Draft Job Description

Job title:                                                Endoscopy Unit Co-ordinator

Department:                                         Endoscopy

Report to Unit Manager:                      Theatre Manager

Accountable to:                                   Matron

Key Dimensions:

Number of staff directly responsible to post holder

Number to staff accountable to post holder

Value of budgets managed by post holder

Value of budgets for which post holder has delegated responsibility

Is the post holder authorised to vie funds between budgets.

Main purpose of this post:

The post holder will play a key role in the management and development of the Endoscopy Unit.  Formulating the strategy for the continued development and strengthening the unit including the identification of quality issues and their resolution. He/she will be responsible for the provision of high quality cost effective care, an education and development strategy for all grades of staff formulated to support the operational needs of the Unit.

Principle Duties

Managerial Practices

• Ensure that the staffing activities within the unit operate to the required professional standard.
• Provide advice to the Unit Manager regarding education, training, and manpower/skill mix. Adhere to NMC recommendations and directives.
• Be accountable for policy, procedure and planning service development.
• Ensure the rights of patients’ are safe guarded, by implementing and monitoring standards.  Take appropriate action to review any aspect of the service that does not meet safe / satisfactory levels of care and put in place mechanisms for improvement.
• Raise profile of the Unit by promoting good practice initiatives within the Unit.
• Foster an environment within which the development of nursing practice can be achieved.
• Set standards for, and monitor the accuracy and consistency of nursing and medical records within the Unit.
• Develop an effective recruitment and retention strategy in order to maintain a quality work force.  Participates in the recruitment and selection of all members of the unit team.
• Initiate investigation into any complaints or untoward incidents that may arise within the remit of the unit.
• Develop and operate an effective internal and external communication strategy for the Unit.
• Assist the Unit Manager in the development and monitoring of the Unit budget, to ensure the effective utilisation of all resources, to maximise the potential of the Unit.
• Provide the Unit Manager with a monthly activity and quality report.
• Provides managerial co-ordination of the nursing service in the Unit, working closely within the multidisciplinary team, arranging with the relevant teams as required.
• Adjusts any rotas, on a needs basis, to ensure the provision of quality care.
• To be involved in staff appraisals counselling, disciplinary or other interviews.  Ensure that sickness levels are kept within guidelines, take appropriate action where necessary.
• Support for the staff working in the speciality, investigating means and methods of developing careers, evaluating current needs as we continually adapt to a changing service.
• Ensure all staff adhere to all hospital policies and procedures.
• To make recommendations for the progress towards cost effective excellence in nursing.
• Maintain an up to date knowledge of the speciality, nursing developments and an awareness of future implications for the group eg. P.R.E.P., clinical supervision, partnership in care etc, acting as resource for the speciality.
• Facilitate investigation into complaints, accidents / incidents made in the clinical area, feedback to the Unit Manager for final correspondence.
• Ensure that all equipment is regularly maintained in accordance with manufacturers’ guidelines and is kept in safe working order.  Take action when faulty equipment is reported.  Ensure that all endoscopic equipment is processed in accordance with current guidelines.
• Liaise with other disciplines, ie Housekeeping, Pharmacy to ensure agreed standards are met.  Discuss problems regularly in order to improve the service to the Unit.
• Ensure personal records of staff are maintained with details of their professional development, sickness, study leave etc. To co-ordinate, annual leave and duty rotas to provide effective cover. All information to be kept private and confidential.
• To advise on the purchase of specialist equipment and ensure staff are adequately trained to use it, organising training / back up if necessary.
• Participate in external audits and assessments as required.
• Ensure the Unit is compliant with the NCS Endoscopy Audit and provide evidence of audit.

Clinical / Educational

·                      Act as an effective role model.

·                      Monitor the performance of and identify the learning needs of Unit staff, facilitating their personal development.

·                      Ensure all staff undergoes a period of orientation and preceptorship, having access to a professional mentor. To work towards implementing clinical supervision and that the educational requirements of P.R.E.P are reached for all staff.

·                      Develop and lead an organised educational programme.

·                      Maintain written records of objectives, action plans and evaluation of programmes.

·                      Provide adequate supervision of untrained staff and students / visitors from other disciplines.

·                       To undertake and develop the appropriate skills required for practice or to widen professionals’ scope, ensuring a period of training in line with approved policies and procedures.

·                       To undertake additional staff development / courses as agreed with the Unit Manager.

·                       To promote the importance of Health Education to staff, patients and their carers. 

·                       Co-ordinate nursing projects with a commitment to research based clinical practice.

·                       Take the lead / chair in a clinical practice group on a regular basis.

·                       Ensure an environment conducive to learning.

Personal

·         Discuss present performance / future needs with Unit Manager using individual performance review in accordance with nursing policy, maintaining own personal records of professional development.

·         Is responsible for own educational and professional development.

·         Undertakes to act as a role model to ensure that the following are strictly adhered to:

a)            Attendance

b)            Uniform

c)            Health & Safety

d)            No Smoking

e)            Data Protection Act

f)             COSSH

Health and Safety

·         Respond appropriately to accident or untoward clinical incidents / occurrences that arise within the unit and provide accurate documentation.

·         To be conversant with all local policies and procedures and to act accordingly.

·         Ensure the safety of patients and staff and ensure that all incidents are reported to the Unit Manager.

·         Ensure that all equipment is used safely and effectively.

·         To be aware of the fire, fire bomb and disaster procedure.

Employees must be aware of the responsibilities placed on them under the Health & Safety at Work Act, 1974, to ensure that the agreed safety procedures are carried out to maintain a safe environment for employee, patients and all visitors.

Confidentiality

The post holder must maintain the confidentiality of information about patients, staff and other health service business in accordance with the  Code of Confidentiality and the Data Protection Act, (1998).

General

To undertake any other projects or duties commensurate with the grade of the post and as agreed with the Unit Manager.

This job description is intended as a general guide to the post but it may change in line with the needs of the Unit or at the request of the Unit Manager, in consultation with the post holder.

Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) Check

This position is subject to a Criminal Records Bureau check at enhanced level.

Job Profile

Supplementary Information

In order to perform this role to experienced worker standard the post holder will need:

Professional / Technical and Occupational Training

Essential:

Professional Registration (RGN)

Evidence of first line Management Training

Evidence of continuous professional development

Recognised teaching qualification

Desirable:

Degree / Diploma in relevant subject area

ENB 906/Recognised Endoscopy course

EXPERIENCE

Essential

Proven relevant experience as Junior Sister / Charge Nurse

Awareness and involvement in the audit process

Desirable:

Previous experience of Independent sector

Skills and Knowledge

Essential:

Computer Literate

Knowledge of current professional issues

Ability to work within a multi-disciplinary environment

Articulate with good communication skills both written and oral

Work under their own initiative

Good organisational skills

A positive and interested outlook personally and professionally, with skills in the co-ordination of services, the management of nurses and their delivery of care.

Prepared to develop responsibilities and in extending the role of the nurse.

Committed to giving direction, leadership, guidance, supervision, motivation and be a resource to others.

Able to accommodate the demands of the post with flexible working as required.

Knowledge of the BSG guidelines on providing Endoscopy services.

Familiar with and knowledge of the statutory requirements in decontamination of flexible scopes.

Desirable:

Ability to produce data and statistics

Evidence of research based practice

Previous knowledge of the Endoscopy reporting system – Unisoft / Scorpio

Previous experience of the Global Rating Scale audit tool for Endoscopy.

Other requirements

Essential:

Even tempered, polite, tolerant, cheerful, approachable, receptive, enthusiastic, assertive and decisive.

Having a good sense of humour with self awareness and perception

Interested and receptive to people

Occupational health clearance

Prepared to dress in accordance with hospital policy

Desirable:

Hobbies and outside interests to offset stress of the job.