Clinical Lead

The Clinical Lead is also responsible for the care and support of clients and the promotion of standards of care that meet regulatory requirements and comply with evidenced standards of best practice. The Clinical Lead will provide clinical, professional and managerial leadership to support the care staff in order to maintain a high quality of person-centred care that meets the needs of the clients. The Clinical Lead plays a key role in overseeing the content of client’s care plans and the follow up of incidents, giving feedback to staff. The Clinical Lead will support the Home Manager to improve initiatives. The Clinical Lead will assist in the training and induction of new staff and will take responsibility for clinical audits and the implementation of quality improvement initiatives. The Clinical Lead will deputise in the absence of the Home Manager as required

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Clinical Responsibilities

In this role, you’ll provide the highest standards of nursing care for our clients by:

• leading and managing a team of Registered Nurses and care colleagues in your home
• ensuring that the Care Team and Clinical Team in your home provides the highest standards of nursing care for our clients, which is person-centred and based on the latest evidence and best practice
• demonstrating that your practice is underpinned by clinical theory and based on a mix of therapeutic tools and intervention strategies
• managing situations where clients display, or are at risk of displaying, behaviours of concern, and supporting colleagues in these situations
• supporting clients to identify their needs and goals, and setting measurable outcomes and standards of care for each individual
• implementing and monitoring clinical documentation and ensuring that the team maintains high standards of record keeping and person-centred care planning
• developing and sustaining positive relationships with families, friends and visitors of our clients
• building and maintaining positive relationships with professionals visiting the home, including regular communication with Care Coordinators, Commissioners and other referral agents
• being a Supervisor/Assessor (Mentor) for clinical colleagues
• ensuring that correct accident and incident reporting procedures are followed in line with internal processes and policies
• attending clinical governance meetings held by the Manager and ensuring that detailed minutes and action plans are taken, stored and used to steer clinical development in the home

· implementing safe and effective processes for the ordering, handling, storing, administrating, recording and disposing of medication including controlled drugs are ordered, stored, administered and disposed of strictly in line with The Company’s policies and procedures adhering to the NMC Code of Professional Practice and the NMC Guidelines for the Administration of Medications.

• carrying out other duties, as required, which may include supporting people with their personal care or social activities.
• having a sound understanding of the Oak Tree Care Group Quality Assurance framework

· Participate fully in the overall care of Client’s who live there, enabling fulfilment and a sense of belonging.

· To evaluate and review all Care plans in line with the homes policy to ensure they fully meet the required standard.

· Ensure Clients are supported to make their own decisions in accordance with the Mental Capacity Act. This will include ongoing assessment of capacity, gain Client's consent and support positive risk taking.

· Ensure the assessed needs of Client’s living in the home are regularly assessed to ensure that they receive the highest standard of care and service appropriate to their identified needs.

· Ensure each Client living in the home has an up-to-date Care plan which details the interventions needed to secure positive outcomes.

• being actively involved in the health and wellbeing of clients and colleagues
• working with clients and their loved ones to ensure efficient and effective care
• providing compassionate nursing care that’s based on empathy, kindness, choice, respect and dignity

· To respond professionally and effectively to clinical emergencies in the home seeking urgent/emergency support from GP/Out of Hours services111/999 as needed.

· To promptly escalate any serious clinical issues/concerns of the Home to the Manager/Deputy Manager as appropriate.

· Always act professionally, demonstrating and working within the NMC’s ‘The Code’, the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities), CQC single assessment framework, Mental Capacity Act (MCA) 2005 including Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DOLs).

· Actively manage end of life care, ensuring people’s wishes and beliefs are respected at all times.

· Keep accurate records according to the Company’s procedures, e.g. drug administration, accidents and incidents, and care planning.

· Regularly, professionally and sensitively liaise with people’s family and friends whilst maintaining confidentiality.

· Liaise effectively with doctors, social workers, local hospitals and other community workers, to ensure the needs of our clients are met in a timely fashion.

• managing situations when people may display, or are at risk of displaying, behaviours which challenge, and knowing when to ask for assistance/advice.

· Assist the home manager in conducting robust clinical audits to ensure compliance with relevant professional, regulatory and contractual requirements, to take corrective action if required

• To assist with the delivery of food and drink to the clients.
• Ensure all complaints are dealt with appropriately in line with the company policies and procedures.
• To respond in a timely way to distressed residents (calling out, calling for help, knocking, or making noises that suggest the need for support) and to work alongside your team

Managing a shift

· Completing supervisions and Performance Development Reviews for your team

· Providing advice and education to colleagues, learners and clients and recognising when they need additional support or training

· Providing a visible presence in the home so that colleagues, clients and family members can ask questions, make suggestions and raise concerns – and respond appropriately and in a timely manner

· Using a supportive and devolved management approach to ensure that Registered Nurses are supported to an appropriate level

• working with line managers to ensure that systems and processes are in place to support the professional registration, revalidation, appraisal, development, supervision and performance management of the Clinical Team
• assisting with the selection, interviewing and development of colleagues to ensure the right skills and experience mix to meet client need
• implementing a positive workplace culture which fosters positive engagement and attitudes in colleagues
• contributing to the development, monitoring and review of clinical policies and procedures
• participating in the on-call system which supports the Nurse in Charge on duty in the event of emergency
• ensuring that the home maintains safe staffing levels, reporting any absences and arranging cover
• participating in, promoting and embracing Oak Tree Care’s quality assurance processes.