JOB SUMMARY:
To support the Head Nurse with the management of the unit, with a particular emphasis on clinical
nursing leadership, to ensure that an excellent standard of patient care is set, delivered and maintain
at all times. AHN will have responsibility of staffing, cleanliness and infection prevention and control
within the clinical area and will provide professional advice and support at management level.
TASKS & ACCOUNTABILITIES:
REGULAR TASKS RESPONSIBILITIES
The Assistant Head Nurse will be responsible for carrying out the following duties:
1. PROFESSIONAL LEADERSHIP
1.1. Provide strong professional nursing leadership to staff. Lead with a supportive
management approach, enabling staff members to reach their potential and ensuring
support within defined areas of responsibility.
1.2. Demonstrate good clinical practice alongside the nursing team on a regular basis, ensuring clinical credibility is maintained.
1.3. Provide clinical support and advice to patients, caregivers, families and all grades of
staff.
1.4. Maintain high visibility within the clinical area ensuring that patients/visitors, staff,
and the multi-disciplinary team, have access at all times.
1.5. Manage and evaluate changes that lead to better practice and higher standards of
care.
2. MANAGEMENT
2.1. To be responsible for the management, recruitment, retention and development of
the nursing team.
2.2. Monitor performance indicators for the quality of patient care and report on monthly
basis to HN/AM Nursing.
2.3..Ensure effective and efficient use of all resources.
2.4. Empower nurses to take on a wider range of clinical roles and responsibilities.
2.5. Take responsibility for effective rostering (including the development of an electronic
rostering system).
2.6. Ensure that that a safe and appropriate skill mix is provided on a 24 hour basis.
2.7. Design and develop clinical roles to meet increasingly complex patient needs.
2.8. Monitor and manage staff sickness/absence within the Unit. Identify symptoms of
stress and manage these appropriately.
2.9. To develop and establish an appropriate system of work organisation in the clinical
area within which authority and autonomy is devolved.
2.10. Safeguard the health, safety and welfare of all patients, staff and visitors in the Unit.
2.11.Promote and demonstrate effective communication within the clinical team and
represent the nursing department at appropriate meetings.
2.12.Create, develop and maintain professional, supportive relationships with all members
of staff and with other departments and divisions.
3. EDUCATION
3.1. Ensure there is an effective learning environment on the ward/unit at all times.
3.2.Work closely with the Clinical Nurse Instructor to ensure that staff training and
education needs are met.
3.3.Make a personal contribution to teaching within the clinical environment
3.4 Work with the Clinical Nurse Instructor and Head Nurse in auditing and assessing
practice in the clinical area, which monitors the quality of service and care offered to
patients and their relatives.
4. CLINICAL GOVERNANCE
4.1. To ensure the implementation of all nursing and hospital policies within the unit.
4.2. To be responsible for ensuring that all care and nursing staff maintain electronic care
records in accordance with record keeping standards,
4.3. To ensure that all medications, including controlled drugs are ordered, pred,
administered and disposed of in accordance with the TIH protocols.
4.4.To be responsible for the safekeeping and proper operation of units equipment and
liaise with Head nurse regarding remedial action necessary following the reporting of any defect, damage, or loss.
4,5 Ensure all health and safety requirements are met and all accidents and incidents
reported to the Head nurse or Assistant Manager nursing and reported in accordance
with the TIH policies.
4.6 To take responsibility of own professional development and act as an effective role
model.
4.7 To participate in appraisal system.
4.8 To be aware of own professional accountability and act at all times within the hospital
code of conduct.