Clinical Nurse Manager 2 Anaesthetics

Accountability and Working Relationships:

Job title: Clinical Nurse Manager 2 (CNM2) Anaesthetics

Grade: CNM2

Professionally accountable to: Director of Nursing

Reports to: Director of Nursing / Theatre Manager

Key working relationships: Nursing and Medical Personnel Admissions Manager

Working Hours: schedule to be available to staff out of hours as deemed necessary.

Qualifications / Experience:

• Be registered in the general division of the Register of Nurses maintained by An bord Altranais.
• Have at least five years post-registration nursing experience (full-time or equivalent hours part-time) in an acute hospital setting with a minimum of three years recent nursing experience (full-time or equivalent hours part-time) in a relevant area.
• Hold a management qualification or be in pursuit of same
• A recognised Theatre or Anaesthetic Course is essential.
• Previous management experience would be an advantage.
• Possess well-developed leadership, interpersonal and organisational skills.
• Computer skills.
• Previous Anaesthetic experience essential.

Accountability:

The Clinical Nurse Manager 2 (Anaesthetics) reports to and is accountable to the Director of Nursing and the Theatre Manager in all matters relating to the job.

Key Responsibilities

In conjunction with the Theatre Manager the post-holder has the following responsibilities:

Clinical:

• Assess, develop, implement and evaluate programmes of care.
• Liaise with all SSC personnel on the provision of the service to ensure the highest quality of patient care and the most economical means of achieving it.
• Act as consultant to all nurses on matters related to the speciality, ensuring that nursing staff have current information available to them on which to base their nursing decisions.
• Maintain awareness of current developments in the speciality and the implications these may have on their nursing care, related educational programmes and expenditure.
• Create and maintain a climate conductive to Nursing research. Encourage staff within the clinical area to participate in specific aspects of research related to nursing care using approved methods.
• Ensure compliance with regulations in relation to custody and administration all medications (clinic policy and An bord Altranais guidelines).
• Ensure that anaesthetic equipment is checked on a regular basis as per protocols and is fit and available for use
• Perform advance practice in venepuncture, insertion of arterial and PICC lines.  Recognise and interpret findings and their significance for surgical procedure referring to anaesthetists as necessary.
• Perform arterial blood gas sampling and recognise and interpret findings and report same to anaesthetist.
• Continue the informed consent process by ensuring the patient is aware of the risks and benefits and alternatives to the procedure.
• Promote effective theatre utilisation by early anticipation of issues which may result in cancellation/delay.
• Assist the Anaesthetist during pre- and intra-operative period initiating care and clinical interventions according to patient’s condition and in accordance with local policies.
• Carry out the intra-operative monitoring of stable anaesthetized patients undergoing arthroplasty surgery and intervene as per SSC Protocols.
• Ensure adequate stock levels are maintained in the anaesthetic rooms at all times and that non-stock requisition orders are dealt with appropriately.
• Obtain qualification in Advanced Life Support and ensure that updates are obtained as required.
• Promote and maintain a safe environment for staff, patients, relatives and visitors at all times.
• Provide a commitment to expanding existing skills, assisting in the planning and implementation of the Anaesthetic and peri-operative assessment nursing role.
• Develop good interpersonal relationships with nursing staff through effective communication and sound management systems.
• Ensure that complaints are promptly dealt with and reported to the Theatre Manager / Director of Nursing using agreed procedure.
• Maintain a high level of staff morale within the clinical area and informs the Theatre Manager/Director of Nursing of any signs of stress or low moral amongst the staff.
• Ensure that the optimum use of manpower resources is achieved through careful planning and monitoring of off-duty scheduling.
• Report to the Theatre Manager/Director of Nursing any untoward incidents, which may have legal implications and or where staff disciplinary action may result.
• Ensure all accidents, incidents and near misses are reported in line with Risk Management policies and introduce quality improvements appropriately.
• Monitor new staff and learners, and also participates in staff development and performance reviews.
• Maintain acceptable level of stores, equipment and supplies, ordering new equipment in consultation with the Manager.
• Exercises leadership to ensure clearly defined roles within the nursing team.
• Promote and maintain a positive image of nursing and the Clinic as a whole

Staff Development:

• Act as a role model and ensure the provision of a learning environment which enables the educational and professional needs of staff to be met.
• Responsible in conjunction with the Theatre Manager for identifying the educational needs of staff, developing programmes to meet these needs and helping staff towards their professional development.
• Ensure the regular and effective use of staff development and performance review as directed by the Theatre Manager/Director of Nursing.
• Responsible for the implementation of and participation in the regular review of staff induction programmes as directed by the Theatre Manager/Director of Nursing.

Teaching:

• Prepare and provide learning materials for use within the clinical area.
• Monitor new staff in the department’s progress referring areas of difficulty to the appropriate manager.
• Ensure maintenance of staff records in relation to educational experience and development.
• Participate in the evaluation of teaching, learning experiences and staff development programmes reporting the outcomes to the Theatre Manager/Director of Nursing.
• Keep abreast of research and developments in nursing and facilitate and contribute to nursing research.
• Promote nursing by actively contributing at national conferences and meetings.
• Participate in clinic committees as required, attend and contribute to interdepartmental and other meetings.
• Such other duties appropriate to the post as may be assigned from time to time by the Theatre Manager and Director of Nursing.

Conditions of Employment:

• Act at all times in accordance with An Bord Altranais [1998] Code of Professional Conduct.
• Annual Leave Entitlement: 24 – 26 days per annum pro- rata.  Annual leave is calculated January to December of each year.
• Sick Leave Regulations: Please refer to the Sports Surgery Clinic Staff Handbook which shall be given to new appointees on taking up duty.
• A minimum of two month's notice of termination of employment is required.   Notice of termination of employment must be received in writing.
• Uniform Policy must be adhered to at all times.

Please note the following:

• Fire orders must be observed and staff must attend fire lectures periodically.
• All accidents within the department must be reported immediately.
• In line with the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act (1989 & 2005), smoking within the Clinic building is not permitted.

Confidentiality:

In the course of your employment you may have access to, or hear information concerning the medical or personal affairs of patients, students, staff and / or other health service business.  Such records and information are strictly confidential and, unless acting on the instruction of an authorised officer, such information must not be divulged or discussed except in the performance of normal duty.  In addition records must never be left in such a manner that unauthorised persons can obtain access to them and must be kept in safe custody when no longer required.

The extent and speed of change in the delivery of health care is such that adaptability is essential at this level of management. The incumbent will be required to maintain and enhance their knowledge, skills and aptitudes necessary to respond to a changing situation. The Sports Surgery Clinic is currently undergoing development therefore, the Job Description must be regarded as an outline of the major areas of accountability at the present time, which will be reviewed and assessed on an ongoing basis.