Charge Nurse - Coptcoat Ward

Job overview

Coptcoat Ward, part of Team Surgery, is looking for motivated and experienced nurses to join our friendly and supportive ward team as a Band 6 Charge Nurse. You should have a passion for surgical nursing and a positive attitude, show professionalism, integrity, determination and dedication.

Coptcoat is a fast paced, 15 bed elective surgical ward specialising in Colorectal, Urology, Maxillo-Facial and Bariatric Surgery. It has an admissions lounge admitting patients on the day of surgery who return to the ward area post operatively.

You must promote high quality patient centred care and establish good relationships with staff and patients, communicating effectively within the multi-disciplinary team and be able to support both the Ward Manager and team members in the general day to day running of the ward. Leadership experience or training, as well as experience in developing others is desirable, but further training opportunities will be made available to successful candidates.

You need to have excellent leadership, communication and interpersonal skills. We require individuals who are forward thinking, well organised and with a positive attitude towards flexibility and change. A strong interest in developing new staff and a proactive approach to delivery of high standards of evidence based care are essential components to this post.

Main duties of the job

• Lead the delivery of high-quality, patient-centred, holistic care to our patients.
• To support the Ward Manager in the day to day running of the ward and admissions unit.
• To support, mentor and develop junior staff and students in practice, acting as a professional role model and ensuring that high standards of care are continuously being delivered to our patients and their families/carers.
• To assist in local ward audits and participate in project work to drive continuous improvement.
• To be responsible for the leadership and development of their own team of staff on the ward – managing attendance, sickness, performance / capabilities, disciplinary concerns etc.
• To deputise in the absence of the ward manager to ensure continued smooth running of the service.
• To be motivated and committed to give high quality nursing care and be able to work autonomously as well as part of a team.
• At King’s particular emphasis is put on the need to ensure that all staff recognizes their responsibility to deliver services in a high quality, courteous, patient focused manner maintaining patient confidentiality at all times.

Working for our organisation

The Trust provides a full range of local and specialist services across its five sites. The trust-wide strategy of Strong Roots, Global Reach is our Vision to be BOLD, Brilliant people, Outstanding care, Leaders in Research, Innovation and Education, Diversity, Equality and Inclusion at the heart of everything we do. By being person-centred, digitally-enabled, and focused on sustainability, we aim to take Team King’s to another level.

We are at a pivotal point in our history and we require individuals who are ready to join a highly professional team and make a real, lasting difference to our patients and our people.

King’s is committed to delivering Sustainable Healthcare for All via our Green Plan. In line with national Greener NHS ambitions, we have set net zero carbon targets of 2040 for our NHS Carbon Footprint and 2045 for our NHS Carbon Footprint Plus. Everyone’s contribution is required in order to meet the goals set out in our Green Plan and we encourage all staff to work responsibly, minimising their contributions to the Trust’s carbon emissions, waste and pollution wherever possible.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The nursing team on Coptcoat thrives on our team work, supporting and empowering each other to achieve positive patient outcomes through the personable and professional care provided to each of our patients and their loved ones.

Successful candidates will need to have excellent leadership, communication and interpersonal skills. The ward is fast paced with a high patient turnover and we therefore require individuals who are forward thinking, well organised and with a positive attitude towards flexibility and change. A strong interest in developing new staff and a proactive approach to delivery of high standards of evidence based care are essential components to this post.

CLINICAL PRACTICE

• Adhere to the NMC Code of Professional Conduct in all your actions.
• Demonstrate clinical proficiencies and act as a resource to junior staff.
• Assess, plan, implement and evaluate all care rendered.
• Maintain accurate records for patient care and interactions.
• Involve patients and advocates in their care and decisions about care.
• Remain up to date with clinical guidelines and disseminate changes and updates.
• Support in health education activities for patients and their families.
• Maintain patient confidentiality at all times.
• Demonstrate effective communication in all interactions.

EDUCATION & RESEARCH

• Act as a mentor and role model to junior staff, preceptees, students
• Willingness to participate in further training for own development.
• Act as formal practice supervisor and practice assessor for students.
• Liaise with PDNs regarding any training requirements for the department team and any concerns regarding a practitioner’s competency.
• Contribute to wider educational initiatives within the Care Group.
• Support the use of Trust and local policies and guidelines, ensuring best practice at all times.
• Participate in any research projects conducted in the clinical area as appropriate.
• Promote participation in onward study and personal / professional development.

MANAGEMENT

• Support with continuous quality improvement initiatives, formally evaluating standards of care and assisting in the implementation of changes.
• Contribute to the delivery of a cost effective service and adjusting staffing levels appropriately based on acuity.
• To act as a team leader to an identified group of staff, taking responsibility for their management and development.
• Participate in recruitment and retention activities to support the unit and wider Care Group.
• Participate in risk management procedures both locally and at Care Group level.
• To actively promote customer care, assisting in resolving informal complaints and supporting to investigate formal problems.
• To carry the Unit bleep as required, resolving local problems and supporting wards across the Care Group.
• To take a leadership role in crisis situations
• To attend and contribute to departmental meetings as required.

PERSONAL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

• To keep up to date with NMC, Trust and Care Group policies and guidelines and adhere to these at all times.
• Be a fully committed and active member of the MDT
• Show insight into own development and identify appropriate learning or training needs.
• Complete own appraisal in timely manner and be responsible for undertaking this for their own team of staff.
• Ensure compliance in all mandatory training is sustained.

Person specification

Education and Qualifications

Essential criteria

• 1st level Registered General Nurse with active UK NMC registration
• Further professional studies relevant to the clinical area
• Mentorship programme or equivalent teaching qualification
• Practice Supervisor

Desirable criteria

• Practice Assessor
• Degree in Nursing or Equivalent

Knowledge and Experience

Essential criteria

• Demonstrable clinical expertise, relevant to the area.

Skills and Competencies

Essential criteria

• Communication skills – able to relate and communicate with patients and staff at all levels and from different professions. Adapts communication style as necessary and is able to work with and through others.
• Team building and working skills – able to lead a team to achieve results

IMPORTANT

• Check your email account regularly as this is how we will communicate with you
• If you delete the job from any of your accounts, you may be prevented from accessing further communications
• To enquire about your application or inform us of any changes in your circumstances, please contact the named person on this advert
• Please provide email addresses for referees where possible
• Please review the documentation on our recruitment microsite, particularly the Trust’s criminal records checking policy
• All staff have a responsibility for safeguarding children and vulnerable adults and for ensuring they are aware of the specific duties relating to their role.
• Please note that the closing date is given as a guide. On occasion, we might close a vacancy early due to a high number of applications being received. You are advised to submit your application as early as possible to avoid disappointment.

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