Practice Development Nurse - Stroke

Objectives: To promote a learning environment that optimises each nurses clinical development and facilitates a best practice principle for patient care, that whenever possible, is evidence based. To be responsible for the in-house education programme within Stroke- both co-ordinating and teaching it. To work alongside members of nursing staff, supporting them in learning new skills and taking on new roles and responsibilities. This may involve undertaking an assessment of the nurses competence when taking on these new skills, providing feedback to the staff member, ward managers, and Matron. To be responsible for the continuing specialist professional development and overall clinical performance of all staff, in conjunction with ward managers. To provide specialist nursing advice (with support from the CNS team) to support and facilitate high quality, individualised care to patients/clients and relatives/carers in conjunction with the multi-professional team, in line with local and national directives. To be flexible in approach to the needs of the care group and provide cover for staff in any area specified. To take the lead on standard of care issues in relation to benchmarking, auditing and action planning, supporting the nursing team and providing feedback to ward managers, the Matron and Associate Director of Nursing. To work closely with other clinical educators/PDNs throughout the trust ensuring a cohesive approach to practice education within the different clinical areas. To teach, develop and supervise all levels of staff undertaking clinical practice. This includes support workers, overseas nurses seeking NMC registration, registered nurses and students on clinical placements. To develop a Competency Progression Framework for all nursing staff. To support a preceptorship program for newly qualified nurses. To ensure practice in all areas of Stroke is evidence based and reflects current trends. To work jointly with the Trust and HEIs to organise and provide educational programmes and training for staff directly involved in the care of patients accessing stroke services. To ensure quality nursing is delivered by the use of clinical audit and quality improvement, risk management and the use of current evidence based practice. To ensure that all practice carried out is in line with Trust-wide policies and procedures as well as national guidance. 1. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Clinical Practice 1.1 To provide sound clinical leadership and develop support mechanisms for sharing good practice within the wards, care group and Trust-wide. To ensure that own practice demonstrates current clinical knowledge and evidence-based practice. To work as a clinical and professional role model. To work clinically in all allocated wards and departments for the majority of working time, or in accordance with an identified urgent need, supporting individual nurses/staff in developing their practice. To produce written accounts of each episode of clinical facilitation, documenting learning achieved and areas for further development. To demonstrate specialist nursing knowledge in clinical settings, and support the advancement of knowledge and skills using approved assessment procedures. To work effectively as part of the multi-professional, inter-disciplinary team, encouraging and supporting other health care professionals in the promotion and maintenance of an effective learning environment. To demonstrate effective communication and customer care skills with patients and their relatives/carers, thereby acting as a positive role model for nurses and other staff. To maintain effective working relationships with colleagues at all levels and from all professions within the care group, ensuring effective communication at all times. To maintain records of training undertaken by each member of staff- in conjunction with ward managers. Education and Training 2.1 To facilitate the learning and continuing development of all nursing staff, ensuring that education is responsive to service developments. To develop and co-ordinate planned educational programmes and opportunities for all nursing staff. 2.3 To advise in relation to educational opportunities and assist nurses in developing themselves in accordance with their personal development plan and/or appraisal objectives. To assist the Trust's clinical education team helping Registered Nurses/Associate Nurses achieve competency requirements following training. To create, sustain and support an environment where Practice Development and change can flourish. To support practice supervisors/assessors and preceptors in their role, ensuring that learning opportunities are effectively utilised. To work closely with HEI staff and the trusts Associate Director of Nursing in contributing to the development and review of speciality-related nursing courses, and in the evaluation of relevant courses in order to help inform Education Commissioning. 2.8 To work collaboratively with HEIs and other Trust colleagues on Education Quality Reviews in relation to the quality of the clinical learning environment. Management In conjunction with ward managers, provide effective orientation of staff, including welcome to the ward and early objective setting/follow-up. When working on the wards and in liaison with the ward manager ensure appropriate staffing levels and skill mix are in place to reflect the workload and needs of the patient. In conjunction with the ward managers, support any investigation relating to the Practice Development of staff using the relevant Trust policies and in liaison with the senior nursing team, implement recommendations for action. To manage own time to ensure balance between clinical and administrative activities. To produce appropriate educational data or reports requested within the care group or by the Trust. To assist in the process of recruitment, retention and selection of staff and contribute to other trust-wide employment initiatives of nursing staff for the trust. In conjunction with colleagues, identify and implement educational strategies that support retention. To actively participate in quality assurance strategies and audit. In conjunction with Senior Nursing colleagues, identify and address the educational implications of audit findings and clinical incidents To ensure compliance with the Trust's Equality and Diversity Policy, supporting the delivery of the Trusts Race Equality Scheme and the Trust's duty to positively promote race equality and equality of opportunity for disabled people- ensuring services are responsive to the needs of diverse groups. To make an active contribution to clinical governance strategies, particularly in relation to producing and/or reviewing nurse-led clinical guidelines. To be an active member of the Trusts non-medical education forum. Personal & Professional Development 4.1 To actively participate in maintaining own professional development, identifying own educational and clinical training needs with the Associate Director of Nursing. 4.2 To ensure own mandatory training compliance is current. 4.4 To participate in reflective practice, and maintain a personal learning portfolio. 4.5 To keep up to date with NMC requirements (Annual registration and revalidation), relevant specialist, Faculty & Trust policies, procedures, guidelines and protocols. 4.6 To be conversant with current under and post graduate training curricula and liaise with Associate Director of Nursing/Practice Development Team regarding any issues arising from these.