Closing date: 14 July 2026
Job summaryAre you an experienced mental health nurse ready to step into a pivotal leadership role? As our new Deputy Ward Manager on Boughton Ward (18-bedded male Acute), you will provide senior clinical leadership and support the Ward Manager and across the site in the 24-hour management of the acute inpatient environment. You will act as a role model for the nursing team, ensuring that patients in the most acute phase of their mental illness receive safe, compassionate, and evidence-based care. When the Ward Manager is away, you are the clinical lead on the ground, making pivotal decisions to ensure ward safety and flow.
Main duties of the job- Clinical Leadership: Lead the nursing teams in delivering high-quality care, overseeing complex admissions and discharges, and ensuring Care Programme Approach (CPA) standards are met, this may be across site.
- Operational Management: Assist in the management of rosters, recruitment, InPhase and safeguarding reviews, and the supervision of Band 5 Nurses and Healthcare Assistants.
- Risk & Safety: Lead on risk assessments and safety plans. You will be a key figure in managing incidents, conducting debriefs, and ensuring the ward remains a therapeutic environment.
- Quality Improvement: Participate in audits (i.e. IPC audits, Risk Assessment and Care Plan Audits, MRSA audits etc. ) and drive clinical excellence through the implementation of "Safety Culture Bundle".
- Mentorship: Act as a Practice Supervisor/Assessor for student nurses and a preceptor for newly qualified staff, fostering a culture of continuous learning.
About usWe are Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust. We care for the mental health and wellbeing of people across Kent and Medway and are rated 'Good' by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Our teams support children, young people and adults with a wide range of mental health needs. We also provide specialist services, including all-age eating disorder services and neurodevelopmental assessments for children and young people, such as autism and ADHD. Because we work across the whole county and across hospital and community settings, we can make care more joined up and easier to access for the people we serve. Our vision is simple: we are here to help communities not just live with mental illness, but live well. It's why we're passionate about working with communities to make mental health care better for everyone. Everything we do is guided by our values: caring, inclusive, curious and confident. Join us if you share our passion for better mental health care and want to be part of a team that's working well together.
Person SpecificationQualificationEssential- Qualified RMN with completed Preceptorship programme
- Be on the live register of mentors and participate in student mentorship and preceptorship.
Desirable- Evidence of continuing professional development
- Evidence of leadership courses/training courses
ExperienceEssential- Leadership Experience
- Experience of working in an inpatient setting
- Up to date knowledge and clinical leadership on all aspects of mental health and learning disability nursing
Desirable- Previous experience as a Band 6
Disclosure and Barring Service CheckThis post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
UK RegistrationApplicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
