Staff Nurse
Reporting Relationship:
Responsible to Director of Nursing (Person in Charge) or designated officer.
Purpose of the Post:
The Staff Nurse will assess, plan, implement and evaluate care to the highest professional and ethical standards within the model of nursing care at the CareBright Centre. The staff nurse will provide holistic, person-centred care, promoting optimum independence and enhancing the quality of life for service users.
Principal Duties And Responsibilities
Professional Responsibilities
The Staff Nurse will:
Practice Nursing according to the Code of Professional Conduct as laid down by the Bord Altranais agus Cnaimhseachais na hEireann (Nursing Midwifery Board Ireland) and Professional Clinical Guidelines
Work within their scope of practice and take measures to develop and maintain the competence necessary for professional practice
Maintain a high standard of professional behaviour and be accountable for their practice
Be aware of ethical policies and procedures which pertain to their area of practice
Respect and maintain the privacy, dignity, and confidentiality of the residents
Follow appropriate lines of authority within the Nurse Management structure
Clinical Practice
The Staff Nurse will:
Deliver the nursing care of an assigned group of residents within a best practice / evidence-based framework
Promote the health, welfare, and social wellbeing of residents within the service
Actively participate as a multi-disciplinary / inter-disciplinary team member in all aspects of service delivery including case conferences, clinical meetings, team meetings
Assess, plan, implement and evaluate individual person-centred care programmes within an agreed framework and in accordance with best practice
Develop and promote good interpersonal relationships with residents, their family / social network supports and the interdisciplinary care team in the promotion of person-centred care
Ensure that care is carried out in an empathetic and ethical manner and that the dignity and spiritual needs of the resident are respected
Promote and recognise the residents' social and cultural dimensions of care and the need for links with their local community
Collaborate and work closely with the resident, their family, the multi-disciplinary / inter-disciplinary team, external agencies, and services to facilitate discharge planning, continuity of care and specific care requirements
Provide appropriate and timely education and information to the resident, their family and be an advocate for the individual resident and for their family
Report and consult with senior nursing management on clinical issues as appropriate
Maintain appropriate and accurate written nursing records and reports regarding resident care in accordance with local / national / professional guidelines
Participate in innovation and change in the approach to resident care delivery particularly in relation to new research findings, evidence-based practice, and advances in dementia care
Participate in clinical audit and review
Undertake Key Worker role as appropriate
Demonstrate flexibility by rotating / assisting in other units / care settings as required to meet nursing resource needs and the requirements of the integrated services programme (ISP)
Refer Clients To Other Services As Required
Clinical Governance
The Staff Nurse will:
Have a working knowledge of HIQA Standards as they apply to the role / care setting, for example, Care of Older Person's Dementia Care, National Standards for the Prevention and Control of Healthcare Associated Infections, Hygiene Standards etc.
Contribute to ongoing monitoring, audit, and evaluation of the service as appropriate
Accurately record and report all complaints to appropriate personnel according to local service policy
Participate in the development of policies / procedures and guidelines to support compliance with current legal requirements, where existing, for the safe storage and administration of medicines and other clinical products
Observe, report, and take appropriate action on any matter which may be detrimental to resident care or well being
Be aware of, and comply with, the principles of clinical governance including quality, risk and health and safety and be individually responsible for clinical governance, risk management / health and safety issues in their area of work
Participate in the development, promotion and implementation of infection prevention and control guidelines
Adhere to organisational dress code
Assume responsibility for and coordinate the management of the unit / care setting in the absence of the Clinical Nurse Manager
Education, Training & Development
The Staff Nurse will:
Take responsibility for own competency and learning and development needs and actively contribute to the learning and development of the interdisciplinary team
Complete all mandatory training as deemed necessary by the Director of Nursing and Bord Altranais agus Cnaimhseachais na hEireann (Nursing Midwifery Board Ireland)
Participate in performance evaluation / review with their line manager, identifying areas for improvement and appropriate plans / measures to achieve them
Provide feedback the Person in Charge/ the designated officer, regarding compilation of proficiency assessments for students in the clinical setting
Develop and use reflective practice techniques to inform and guide practice as part of their daily work
Participate in the clinical / workplace induction of all new nursing and support staff
Contribute to the identification of training needs pertinent to the clinical area
Develop teaching skills and participate in the planning and implementation of orientation, training and teaching programmes for nursing students and other health-care staff as appropriate
Having undergone appropriate training, act as a mentor / preceptor or clinical assessor for students
Participate in the development of performance indicators in conjunction with the Person in Charge
Participate in innovation and change in the approach to service user care delivery, and contribute to the service planning process, based on best practice and under the direction of Nurse Management, particularly in relation to new research findings and advances in treatment
Administration
The Staff Nurse will:
Ensure that records are safeguarded and managed as per local policy and in accordance with relevant legislation
Maintain records and submit activity data / furnish appropriate reports to the Director of Nursing as required
Contribute to policy development and formulation, performance monitoring, business planning and budgetary control
Maintain professional standards including resident and data confidentiality
Contribute to the development and implementation of information sharing protocols, audit systems, referral pathways, individual care plans and shared care arrangements
Contribute to ongoing monitoring, audit, and evaluation of the service as appropriate
Ensure that the care setting is maintained in good order using appropriate models, that supplies are adequate, and that all equipment is in good working order and ready for immediate use
Ensure that equipment is safe to use and report any malfunctions in a timely manner
Assist with ordering of supplies as required and ensure the appropriate and efficient use of supplies is made and exercise economy in the use of consumables
Undertake other duties as required by the Director of Nursing or his / her designate
The above Job description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties involved and consequently, the post holder may be required to perform other duties as appropriate to the post which may be assigned to him / her from time to time and to contribute to the development of the post while in office.