Royal College of Nursing of the United Kingdom

Royal College of Nursing of the United Kingdom

Job Description

Job Title: Adviser – Older People

Department: Nursing Department

Reports to: Assistant Head of Nursing Department

Accountable to: Head of Nursing Department

Hours: 21 hours

Location: To be agreed

JOB PURPOSE:

§  Develop and sustain a respected and professional UK-wide profile internally and externally as a leader for the RCN on nursing policy and practice development in Older Peoples’ care settings.

§  Influence nursing practice by developing and utilising effective professional relationships between the RCN and relevant external networks and stakeholders such as public / patient groups, statutory agencies, professional bodies, providers and commissioners, independent and third sector organisations.

§  Create or identify opportunities for RCN members and its staff to work with stakeholders in developing solutions to contemporary nursing or health and social care issues or concerns.

§  Develop, adopt, or adapt standards for nursing practice in partnership with other departments of the RCN or with external bodies.

§  Using appropriate management and leadership strategies facilitate member involvement in the work of the RCN

§  Support the development of the RCN as the voice of Nursing by contributing to the recruitment of new members.

§  Contribute to the success of the RCN as a business

Main duties and responsibilities

1)  Lead and support the development of UK wide nursing practice and policy in Older Peoples’ care settings

§  Deliver quality assured services and products for a range of customers and stakeholders. For example develop UK and Country specific best practice standards, clinical guidelines, policy guidance, quality measures, knowledge summaries, practice development tools, position papers and on-line briefings.

§  Oversee and contribute to the quality assurance life cycle of any products or services produced

§  Offer expert opinion or advice for internal customers such as Regional or Country Directors on nursing practice issues arising from local, regional or national developments in employment, practice or policy.

§  Work proactively with the RCN Public Affairs team to lead the communication and promotion of agreed RCN positions and other activity through appropriate channels such as the press, professional journals, web based media, conferences and other events

§  Demonstrate a commitment to personal and professional development by keeping up to date with existing and emerging evidence, changes in health and social care policy and current best practice.

2)  Working in partnership with Regional and Country staff, engage members and experts from across the UK in the identification, development, dissemination and promotion of RCN evidence, expertise and opinion on nursing policy and practice

§  Build the reputation of the RCN by developing and actively managing networks with a range of groups and individuals in support of RCN objectives

§  Identify and appropriately manage the use of specialists and expert practitioners within and outside your designated area of practice ensuring the appropriate inclusion of a diversity of views and experiences

§  When working with members operate within the corporate and governance policies of the RCN to ensure a high level of commitment to organisational values, policy and practice

§  Demonstrate clear management, support for and leadership of member volunteers and activists. For example by attending forum or member events you are responsible for, maintaining regular communication with lead network or forum members such as Chairs and committee members, and so on.

§  Use specialist / expert knowledge to keep members fully engaged and informed about the objectives of the RCN

§  Actively seek, listen and respond to a range of member views and experiences and where possible incorporate them within agreed work

§  Work with others to identify and support the development of future leaders from amongst the membership and contribute actively towards broader RCN learning and development strategies for relevant membership groups. This may include coaching or mentoring lead activists and members.

3)  Contribute to the reputation and effectiveness of the work of the Nursing Department and the wider organisation

§  Show leadership by working in a manner which demonstrates a commitment to best practice in equality and human rights legislation and guidance. The RCN is working towards equality of opportunity for all and staff are required to bear this in mind when carrying out their duties.

§  Plan work / projects in a transparent and organised way, utilising RCN resources and staff support appropriately, ensuring that all relevant people are involved from the beginning

§  Lead or contribute to the development and management budgets for planned work in accordance with RCN Financial Policies and Standing Orders and Nursing Department process standards

§  Ensure colleagues have access to relevant and accurate information on the performance of agreed projects and workplans

§  Demonstrate clear decision making in line with departmental and organisational strategies and plans, consulting others where necessary

§  Demonstrate appropriate use of communication channels. For e.g. consistent attendance at agreed meetings, preparing concise and accurate briefings, appropriately and purposefully sharing intelligence, sharing opportunities for development, contributing to other departments work and so on.

§  Build and extend the profile of the work of the adviser and the department by developing networks across the organisation to fully utilise the experience and talents of RCN staff and departments

§  In collaboration with departments such as Marketing and Business Development, take a lead in the creation of business cases and/or project proposals to attract additional resources from internal and external bodies to support agreed RCN activity taking into account any cost implications, benefits and risks.

§  Value and engage with individual colleagues views regardless of their position within the organisation

§  Actively participate as a member of the department, including supporting other departmental projects, away days, regular team meetings and other developmental activity.

4)  Working with the management team, contribute to the management, appraisal, supervision and support of the Nursing Department business support team.

§  Demonstrate trust in team members abilities and delegate appropriately, always encouraging two way communication and feedback on progress

§  Give proactive feedback with evidence of good practice

§  Respond proactively to concerns relating to performance in an appropriate, sensitive and professional manner.

Any Other Duties

Undertake any other duties commensurate with the grade of the post as required by the Head of Department.

RCN Nursing Department

September 2012

PERSON SPECIFICATION FORM

POST: Adviser – Older People

DEPARTMENT: Nursing Department

DIVISION: Nursing and Service Delivery

The person specification below outlines the RCN Core Competencies and related knowledge and skills which relate to this role. Our Core Competencies are the key behavioural areas which we have identified as needing from our staff in order to be an effective membership organisation. Evidence for competencies, knowledge and skills will be looked for throughout the selection process.

A/F=Application Form, I =Interview, A= Assessment Stage

Core
Competency / Related Skills,
Knowledge and Behaviours / A/F / A / I
1.  Member and
Customer Focus
Engages with customers/members and keeps them fully informed. / ·  Respects and promotes the organisational values.
·  Skilled at working with customers and other stakeholders to understand alternative priorities and perspectives.
·  Able to proactively resolve issues or concerns raised by customers or members
·  Able to use specialist/expert knowledge to keep members and other stakeholders fully informed.
·  Skilled in the management / leadership of volunteers (e.g. activists) and engages with their views
·  Able to share information, consult and involve others: working independently and within a team as required
·  Extensive knowledge and understanding of the NMC regulatory framework.
·  A commitment to and understanding of issues of equality and diversity facing nurses, nursing and healthcare. / ü
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2.  Collaborative Working
Encourages collaboration internally and externally / ·  Ability to establish and maintain strong internal and external networks with a range of different groups and utilises their expertise
·  Able to value and engage with individual views regardless of position or place.
·  Ability to engage and involve public / patient bodies in developing policy and/or practice
·  Ability to work across organisational boundaries and able to build a shared understanding in negotiating opportunities for collaboration
·  Plans a project to ensure all relevant people are involved at the beginning. / ü
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3.  Delivery Focus
Focused on delivering business objectives. / ·  Substantial and varied experience in commissioning, delivering, researching or managing older peoples’ services
·  Thorough understanding of the broad national policy and practice context for developments in design and delivery of older peoples’ services
·  Ability to spot trends in health and social care policy and practice and develop appropriate and concise responses
·  Ability to make decisive decisions in order to manage a complex workload and to progress several projects simultaneously
·  Experience in planning, developing, managing, delivering and evaluating complex projects from conception to closure.
·  Ability to identify appropriate evidence from practice or academia to support work plans
·  Skilled at assimilating complex ideas and information and communicating that information confidently to a range of audiences
·  Skilled in the effective use of Microsoft Office IT applications to support communication and delivery of work
·  Demonstrable effective budget and resource management skills / ü
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4.  Decisive Management
Demonstrates clear management of department and colleagues / ·  Sets clear expectations around performance, and tackles poor performance issues promptly.
·  Demonstrates trust in team members’ skills/strengths and delegates accordingly.
·  Skilled in constructive two-way communication and feedback
·  Demonstrates clear decision-making in line with departmental and organisational strategy
·  Ability to lead a diverse range of people to work together towards common goals, supporting colleagues to give time to reflection and learning. Knows when to consult and when to inform. / ü
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5.  Respectful Relationships
Works with others to build respect. / ·  Able to prepare factually accurate, comprehensive, clear and precise communications.
·  Encourages colleagues to talk openly and share concerns and skilled at negotiating to build a shared understanding
Able to communicate effectively through all media such as press, radio, TV, on line etc / ü
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6.  Shaping Change
Successfully leads change by communicating clearly and encouraging discussion. / ·  Experience in communicating complex ideas to a broad range of audiences including public speaking
·  Skilled at working to understand reasons for resistance to change
·  Ability to clearly communicate the reasons for change and the implications on the team.
·  Listens to and provide opportunities for staff to understand, shape and engage with change. / ü
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7.  Other requirements / ·  Educated to degree level or higher.
·  Nursing qualification on one or more parts of the NMC register
·  Experience of working with a membership organisation, charitable or social care body / ü
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