Job Purpose
The sister/charge Nurse is accountable and responsible for the twenty-four-hour care delivery and management of the ward/area. The sister/charge Nurse will promote and monitor safe and effective practice, enhance the patient experience, provide effective leadership and management and contribute to the delivery of the Trust/Divisional objectives.

The sister/charge Nurse will:

• Be supervisory to practice
• Be responsible for professional day to day clinical leadership and operational management of the ward.
• Ensure delivery of high quality, responsive, safe, efficient and compassionate care.
• Support the Matron in developing the service.
• Act as a leader and role model, adopting a flexible approach in a role which encompasses leadership, management and clinical responsibilities.
• Demonstrate pride in their work and enthusiasm for quality of care.

Main Duties and Responsibilities
Communication and Relationship skills:
Demonstrate politeness, courtesy and sensitivity in providing compassionate care for patients, visitors/relatives and colleagues.

Contribute towards sharing good practice within the ward/department and Trust wide.

Promote a positive image of Bristol NHS Foundation Trust at all times.

Work cohesively with all members of the ward team and promote effective liaison with all members of the multi-disciplinary team in ensuring that the very best services to patients are provided at all times.

Communicate effectively within the team, participate in motivating and supporting team members and maintain confidentiality with patients and carers. Give written and verbal advice/teaching to patients and carers

About us
Bristol NHS Foundation Trust brings together more than 28,000 staff to deliver over 160 clinical services across thirteen hospital locations, operating from three main sites at Southmead, Bristol city centre and Weston.

With an annual turnover of £2.3 billion, we are now one of the largest NHS trusts in the United Kingdom. Our hospitals are spread across Bristol and Weston, join us and you can enjoy the very best of both worlds; city living within a stone's throw of the countryside or beside the seaside, both with easy access to all that the South West has to offer.

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust values all people as individuals. As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application in order to ensure we're meeting our pledge.

Job responsibilities
Patient Care and clinical responsibilities:
The sister/charge Nurse is responsible for:

• At act as a clinical expert providing specialist knowledge and advice to all staff / team members
• The delivery of patient centred care and able to articulate its benefits and in its absence the consequences
• To promote a personalised patient centred approach to care in collaboration with carers, relatives and relevant health care professionals. Continuous monitoring of standards and the quality of care provided, ensuring all midwifery documentation is completed correctly and timely by members of the nursing team
• Working collaboratively with PALS and Patient Support and Complaints team to investigate and resolve patient concerns/ complaints, involving ward staff in developing action plans and progress within given timeframes
• To work within the agreed Nursing establishment and ensure safe staffing levels are deployed across all shifts to maintain patient safety and mitigate risk at all times
• To ensure that all Nursing and clinical documentation is completed correctly and timely by members of the Nursing team.
• To assist in establishing and monitoring protocols and patient care pathways
• To ensure the rights, dignity, privacy and confidentiality of patients are protected at all times.
• To ensure staff are familiar with national, professional and local quality issues relevant to the delivery of nursing services.
• Act as Nursing representative in multi-disciplinary forums
• Maintain accurate records in accordance with The Nursing and Midwifery Council
• Rotate as required to other areas to maintain and enhance personal skills and to meet the needs of the Trust.
• To be responsible for the maintenance, storage and safety of equipment.
• To ensure staff are trained in the use of medical and resuscitation equipment.

Leadership and Management:

• Accountable for the twenty-four-hour care delivery and management of the work/area of work, including the supervision of staff and students.
• Visible and accessible to patients, carers and the clinical team while providing clear focus and effective leadership to the midwifery team.
• Promote a culture where staff feel valued and listened to.
• Responsible for assessing skill mix and team structure and implementing changes in working practices accordingly.
• Named budget holder and authorised signatory for financial resources with responsibility for managing ward/area resources in an effective manner alongside the matron.
• Responsible for the implementation of audit, quality and risk management initiatives in the clinical area, publicising and sharing good practice with other teams and peers
• Accountable for the effective management of staffs contracted hours, sickness, absence and training through the e-Roster, planning and reviewing daily staffing.
• Maintaining an active Nursing and Midwifery Council registration.
• Fully engage in own appraisal/performance review, ensuring that there is clarity around the level of responsibility and authority held for all aspects of the role and that they are regularly reviewed.
• Fulfilling mandatory training requirements.
• Access and facilitate appropriate mentorship and supervision.
• Development of personal leadership and management skills and for developing and sustaining own knowledge, clinical skills and professional awareness.
• Contribute to the development of the Trusts policies and strategies, where appropriate.
• Ensure staff follow Trust policies and guidelines.
• Able to demonstrate professional expertise and knowledge acquired through post registration academic study and clinical, leadership and management development.
• Assertive and able to challenge others when the rights of patients may be infringed.
• Ensuring the annual appraisal of all team members including assessment of performance against the Trust approved framework and development of personal development plans.
• Promoting interdisciplinary working, with outcomes aimed at the best interests of patients and cohesive service delivery.
• Empowering team members to enhance patient care and future succession planning within team structure.
• Providing clear feedback to team members in a way that is conducive to maintaining and improving performance. Where performance is poor take necessary steps to effectively manage the individual with support from Human Resources.
• Delegating responsibility to develop other members of the team.
• Generating and sustaining relationships that promote dignity, diversity, rights and responsibilities within the team and wider organisation.
• To work within agreed financial budget.
• To maintain partnerships with finance department and divisional management teams.
• To contribute to the Specialty and Divisional management process.
• To manage staffing resources effectively and efficiently and within allocated budget.
• To recruit and select staff in accordance with policy, to meet the agreed staffing levels and skill mix to deliver a safe and quality service for patients.
• To be involved in the clinical governance agenda, participating in nursing and medical audit, investigating clinical incidents and adverse outcomes in liaison with the clinical risk manager, and taking a lead role in subsequent change process. To be knowledgeable regarding the Trusts Risk Management objectives.
• To deputise for the matron in their absence and as required including chairing meetings.

Professional Development and Education Responsibilities

• Optimizing the learning environment within the clinical area by ensuring good induction of all staff including students.
• Actively engage in the educational audit cycle to develop the clinical learning environment.
• Promotion/ development and maintenance of a culture within the ward which challenges and questions practice and promotes the quality of thinking amongst team members.
• Ensuring staff and students receive effective and documented mentorship, supervision, development and support.
• Working creatively to develop practice and new ways of working, taking the lead in the change management process when appropriate.
• Contributing to and co-ordinating the training and development pathway of midwifery Assistants ensuring appropriate assessment of competence is undertaken.
• Critically analysing research related to practice and using research findings to influence and change practice.
• Supporting members of the team to develop critical analysis skills.
• Facilitating the development of theory into practice and vice versa.
• Maintaining an active Nursing and Midwifery Council registration.
• Fully engage in own appraisal/performance review, ensuring there is clarity around the level of responsibility and authority held for all aspects of the role and that they are regularly reviewed.
• Fulfilling mandatory training requirements.
• Access and facilitate appropriate mentorship and supervision.
• Development of personal leadership and management skills and for developing and sustaining own knowledge, clinical skills and professional awareness.
• Contribute to the development of the Trusts policies and strategies, where appropriate.
• The sister/charge Nurse will be available to patient, visitors and members of the multidisciplinary team encouraging effective communication.
• Work alongside the Nursing team in different ways, supporting new staff, facilitating learning in and from practice.
• Providing regular feedback to the clinical team on standards of midwifery care provided to, and experienced by, patients. Creating a culture for learning and development that will sustain person-centred care.
• The sister/charge Nurse will act as a role model delivering high standards of patient care.
• The sister/charge Nurse will be expected to lead and manage team performance therefore enhancing the patient experience, improving patient outcomes and contributing to the organisational priorities of improved patient flow, reduction in sickness levels and safe, effective use of the midwifery workforce.

Research Responsibilities

• Promote an ethos of striving for excellence through promotion of an enquiry-based culture where staff are encouraged to propose new areas for audit and research studies.
• Demonstrate and promote an understanding of the interplay between research and practice to ensure patient care is supported by good evidence and continues to improve
• Demonstrate and promote the ability to access up-to-date evidence and critically analyse and synthesise this to inform care practices
• Identify gaps in knowledge or deficits in clinical practice and discuss these with relevant teams as possible areas for research or clinical audit
• Facilitate patient and staff involvement in research studies being undertaken within clinical specialty by enabling staff to:

• have knowledge of inclusion/exclusion criteria and referral of suitable patients to research team
• provision of appropriate space for research team to see patients
• assist in collection of research data when part of usual clinical care

Person Specification
Essential

• Previous Leadership Experience
• Significant relevant clinical and management experience
• Registered Nurse
• Thorough and up to date knowledge of Nursing theory and best practice particularly within speciality area

Desirable

• Undertaken Nursing Research
• Relevant post registration qualification at level 3

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).