Outpatient Service Lead

We are seeking a highly motivated, proactive RVN to lead our Outpatient service nursing team, the ideal candidate should be able to work well under pressure and work to deadlines in a calm, positive and approachable manner. As this is a leadership role an understanding of people, behaviours, organisation/multi-tasking and priorities is essential.
Working hours
40 hours per week 1:6 weekends and lates with TOIL
Overview
The Outpatient Service lead will be responsible for assisting with the efficient and effective leadership of the Outpatient service nursing team. You will work closely and collaboratively with the Team Leaders and Head of Nursing Services across the practice to ensure the efficient delivery of outstanding patient care within the Medicine department. You will work enthusiastically with the nursing team to help maintain a happy and efficient working environment, whilst ensuring practice and group policies are always adhered to. This role includes ensuring the provision of high standards of patient and client care, providing performance reviews, training team members, and coordination for all relevant personnel working within the team .
Main purpose & goals
• Maintain an overview of the Outpatient service department and provision of patient care across the team that you supervise.
• Demonstrate an excellent work ethic and capability in all nursing duties including a high level of hygiene and the ability to recognise and undertake relevant actions with regards to infection control.
• Approximately 90% of the role will be clinical duties with 10% of the role being designated to admin time.
• Ensure that you and those working in your area of responsibility provide a high and sustainable quality of nursing care.
• Provide leadership to those working within the Outpatient service nursing team.
• Ensure effective communication within the Outpatient service nursing team.
• Ensure that all patients in your team area are dealt with in a timely manner, and that unnecessary delays are prevented at all times.
• Ensure that the Outpatient service nursing team are implementing accurate patient record keeping and that all patient care instructions are followed by the nursing team.
• Ensure all associates within the Outpatient service nursing team are aware of their roles and are clear on their objectives.
• Work with the Team Leaders and HoNS where required to help develop a skills matrix for nursing requirements within the Outpatient service nursing team.
• Work with the Team Leaders and HoNS to help support the identification, prioritisation and implementation of learning, development and CPD for nurses in your team where required.
• Work with the HoNS and team leaders to ensure all new nurses entering the business are supported to complete their induction.
• Provide effective leadership of those within your team including regular feedback to the team leaders to establish any associates who could benefit from mentoring, coaching and development discussions.
• Undertake appraisals if and when required by the HoNS.
• Participate in external CPD any training in-house, ensuring post-training feedback forms are completed/cascade of relevant information to appropriate team members.
• Assist with implementation of the Practice Standards Scheme across the practice.
• Assist with implementation of the International Society of Feline Medicine (ISFM) standards across the practice.
• Encourage the use of VetSafe and lead by example in this area, providing support where necessary.
• Ensure equipment is appropriately maintained and serviced.
• Liaise with HoNS and Team Leaders regarding the cascade of information and actions from Linnaeus central office as necessary.
• Comply with the Health and Safety policies for the different areas of the practice/ hospital.
• Adhere to confidentiality relating to all aspect of the business including complying with and assisting with all requirements relating to GDPR compliance
Key responsibilities
• Undertake all general nursing duties within the practice and provide assistance to veterinary surgeons when required.
• To carry out and be accountable for any specific tasks or responsibilities allocated by the Team Leaders or Head of Nursing Services, delegating tasks as and when appropriate.
• Supervising the Outpatient Service nursing team, ensuring all duties are carried out to a high standard and in a timely fashion.
• Monitoring and care of critical patients, including patient assessments and identification of any status changes and communicating these clearly with the veterinary surgeons.
• Help to devise, implement and maintain accurate care plans for medicine cases.
• Manage stock within the department and where appropriate place orders.
• Ensure the risks of nosocomial infections and cross contamination are minimised by practicing good hygiene.
• Accurate record keeping, especially with regard to kennel sheets, anaesthetic sheets and hospitalisation records.
• Work closely with the Team Leaders and HoNS to plan for the daily case load and highlight any issues or concerns that may arise.
• Seek opportunities to maintain competence in other areas of nursing to ensure a strong level of general nursing capabilities are still achieved. Where suitable take part in role swaps to preserve this competence.
• Participate in team briefings and daily huddles to ensure effective and efficient communication.
• Participate in the company’s leadership training, including LEAP training.
• Perform regular 1-1 with your team members.
• Work closely with the dispensary team to ensure smooth running of the department for both client and patient care