Ward Manager - National Autism Unit inBeckenham inBeckenham PUBLISHED TUE 19 NOV 2024

The National Autism Unit (NAU) seeks to employ an innovative, proactive and experienced RMN or RNLD nurse as a Ward Manager.

The NAU is a 15-bedded male inpatient service located at the Bethlem Royal Hospital. The unit offers in-depth assessment and evidenced-based treatment to autistic adults with complex needs and comorbid mental health difficulties (such as obsessive compulsive disorder, social anxiety, or psychosis).

You will have opportunity for personal/professional development with the support of an excellent clinical team with a solid track record for offering high quality of care, awarded an Outstanding CQC rating in 2.

If you are an experienced nurse and have good mental health nursing skills and experience, excellent communication skills and a positive attitude towards team work, then this is the job for you. You will be supported to develop your leadership and managerial skills and have access to regular supervision and assistance to continue your growth as a ward manager.

The team includes highly skilled, multi-professional senior clinicians who are committed to the agenda within the Transforming Care and to ensure that autistic people with mental health illness are appropriately cared for and their carers and family are supported.

Important: This position requires NMC registration. If you are not currently registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), please do not apply.***PREVIOUS APPLICANTS DO NOT NEED TO APPLY***

The post holder will be expected to:-

Have overall management responsibility for the delivery of care within the National Autism Unit in accordance with Trust policies and procedures.

Lead a team of nursing staff in the delivery of high quality evidence-based practice, ensuring that regular supervision and appraisal take place.

Manage administrative and operational resources in a cost-effective manner, evaluating the standard of service delivered.

Co-ordinate multidisciplinary working, maintaining excellent communication and working relationships with all team members, and other services within the Trust, to ensure effective interface and continuity of care between disciplines and services.

Carry out nursing procedures to a standard that ensures safe and effective care, and complies with The Nursing and Midwifery Council's Code of Professional Conduct.

About us

Ensure that all nursing practice is developed using up to date evidence based practice, ensuring that all nursing staff have the appropriate skill base and supporting mechanisms to access training to work with the service user group.Oversee a service user's care pathway, utilising available resources and Patient Journey framework and lead the team in its implementation.Ensure systems are in place to support user and carer-centred involvement in the everyday activities on the ward.Ensure ward finances are managed within allocated budget, including recruitment of staff.All absences, bank and agency are managed within budget and Trust guidelines.Communicate to all staff how they can contribute to the efficient management of financial and material resources.Set, monitor and evaluate overall standards of care and practice on the ward in liaison with the General Manager, Head of Nursing and Quality, Matron/QSN, and other agencies.Ensure that all practices and interactions on the unit are based on the preservation and respect of service users dignity, individual and cultural identity, wishes (whenever possible) and are in accordance with the maintenance of individuals independence.Able to provide visible clinical leadership to the team and set standards in line with the Trust & Directorates expectations.Maintain the efficient use of staffing resources on the ward, ensuring that staffing levels are safe, appropriate and contain the necessary skill mix on each shift, but recognising and supporting Improving Working Lives within the confines of a safe service.The post-holder will ensure that each member of staff is fully aware of their responsibilities and has a personal development plan which is based on a balance between the needs of the individual and the service.Manage the overall development of the ward team, encouraging staff to contribute their views and ideas as appropriate.Develop and maintain procedures which result in good communication between the multidisciplinary team and other agencies.Arrange and in some instances chair relevant meetings involving other agencies, patients and carers when necessary to facilitate good communication.The post-holder will lead the team in setting, implementing and monitoring realistic and achievable objectives for the ward team in accordance with the aims and objectives of the service.Ensure that the ward environment adheres to PLACE standards at all times. This will involve monitoring the services provided by other departments in accordance with the adopted procedures and will involve liaison with the Trusts Facilities Department and other relevant personnel.Ensure that the Health and Safety at Work Act is adhered to by all staff. The post-holder will have particular responsibility for ensuring that all staff receive any training necessary in order to meet the requirements of the Act. (e.g. fire training, first aid, food hygiene, etc.).The post-holder will be responsible for taking immediate action to deal with any problem which might affect service user, visitor or staff safety. This will involve liaison with the relevant Health and Safety Co-ordinator.Be prepared to physically move between sites as needed.Ensure that they are fully aware of current developments and practice in their clinical area.Acknowledge their own limitations and discuss/identify their training and development needs with their line manager.Undertaking site wide co-ordination roles as required, e.g. DSN.Establishing and building on excellent working relationships between other services within and external to the Directorate.Ensuring that systems are in place which invite service users and their carers to comment on the quality of services they receive.