Mary Begg Health Services
PURPOSE OF THE ROLE:
At Mary Begg, the Unit Leader (Nursing) is responsible for supporting all nursing staff working under his/her jurisdiction in order to maintain the MBHS Standards. He/she will provide clinical managerial leadership to nursing and support staff and will work with Hospital Matron to ensure the effective running of the nursing service at the clinic.
The Unit Leader will promote a culture of learning and continuous quality improvement. At MBHS, the Unit Leader works within a multidisciplinary team to ensure that high-quality nursing care is provided to all patients/clients at MBHS. The Unit Leader must adhere to the MBHS and the General Nursing Council of the Zambian Code of conduct and must practice safe, ethical and evidence-based nursing care at all times according to the MBHS standards.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Ensure that all staff under your jurisdiction is compliant with the Infection Control Policy.
- Continually demonstrate adherence to the Infection Control Policy, especially maintaining proper hand washing technique (Five Moments). Use and maintain correct personal protective equipment (PPE) such as eye protection, masks and gowns where appropriate. Always wear gloves.
- Monitor that all staff within your unit are following hand washing guidelines at all opportunities.
- Perform monthly hand washing audits on your unit or any other area as instructed by the Clinic matron.
- Perform infection control audits as instructed by the Clinic/ Hospital Manager.
- Ensure that patient isolation protocols are understood and carried out.
- Monitor the triage process and ensure that nursing staff are following triage protocols.
- Perform health histories and physical examinations like vital signs (pulse, respiration, blood pressure, and temperature and oxygen saturation), blood smear testing, and weight checks as needed.
- Assist the medical doctor during clinical procedures or act as a chaperone, as requested.
- Closely monitor all nursing documentation and ensure proper and legible nursing documentation and charting, in keeping with best practice guidelines and MBHS standards.
- Monitor and maintain good written patient handover procedures to other clinicians and during shift change.
- Maintain routine patient observations/checks, as ordered by the medical doctor or unit leader.
- Develop nursing diagnosis following a health history or physical examination. Clearly document findings and inform the attending doctor. Create nursing care plans to assess patient care needs and continued progress based on nursing diagnosis within scope of practice.
- Informs the medical doctor with regard to a change in the patient’s health status, especially mental status, abnormal test results, deterioration in patient health, risk assessment or abnormal diagnostic results.
- Discuss treatment with medical doctors and pharmacists in critical cases.
- Attend ward rounds, clinic meetings and mandatory role specific in-house training, as directed.
- Check and administer medications and injections, and observe for any adverse reactions or side effects. Document all findings and notify the medical doctor as required. Proper medication checks are always performed (right patient, right dose, right time, right route, expiry date, allergies etc.) prior to administration.
- Review medication history and current orders regularly and make sure changes to medication regimes are properly recorded in the patient’s medication chart and inform pharmacy in writing.
- Check the medication stock on a regular basis to maintain correct inventory levels, and place orders when required.
- Check medical/clinical equipment as instructed. Properly document and report to the Clinic/Hospital Manager where equipment needs to be repaired or replaced.
- Administer medications (oral, IV, injections, DDA’s), wound care, other personalized interventions (setting up IV medication, blood transfusion etc.) as ordered by the medical doctor.
- Respond quickly to emergencies. Involve the medical doctor or doctor on-call immediately if there are any urgent or emergency patient cases.
- Monitor all nursing assessment, examination and routine patient vitals observations and ensure that they are clearly documented according to the clinic’s SOP.
- Ensure that patient files have completed documentation present like patient consent forms, laboratory results, care plans, nursing/consultation notes, fluid balance sheets, discharge summary, risk assessments, medication chart etc.
- Plan patient discharge from the hospital and liaise with GPs, pharmacists etc.
- Prepare and tidy up a clinical room before or after a medical procedure.
- Offer support and counseling to patients and their families following death, major diagnosis like cancer, surgical procedure etc.
- Support and/or mentor enrolled and registered or student nurses as required.
- Maintain hygienic and safe work environments in compliance with the clinic’s SOP.
- Promote good health and patient-centered care through patient education. Document all patient education given in the patient’s file.
- Comply with all legal regulations set out by the GNC or Zambian Government.
- Carry out any other duties assigned by the Clinic/Hospital Manager or Assistant Clinic Manager within the nursing scope of practice.
Qualifications and desired attributes:
- Full Grade Twelve (12) School Certificate or its equivalent
- Must have a Diploma or Bachelors in Nursing.
- A current practicing license from the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Zambia. BLS training (desirable).
- Excellent team working skills
- Detail oriented
- Able to demonstrate initiative and a proactive approach to problem-solving.
- Proficient in written and spoken English
- Experience in leading and supervising a team will be an added advantage