Junior Sister

Band 6

Job description
Date: Oct 2015
Context
Barts Health NHS Trust is one of Britain’s leading healthcare providers
and the largest trust in the NHS. It was created on 1 April 2012 by
bringing together three trusts: Barts and The London NHS Trust,
Newham University Hospital NHS Trust and Whipps Cross University
Hospital NHS Trust. The new trust has a turnover of approximately £1.1
billion and approximately 15,000 employees.

Together our hospitals - Newham University Hospital in Plaistow, St

Bartholomew’s (Barts) in the City, The Royal London in Whitechapel,
The London Chest in Bethnal Green and Whipps Cross in Leytonstone -
deliver high quality clinical care to the people of east London and further
afield.

The hospitals offer a full portfolio of services that serve the needs of the
local community, and are home to some of Britain’s leading specialist

centres including cancer, cardiac, trauma and emergency care. Barts

Health also has one of the UK’s busiest children’s hospitals and
internationally renowned surgical facilities.

Our vision is to create a world-class health organisation that builds on

strong relations with our partners and the communities we serve – one
dedicated to ending the historic health inequalities in east London. We
will build an international reputation for excellence in patient care,
research and education. And as members of UCLPartners, the largest
academic health sciences system in the world, we will ensure that our
patients are some of the first in the country to benefit from the latest
drugs and treatments.

We are looking for the best talent to lead our ambitious new healthcare
organisation. In return, the Barts Health will provide unsurpassed
professional development opportunities, enabling investment in a range
of new initiatives that would mean:

• doctors and nurses in training will be able to gain experience in

different hospitals along the whole patient pathway;

• there would be greater opportunity for career progression – we could

retain good staff who might otherwise leave to gain promotion;

• becoming world-class will enable us to recruit some of the best

doctors and researchers in the world – who can share their
knowledge and experience;

• joining forces with other partners in an Academic Health Science

System will mean that staff would be better able to secure funds and
pool their talents to develop new technology, techniques and
treatments.
Job description

Job title: Junior Sister

Clinical academic Surgery
group:
Board/corporate
function: TBC
Salary band: Band 6
Responsible to: Ward Sister/ Charge Nurse
Accountable to: Matron
Hours per week: 37.5hrs
State total hours a week the role requires

Location: Primrose ward

Aim of the role

 The post holder is responsible for the delivery of a consistently high
standard of care to meet patient needs and Ward objectives.
 The post holder must demonstrate clinical expertise, facilitate and
guide juniors in the assessment, planning, delivery and evaluation of
care using a holistic approach.
 The post holder must have competent management and facilitation
skills in order to co-ordinate and supervise the activity of ward staff,
 promote multi-disciplinary working and foster a supportive, learning
environment.
 In the absence of the Sister/Charge Nurse (band 7) the post holder
will assume responsibility for the effective operation of the ward.
 As a Registered Nurse the post holder is expected to consistently act
in accordance with the NMC Code of Professional Conduct
 The post-holder will be a senior member of the Ward team. In
addition to coordinating the whole ward in the absence of the ward
sister the band 6 will be a competent confident practitioner who can
care and manage the acutely ill patient with minimal supervision.
 The post holder will have experience of caring for patients with
tracheostomies and be familiar with the Enhanced Recovery program
for surgical patients.
 In the absence of the band 7, the post holder will be responsible for
ensuring:
All patients, visitors and staff are treated with the utmost
courtesy, dignity and respect.
• Patients and their carers are fully involved and informed about their
care, and their right to confidentiality will be respected.
• All members of the multi-disciplinary team will work collaboratively,
respecting and valuing the contribution made by others.
• The ward/department environment is maintained in a clean; safe way
and all staff will follow the trusts infection control policy, dress code and
all other Trust policies and protocols.
• That action will be taken if practice or behaviour falls below an
acceptablestandard .
Key working relationships

Ward sister/ Charge Nurse

Matrons
Site management teams
Discharge Coordinators
Consultants and Medical teams
Occupational Therapies
Social Workers
Safeguarding teams

Main duties and responsibilities

Responsibility for Patients:

 Supervises the delivery of care to ensure safe, effective, quality
care and health education is delivered to patients on the ward.

 Demonstrate competence in clinical assessment skills

 Able to interpret and act upon results and communicate outcome

of interventions to multidisciplinary team

 Deliver care and rehab support in accordance with defined quality

Trust standards and in line with recommendations as laid down in
the Essence of Care standards

 Adhere to and promote the use of integrated care pathways

alongside enhanced recovery programme

 Facilitates and guides staff in the effective assessment, planning,

implementation and evaluation of care in partnership with patients,
relatives and relevant healthcare professionals

 Work with nursing and other healthcare professionals, patients and

their relatives/carers to promote timely discharge from the ward
through appropriate discharge planning.
  Facilitates and further develops Nurse Led discharge.

 Acts as a ‘Link Nurse’ for a specific area(s) of practice, developing

resources and acting as an expert information source and
educator to ensure best practice is implemented.
 Attends Link Nurse Meetings as necessary, planning ahead to
ensure ward is safely staffed to allow attendance and disseminates
the information and practice to other team members.

 Able to make sound decisions, based on evidence and rationale,

inspiring the confidence of the multi-disciplinary team and service
users

 Assesses deteriorating patients and uses clinical assessment skills

and takes the necessary action and order diagnostic investigations.

 Undertake clinical procedures such as; Cannulation, Venepuncture

, male catheterization and ECG’s in accordance with Trust policies
and procedures.

 Provides expert Pre-and Post Operative Care e.g. recognising

deterioration, post aseptic technique, pain management

 To be competent and confident in caring for the acutely ill adult.

 To maintain the safety, confidentiality and dignity of patients and

their families.

 To be aware of and demonstrate practice based on evidence in

nursing and research especially in relation to pressure area care,
catheter care and nutritional care.

 To co-ordinate the ward in the absence of the ward sister ensuring

patient safety and positive patient experience at all times

 Assign patient care to team members ensuring high quality and

continuity of care.

Responsibility for Staff:

 Attends management meetings as requested by Senior
Sister/Charge Nurse/ Matron, and feeds back information
 Maintain up-to-date records, ensuring that confidentiality is
respected and that all standards for record keeping are met and in
accordance with Trust policies and NMC guidelines

 To work closely with Medical Staff, Physiotherapy, Occupational

Therapy, Discharge coordinators and Social Work Department in
the delivery of care to ensure a smooth and timely discharge.

 To ensure that standards of care are maintained and that the Health
and Safety Policy, Local Rules including Manual Handling are
adhered to.

 In support of the Ward Manager take appropriate action relating to

complaints, accidents and serious untoward incidents involving
patients, staff and visitors.

 Supports Senior Sister/Charge Nurse/Matron and staff in the

implementation of change.

 To assist in the implementation of the Nursing and Midwifery

Strategy and internal standards.

 To maintain accurate and appropriate nursing documentation, and

ensure communication and liaison with the multidisciplinary team
and community agencies is maintained.

 To co-ordinate the ward and the supervision of staff in the absence

of the ward sister on a regular basis

 To assist, support and supervise other nurses in the team

 To manage a bay of acutely ill patients with minimal supervision.

 Work at all times as part of the team, liaising closely with senior
colleagues, and respond positively to feedback from colleagues.

 Maintain a suitable learning environment for all grades of staff

including student nurses.

 To act as a sign off mentor to student nurses.

 To undertake audits required by the Trust to measure quality.

Responsibility for Management

 Demonstrates and maintains competence in the criteria required for

entry to the NMC register

 Acts as a positive role model, demonstrating professional

behaviours and a high level of clinical competence, setting,
delivering and monitoring the standard of care on the ward

 Ensure effective use of available resources, reporting areas of

difficulty to Senior Sisters, Charge Nurses, Senior Nurses and
Matron

 Participate in approved research projects as required.

 Ensures self and others are cognisant of Trust and NMC policies
and work in accordance with them

 Use reflective practice as a method of ensuring that appropriate

standards of nursing care are delivered to each patient

 Handles complaints sensitively, using Trust policy. With

assistance of PALS team, resolves informal complaints locally

 Assists in risk assessment and implements measures to minimise

risk

 Keeps up-to-date with current trends in nursing, NHS reforms and

targets, participating in new ideas and approaches to the provision
of skilled clinical care to patients in agreement with the Matron and
other professionals within the clinical academic group/Trust

 Practice nursing within the clinical governance framework through

which the organisation is accountable for continuously improving the
quality of our services and safeguarding high standards of care by
creating an environment in which excellence in clinical care
flourishes
  Maintain standards of conduct and dress to sustain the public
confidence in accordance with the NMC Code of Professional
Conduct and Bart’s Health Policies

Responsibility for Research and Development:

 To act as a role model and knowledge source for peers and fellow
colleagues by providing access to advice and support which
supports staff and benefits the care of patients

 Challenges sub-standard practice appropriately and encourages

and supports staff in improving practice. Makes known to Senior
Sister/Charge Nurse and Matron any concerns about staff
performance and patient care

 To facilitate and support staff in the development of their

Professional Profiles
in accordance with PREPP.

 Act as clinical supervisor as required locally

 In accordance with the NMC Code of Conduct and local NHS

Knowledge and Skills Framework Outlines, continue to develop
and expand your role

 To assist in the assessment and identification of the learning

needs of ward staff, and in collaboration with the Professional
Development Nurses assist staff in undertaking Continuing
Professional Development programs and achievement of personal
development plan objectives

 To be key in ensuring that the ward environment and culture are

conducive to learning, providing support and mentorship to staff
and learners

 Contributes to the life-long learning of all staff on the Ward

 To take an active part in the induction of new staff

 Provide mentorship for members of the team

 Update own research knowledge in current practices

 Abide by the legal requirements and statutory rules relating to

practice. Ensure that staff meet the requirements laid down by the
NMC for periodic registration

 Is approachable and supportive to team members and is

committed to team building

 Forward plans to ensure staffing and resources are available to

allow for effective care delivery and operation of the ward. Takes
all reasonable steps to remedy any difficulties and minimize the
risk

 Deputies in the absence of Senior Sister/Charge Nurse to ensure

the smooth running of the ward

 Delegates workload appropriately according to staffing skills and

patient need

 Assists Senior Sister/Charge Nurse in keeping expenditure in line

with ward budget

 Assist in the recruitment, selection, appointment and retention of

staff with the Ward Manager.

 Assists Sister/Charge Nurse in staff appraisal and development

 Assists in the monitoring of sickness/absence of ward staff

 Demonstrate sound organisational skills, managing workload with

available resource
 Attend all mandatory study days.
 To contribute to the continuing development of the ward vision and
philosophy
 Keep up-to-date with clinical developments in nursing, maintaining
an up-to-date registration and professional portfolio.
 Infection control is everyone’s responsibility. All staff, both clinical
and non-clinical, are required to adhere to the Trust’s Infection
Prevention and Control policies and make every effort to maintain
high standards of infection control at all times, thereby reducing
the risk of healthcare associated infections.
  Contribute to the learning needs of team members, student nurses
and other students allocated ward.
 Participate in specialist nursing research and set standards with
other professionals to enhance the quality of service delivery

Responsibility for Strategic and Service Development:

 To avoid any behaviour which discriminates against your fellow

employees or potential employees on the grounds of sex, marital
status, race, age, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins,
religion or disability

 Acts as an advocate both for patients and staff

 Recognises and challenges discrimination

 To comply with the statutory rules and regulations set out by the
NMC.

 Participate and maintain the effective communication of

information and data between team members, patient and family
networks and offer appropriate support and advice.

 To take an active lead role in the implementation of productive

ward across the area

 Ensure the implementation of Trust, local and departmental

policies, procedures and guidelines and contribute to the formation
of these as required.

 Initiate and develop new ideas and changes within ward which
encourages staff participation and result in improvements in
patient care.

 Work within the Health and Safety at Work Act, following Trust
policies for reporting accidents/incidents, showing an awareness of
risk management in the workplace.

The job description is not intended to be exhaustive and it is

likely that duties may be altered from time to time in the light of changing
circumstances and after consultation with the post holder.
 The post holder might be required to work across the Trust at any
time throughout the duration of his/her contract, which may entail travel
and working at different hospital

Safeguarding adults and children

Employees must be aware of the responsibilities placed on
them to maintain the wellbeing and protection of vulnerable
children and adults. If employees have reason for concern that
a patient is 'at risk' they should escalate this to an appropriate
person i.e. line manager, safeguarding children's lead, matron,
ward sister/change nurse, site manager, consultant.
(October 2002). www.nmc-uk.org/

Smoke Free Trust

Barts Health NHS Trust is a smoke free health provider. This
means that smoking or vapping and charging electronic
cigarettes is not permitted anywhere on our hospital grounds or
premises. Our Smoke Free Policy aims to support smokers
who are ready to stop and create a smoke free environment. As
a healthcare provider it’s important we do everything we can to
reduce smoking among patients, visitors, staff and the risk of
harm to others. All employees are expected not to smoke in
their uniform or with Trust ID cards on public display. Frontline
clinical staff are expected to advise patients about the risks of
smoking and support them by offering a referral to the smoking
cessation service and for inpatients also offer nicotine
replacement therapy (e.g. nicotine patches) or medicines; to
help alleviate the discomfort of nicotine withdrawal. Smokers
are up to four times more likely to stop smoking successfully
with support than by going it alone and are more motivated to
stop smoking whilst in hospital.
Effort, skills and working conditions

Physical 1. The post holder is frequently exposed to episodes

skills of light exertion, for example, whilst moving and
handling patients with physical limitations or who are
attached to medical devices
2. Standard keyboard skills required.
3. Advanced sensory skills.
4. The post holder will be required to lift, push, pulling
objects, using hoists/trolleys
Physical 1. The post holder maybe required to physically
effort manoeuvre (with appropriate aids) heavy pieces of
equipment around the service area.
2. There is a high degree of movement between
areas and patients with varying levels of physical
effort required depending upon patient care needs
that vary hour by hour

Mental 1.Frequent requirement for concentration when

effort undertaken when dealing with equipment and
management activities for example: telephone and
face to face interaction with patients/clients/staff,
report writing,
2. The post holder requires high level of
concentration at all times, as they deal with heavy
demands from a variety of sources.
3. The work is often unpredictable and the post
holder may have to adapt to change in short time
frame and be able to deliver outcomes.
4. The post holder may/will require stamina.
5. Concentration required for analysing data, writing
reports, managing bed on the ward, managing staff
on the ward, attending hearings etc.
6.Will be frequently interrupted due to the operational
nature of the role

Emotional 1. The post holder will be exposed, more than once a

effort month, to circumstances that are distressing or
emotional.
2 .The post holder has to be able to work successfully
under pressure of time and resources.
3. They may have to deal with staff and occasionally
patients and their families who are angry/upset/tearful
 5. They may be required to deal with multidisciplinary
teams and with others outside the team such as site
managers and speciality team.

Working 1. Frequent exposure (daily/weekly) to body fluids, for

conditions example collection of samples and specimens from
patients (Stools, blood, saliva)
2. The Post holder may frequently come into contact
with body fluids/ stools/ blood/ saliva when
discharging duties in clinical areas.
3. May be exposed to verbal abuse

Performance management and appraisal

All staffs are expected to participate in individual performance
management process and reviews.

Personal development and training

Barts Health NHS Trust actively encourages development within the
workforce and employees are required to comply with trust mandatory
training.

Barts Health’s education academy aims to support high quality training

to NHS staff through various services. The trust is committed to offering
learning and development opportunities for all full-time and part-time
employees.

No matter where you start within the NHS, you will have access to extra
training and be given every chance to progress within the organisation.
You will receive an annual personal review and development plan to
support your career progression and you will be encouraged to develop
your skills and experience.

Health and safety at work

The post holder has a duty of care and personal obligation to act to
reduce healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs). They must attend
mandatory training in infection prevention and control (IP&C) and be
compliant with all measures required by the trust to reduce HCAIs. All
post holders must comply with trust infection screening and
immunisation policies as well as be familiar with the trust's IP&C policies,
including those that apply to their duties, such as hand decontamination,
personal protective equipment, aseptic techniques and safe disposal of
sharps.

All staff must challenge noncompliance with infection, prevention and

control policies immediately and feedback through the appropriate line
managers if required.
Confidentiality and data protection
All employees are expected to comply with all trust policies and
procedures related to confidentiality and data protection and to work in
accordance of the Data Protection Act 1998. For those posts where
there is management or supervision of other staff it is the responsibility
of that employee to ensure that their staff receive appropriate training
(e.g. HISS induction, organising refresher sessions for staff when
necessary).

Conflict of interest
The trust is responsible for ensuring that the service provided for
patients in its care meets the highest standard. Equally it is responsible
for ensuring that staff do not abuse their official position for personal
gain or to benefit their family or friends. The trust’s standing orders
require any officer to declare any interest, direct or indirect with contracts
involving the trust. Staffs are not allowed to further their private interests
in the course of their NHS duties.

Equality and diversity

The trust values equality and diversity in employment and in the services
we provide. It is committed to promoting equality and diversity in
employment and will keep under review our policies and procedures to
ensure that the job related needs of all staff working in the Trust are
recognised. The Trust will aim to ensure that all job applicants,
employees or clients are treated fairly and valued equally regardless of
sex, marital status, domestic circumstances, age, race, colour,
disablement, ethnic or national origin, social background or employment
status, sexual orientation, religion, beliefs, HIV status, gender
reassignment, political affiliation or trade union membership. Selection
for training and development and promotion will be on the basis of the
individual’s ability to meet the requirements for the job.
You are responsible for ensuring that the trust’s policies, procedures and
obligation in respect of promoting equality and diversity are adhered to in
relation to both staff and services.

Barts Health values based leadership

Our leaders ensure a focus on health where patients are at the centre of
all we do. They work to create a culture where innovation is promoted
and encouraged. They lead by example and demonstrate value based
decision making as being integral to the ways of working within the
Trust.

Barts Health leaders are role models who demonstrate those attitudes and
behaviours which will make us unique. Our leaders are passionate about
delivering high quality patient care, take pride in the work that they do to
and are committed to the delivering the Barts Health NHS Trust 10
pledges of:

1. Patients will be at the heart of all we do.

2. We will provide consistently high quality health care.
3. We will continuously improve patient safety standards.
4. We will sustain and develop excellence in research, development and
innovation.
5. We will sustain and develop excellence in education and training.
6. We will promote human rights and equalities.
7. We will work with health partners to improve health and reduce health
inequalities.
8. We will work with social care partners to provide care for those who are
most vulnerable.
9. We will make the best use of public resources.
10. We will provide and support the leadership to achieve these
pledges.

Our leaders are visible leaders who believe in spending time listening
and talking our staff, patients and partners about the things that are
important to them and the changes they would like to make to
continuously improve patient care.

Barts Health leaders work with their teams to develop organisational

values, embed them in our ways of working and create the cultural
changes required to ensure that we consistently provide an excellent
patient experience, regardless of the point of delivery, in an environment
where people want to work, regardless of where they work or what they
do.
 Person specification

Post Registered Nurse Band 6

Dept/wa Poplar ward
rd
Essential = E E or Application Interview
Desirable = D D form
Qualification  Registered Nurse E √
s and  Specialist course or E √ √
knowledge equivalent level of skill
 Educated at degree level D √
or equivalent
 ENB 998/ mentorship in E √
practice or equivalent
 Expanded clinical skills – E √
IV drug administration,
cannulation, phlebotomy
etc E √
 Standard setting and
quality assurance D √
 Importance of cost E √
containment
 Intermediate Life Support D √
provider or equivalent E
 Advanced Life Support √
provider
 Current nursing practice D √
developments and NHS
developments E √
 BSc or working towards
 ESAC/ care of the acutely
ill adult or equivalent
Experience  One year experience E √
within a surgical setting at
a Band 5 E √
 Evidence of continual
professional development E √
 Experience at managing E √ √
shifts
 Mentorship, staff
development , teaching
and staff support
Essential = E E or Application Interview
Desirable = D D form
Skills/abilitie  Effective communication E √ √
s skills and courteous
attitude with patients,
relatives and MDT,
promoting team, building
and good working E √ √
relations
 Able to demonstrate
management, leadership E √
and organisational skills
 Delegation skills, E √ √
resource management
 Clinical expertise , ability
to work autonomously E √
and as a team member
 Able to demonstrate basic
computer literacy E √
accessing e-mails,
Microsoft word, excel etc. √
 Neat and coherent written E
skills with attention to
detail E √
 Role model for junior E √
Colleagues
 Adaptability to changing
workload
 Positive attitude and
ability to work under
pressure
Essential = E E or Application Interview
Desirable = D D form
Personal  Polite, professional, E √
and people caring manner &
development assertive when necessary
 Flexible and positive E √
approach to work
 Enthusiasm & motivation E √
 Innovative and creative E √
 Maturity / self awareness E √
 Experience of clinical D √
supervision E √ √
 Evidence based practice
in acute ward area E
 Clinical supervision E √ √
 Competency based
assessment E √
 Clinical audit and quality E √
issues D √
 Child Protection E √ √
Legislation E
 Major Incident E
 Equal Opportunities E √
 Patient’s Charter E
 Health & Safety √
 Data Protection
 Customer Care