Staff Nurse Endoscopy

Purpose of the Post

The primary role of the Endoscopy Staff Nurse will be to participate in the provision pre, peri and post procedure nursing services and management of Patient Care in the Endoscopy Unit.

To share responsibility with the nursing team for the management of nursing care and the patient’s environment under the direction of the Clinical Nurse Manager.

To develop clinical expertise, leadership and teaching skills through nursing practice and to maintain a high standard of professional and ethical responsibility

To ensure that high standards for healthcare are implemented and monitored in the provision of nursing care within the scope of policies, protocols and guidelines approved nationally.

Responsible for the management, care and treatment of elective patients, to ensure that the optimum standard of care is provided within the Endoscopy Unit.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

• The post holder will support the principle that care of the patient comes first at all times and will approach their work with the flexibility and enthusiasm necessary to make this principle a reality for every patient to the greatest possible degree
• Maintain awareness of the primacy of the patient in relation to all hospital activities.
• Performance management systems are part of the role and you will be required to participate in the Group’s performance management programme

Professional Responsibilities

The Endoscopy Staff Nurse will:

· Practice Nursing according to the Code of Professional Conduct as laid down by the Nursing Board (An Bórd Altranais) and Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (Cnáimhseachais na hÉireann) and Professional Clinical Guidelines

· Adhere to national, regional and local Health Service Executive (HSE) guidelines, policies, protocols and legislation

· Work within their scope of practice and take measures to develop and maintain the competence necessary for professional practice

· Maintain a high standard of professional behaviour and be accountable for their practice

· Be aware of ethical policies and procedures which pertain to their area of practice

· Respect and maintain the privacy, dignity and confidentiality of the patient

· Follow appropriate lines of authority within the Nurse Management structure

Clinical Practice

The Endoscopy Staff Nurse will:

· Deliver nursing care to elective patients within a best practice / evidence based framework

· Manage a designated caseload

· Promote the health, welfare and social wellbeing of patients within our services

· Actively participate as a multi-disciplinary / inter-disciplinary team member in all aspects of service delivery including case conferences, clinical meetings, team meetings

· Assess, plan, implement and evaluate individual person centred care programmes within an agreed framework and in accordance with best practice

· Develop and promote good interpersonal relationships with patients and the interdisciplinary care team in the promotion of person centred care

· Ensure that care is carried out in an empathetic and ethical manner and that the dignity and spiritual needs of the patient are respected

· Report and consult with CNM2 on clinical issues as appropriate

· Maintain appropriate and accurate written nursing records and reports regarding patient care in accordance with local / national / professional guidelines

· Participate in innovation and change in the approach to patient care delivery particularly in relation to new research findings, evidence based practice and advances in treatment

· Participate in clinical audit and review

· Participate in community needs assessment and ongoing community delivery of care as appropriate

· Promote a positive health concept with patients and colleagues and contribute to health promotion and disease prevention initiatives of the Health Service Executive

· Demonstrate flexibility by rotating / assisting in other units / care settings as required to meet nursing resource needs.

· Refer clients to other services as required.

· Encourage recognition of the patient as an individual and ensures that the patient’s needs and comforts are given priority with particular emphasis on safety factors.

· To ensure that patient specimens are accurately labelled without delay.

· To handle with appropriate care all equipment in usage for various procedures.

· To check patients identity and consent on entry/arrival to Endoscopy.

Clinical Governance

The Endoscopy Staff Nurse will:

· Participate in clinical governance structures within the local / regional / national clinical governance framework

· Have a working knowledge of HIQA Standards as they apply to the role / care setting, for example, Standards for Healthcare, National Standards for the Prevention and Control of Healthcare Associated Infections, Hygiene Standards etc.

· Contribute to ongoing monitoring, audit and evaluation of the service as appropriate

· Accurately record and report all complaints to appropriate personnel according to local service policy

· Participate in the development of policies / procedures and guidelines to support compliance with current legal requirements, where existing, for the safe storage and administration of medicines and other clinical products

· Participate in the development of policies / procedures and guidelines with health, safety, fire, risk and management personnel and participate in their development in conjunction with relevant staff and in compliance with statutory obligations

· Observe, report and take appropriate action on any matter which may be detrimental to patient care or well being

· Be aware of, and comply with, the principles of clinical governance including quality, risk and health and safety and be individually responsible for clinical governance, risk management / health and safety issues in their area of work

· Participate in the development, promotion and implementation of infection prevention and control guidelines

· Adhere to organisational dress code

· Assume responsibility for and coordinate the management of the unit / care setting in the absence of the Clinical Nurse Manager

Education, Training & Development

The Endoscopy Staff Nurse will:

· Take responsibility for own competency and learning and development needs and actively contribute to the learning and development of the interdisciplinary team

· Complete all mandatory training as deemed necessary by the Director of Nursing and NMBI (Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland).

· Participate in performance evaluation / review with their line manager, identifying areas for improvement and appropriate plans / measures to achieve them

· Provide feedback to the Clinical Nurse Manager or the designated officer with regard to compilation of proficiency assessments for students in the clinical setting

· Develop and use reflective practice techniques to inform and guide practice as part of their daily work

· Identify and contribute to the continual enhancement of learning opportunities within a population health framework

· Participate in the clinical / workplace induction of all new nursing and support staff

· Contribute to the identification of training needs pertinent to the clinical area

· Develop teaching skills and participate in the planning and implementation of orientation, training and teaching programmes for nursing students and other health-care staff as appropriate

· Having undergone appropriate training, act as a mentor / preceptor or clinical assessor for students

· Participate in the development of performance indicators in conjunction with the Clinical Nurse Manager

· Participate in innovation and change in the approach to service user care delivery, and contribute to the service planning process, based on best practice and under the direction of Nurse Management / Nurse Practice Development, particularly in relation to new research findings and advances in treatment

Administration

The Endoscopy Staff Nurse will:

· Ensure that records are safeguarded and managed as per HSE / local policy and in accordance with relevant legislation

· Work closely with colleagues across the integrated services programme in order to provide a seamless service delivery to the client within the integrated services programme

· Maintain records and submit activity data / furnish appropriate reports to the Director of Nursing as required

· Contribute to policy development and formulation, performance monitoring, business planning and budgetary control

· Maintain professional standards including patient and data confidentiality

· Contribute to the development and implementation of information sharing protocols, audit systems, referral pathways, individual care plans and shared care arrangements

· Contribute to ongoing monitoring, audit and evaluation of the service as appropriate

· Ensure that the care setting is maintained in good order using appropriate models, that supplies are adequate and that all equipment is in good working order and ready for immediate use

· Ensure that equipment is safe to use and report any malfunctions in a timely manner

· Assist with ordering of supplies as required and ensure the appropriate and efficient use of supplies is made and exercise economy in the use of consumables

· Undertake other duties as required by the Director of Nursing or his / her designate

Health and Safety

The Endoscopy Staff Nurse will:

· Play a central role in maintaining a safe environment for service users, staff and visitors e.g. by contributing to risk assessment.

· Assist in observing and ensuring implementation and adherence to established policies and procedures e.g. health and safety, infection control, storage and use of controlled drugs etc.

· Observe, report and take appropriate action on any matter which may be detrimental to service user care or well being / may be inhibiting the efficient provision of care.

· Ensure completion of incident / near miss forms.

· Adhere to department policies in relation to the care and safety of any equipment supplied for the fulfilment of duty.

• Have a working knowledge of the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) Standards as they apply to the role for example, Standards for Healthcare, National Standards for the Prevention and Control of Healthcare Associated Infections, Hygiene Standards etc and comply with associated HSE protocols for implementing and maintaining these standards.
• Support, promote and actively participate in sustainable energy, water and waste initiatives to create a more sustainable, low carbon and efficient health service.

Education and Training

The Endoscopy Staff Nurse will:

• Engage in continuing professional development by keeping up to date with nursing literature, recent nursing research and new developments in nursing management, education and practice and to attend staff study days as considered appropriate.
• Provide a high level of professional and clinical leadership.
• Provide supervision and assist in the development of knowledge, skills and attitudes of staff and assigned students.
• Be familiar with the curriculum training programme for student nurses and be aware of the clinical experience required to meet the needs of the programme.
• Participate in the assessment of student nurse proficiency in clinical nursing skills as part of his/her role as preceptor.
• Engage in performance review processes including personal development planning as appropriate.
• Remain professionally up to date with current and new practices in perioperative nursing

KPI’s

• The identification and development of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) which are congruent with the Hospital’s service plan targets.
• The development of Action Plans to address KPI targets.
• Driving and promoting a Performance Management culture.
• In conjunction with line manager assist in the development of a Performance Management system for your profession.
• The management and delivery of KPIs as a routine and core business objective.

PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING GENERAL CONDITIONS:

· Employees must attend fire lectures periodically and must observe fire orders.

· All accidents within the Department must be reported immediately.

· Infection Control Policies must be adhered to.

· In line with the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Acts 2005 and 2010 all staff must comply with all safety regulations and audits.

· In line with the Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Act 2004, smoking within the Hospital Buildings is not permitted.

· Hospital uniform code must be adhered to.

· Provide information that meets the need of Senior Management.

· To support, promote and actively participate in sustainable energy, water and waste initiatives to create a more sustainable, low carbon and efficient health service.

Risk Management, Infection Control, Hygiene Services and Health & Safety

· The management of Risk, Infection Control, Hygiene Services and Health & Safety is the responsibility of everyone and will be achieved within a progressive, honest and open environment.

· The post holder must be familiar with the necessary education, training and support to enable them to meet this responsibility.

· The post holder has a duty to familiarise themselves with the relevant Organisational Policies, Procedures & Standards and attend training as appropriate in the following areas:

o Continuous Quality Improvement Initiatives

o Document Control Information Management Systems

o Risk Management Strategy and Policies

o Hygiene Related Policies, Procedures and Standards

o Decontamination Code of Practice

o Infection Control Policies

o Safety Statement, Health & Safety Policies and Fire Procedure

o Data Protection and confidentiality Policies

· The post holder is responsible for ensuring that they become familiar with the requirements stated within the Risk Management Strategy and that they comply with the Group’s Risk Management Incident/Near miss reporting Policies and Procedures.

· The post holder is responsible for ensuring that they comply with hygiene services requirements in your area of responsibility. Hygiene Services incorporates environment and facilities, hand hygiene, catering, cleaning, the management of laundry, waste, sharps and equipment.

· The post holder must foster and support a quality improvement culture through-out your area of responsibility in relation to hygiene services.

· The post holders’ responsibility for Quality & Risk Management, Hygiene Services and Health & Safety will be clarified to you in the induction process and by your line manager.

· The post holder must take reasonable care for his or her own actions and the effect that these may have upon the safety of others.

· The post holder must cooperate with management, attend Health & Safety related training and not undertake any task for which they have not been authorised and adequately trained.

· The post holder is required to bring to the attention of a responsible person any perceived shortcoming in our safety arrangements or any defects in work equipment.

· It is the post holder’s responsibility to be aware of and comply with the HSE Health Care Records Management/Integrated Discharge Planning (HCRM / IDP) Code of Practice.

Risk Management, Quality, Health & Safety

· Adequately identifies, assesses, manages and monitors risk within their area of responsibility.

· Have a working knowledge of the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) Standards as they apply to the role for example, Standards for Healthcare, National Standards for the Prevention and Control of Healthcare Associated Infections, Hygiene Standards etc. and comply with associated HSE protocols for implementing and maintaining these standards as appropriate to the role.

· Support, promote and actively participate in sustainable energy, water and waste initiatives to create a more sustainable, low carbon and efficient health service.

Education & Training

· Engage in the HSE performance achievement process in conjunction with your Line Manager and staff as appropriate.

The above Job Description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties involved and consequently, the post holder may be required to perform other duties as appropriate to the post which may be assigned to him/her from time to time and to contribute to the development of the post while in office.