Risk and Governance Lead

To maintain high standards of clinical care across neonatal services

To support nursing and medical staff in the development of new policies and procedures which are evidence based

To oversee the management of the service in conjunction with the senior clinical team, supporting with capacity and clinical decision making

To work in partnership with the Senior team to monitor the delivery of high standard care across Neonatal Services

Lead in conjunction with the senior clinical team on patient safety and governance

The post holder will: Ensure nursing care delivery is based on current research and/or best practice.

Support and encourage a holistic approach to nursing care delivery.

Support staff in identifying and setting standards/care bundles/quality of nursing care and assist all members of the clinical team in the development or implementation of assessment tools to evaluate the care given.

Maintain own clinical skill base by working closely with new and identified individual members of staff (as required) in order to promote their personal development in assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating care given.

Facilitate the implementation of a robust system of Clinical Supervision across sites in partnership with the Lead Nurse and Practice development team.

Act as a role model for designated staff/department in respect of neonatal care and management.

Act as Advocate for babies/families or relatives who require support, guidance or advice to ensure informed decisions are made about their care where required.

Ensure that agreed standards are known and followed to provide a safe environment for babies their families, relatives and staff.

Integrate recognised Best Practice into everyday practice.

Be aware of the implications of Health Service policy, in connection to nursing practice, educating service users and staff as appropriate.

Work in collaboration with Senior clinical team, medical staff and the wider multidisciplinary team in providing professional support and advice for regular review of local guidelines, Trust policies and standards in relation to practice.

Work in partnership with the Senior Nursing Team to identify and facilitate nursing research audits within the department. Use results to facilitate improvements in practice and documentation by all staff.

Lead on the coordination and preparation of Learning/Investigation tools and other clinical incident investigations and reports alongside partner teams as appropriate to ensure effective review and learning

Be proactive in identifying, preventing, recording, documenting, reflecting, evaluating, action planning risk incidents and above all promoting a culture of practiced risk assessment within the department via a clinical governance pathway

Understand the importance of effective cost management, waste reduction, maximising value from resource management

Be a key part of the senior nursing management team and deputise for the Lead Nurse when necessary

Maintain regular contact, attend meetings with other teams within Trust and network areas of value in providing support and advice to ensure that objectives are met and outcomes achieved.

Manage own work load/projects in an effective and efficient way

Participate in quality initiatives and audit as requested by Lead Nurse

Handle complaints, accidents and incidents with professionalism in accordance with local/Trust policy

Ensure patient confidentiality is maintained at all time

Participate in interviews, staff recruitment/disciplinary/department meetings and service reviews when requested to do so

Provide regular reports on educational programmes, project development, and associated outcomes, to the Senior team, Trust colleagues and external organisations as appropriate.

Monitor sickness and absence for nursing staff and participate in any stage 2 meeting as required

Perform staff appraisal and nursing revalidation as indicated and provide support and guidance for staff

Manage capacity/activity with advanced decision making skills

Lead on the preparation and coordination of Neonatal Governance dashboard and trust Quality reports in conjunction with the senior team

Ensure that the Trust and national quality initiatives are fully implemented across neonatal services.

Promote awareness and monitor compliance amongst colleagues regarding Trust policies, procedures, guidelines and standards

Ensure that investigation of incident reports relating to nursing issues are completed and actioned

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.

Our values

We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience - we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. We achieve this by using values based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and creating a culture that values differences.

Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job

Qualifications

Essential: - oRegistered Nurse; - oNeonatal qualified in speciality (QIS); - oTeaching and assessing experience; - oCurrent NLS certificate

Desirable: - oMasters degree or working towards; - oResearch experience; - oFormal managerial qualification; - oNLS instructor

Experience

Essential: - oConfident & adaptable role model; - oAbility to effectively lead change

Desirable: - oEvidence of involvement in project management

Knowledge

Skills

Desirable: - oProject leadership skill; - oEvidence of excellent IT skills; - oQuality improvement skills