Job Summary
To provide leadership and support to the inpatient nursing team, and in the absence of the Clinical Lead, to assume responsibility for the management and co-ordination of the ward / department.

To deliver a high standard of care to acute inpatient services users.

To ensure the optimum level of safe and effective care within the allocated

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• The provision of effective clinical leadership to and management of ward staff.
• To maintain personal contact with patients, their relatives and carers. Being sensitive to their needs for respect, privacy and dignity and to act as a senior point of contact on the ward.
• To assist in the formulation of staff rotas to ensure the most effective use of manpower and resources in relation to service user need and ward activity.
• To assist in the monitoring of all staff sickness, in accordance with Trust policies.
• To ensure that all staff follow the guidelines identified in the Trust and National policies.
• To participate in the investigation of patient complaints, as per Trust Complaints procedure, aiming to settle complaints with local resolutions at ward level. When unable to do so, to communicate without delay to the Ward Manager.
• To assist in ensuring that all clinical equipment is correctly maintained and that all appropriate staff are competent in its correct application.
• To deputise for the Ward Manager in their absence

Financial Responsibilities

• To assist the Ward Manager in ensuring the best use of resources and will ensure that expenditure is within the allocated budgets.
• To assist in ensuring that the ordering of all stock items, e.g. equipment, food stock and non-stock, are maintained to the agreed levels.
• To assist in the maintenance of an accurate and up to date inventory of all ward equipment.

Clinical Responsibilities

• The post holder is responsible for assisting the Ward Manager in ensuring that all patients on the ward / dept. receive the highest standards of care.
• To assist in ensuring that the provision of nursing care is to the optimum standard achievable within allocated resources.
• To ensure that patients, their families and carers are directly involved in decisions which affect their care.
• To act as a resource to junior members of staff.
• To promote high standards of patient care by the application of a systematic care planning approach which utilises an appropriate nursing model.
• To initiate patient focused interventions and developments, which reflect social, cultural and spiritual needs.
• To ensure that accurate and legible patient care records are maintained.
• To ensure that each patient has a comprehensive and holistic assessment of their care needs with a mutually agreed plan of care between the patient and the nurse.

Quality Responsibilities

• The post holder will assist the Ward Manager in ensuring that a continuous programme of quality assurance is adopted within the ward/dept.
• To assist in the analysis of patient satisfaction surveys, the identification of service deficiencies and in response, the development of remedial action plans.
• To ensure that all staff act in a professional and responsible manner at all times, acknowledging that they are representatives of the Trust.
• To ensure that the ward / dept. environment is conducive to the wellbeing of patients and staff.

Professional Development and Education Responsibilities

• The post holder will be responsible for maintaining their own personal development and will assist the Ward Manager to achieve the training and educational objectives of junior staff, including learners, in an environment which is conducive to learning.
• To take responsibility for own clinical and managerial development in support of the Ward Manager.
• To participate in the annual individual performance review of all ward/dept. staff and to assist in the formulation of personal development plans which reflect the individuals potential in meeting the ward/unit aims.
• To ensure that all staff receive education and training in accordance to the requirements of PREP and Scope of Professional Practice. AFC 13/12/18 JME-680-18 Charge Nurse Band 6
• To ensure that all newly qualified staff receive ongoing support, through preceptorship, for at least six months.
• To ensure that all learner nurses have access to their identified assessor.
• To act as a mentor for learner nurses

Recruitment and Selection Responsibilities

• The post holder will participate in the recruitment and selection of staff as required.
• To participate in employment interviews for staff vacancies, Bands 1 to 5.
• To ensure that all newly appointed staff are introduced to the ward environment and receive a period of orientation and support to meet their individual needs.

This job description is not exhaustive, but is intended to give an overall picture of the role. Other duties within the general scope of the post may be required from time to time. The duties of the post and job description can be reviewed through the agreed process.

General Duties of all post holders

• To undertake any other reasonable duty, which is appropriate to the band, when requested by Senior Staff
• To be familiar with and comply with all Trust and departmental policies, procedures, protocols and guidelines
• To be aware of and work towards the Trusts strategic goals

Person Specification
Education/ Qualifications
Essential

• First level registration (RMN)
• Appropriate diploma or post registration equivalent.
• Evidence of Continual Professional development
• IT Literate
• Preparation for mentorship
• Training in management of violence and aggression

Desirable

• Training in psychosocial interventions
• ECDL

Experience
Essential

• Experience at Band 5 and evidence of appropriate clinical management experience
• Experience of working in acute / forensic mental health settings.

Desirable

• Experience of working in a range of mental health settings

Knowledge
Essential

• Good understanding of Mental Illness
• Knowledge of treatments and interventions appropriate for individuals with acute mental health needs
• Ability to demonstrate working knowledge of the Mental Health Act and CPA process
• Knowledge of current policy and guidance in relation to the development of PICU / Acute Mental Health Services
• Understanding of confidentiality and data protection issues.

Skills and Abilities
Essential

• Good verbal and written communication skills, with emphasis on complex and sensitive information
• Ability to complete the appropriate documentation
• Good social skills and have a positive attitude within the team and when dealing with service users, staff, carers, visitors and the public.
• Ability to physically undertake and participate in PMVA in a clinical setting

Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This 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.

Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

This 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.

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).