JOB DESCRIPTION TEMPLATE

1.  JOB IDENTIFICATION

Job Title: : Community Staff Nurse Band 5
Responsible to: District Nurse Caseload Holder
Department(s): East Lochaber Community Nursing Team
Fort William Health Centre
Directorate: Community Nursing
Operating Division: West District - Lochaber – North & West Operational Unit
Job Reference: MDLOCHCOMMNURS14
No of Job Holders: 18
Last Update (insert date):

2. JOB PURPOSE

To contribute to the work of the Community Team in providing the highest quality of health care and participate in the ongoing assessment process of health needs and the implementation of planned care and a reablement approach to supporting self care.
3. DIMENSIONS
Based in Fort William Health Centre and outlying bases in Fort Augustus and Ballachulish. Working with the District Nurse team, across East Lochaber covering all GP practices, to provide clinical care to individuals, families and carers in the home or community. The practices’ population area encompasses Fort William and surrounding areas, Fort Augustus and South Lochaber

4. ORGANISATIONAL POSITION

District Manager (West)
Team Lead
|
District Nurse Caseload Holder
|
Community Staff Nurse
|
Health Care Assistant

5. ROLE OF DEPARTMENT

To provide healthcare and medical services to individuals, families and carers in the home or community nurse bases or clinics.
To promote an excellent nursing service to patients throughout the locality by being a member of a nursing team who are responsible for coordinating services and engaging in multi disciplinary and multi agency team working and partnerships.
Identify community health needs within a defined population and contribute to appropriate interventions.

6. KEY RESULT AREAS

1.  Deliver anticipatory care, undertake clinical assessment, planning and defined areas of intervention, referral and discharge in conjunction with the case load holder and support the implementation and monitoring of health care for patients and informal carers
2.  Support and enable self care with patients, relatives and carers in order to achieve optimum health and independence
3.  Promote clinical governance and assume accountability and responsibility for delivery of agreed specific aspects of care
4.  To participate in health education activities and promote healthy lifestyles and safety in the home
5.  To facilitate students and others to develop their competence, using a range of professional and personal development skills
6.  To supervise the safe use and care of home equipment by staff and patients
7.  To function in accordance with NHS Highland Policy and Procedures and recognise own responsibility and accountability for performance
8.  To act in accordance with and adherence to the NMC Code of Professional Conduct (2008) to ensure that the highest standard of professional conduct is maintained
9.  Recognise the value of research to the critical evaluation of practice, participating in projects as required, using research findings appropriately
10.  Be responsible for continued professional education and update of knowledge in order to ensure delivery of safe and effective care using evidence informed practice
11.  Deliver care as part of a multi disciplinary team and participate in the promotion of good working relationships with the Extended Primary Health Care Team, voluntary sector and other partner agencies
12.  To assist the caseload holder maintain a health profile of the community and in reviewing provision of services to aid planning and achieving change as necessary.
13.  To assist in the induction and orientation of new staff and engage as a member of the team in any required change management

7a. EQUIPMENT AND MACHINERY

Mechanical hoists, Tracking hoists
Community profile beds, mattresses
Syringe drivers
Doppler
Car, communications equipment
Oxygen, automatic external defibrillator, ECG
(list not exhaustive)
7b. SYSTEMS
Required to record patient related information on Personal Plans as needed
Required to record patient related information in case notes / care plans
Electronic based systems including PECOS, DATIX

8. ASSIGNMENT AND REVIEW OF WORK

Practitioner must work as part of a district nursing team
Workload will be generated by the District Nurse Caseload holder in accordance with the needs of the caseload, on a daily basis.
Objectives will be set through annual appraisal and formation of personal development plan and review.
Work under direct/indirect supervision to provide safe effective and person centred care
9. DECISIONS AND JUDGEMENTS
Required to assess the current care needs of individual patients and take remedial action as required.
Work under direction with autonomy to exercise judgement about actions while accepting professional accountability and responsibility

10. MOST CHALLENGING/DIFFICULT PARTS OF THE JOB

Being able to deliver high quality care in a range of settings, managing risk and balancing conflicting priorities.
11. COMMUNICATIONS AND RELATIONSHIPS

Internal :

Community Nurses – re workload issues/patient care
Admin Staff – re clerical support requirements
GPs – re patient care
Practice Nurses – re patient care/caseload issues
Community Nurse Team Leader – workload, personal development
Patients – condition and care applying reassurance, empathy

External :

Local hospitals – care packages for patients
Social Work – care packages for patients
Voluntary Sector
Scottish Ambulance Service – transport, emergency care
12. PHYSICAL, MENTAL, EMOTIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL DEMANDS OF THE JOB
Examples may include:-
Physical Skills:
Administer intravenous injections
Removal of sutures.
Physical Demands:
Patient movement with use of mechanical aids, manoeuvre patients
Stand/walking for the majority of shift.
Mental Demands:
Concentration required when checking documents/patient notes, works to schedule of visits
Emotional Demands:
Communicating with distressed/anxious/worried patients/relatives.
Caring for the terminally ill.
Caring for patients following receipt of bad news.
Working Conditions:
Exposure to body fluids
Wounds
Driving in remote areas

13. KNOWLEDGE, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED TO DO THE JOB

·  First level registered nurse in Adult Health with Post Registration experience
·  Evidence of CPD
·  Driving Licence
·  Good communication and interpersonal skills
·  IT skills
·  Ability to work well under pressure.
·  Ability to work flexibly as part of a team
·  SQA assessor qualification
·  Mentorship preparation
14. JOB DESCRIPTION AGREEMENT
A separate job description will need to be signed off by each jobholder to whom the job description applies.
Job Holder’s Signature:
Head of Department Signature: / Date:
Date: