Staff Nurse

DEPARTMENT OF NURSING:  MANAGEMENT OF NURSING

In Beaumont Hospital, the Director of Nursing manages and is accountable for the total nursing services at executive level.  The Directorate Nurse Manager is accountable to the Director of Nursing for the work of Clinical Nurse Manager 2 assigned to his/her Division.  The Clinical Nurse Managers are in turn accountable to the Directorate Nurse Manager for the performance of Clinical Nurse Manager 1, Staff Nurses, Student Nurses and ancillary staff working with Nurses on Wards or in Departments.

Job Title:                  Staff Nurse/Senior Staff Nurse

Reporting to:             Clinical Nurse Manager

JOB DESCRIPTION:

ACCOUNTABILITY:

As a Staff Nurse in Beaumont Hospital you will be expected to take responsibility for each shift for a caseload of patients.  For these you will assess, plan, implement and evaluate care within the Roper, Logan and Tierney Model of Nursing.  In addition, you are expected to practice within the Code of Practice guidelines from An Bord Altranais and within the Nursing and other Hospital Policies and Procedures.  You will be held accountable to the Clinical Nurse Manager 2 and in her absence to the delegated nurse holding shift responsibility for the ward.  Discretion, initiative and an interest in teaching student nurses and preliminary training students to function independently is also a prerequisite.  At all times you will practice within the limits of your experience and will have available to you more senior expert nurses.  Overall, your responsibilities may be divided into clinical, professional, managerial and educational categories.

SUMMARY:

1. To maintain a high standard of nursing care.

2. To develop clinical expertise, leadership and teaching skills through

            nursing practice.

3. To share responsibility with the nursing team for the management of

            nursing care and the patients environment under the direction of the

            Clinical Nurse Manager/Charge Nurse.

4. To maintain a high standard of professional and ethical responsibility.

CLINICAL ROLE:

To provide and maintain effective, individualised nursing care by:-

1. Assessing (with the patients where possible) physical, psychological

            and social problems and the need for nursing intervention.

2. Preparing and up-dating the nurse care plans within a nursing

            framework to include treatment delegated by medical staff.

3. Assisting the medical staff in their treatment of patients through the co-

            ordination of care and treatments provided by other disciplines and

            integrating these into the care plan.

4. Acting as team leader in giving skilled nursing care and treatments for

            a caseload of patients.

5. Planning the involvement of the patient’s relatives, teaching and

            supervising nursing techniques in preparation for the transfer home.

MAIN JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

CLINICAL:

Assessment

1. Utilises assessment skills and techniques to determine patient needs on

            admission.

2. Completes and documents the nursing admission assessment in a

            thorough and accurate manner.

3. Assesses patient condition on an ongoing basis.

4. Assesses the need for patient/family instruction.

Planning

1. Develops and documents a plan of care based on patient needs.

2. Updates the written plan of care based on patient needs.

3. Develops patient teaching and discharge plans as necessary.

4. Collaborates with other health team members in planning care.

Implementation

1. Provides safe, comprehensive nursing care to a caseload of patients and within the guidelines laid out by An Bord Altranais.

2. Knows and practices according to established legal requirements,

            policy and procedures.

3. Establishes care priorities based on nursing/medical patient problems.

4. Performs procedures accurately, completely and safely.

5. Provides care with minimal supervision in a timely manner.

6. Maintains a safe environment for patients.

7. Respects the dignity and confidentiality of patients, serving as an

            advocate as necessary.

8. Functions quickly and effectively in an emergency situation.

9. Adapts to changing workload.

10. Deals with ward incidents and accidents in accordance with hospital

            policy.  Accurately record and report detail.

Evaluation

1. Contributes to nursing quality assurance by assisting in the

             identification of recurrent nursing problems and co-operating in data

             collection.

COMMUNICATION SKILLS:

1. Documents according to policy and procedure.

2. Reports verbally and in writing pertinent patient care information to

            appropriate nursing/medical personnel.

3. Communicates appropriately with patients/relatives and colleagues and

            other members of the health care team.

4. Approaches interpersonal relationships in a manner that avoids

            antagonism, reduces conflict and prevents undue anxiety.

5. Recognises self-limitations and requests assistance.

PROFESSIONAL:

Professional Expectations

1. Supports the philosophy, objectives and goals of the nursing

            department and hospital.

2. Follows appropriate lines of authority by discussing issues firstly with

           Clinical Nurse Manager, then with Unit Nurse Manager and then with                                               

           the Director of Nursing.

3. Demonstrates flexibility by assisting in other areas of the Hospital as                     

            needed.

MANAGEMENT:

1. Demonstrates ability to organise care for caseload of patients.

2. Uses time effectively.

3. Shows ability to delegate work to Staff Nurses, Student Nurses or

            other.

4. Uses discretion for decision making regarding patient care.

5. Displays initiative.

6. Reports on-going problems to Ward Sister.

EDUCATION:

1. Demonstrates ability to teach and guide more Junior Staff/Students.

2. Shows interest in Post Graduate Education/Self Development.

3. Attends required standard number of Study Days in the year.

The job description indicates the main function and responsibilities of the post and is subject to review and amendment.  Other specific work not covered in this job description may also be assigned by the Director of Nursing from time to time. 

Mandatory

1. Be registered in the General Division of the Register of Nurses kept by An Bord Altranais (Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland) or be entitled to be so registered.

2. Have their names maintained on the Live Register with An Bord

            Altranais (Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland).

Desirable:

Recent Critical Care or Acute Medical/Surgical Experience