POSITION DESCRIPTION Position details: Title: Reports to: Reports professionally to: Date: Charge Nurse Te Whetu Tawera Nurse Manager Nurse Director Mental Health and Addiction Healthcare Service Group February 2012 Purpose of position: The Charge Nurse is responsible for managing the systems, processes and resources that enable staff of a defined care area to meet the needs of the patient/consumer/tangata whaiora in an efficient, effective and cohesive manner. This includes coordinating the allocation and distribution of clinical and non-clinical work within the multi-disciplinary team This role actively contributes to budget planning and is accountable for decision making regarding recruitment and retention for the multi-disciplinary team, and performance management. The direct reports are a part of a unit wide multi-disciplinary team which includes Nurses, Mental Health Assistants, Social Workers, Occupational Therapists, Psychologists, Physiotherapists, and Care Coordinators. The Charge Nurse must at all times incorporate utilisation of appropriate professional leadership to ensure appropriate clinical quality and professional governance for Allied Health Professionals and other groups within the team. The Charge Nurse is a member of the Te Whetu Tawera leadership team and contributes to the broader leadership of the Adult Mental Health Service. Developing and maintaining effective functional relationships with a range of stakeholders across the mental health adult service continuum is an important focus of this role. Te Whetu Tawera Service The setting is an Acute Adult Mental Health Inpatient Unit serving a population aged between 18 and 65 years. The area of advanced speciality practice is Acute Adult Mental Health provided by Allied Health professionals and Mental Health nurses. Key points of integration include: - Community Mental Health Services, including the Community Acute Service, Early Intervention, Assertive Outreach, Care and Recovery, Maori and Pacific services. - He Kamaka Oranga (Maori Health Services) - Psychiatric Liaison Team Charge Nurse February 2012 Page 1 of 6
- Forensic Services - Auckland Metro DHB and Mental Health Services Anticipated outcomes for the service users must be of a high quality and meet the national mental health standards and relevant professional competency requirements (as mandated by the relevant professional leader.) Key Accountabilities: Domain One: Professional Responsibilities Includes accountabilities for professional, legal, ethical and culturally safe practice. This includes being able to demonstrate judgement and accountability for own actions and decisions. Demonstrates clinical and professional leadership. Fosters the provision of positive client outcomes and person-centred care. Ensures the development of integrated service delivery across the continuum of care. Provides and role-models leadership to ensure professional nursing practice and contributes to the development of the profession locally, regionally and nationally. Is accountable for directing, monitoring and evaluating nursing care provided by staff through the performance review process. Participates in the development of strategic and operational plans. Applies critical reasoning and professional judgement to nursing practice issues / decisions. Identifies situations of clinical and organisational risk and take appropriate actions to ensure a safe environment for clients, families / whanau and staff. Identifies and supports staff education and professional development based on knowledge of service needs and aligned with ADHB strategic direction. Undertakes or leads specific service or organisational portfolio responsibilities as required. Ensures professional supervision is provided for staff as required. Monitor nursing registration at the ward level Practices in accordance with legal, ethical, culturally safe and professional standards. Maintains and develops own clinical expertise and knowledge in specialty nursing practice. Domain Two : Management of Service User Care Includes accountability related to the patient/ client assessment and management of nursing care that is supported by nursing knowledge and evidenced based research. Patient care management / care coordination Work in partnership to ensure delivery of agreed business goals, accountabilities, KPI s and Maori Health priorities. Works within and is accountable for, a defined budget to ensure the effective management of financial resources within a ward/unit. Provides leadership within the service ensuring staff have appropriate knowledge and skills to assess, plan, implement and evaluate patients / clients / family / whanau health needs. Charge Nurse February 2012 Page 2 of 6
Facilitates effective discharge planning and/or referral processes to health care providers and support agencies to meet identified health needs. Monitors clinical outcomes / key performance indicators and identifies variance to clinical pathway, protocols or best practice guidelines. Supports nursing staff to make accurate documentation of assessments of patients / clients health status, diagnosis and decisions made regarding interventions and referrals or follow-up. Participates in case review and debriefing activities as required. Professional development and clinical competency Promotes effective teamwork and collaborative relationships within the multi-disciplinary team and across health care settings to achieve best health outcomes. Role models culturally safe nursing and midwifery practice. Professional portfolio, professional practicing certificate are maintained Domain Three: Interpersonal Relationship Includes accountability for interpersonal and therapeutic communication with clients/ patients and members of the health care team. Effective communication and team work To prioritise transfers and discharge planning in collaboration with colleagues to ensure a seamless service delivery in line with service/organisation-wide Leads effective teamwork and collaborative relationships within the multi-disciplinary team and across health care settings to achieve best health outcomes. Demonstrates skilled mentoring / coaching, teaching and supervision of nursing staff and other health professionals. Acts as a nursing resource providing leadership, and advice to nursing staff and other health care professionals / family / whanau. Encourage and support the service culture shift through consistent messages and two-way communication Develop effective working relationships with key staff working as part of 24 hr centre Develop a patient focused culture through the implementation the of the interdisciplinary integration model Domain Four : Inter-professional Health Care and Quality Improvement Includes accountability for evaluating the effectiveness of care and promotion of a nursing perspective within the health care team. Continuous quality improvement Effectively demonstrates competency of the Practitioner level requirement of the Ministry of Health s 2008, Lets get real workforce development framework. Contributes to nursing strategies to facilitate the recruitment, retention and succession planning for nurses and/or midwives. Leads the implementation of nursing and midwifery practice and models of care appropriate to Charge Nurse February 2012 Page 3 of 6
patient / client population needs. Monitor and report on risk management and report through to Quality and Safety groups to ensure the ward/unit meets accreditation standards and delivers an ongoing Clinical Quality Programme Demonstrates commitment to quality improvements, risk management and resource utilisation. Assists in development of business/service and quality plans and capital planning for the service Reviews and develops clinical standards / protocols and policies and facilitates clinical audits processes. Assists in the implementation and management of initiatives to address differential access to healthcare services for Maori. Contributes to and participates in ADHB and national policy development. Evidence based practice Fosters inquiry, critical thinking and research skill acquisition among the nursing workforce to advance nursing practice and patient / client care. Contributes to projects and research that enhance the clinical implementation of evidence-based practice. Works to ensure the recommended best practice guidelines / policies are research based and relevant across HBO and ADHB. Position Authorities: Direct reports (total FTE) : approx 30 Delegated authority : As per ADHB delegated authority for Level 4 Charge Nurse Budget accountability : For direct reports. Relationships: External Internal Committees / Groups Other DHB s Kaumatua Quality Groups NZ Nursing Council Nursing workforce Charge Nurse forums Health and social support agencies University of Auckland Other tertiary education providers Consumer advocates & agencies. Primary health care providers Mental Health NGO providers Other senior nurses Nursing & Midwifery Leadership Nursing Professional Development Advisor Centre for Evidenced-based Nursing Aotearoa (CEBNA) Clinical Leader(s) & Directors TWT Senior management team Community Mental Health senior management team Clinical management teams Other nursing groups as required Specific projects and committees that impact directly on Allied Health and nursing Specialty practice forums Charge Nurse February 2012 Page 4 of 6
Allied Health Professional Supervisors and Professional Leaders for Occupational Therapists, Social Workers, Psychotherapists and Physiotherapists Kai Atawhai and other cultural staff. Person specifications: Education and Qualifications Essential New Zealand nursing registration Registered comprehensive or Registered Psychiatric Nurse Postgraduate certificate / diploma in specialty nursing practice. Working towards completion of Masters degree. Desired Masters degree Experience / Knowledge Leadership and patient / client management skills Project management experience Knowledge of quality improvement processes and principles Ability to facilitate and manage change at a local level Knowledge and understanding of the Treaty of Waitangi and implications in nursing practice. Specialty knowledge and practice expertise. Minimum Level 4 practice. Knowledge of nursing professional development issues Research skills including data analysis and critical appraisal skills and clinical audit Experience in multidisciplinary clinical teaching. Strategic planning and policy development skills Understanding of government health policy Charge Nurse February 2012 Page 5 of 6
Description Organisational competencies Leadership Ability to develop and communicate a vision for the future, inspiring commitment to the goals of the organisation / team. Ability to operationalise the vision and values and help to facilitate change. Is able to work with others, within and outside of nursing and midwifery, to draw together a range of perspectives. People Management Leads, communicates expectations and agreed goals, provides ongoing feedback and objectively evaluates performance. Able to recognise and acknowledge achievements of others. Ability to bring people with them even in times of change. Teamwork Collaborates with other key players and work groups to achieve objectives. Seeks out opportunities to support others in achieving goals. Actively contributes to and accepts consensus decisions Recognises and respects individual differences. Bicultural Approach Understands the significance of the Treaty of Waitangi. Displays cultural sensitivity and a willingness to work positively with organisational strategies to improve opportunities for Maori. Self Management Sets high personal standards and strives to achieve stretching goals Displays drive and energy and persists in overcoming obstacles. Is proactive and displays initiative. Is resilient to change Understands personal limitations Can work to deadlines to achieve outcomes Patient / client / population focused Communication / Interpersonal Skills Takes action to fully comprehend the needs of patient / client populations. Actively promotes such needs and priorities. Expresses information effectively, both orally and in writing, adjusts language and style to the recipients and considers their frame of reference. Actively listens, drawing out information and checking understanding Empathises with others and considers their needs and feelings. Creates opportunities to network internally and externally. Innovation Actively questions old ways of doing things, thinks outside the square and develops creative and effective solutions to improve outcomes. Applies skilled analysis and sound reasoning in problem solving / decision making. Flexibility Ability to adapt and work effectively within a variety of situations, and with various individuals or groups. Planning and Monitoring Uses action plans to accomplish goals, establishes timeframes and can realistically allocate resources. Identifies and removes barriers. Able to monitor progress and address problems to achieve outcomes. Charge Nurse February 2012 Page 6 of 6