Band 6 Ward Sister / Charge Nurse

Reginald Hart Ward has 31 beds and is an acute trauma and orthopaedic ward in a hospital setting with a main focus on admissions for patients with fractured neck of femurs.

The post holder, in the absence of the Ward Manager, has continuing responsibility for the management of the ward, including the assessment of care needs, the development, implementation and evaluation of programmes of care to a high standard.

The post holder is required to supervise and teach both qualified and unqualified staff.

Main duties of the job

1. Provide expert clinical knowledge and skills within the ward.

2. Collaborate with the Ward Manager to develop and promote nursing practice and competence.

3. Act as a professional role model and provide facilitative and effective clinical leadership.

4. Responsible for the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of programmes of care in line with research-based evidence, for individuals and groups of patients.

5. To ensure accurate documentation and record keeping, teaching and supporting all members of the ward team in this area.

6. In the absence of the Ward Manager, to be responsible for the ongoing facilitation of timely discharge of patients to primary care settings, ensuring suitable ongoing care arrangements, and effective use of inpatient beds. To promote effective communication between the ward team, bed management team and discharge coordinators.

7. To provide information to patients and relatives in a sensitive manner, and to support them when distressed or bereaved.

8. To promote effective multidisciplinary teamwork, through good communication with all staff.

9. To actively assist the ward manager in implementation of Trust objectives/initiatives, taking a lead in the clinical area as required.

10. Actively assist the ward manager in implementing ongoing national policy.

11. To participate in the recruitment, selection, development and retention of staff.

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.