Risk and Governance Lead

Job description

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The post holder will:

Act as a role model for designated staff/department in respect of neonatal care and management.

Act as 'Advocate' for babies/families or relatives who require support, guidance or advice to ensure informed decisions are made about their care where required.

Ensure that agreed standards are known and followed to provide a safe environment for babies their families, relatives and staff.

Integrate recognised 'Best Practice' into everyday practice.

Be aware of the implications of Health Service policy, in connection to nursing practice, educating service users and staff as appropriate.

Work in collaboration with Senior clinical team, medical staff and the wider multidisciplinary team in providing professional support and advice for regular review of local guidelines, Trust policies and standards in relation to practice.

Work in partnership with the Senior Nursing Team to identify and facilitate nursing research audits within the department. Use results to facilitate improvements in practice and documentation by all staff.

Lead on the coordination and preparation of Learning/Investigation tools and other clinical incident investigations and reports alongside partner teams as appropriate to ensure effective review and learning

Be proactive in identifying, preventing, recording, documenting, reflecting, evaluating, action planning risk incidents and above all promoting a culture of practiced risk assessment within the department via a clinical governance pathway

MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILIES:

The post holder will:

Understand the importance of effective cost management, waste reduction, maximising value from resource management

Be a key part of the senior nursing management team and deputise for the Lead Nurse when necessary

Maintain regular contact, attend meetings with other teams within Trust and network areas of value in providing support and advice to ensure that objectives are met and outcomes achieved.

Manage own work load/projects in an effective and efficient way

Participate in quality initiatives and audit as requested by Lead Nurse

Handle complaints, accidents and incidents with professionalism in accordance with local/Trust policy

Ensure patient confidentiality is maintained at all time

Participate in interviews, staff recruitment/disciplinary/department meetings and service reviews when requested to do so

Provide regular reports on educational programmes, project development, and associated outcomes, to the Senior team, Trust colleagues and external organisations as appropriate.

Monitor sickness and absence for nursing staff and participate in any stage 2 meeting as required

Perform staff appraisal and nursing revalidation as indicated and provide support and guidance for staff

Manage capacity/activity with advanced decision making skills

CLINICAL GOVERNANCE AND QUALITY

The post holder will:

Lead on the preparation and coordination of Neonatal Governance dashboard and trust Quality reports in conjunction with the senior team

Ensure that the Trust and national quality initiatives are fully implemented across neonatal services.

Promote awareness and monitor compliance amongst colleagues regarding Trust policies, procedures, guidelines and standards

Ensure that investigation of incident reports relating to nursing issues are completed and actioned

Be responsible for in conjunction with the lead nurse the implementation and monitoring of clinical quality indicators. This will include but not exhaustive

o CQC outcomes

o Infection control - no avoidable infection strategy

o Quality and accuracy of documentation

o Improving the patient experience

o HSIB reviews

o PSIRF and Complaint investigation

COMMUNICATION:

The post holder will:

Maintain clear, accurate, legible contemporaneous patient documentation at all times.

Ensure and maintain an effective communication within the multi-disciplinary team to achieve an optimum level of service to babies and families.

Ensure that effective communication exists between all nursing colleagues, medical staff, multidisciplinary teams, families and their relatives, providing specialist advice and support where appropriate.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND EDUCATIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

The post holder will:

Participate in the staff appraisal process with the aim of enhancing individual personal development using reflective practice.

Encourage all staff to use reflective practice in order to enhance individual performance and improved care delivery.

Critically reflect regularly on own performance, and strive towards excellence, at every opportunity.

Maintain own clinical and professional credibility by keeping own practice up-to-date in line with current trends and best practice through personal development and the pursuit of relevant professional and academic study.

Maintain standards of conduct and dress to sustain the public confidence in accordance with the Nursing and Midwifery Council Code of Professional Conduct and Trust policies.

Abide by legal requirements and statutory rules relating to practice.

Provide evidence of periodical registration to practice.

Represent department and/or Trust at local, regional and national forums/ network to identify and share 'Best Practice'

Be aware of all Trust initiative and policies, especially those relating to clinical practice

Book annual leave, report sickness/absenteeism in accordance with Trust policy.

Maintain own NMC revalidation

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria

• Registered Nurse
• Neonatal qualified in speciality (QIS)
• Teaching and assessing experience
• Current NLS certificate

Desirable criteria

• Masters degree or working towards
• Research experience
• Formal managerial qualification
• NLS instructor

Experience

Essential criteria

• Confident & adaptable role model
• Ability to effectively lead change

Desirable criteria

• Evidence of involvement in project management

Knowledge

Essential criteria

• Knowledge of National Neonatal policies & guidelines
• Awareness and involvement in clinical audit & research & evidence based practice
• People management & motivational skills
• Understanding of PSIRF framework and national drivers
• NMC code of Professional Conduct

Desirable criteria

• Participation in Neonatal Interest Groups
• Proven leadership and managerial ability
• Evidence of changing practice in a clinical setting
• Experience of standard setting and clinical audit

Skills

Essential criteria

• Experience of working in a busy & demanding role
• Ability to manage own time & priorities and that of others effectively
• Ability to adhere to Trust's Health & Safety Policies and guidelines
• Able to cope & work under pressure & in stressful situations
• Ability to forward think & risk manage
• Excellent interpersonal & communication skills
• Good written & documentation skills

Desirable criteria

• Project leadership skill
• Evidence of excellent IT skills
• Quality improvement skills

It is an exciting time to join the newly formed Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. We run two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Our 7,500 staff provide high quality care for a growing population of around 700,000 across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas.

You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. Travel between hospital sites may be required. We have state-of-the art facilities placing us at the heart of cutting edge health care. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.

All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering their first six months in post.

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