Staff Care Specialist
The following information provides an overview of the skills, qualities, and qualifications needed for this role.
- Dual Qualified Location: To work as a member of a team of nurses at providing high quality, patient centred care for patients and their families.
- Overview of Role: The role involves developing and maintaining good relationships with all members of the multi-disciplinary team. The nurse is expected to work closely with nursing colleagues, developing innovative practice within the unit delivering evidence-based care. Additionally, the nurse is responsible for developing specialist knowledge of nursing practice relating to his/her clinical area.
- Primary Duties and Responsibilities: Clinical: Ensure the delivery of the highest possible standard of care to all patients. Act as preceptor to preregistration students, mentor new clinical staff and new nonclinical staff. Support and guide all colleagues when needed. Liaise with link lecturers from affiliated nurse education departments with particular regard to developing and maintaining as a recognised learning environment for student nurses. Develop and maintain effective communication and interpersonal relationships with all members of the multi-disciplinary team to ensure a good team spirit and collaborative working practices. Support the unit manager by meeting agreed responsibilities as set out by the Unit Manager or the Director of Nursing at any time. Identify and discuss nursing/patient needs with consultants/nursing team, multidisciplinary team, patients and carers. Accept responsibility and be accountable for the holistic care of a named group of patients on a shift basis. Ensure that the highest possible standards of patient care and patient safety are maintained at all times. Demonstrate and promote a patient centred style of clinical practice, acting as patient advocate at all times and provide emotional and psychological support to patients admitted to the unit for treatment. Have an understanding of the principles and workings of pre assessment. Maintain high standards of communication, both written and verbal at all times. Have a working knowledge of all publications to include the Scope of Practice Framework and Code of Professional Misconduct. Maintain own professional registration and submit to HR department for verification yearly. Develop and maintain a high level of knowledge of the following and always practice within the guidelines and policies written at both unit and hospital level: Clinical risk reporting policy, Occupational Health Facilities Management, Patient Moving and Handling, Resuscitation / Basic Life Support, Health and Safety, Departmental Financial & Budgetary Controls. It is the responsibility of all employees to ensure they are aware of and competent in the reporting of Hospital Risk and all Health and Safety concerns. Understand and participate in projects within the Hospital. Undertake a pro-active approach in achieving and maintaining accreditation standards within and have an in-depth knowledge of departmental and hospital-wide policies. Professional Accountability and Development: Ensure you remain professionally updated and ensure care in all areas is delivered in line with the latest research to promote evidence-based practice. Actively participate in research where appropriate for the benefit of patients. Provide a supportive and learning environment in the Hospital, which enables the educational and professional development needs of staff to be met. Ensure that statutory rules, guidelines and legislation are understood and complied with. Ensure that standards of care are safeguarded, and all staff are aware of the need for patients and clients. High quality care is recognised as of primary importance. Act as a positive role model with regards to the Hospital ethos. Quality & Audit: Participate as required in clinical audit and research activity within the field, promoting a positive attitude towards the implementation of evidence- based practice. Undertake research/ clinical audit as necessary, critically analyse and provide written reports of the same. Participate in local audits in preparation for annual accreditation. Work closely with the Quality and Patient Safety team, ensuring is meeting accreditation standards at all times. Health and Safety: To uphold policy requirements in relation to Fire, Infection Control and Health and Safety at Work regulations and to attend updates. Identify potential risks for all staff, patients and visitors and adhere to relevant incident reporting procedures. To observe a general duty of care for the health, safety and well-being of self, work colleagues, visitors and patients within the hospital, in addition to any specific risk management associated with this post. This job description is intended to be an outline of the areas of responsibility. As develops, this job description may be subject to review in light of the changing needs of the Hospital.