Deputy Sister / Charge Nurse, Paediatrics

We have an exciting opportunity within our Paediatric Inpatient Ward for Band 6 Deputy Sisters. Ash Ward is a general Paediatric Ward caring for children and young people aged from birth to 18 years providing care which includes orthopaedic, surgical, HDU and Oncology treatment. We also work closely with our Paediatric clinical specialists nurses which includes diabetic, epilepsy, safeguarding and allergy specialist.

We recognise the importance of continued professional development and work closely with our Paediatric Education Team who strive to develop each persons individual practice.

We are looking for nurses who are;

Visible and credible professional clinical leaders.

Passionate in providing high quality, evidence based and family focused care to our patients and their families/guardians.

To be a role model for the junior team members supporting and promoting an environment of learning and development.

To support and manage the team on a shift by shift basis, working closely with the management team in providing exceptional care.

On a daily basis to lead, manage and facilitate the effective and efficient use of allocated resource.

Working effectively as a member of the multi-professional team.

The main duties of this role are to be:
Responsible for managing the care provided to our patients on a shift by shift basis, supporting junior members of the team in providing high quality, evidence based care.

To support the ward manager in providing 24 hour clinical and managerial responsibility for the clinical area

To oversee the development of junior colleagues, completing their appraisals with support from the Ward manager, working closely with the Education Team to ensure that each individual has the opportunity to develop their practice in areas specific to them

Act as a role model to other members of the multi-professional team, supporting and promoting an environment of learning and development.

To oversee and actively participate in the development of the ward within teams focusing on areas each team are responsible for., To be clinically able to undertake and direct high quality research based clinical nursing care , sharing expertise with the nursing team

To use appropriate skill set in the assessment planning implementation and evaluation of care delivery

To take overall responsibility of the clinical environment when on allocated shift ensuring safety is maintained including appropriate escalation to senior nursing team when support is required

To have excellent verbal and written communication skills so that professional advice or care guidance and instructions are well understood by patients , their relatives and/or carers and members of the multidisciplinary team .

To manage clinical situations that may be challenging and distressing for junior staff , ensuring the needs of the child and family are paramount

To ensure effective discharge planning so that individual patient needs are met with an appropriate plan of action involving the multidisciplinary team as required

Function as an effective role model in the clinical setting in demonstrating the application of breadth and depth of nursing knowledge and skills, and in advising and supporting members of the multi-disciplinary team.

Facilitate the professional development of other nurses in the appraisal process by guiding the junior nurses to identify their learning needs .Support and mentors junior colleagues

To work collaboratively with the Ward Manager/Matron to ensure that clinical governance processes at unit level encompass measures to ensure the quality of the fundamental and essential aspects of care at met

Leadership or managerial

To effectively manage the patient pathway from admission until discharge

To ensure appropriate patient allocation taking into consideration skill mix and patient acuity

To promote staff wellbeing by ensuring breaks are managed in a timely way that ensures the nursing service is clinically safe at all times.

Provide positive effective leadership and act a role model. Delegates appropriately , and empowers staff to problem solve effectively with their daily clinical workloads

Facilitates and supports nurses in working collaboratively with all other members of the multi-disciplinary team

Adopts an appropriate management style in accordance with changing circumstances

Undertakes annual appraisal for nursing staff as requested by the Ward Manager/Paediatric Matron. Ensuring that they have a Personal Development Plan, and to assist with the appraisal of other staff in liaison with the Ward Manger.

To participate in nursing research and clinical audit where appropriate and directed by the Paediatric Matron

Educational

Act as a role model to junior nurses and students rotating to the area

To ensure that all supervisors, mentors, and/or preceptors of learners provide adequate support and supervision

To undertake a recognised assessor training and subsequently participate in the formal assessment of learner nurses.

To plan and maximise opportunities to deliver work-based learning from an agreed educational programme for paediatrics

To develop education and training programmes in collaboration with the Practice Development Nurse and Paediatric Matron to ensure that knowledge, skills and competencies of the professional and support staff are able to meet patients' and carers' by develop learning outcomes and competency achievements for all staff

On a monthly basis to undertake a regular teaching /training shift to either deliver education or work clinically with a junior member of the nursing team to gain confidence knowledge and skills in an agreed subject .

General responsibilities

To support the department and organisation by carrying out any other duties that reasonably fit within the broad scope of a job of this grade and type of work

Ashford and St. Peters Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust serves a population of more than 410,000 people living in North-West Surrey, parts of Hounslow and beyond.

Over 3,700 highly trained doctors, nurses, midwives, therapists, healthcare scientists and other support staff make up our workforce, providing a wide range of services across our two hospital sites, Ashford, Ashford, Surrey and St Peter's, Chertsey, Surrey.

We also run many specialist clinics in the community and local community hospitals and other healthcare facilities.

Our vision is to be one of the best healthcare Trusts in the country. There has never been a better time to join us in the NHS at Ashford & St Peters Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust with our strong commitment to staff health and wellbeing. We are committed to providing continuous professional development, staff benefits and flexibility to shape our workforce around our patient care.