Reflections on the Support Officer Role Gerry Totten Charge Nurse, Northern HSC Trust

Ward Sister / Charge Nurse role Sisters and Charge nurses are the communication hub for any clinical area. They provide the translation interface between multiples of disciplines to effect the delivery of service. They need to be clinically expert and aware of the user needs in relation to the available resource

Do Ward Sisters/Charge Nurses need support? Wards as businesses often have in excess of 50 employees The ward environment can deal with multiple clients in a day The client needs dictate liaison with multiples of agencies both internal and external The successful provision of service is dependant upon the timely and complete supply of consumables for treatment and the coordination of staff resources to provide safe care.

The service may have a heavy paper burden

The Sister/CN role can be demanding

How do the ward support workers help? This is a role in evolution The actual duties required will vary dependant upon the area learning is required for the support worker the manager and the wider organisation to allow best use of this resource The following are examples of benefits so far

Successful candidate starts work

Patient environment Free up the managers from admin tasks to spend with patients and staff by Making up Patient Resource and information packs for patients Ordering relevant information and booklets Creating a database of users attending focus and exercise groups, send information to them on upcoming events organised by the Trust and help Co-ordinate events. Completion of template for staff time spent off the ward for training / meetings etc. Helping the Infection control links nurses to update and maintain ward Whiteboard Information Systems with Hand Hygiene Audit Results, Cleanliness Matters Results and Antibiotic Adherence Results. Helping in the Submission of Weekly / Monthly Audits, Hand Hygiene, High Impact Intervention, Mattress Audits etc and maintenance of records. Helping with Ward Satisfaction Surveys by collating the information from questionnaires and publishing the results in a range of graphs General Administration / Photocopying / E-mails/ Receive & Make Phone Calls / Filing

Staff admin support the ward Sister/Charge Nurse organise the office environment Organise New Start Paperwork for staff. In the Dissemination of Policies to relevant staff The recording of annual leave, training and attendance. Liaison with Human Resources to aid recording of Staff KSF / Gateway progression dates. The sister/CN cover ward staff shortages, by utilising the Bank Staff List and contacting agencies for appropriate cover Maintain Nurse Bank Recharge Returns

Ward environment Stock Control –checking orders received– follow up on back ordered items. Charitable Donations - lodge send thank you letters and maintain file. report donations to trust line management. Help in the logging of faults to internal departments i.e. IT, Estate Services and with follow up. Help in the dissemination of Medical Device Alerts / Drug Recall Alerts , record the clinical response and maintain records

Markers for progress for sisters and charge nurses Freedom to spend time with patients Time for staff Completion of audits Completion of Performance review

Limitations What can one individual achieve in a day? One individual working in four different environments during their working week. Current allocated time is as a 7.5hr bolus Organising the environment to make best use of resource is a challenge.

We appreciate the complexities of the current climate. But……… We value the support We appreciate the complexities of the current climate. But………

Please Sir May we have some more?