Deputy Ward Manager
Job summary
Thames Ward is an 18-bedded mixed acute admissions ward serving the population of North London. We are seeking an experienced, high quality nurse to support the Ward Manager in ensuring the environment is managed safely and effectively over a 24-hour period. The successful candidate will ensure the delivery of a high standard of care to service users, providing support, supervision and education for colleagues, other professionals and students.
Main duties of the job
1. To take a key role in ensuring Service Users' care plans are developed to meet the assessed needs of the individual. To monitor the care plans developed for Service Users, where necessary to supervise and train others to carry out and deliver planned care.
2. To ensure a seamless approach by liaising with other professionals as required.
3. To liaise appropriately with family members, carers and significant others with regards to the assessment of Service Users. To refer to the service manager as necessary. To support the Ward Manager in addressing and resolving concerns by Service Users and Carers sensitively and promptly.
About us
North London NHS Foundation Trust (NLFT) is committed to improving mental health care across North London to deliver excellent services to our local people.
Our Five-Year Strategy:
- We will provide consistently high-quality care closer to home.
- With our partners in North London and each borough we will ensure equity of outcome for all
- We will offer great places to work, providing staff with supportive environment to deliver outstanding care.
Why NLFT?
- We develop and retain our staff through leadership behaviours and managers programme and many more opportunities.
- We promote flexible working and support staff with a range of health and wellbeing initiatives.
- NHS Discounts, generous annual leave and NHS pension scheme
- Excellent internal staff network
In order to meet the needs of the Trust you may be required from time to time to work at different locations to your normal place of work. This may mean that you are required to work at any location that fall under Barnet, Camden, Enfield, Haringey or Islington. The Trust reserves the right to require staff to work at such other places or locations as it considers reasonable and necessary on a temporary or permanent basis.
Job responsibilities
1) To assist the Ward Manager monitor and work with the ward team to ensure that Service User risk is assessed and managed appropriately, and that risk management plans are of a high standard.
2) To direct and supervise ward staff, to ensure delivery of a high standard of care to Service Users.
3) To assist the Ward Manager in identified clinical audit projects and setting standards for care based on sound research findings. Ensure that the ward team maintains standards. Assist the ward manager/ service manager in the implementation of change arising from new findings.
4) To co-ordinate the systematic monitoring and evaluation of Service Users and ward environment.
Person specification
Education & Qualifications
Essential
- Registered Mental Health Nurse.
- Continuing professional development e.g Mentorship in Practice
Experience and Knowledge
Essential
- Evidence of experience of working with people with mental health illness in a variety of health care settings
- Able to communicate effectively both verbally and non-verbally.
- Knowledge of relevant Mental Health legislation.
- Experience of working in a multi-cultural environment and of involving users and carers ensuring that nursing practice is culturally sensitive
Desirable
- Clinical Leadership skills.
- Ability to assist in the process of standard setting and audit.
- Proven experience of leadership and management.
SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Essential
- Able to demonstrate an understanding of the personal and clinical needs of individual service users, their relatives and carers.
- Ability to effectively run the ward showing leadership and effective co-ordination skills in the absence of the ward manager..
- Ability to communicate effectively with staff at all levels.
- Ability to work under pressure yet remain calm.
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Professional attitude. Flexibility Ability to contribute to developing nursing excellence within the ward area.
- Ability to provide high quality supervision to junior staff
- Positive attitude to change