants will have significant post registration experience with demonstrable experience in Emergency Care, educated to degree level and have a mentorship and A&E qualification.

The post will require full internal rotation of our shift patterns (flexible / part time working will be considered).

Working for our organisation

Whittington Health serves a richly diverse population and works hard to ensure that all our services are fair and equally accessible to everyone. Nowhere is this more obvious than in the way we look after our staff. We aim to employ a workforce which is as representative as possible of this population, so we are open to the value of differences in age, disability, gender, marital status, pregnancy and maternity, race, sexual orientation, and religion or belief. The Trust believes that as a public sector organisation we have an obligation to have recruitment, training, promotion and other formal employment policies and procedures that are sensitive to these differences. We think that by doing so, we are better able to treat our patients as well as being a better place to work.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Values

The post holder will uphold and display the Trust values of Innovation, Compassion, Accountability, Respect and Excellence.

The Senior Sister/ Charge Nurse will be expected to:

• To lead the nursing workforce on a shift by shift basis, by taking charge of the department (or continuing accountability if this is delegated)
• Manage patient flows, ensuring safety and escalating potential issues appropriately
• Guiding the activity of nursing, medical and other staff to ensure rapid assessment, treatment and disposal of patients.
• Participate in educational and training programmes for junior nursing staff and students, including acting as a preceptor / mentor where required.
• Supervise staff to ensure that high standards of nursing care are delivered.
• Be able to work independently as an expert practitioner in all areas of the Emergency Department.

DEPARTMENTAL MANAGEMENT

The post holder is part of a team with responsibility for the management of the Emergency Department on a shift basis. The overarching management of the nursing workforce and department is co-ordinated by the Lead Nurse / Matron in the Emergency Department. He/she will regularly take charge during his/her span of duty and will have undertaken responsibilities for aspects of the running and organisation of the department as directed by the Matron. They will also be expected to deputise for the Matron as required.

The Nurse in Charge ensures:

• Available staff on the shift are deployed appropriately to meet changing demands.
• Patient flows are managed effectively in accordance with the Department of Health, 'ED Clinical Quality Indicators'.
• That the activity of nursing, medical and other staff is guided to ensure the rapid assessment, treatment and disposal of patients.
• Staff are adequately supervised, supported and coached.
• That delegated responsibilities for staff appraisal and development are carried out.
• More junior staff are kept informed of developments.
• Staff are debriefed after stressful or critical incidents.
• Stock levels are checked and re-ordered to appropriate levels.
• Good relationships with other departments and outside agencies are maintained.
• Sickness is reported in accordance with Trust procedures.
• Staff discipline is maintained during the shift.
• Documentation is fully and properly completed.
• All required information is fully recorded on the clinical information system/notes.
• Departmental standards are monitored and enforced at all times whilst they are in charge of the shift.
• Patients are kept informed of potential waiting times.
• Patient safety is maintained.
• Incidents are documented and reported appropriately.
• Senior Management is kept informed of relevant matters.
• Advice is sort appropriately.

EDUCATION AND TRAINING

The Senior Sister / Charge Nurse participates in the development and delivery of educational and training programmes for more junior staff and student nurses and for clinical supervision to more junior staff. He/she provides on-the-job training to staff and assesses training needs of staff under his/her supervision.

The Senior Sister / Charge Nurse will participate in the training of staff to:

• Respond appropriately to major incidents
• Develop their scope of professional practice such that they have the skills to undertake a variety of tasks including IV drug administration, venepuncture and cannulation, suturing, application of plaster casts, 12 lead ECG recording etc.
• Deal with patients who are potentially violent in accordance with Trust Policy and Guidance.
• Manage sick children and their carers who attend the department.
• Manage mentally ill patients, and have a good knowledge of the Mental Health Act and the issues that surround holding patients under 'Common Law' vis-à-vis the Mental Capacity Act (2005)
• Effectively participate in CPR and the resuscitation of the severely injured.
• Identify and respond to common abnormalities on cardiac monitors

SERVICE DEVELOPMENT

The Senior Sister / Charge Nurse is expected to make recommendations for changes, which will improve the service in the Department. They also participate in the development and implementation of new working practices.

MOTIVATION AND MORALE

The Senior Sister / Charge Nurse has an important role in motivating staff and maintaining high morale. The Nurse in Charge must encourage a flexible approach to problems/situations and promote a 'can do' attitude. The Nurse in Charge will encourage staff to adopt a positive, problem solving approach and to be proactive in resolving difficulties.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES

• The Senior Sister / Charge Nursewill develop competence in the use of hospital computer systems and in particular the Emergency Department EDIS programme.
• You will be required to rotate through all the shifts operating in ED.

Personal Conduct

All staff within the Emergency Department team are expected to treat other members of staff with courtesy and respect. The hospital rules and policies, including disciplinary procedure, apply to all staff without exception.

The Nurse in Charge will always behave in a courteous manner with members of the public, patients and other members of staff. They will always be helpful, polite and welcoming. They will be proficient in communication skills with a positive body language and the ability to maintain eye contact. Uniforms will always be worn correctly.

Study Leave

Study leave will be granted at the discretion of the Emergency Department Service Manager.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria

• RGN/RN (Adult)
• Post-qualification course in Emergency Nursing
• Mentorship Course (998) or equivalent
• At least one of ALS/ATNC/EPLS/APLS

Desirable criteria

• BA/BSc or working towards
• ENP qualification
• Generic Instructor course

Skills

Essential criteria

• Ability to work independently in all areas of the emergency department
• Use of Manchester Triage System
• Plastering, and wound closure skills
• Phlebotomy, Cannulation and IV Drug Administration
• Excellent oral and written communication skills

Desirable criteria

• Suturing
• X-ray requesting

Knowlegde

Essential criteria

• Evidence based 'Best Practice' in Emergency Nursing & Medicine.
• Knowledge of Clinical Supervision
• Emergency Department Quality indicators and CQUINS

Desirable criteria

• Use of Datix Risk Management systems

Experience

Essential criteria

• Demonstrable credible experience in Emergency Care, of with experience working at band 6 Sister / Charge Nurse level

Desirable criteria

• Experience working at Band 7 level
• Appraisal systems

Personal qualities

Essential criteria

• Smart in appearance
• Flexible approach to work
• Professional attitude
• Positive attitude to change
• Highly organised
• Ability to work in high pressured situations

Desirable criteria

• Charismatic Leader

Other factors

Essential criteria

• IT literate

Desirable criteria

• Good presentation skills

SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN AND ADULTS

To comply with the Trust's Safeguarding Children and Adults policies, procedures and protocols. All individual members of staff (paid or unpaid) have a duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults This will require you to:

• Ensure you are familiar with and comply with the London Child Protection Procedures and protocols for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young people.

• Ensure you are familiar and comply with the London Multi Agency Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults Pan London Procedures.

• Ensure you are familiar and comply with local protocols and systems for information sharing.
• Know the appropriate contact numbers and required reporting lines.
• Participate in required training and supervision.
• Comply with required professional boundaries and codes of conduct

Whittington Health is committed to safeguarding all children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Your application form -

1. Provide only business email address for your referees - we are unable to request references from yahoo, Hotmail, Gmail accounts.
2. Make sure you to include all evidence of where you meet the essential requirement on the jobs description as this forms the base of our shortlisting criteria.

Our processes -

1. Closing dates are given as a guide; we are within our right to close adverts early so please ensure you submit your application as soon as possible to avoid delay.
2. If you do not hear from us up to 3 weeks after the closing date of the job unfortunately this means you have not been successfully shortlisted for interview. If your require feedback on your application please contact the appointing manager detailed in the body of the advert.
3. Please check your emails regularly as all correspondence from us will be via trac.systems - occasionally these emails will go into your Junk folder.
4. Employment at Whittington Health is offered subject to successful completion of a 6 month probationary period for all staff with the exception of GMC Registered Doctors.

Other important information -

• Applications from job seekers who require sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. Before submitting your application and to avoid disappointment please check that you are eligible under the UKVI points based system.
• Applications are welcome from people wishing to job share or work flexible patterns. We are committed to equal opportunities.
• In submitting an application form, you authorise Whittington Health NHS Trust to confirm any previous NHS service details via the Inter Authority Transfer (IAT) process should you be appointed to the post.

If you are offered a role with one of the NLPSS partner trusts, as part of pre-employment checks your identity and right to work documentation will be verified remotely (in most circumstances), using a certified identity verification service provider TrustID. You will be asked to capture an image of the relevant documents as well as a "selfie" using your smartphone/tablet (if available) for facial matching. TrustID will also perform a digital address check using Trunarrative and Equifax, which is a soft check and does not leave a footprint on your credit rating. For more information, visit www.trustid.co.uk

Please note that during the recruitment process your Identity Documentation (i.e. passport, driving licence, visa, etc.) will be scanned using a device which recognises UV, Infrared and Machine Readable Zone security features of the documents provided

The Trust uses electronic new starter forms on Trac to collect personal details. Information collected is securely stored and used to set up the employee record on the ESR HR system.

We would welcome applications from individuals who are from underrepresented groups in the organisation

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Documents to download

• Band 7 ED JDPS (PDF, 654.1KB)
• OH FORM Functional Requirement Form (PDF, 244.9KB)
• Whittington Probationary Policy (PDF, 298.0KB)
• Whittington Employment Promise (PDF, 22.4KB)