Job overview

The National Psychosis Unit is looking for a highly skilled and motivated nurse to join our senior nursing team and wider MDT as a Clinical Charge Nurse (Band 6). We are looking for a nurse that is driven to provide and role model high standards of quality of nursing care to patients suffering with complex mental illness, comorbid physical health and psychosocial difficulties. The post holder will need to be equipped with a strong foundation of core nursing skills, an interest in psychosis and physical health, be passionate about service improvement and be able to demonstrate a dynamic and creative approach the role, team working and service delivery.

Main duties of the job

The Clinical Charge Nurse role is suitable for Registered Nurses who have successfully completed preceptorship and have registered as an approved NMC Practice Assessor.

The post holder will deliver and advise on the delivery of, high quality safe nursing care, ensuring consistently high standards of practice and clinical excellence which comply with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) code of professional conduct.

As a Clinical Charge Nurse, you will promote and develop clinical leadership and clinical practice and be a positive role model to junior members of the team through the practice of evidence-based care and consistently high standards of professionalism.

You will be expected to support professional development through clinical appraisal and supervision and contribute to the ongoing educational programme for staff, fostering a positive learning environment. Your professional and personal development will include further postgraduate study, and you will be encouraged and supported by your line manager to undertake continued professional development.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Clinical

• Lead the assessment, admission, care planning, treatment and ongoing management of service users.
• Ensure delivery of high-quality, patient-centred care, meeting physical, psychological, social, recreational and spiritual needs.
• Coordinate and evaluate care with the multidisciplinary team (MDT), incorporating patient and carer feedback.
• Manage patient flow, admissions and discharges, liaising with health and social care professionals and identifying barriers to discharge.
• Produce monthly patient progress and treatment reports for Integrated Care Boards.
• Undertake clinical observations, physical health assessments and monitoring, escalating concerns appropriately.
• Administer and monitor medication, ensuring compliance and management of side effects.
• Promote healthy lifestyles and provide health education and advice.
• Maintain accurate, timely and legally compliant records, care plans and risk assessments.
• Ensure adherence to safeguarding, Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act, Trust policies and professional standards.
• Promote recovery-focused practice, dignity, equality, diversity and inclusion.
• Support a safe, clean environment and ensure safe management of medicines, equipment and patient property.
• Participate in clinical supervision, reflective practice and support junior staff development.

Leadership and Management

• Act as a key point of contact for the unit, coordinating activities with the Team Manager and MDT.
• Deputise for the Team Manager when required, taking responsibility for the safe and effective operation of the unit.
• Support workforce planning, staffing deployment, roster management and escalation of staffing concerns.
• Provide leadership and support during challenging situations.
• Assist in the investigation of incidents, complaints and performance concerns, ensuring lessons learned are shared.
• Promote a culture of openness, accountability, continuous improvement and high standards of documentation.

Communication

• Maintain confidentiality and communicate effectively with service users, carers, families, colleagues and partner agencies.
• Lead and contribute to team meetings and multidisciplinary discussions.
• Ensure complaints and compliments are managed in accordance with Trust policy.
• Role model professional communication and uphold Trust values of Kindness, Respect and Togetherness.

Education and Training

• Support staff development through supervision, teaching, competency assessments and learning opportunities.
• Facilitate induction programmes for new staff and students.
• Support preceptorship, revalidation and mandatory training compliance.
• Maintain Practice Assessor status and contribute to student nurse education.
• Undertake appraisal and personal development reviews for designated staff.
• Maintain professional development and NMC revalidation requirements.
• Act as a role model and support workforce development initiatives, including apprenticeships and career progression.

Research, Audit and Quality Improvement

• Participate in audits, benchmarking activities and quality improvement initiatives.
• Monitor standards of care against CQC requirements, Trust objectives and key performance indicators.
• Contribute to service development, governance reviews and workforce development initiatives.
• Support research activity and disseminate learning, evidence-based practice and audit findings across the team and organisation.
• Contribute to continuous improvement and innovation to enhance patient outcomes and service quality.

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Person specification:

Skills and Abilities

Essential

• Ability to formulate and manage risks common to inpatient settings
• Forms very effective working relationships with colleagues
• Able to provide quality care that is responsive to service user’s needs

Desirable

• Able to undertake research / quality improvement / service development initiatives
• Ability to formulate and plan care for patients with a range of bio-psycho-social-sensory needs.
• Able to navigate Health Rosters.

Experience and Knowledge

Essential

• Evidence of continuing professional development
• Experience as a supervisor and supporting junior colleagues
• Knowledge of clinical governance and experience of having undertaken audits

Desirable

• Experience of working in a tertiary service and/or knowledge of referral pathways and processes
• Experience caring for patients who experience treatment resistant psychosis
• Experience caring for patients who experience complex physical health co-morbidities.
• Experience caring for patients who are neurodiverse

Education and Qualification

Essential

• Registered General Nurse and/or Registered Mental Nurse and/or Registered Learning Disability Nurse
• Practice Assessor qualification

Desirable

• Masters degree