DEPARTMENT OF RENAL MEDICINE

DEPARTMENT OF RENAL MEDICINE JOB DESCRIPTION JOB TITLE: DEPARTMENT: Registered Nurse Renal Medicine BAND: Band 5 BASE: RESPONSIBLE TO: RESPONSIBLE FOR: ACCOUNTABLE TO: Renal Unit -Bedford The department of renal medicine is located across five sites and work base to be negotiated individually dependent on the requirements of the service needs. However, you may be required to work on a permanent or temporary basis elsewhere within East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust. Senior Sister / Charge Nurse Nurses, Assistant Practitioners, Clinical Support Workers and Housekeepers Practice Standards Matron Our values Our vision is To be amongst the best and our Trust values are PIVOTAL in helping us to achieve this aim. We expect all our staff across the Trust to demonstrate, promote and encourage these values. Our values are: We put our PATIENTS first, focussing on the patient to provide high quality care and a service that is tailored to the individual We strive for excellence and continuous IMPROVEMENT, taking personal responsibility for making things happen and achieving results We VALUE everybody, considering and showing respect for the opinions, circumstances and feelings of colleagues and members of the public We are OPEN and honest, ensuring that we communicate with tact, diplomacy and transparency, that information is accurate and that others feel able to ask questions We work as a TEAM, working effectively as a team member and developing strong working relationships to achieve common goals Author: JE / SS 0512 Page 1 of 5

JOB SUMMARY: PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBLITIES/ COMPETENCIES: This post holder will work as a member of the multidisciplinary clinical team in renal. He/she will demonstrate a willingness to develop the knowledge and skills required to care for renal patients. This includes the delivery of care to all patients receiving renal replacement therapy in the haemodialysis units, on the nephrology ward and in home therapies. He/she will participate as a member of the nursing team to provide a high standard of research based care, support the team of staff working in the area to deliver a quality service and support the Sisters / Charge Nurses and Senior Sister / Charge Nurse in the training and development of junior staff. This post holder will be expected to rotate between the nephrology ward, haemodialysis units and home therapies as service needs dictate and to gain invaluable experience. To participate in the Renal On-call service as necessary. CLINICAL: Recognises and reflects on barriers to effective communication and modifies communication in response Assess, plan, implement and evaluate the care needs of patients from admission (or before) to discharge, with the involvement of patients and their relatives/carers. Participate in internal shift rotation in order to provide 24-hour patient care. Participate within a team of nurse and support workers in providing continuity of patient care. Assist in maintaining good communication links with the Multidisciplinary Team, Specialist Nurses and all other relevant personnel. Develop competence and skills required in order to safely use and maintain equipment utilised in the management of renal patients. Develop competence in haemodialysis skills, such as cannulation, evaluation of patient access, and patient fluid assessment. Carry out clinical procedure and treatments in line with the patient s plan of care. Accompany patients to other environments or departments for investigation or treatment. Escort patients from other clinical areas, such as Theatres or Endoscopy as agreed with the Ward Manager. Immediately identify and take appropriate action in relation to any significant change that may affect the patient s health and wellbeing. Recognise and respond appropriately to urgent and emergency situations, utilise escalation strategies, such as SBAR and pathways. Plan, allocate and supervise the work of a team. Author: JE / SS 0512 Page 2 of 5

QUALITY & CLINICAL GOVERNANCE: Contribute to the improvement of services. Maintain quality, encourage others to maintain quality and alert Senior Sister / Charge Nurse of any risks to quality. Assist with any ward/departmental audit initiatives. At all times act as the patient advocate. Prioritise own workload and organise own work to meet these priorities. Uses and maintains resources efficiently, effectively and encourages others to do so. PERSONAL AND PEOPLE DEVELOPMENT: Develop knowledge and skills and contribute to the development of others in caring for renal patients. Develop own personal development plans, in line with local/trust objectives and in conjunction with your annual appraisal. Evaluation of own knowledge and practice and makes effective use of appropriate learning opportunities, such as department training, Trust training, conference attendance, shadow staff, literature searching and reading. Undertake and participate in post registration training in order to maintain and develop skills. Participate in the ongoing training, supervision and support of registered and non-registered nursing staff. This includes Trainee Assistant Practitioners, Clinical Support Workers undertaking apprenticeships and pre-registration Student Nurses. PROFESSIONAL: Develop and maintain competence in accordance with the renal department and the Trust competency frameworks. Maintain an awareness of local and national health care issues. Act always in accordance with renal department and Trust Policies and procedures, NMC Code of Professional Conduct and other guiding documentation. Maintain and produce evidence of registration with the NMC. Report any issues at work that may put health, safety and security at risk. Present a positive image of her/himself and the service. Communicate information only to those people who have the right and need to know it, consistent with legislation, policies and procedures. Author: JE / SS 0512 Page 3 of 5

Work within the limits of own competence and responsibility and refers issues beyond these limits to relevant people. Adhere to dress code policy. MANAGEMENT / LEADERSHIP SKILLS: Develop the skills required to manage on a day to day basis the environment in which you are working. Develop an understanding of the individual roles of all members of the Multidisciplinary Team. Develop an awareness of budgets, costs and value for money. Be aware of and adhere to the regulations controlling drug usage and storage. Assist with the risk management strategy by completing adverse incident and complaint forms when required. CONFIDENTIALITY: HEALTH & SAFETY: SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: Attention is drawn to the confidential aspects of this job and your personable responsibility and liability under the Data Protection Act 1998. Matters of a confidential nature, including information relating to patients or staff, must not under any circumstances be divulged to any unauthorised person. Breaches in confidence will result in disciplinary action, which may result in dismissal. In exceptional circumstances this could result in a prosecution for an offence or action for civil damages under the Data Protection Act 1998. The job holder is required to take reasonable care of his/her own health and safety and that of other people who may be affected by his/her acts of omissions at work and to ensure that statutory regulations, policies, codes or practice and department safety rules are adhered to. Our Trust recognises the need for a sustainable development strategy. Reducing environmental impact achieved by greener waste disposal and travel, energy and water consumption. Being a good community role model and supporter of the local economy. Providing excellent value for money. In order to reduce our carbon footprint, every single one of us must play a part in ensuring we are an environmentally-responsible organisation. You recycle at home, we ask that you do the same simple things at work. When you can, use public or inter-site transport, cycle between sites and claim for mileage. Recycle all you can: paper, CDs, batteries there are recycling stations throughout the Trust. Always switch off lights, PCs and other electrical appliances when not in use. Don t waste water. Author: JE / SS 0512 Page 4 of 5

SAFEGUARDING: INFECTION CONTROL STATEMENT: Employees must at all times have regard to the need to safeguard and promote the welfare of children in line with the provisions of the Children Act 2004. Employees must at all times treat all patients with dignity and respect and ensure that vulnerable adults are safeguarded from abuse and neglect within the provisions of the Hertfordshire Safeguarding Adults from Abuse Procedure. Take individual responsibility to ensure working practice is safe. Ensure that high standards of infection prevention and control (IPC) and evidence based practice are applied to all aspects of care delivery. EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES The Trust believes that discriminatory practice against employees or POLICY STATEMENT: potential employees is unacceptable. The Equal Opportunities Policy is intended to ensure that no job applicant or employee suffers direct or indirect discrimination with the Trust. The Trust also believes that sexual and racial harassment is unacceptable and is committed to ensuring such behaviour is eliminated. The Trust will act to support its staff in situations where clients or visitors behaviour towards them is contrary to the spirit of this policy. Legislation gives legal force to this policy statement. STAFF INVOLVEMENT: The Trust is committed to involve staff at all levels in the development of the organisation. Managers should ensure that staff are encouraged and involved in organisational and service developments including business planning and they are able to influence discussions which affect them and their working conditions. They should develop and implement communication systems that ensure that staff are well informed and have an opportunity to feedback their views. All managers should engender a culture of openness and inclusion so that their staff feel free to contribute and voice concerns. REVIEW: These guidelines are provided to assist in the performance of the contract, but are not a firm condition of the contract. This job description will be reviewed as necessary to meet the needs of the service, in consultation with the post holder. Author: JE / SS 0512 Page 5 of 5