Description:
The CNM 2 in the Accident & Emergency Department is held accountable for the nursing service to patients in the Department. This includes making provisions for the best possible nursing care of patients at all times; the nomination of persons to act up in his/her absence; assessment of patient care needs, the development, implementation and evaluation of programmes of care and the setting and monitoring of standards of care.
The CNM 2 will also be held accountable for the day to day management of the Department. This includes the determination of work to be done, the rostering, organisation and allocation of the work, teaching and training of nurses and support staff and participation in the ongoing development and evaluation of systems and programmes for delivery of care.
In carrying out the work detailed hereunder the expectation is that, in agreement with the CNM 3/Divisional Nurse Manager, work will be assigned to the Staff Nurses for which accountability will be ultimately held by CNM 2.
Responsibilities:
- Organising the caseload on each shift of duty and controlling the utilization of patient accommodation within the Department in terms of patient activity.
- Deciding how to organise the admission and discharge procedure for the patient in consultation with the bed manager.
- Monitoring the flow of patients through the department on a daily basis. Informing the appropriate medical consultant of impending crises.
- Recording activity analysis on a daily basis and discussing same with CNM 3/ Divisional Nurse Manager in relation to standards of patient care and staffing standards.
- Raising with the Consultant and other senior medical staff any problems which their policies/practices or decisions are raising and the staff and reporting matters to CNM 3/Divisional Nurse Manager if problems continue.
- Ensure safety and welfare of the nursing staff at all times.
- Initiates major disaster plan when necessary. Directs staff in the event of a disaster, fire, or other emergency within the department or outside in which the department may be involved
- Promotes the attainment of each patients individual nursing care needs by allocating appropriately skilled staff nurses and support staff.
- Implements a systematic method for the assessment of individual patient’s needs and ensure proper documentation of same.
- Prepares weekly duty rosters for each shift, taking into consideration holiday, study leave and other control limits. Reviews and changes the roster as necessary on an ongoing basis.
- Plans and allocates nursing staff numbers, skill mix and level of experience in such a way that will meet the department’s workload within the allocated resources thus ensuring continuity of care.
- Arranges staff meal breaks in consultation with staff.
- Supports and supervises nursing staff and other support staff in carrying out their allocated clinical duties to the required standard.
- Decides who is to be in charge of the department in his /her absences and ensures that staff know of the arrangements.
- Advises the CNM 3/Divisional Nurse Manager when staff levels fall below or are in excess of that considered to be adequate to meet variations of work load.
- Advises the CNM 3/Divisional Nurse Manager on the total complement of staff needed and the mix of qualified/unqualified staff to recommend based on activity and workload.
- Promotes, nurtures and maintains a high level of staff morale hence promoting team spirit and job satisfaction among nursing and other staff within the department.
- Develops, implements and monitors health welfare and safety policies in the department.
- Receives visiting professionals and lay visitors to the department.
- Participates in the interviewing and selection of nursing staff for the department. This is necessary as the CNM 2 will ultimately be held responsible for the quality of care given by individual nurses to patients in the department.
- Implements, participates and evaluates an orientation programme for all staff in the Department.
- Ensures that all staff practice nursing within the code set for the profession by An Bord Altranais.
- Carries out development and performance review interviews with individual nursing staff, using job specifications and performance/appraisal review documentation in accordance with hospital policy and records judgement about the performance of each individual staff member.
- Identifies abilities and recommends staff for promotion to permanent and senior positions.
- Recommends to the CNM 3/Divisional Nurse Manager the transfer of staff from department.
- Decides how to deal with behaviour outside acceptable limits, for whatever reason (i.e. emotional upset in staff, brusqueness to patients or colleagues, undignified behaviour, absenteeism, late attendances, conflict, grievance, discipline and industrial relations).
- Ensures that all staff know disciplinary and grievance procedures. Handles staff complaints, grievances and disciplinary matters in accordance with hospital policy and reports to the CNM 3/Divisional Nurse Manager as necessary serious or unresolved issues.
- Investigates incidents and accidents involving patients and staff. Reports these verbally and in writing to the CNM 3/Divisional Nurse Manager.
- Advises trained staff in the management of the department and delegates specific appropriate management duties to the identified staff nurses.
- Assesses and identifies training and development needs for nursing staff within the department, sets objectives for such learning; recommends these to the CNM 3/Divisional Nurse Manager and contributes to the development of training programmes where appropriate.
- Identifies teaching/learning opportunities within the department
- Plans, implements and evaluates:
- Staff Development programmes to support new clinical services
- Post graduate training programmes as pertinent to the department where necessary.
- Participates in clinical induction training of all new nursing staff ensuring that staff nurses receive sufficient theoretical and practical training to make them safe practitioners.
- Ensures the agreed hospital, specialist administrative and clinical policies and procedures are known to and understood by the staff and are implemented.
- Provides for teaching of learner nurses. Ensures that nurse training requirements are met.
- Participates in and implements the ongoing assessment of student nurses in consultation with D.C.U/Centre of Education and in accordance with An Bord Altranais regulations.
- At all times acts as an effective role model by demonstrating skilled nursing care in the clinical situation for staff and student nurses.