Ward sister/Charge Nurse

The post holder will be responsible for the provision, delivery and evaluation of highlyskilled individualised care to all patients, whilst also supporting and guiding junior staff.He/she will actively support senior colleagues, and take charge of the ward in the absenceof the Ward Manager. The post holder will develop, assess, plan, implement and evaluateprogrammes of evidence based nursing care. They will practice within a clinical governanceframework to create an environment where excellence in clinical care will flourish. The postholder will actively participate in and coordinate the supervision, learning and developmentof other staff members, act as a clinical mentor and be a role model to all staff. They willhave the ability to work collaboratively and cooperatively with others to meet the needs ofpatients and their families. They will act as an ambassador to promote patient and familycentred care and promote the core values of Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES Act as ward coordinator on a shift by shift basis Provide support to the Ward Manager in the management and development of staffand their clinical skills Provide leadership to team members and act as a role model To supervise and instruct junior colleagues and be a resource for them in the wardarea Alongside other staff provide efficient communication which will ensuredissemination of information to all staff Act as an effective role model and resource/advisor to colleagues in the delivery ofnursing care Demonstrate robust and effective management and organisational skillsCLINICAL Perform comprehensive assessment of patient nursing needs Plan, implement and evaluate care delivery according to changing health needs andvarying levels of complexity Collect, collate, evaluate and report information, maintaining accurate patientrecords Involve patients and carers/relatives in the planning and delivery of care Work collaboratively with other professionals and agencies to ensure patient needsare met, especially ongoing care needs and discharge arrangements Establish and maintain effective communication with patients and carers/relatives Hold relevant skills for this level Recognise and respond appropriately to urgent and emergency situations, andsupport staff members Collect, collate and report information, maintaining accurate records in line withNMC and Trust Policies and Caldicott principles Demonstrate competency in using specialist equipment and display a soundknowledge of the care Promote and maintain a safe and therapeutic environment for patients and familiesin line with the Trusts Risk Management Strategy and Policies Instruct nursing staff in the correct use of equipment, cleaning after use, removingfrom use, and labelling of any faulty or broken items before returning to MedicalEquipment Library/Medical Engineering, ensuring the Nurse in Charge is informed Coordinate cardiac arrest events on the wardMANAGERIAL/LEADERSHIP Deputise for the Ward Manager in the management and organisation of the ward Accept delegated line management responsibilities for other team membersincluding performance, development and appraisals Support the Ward Manager to maximise the best use of clinical resources,implementing best practice in patient flow, admission and discharge Participate in the recruitment and retention of staff Support the Ward Manager with the monitoring of performance of staff ensuringthat learning needs are identified through personal development and PACT Promote the development of services within the ward area and assist the WardManager to implement changes/improvements Ensure the effective and efficient use of physical and financial resources, fulfil theresponsibility of the authorised signatory Supervise and instruct junior colleagues and be a resource for them in the clinicalarea Act as an effective role model and resource/advisor to colleagues in the delivery ofnursing care Ensure staffing levels and skill mix are adequate to meet the acuity of patient needsand match the agreed staffing levels Lead role as link nurse Ability to create rosters and understand the nursing establishment required Have an awareness of budget setting and control Participate in organisational cost improvement programmes Encourage and disseminate to staff Trust quality objectives and HNS objectives Manage staff attendance Ensure staff appraisals and mandatory training meet the Trust objectivesORGANISATIONAL Provide leadership Have a good awareness of Trust strategic objectives Undertake investigations in relation to incidents, accidents and complaints Assist the Ward Manager in ward audits and the development and implementationof any ward action plans Ensure compliance with policies, procedures and clinical guidelines for self andothers, participate in the development of local policies and procedures Continually monitor standards of care and lead improvements when required Assist in patient and public involvement activities in the ward area which lead toservice improvement Promote peoples equality, diversity and rights, and take action when your own orothers actions undermine these rightsPROFESSIONAL Keep up to date with clinical developments relevant to the specialty and currentissues within nursing and healthcare Promote and maintain safe and therapeutic environment for patients in line withthe Trusts Risk Management Strategy and Policies Maintain a personal development plan and assist in the formulation and updating ofpersonal development plans with junior colleagues (OurPACT) Maintain active status on NMC register and ensure revalidation happens in a timelymanner Adhere to Trust Policies and Procedures and ensure self and others participate in thedevelopment of same Undertake Clinical Supervision if required and support its use with other staff Maintain up to date skills and knowledge Maintain good awareness of current professional and healthcare issues Maintain a professional portfolio Continually monitor standards of care and lead improvement work, through auditand research Promote equality and diversity and rights, taking action when individual or otherpeoples actions undermine these rights.QUALITY Contribute to the development and maintenance of Clinical Quality and ensure thatnursing care and clinical practice are research and evidence based and activelyreflects the Trusts standards Assist the Division in achieving the Trust Quality Indicators including minimisingpatient harms. This includes the prevalence of unavoidable pressure ulcers, medicineerrors and incidences of infections. Maintain an active involvement in patient and family centred strategies Investigate all incidents, accidents and complaints, reporting them appropriatelyusing relevant systems Monitor and report when standards of cleanliness and availability of supplies fallsbelow an acceptable level Deploy staff with appropriate skills to ensure safe patient care Deploy staff to other areas when required to support patient safety Evaluate care delivered.4. EDUCATION AND TRAINING To provide clinical care taking the opportunity to lead and teach by example in the clinicalsetting. To act as a clinical expert leading best practice and professionalism. To identify and manage a comprehensive teaching programme which is flexible and adaptable tothe needs of all grades of staff and student nurses. In collaboration with the management team identify the individual learning needs of all staffthrough personal development plans / appraisal systems. Participate in and facilitate innovations in collaboration with the MDT and productrepresentatives. Regularly undertake formal teaching sessions on post-registration pathways related to the clinicalspeciality internally and externally. Liaise with other disciplines to facilitate and promote local study days. To establish and maintain an active learning environment in all aspects of critical care. To coordinate, maintain and participate in formal critical care education programme in conjunction withthe Critical Care Directorate education team, ensuring all staff members fully participate indelivery of educational lectures. Encourage reflective practice including ongoing development. To maintain and improve own knowledge base by attending appropriate courses and undertakingresearch-based projects.CONFIDENTIALITYAll employees must adhere to policies and procedures relating to Information Governance,Confidentiality and Information Security

RISK MANAGEMENTThe Trust is committed to approaching the control of risks in a strategic and organised manner.The post holder must be aware of their individual responsibilities as detailed in the Trusts RiskManagement, Health & Safety and Incident policies, and those under the Health and Safety at WorkAct. This includes the reporting of any untoward incident, accident, potential or actual hazardidentified.SAFEGUARDINGAll staff are required to be familiar with the arrangements for safeguarding children, young peopleand vulnerable adults and support the organisation in promoting the welfare of children, youngpeople and vulnerable adults.Staff working directly with children, young people and vulnerable adults will have a responsibility toensure safeguarding and promoting their welfare forms an integral part of their duties.Staff who come into contact with children, vulnerable adults, parents and carers in the course oftheir work and/or have access to records will have responsibilities to safeguard and promote thewelfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.Staff who come into contact in the course of their duties, with parents, carers or other significantadults or children, young people and vulnerable adults should always be mindful of safeguarding andpromotion of the welfare of these individuals.HEALTH AND WELLBEINGThe Trust is a Health Promoting Hospital. The Trust expects that when you are presented withopportunities to improve the lifestyle of our patients you seek help from appropriately trainedclinical staff to ensure patients are supported and assisted in making the necessary lifestyle changes.This is in accordance with best practice as described in the DoH white paper Choosing Health Making Healthy Choices Easier.

As the largest single site specialist heart and chest hospital in the UK, we, at Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, have a clear vision 'to be the best cardiothoracic integrated healthcare organisation'.

We provide specialist services in cardiothoracic surgery, cardiology, respiratory medicine both in the hospital and out in the community.

We serve a catchment area of 2.8 million people, spanning Merseyside, Cheshire, North Wales and the Isle of Man, and increasingly we receive referrals from outside these areas for highly specialised services such as aortics.

Our reputation for strong performance is important in delivering the best care for our patients and high quality clinical services. This is underpinned by a culture of research and innovation, delivered in modern estate and our encouragement of flexible working in a variety of forms.

Please visit our website - https://www.lhch.nhs.uk/

Please follow this link for a tour of our site - https://bit.ly/36ylsoq

Qualifications & Education

Essential: - Registered Nurse; - Holds (or working towards) post registration Diploma or Degree; - Holds Mentorship qualification; - Evidence of continued further study

Knowledge & Experience

Skills & Abilities

Values and behaviours

Essential: - Inclusive; - Make a difference; - Person centered; - Accountable; - Continuous improvement; - Teamwork