Deputy Ward Manager inPlymouth inPlymouth PUBLISHED MON 6 JAN 2025

37.5 hours per week.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone with 2 years Band 6 experience to join the team on Cotehele Ward as a Deputy Ward Manager. Cotehele is a purpose built 10 bedded mixed ward that specialises in caring for patients in an acute phase of their functional mental health. As it is predominantly for over 65s, there are often physical challenges making it an excellent learning environment and provider of holistic care. The Home Treatment Team gatekeep our admissions and help facilitate smooth discharges and the Community Team who follow up longer term. All are instrumental along with the ward team in the journey of the patient and discharge planning.The Deputy Ward Manager post is an integral senior role within the Unit providing clinical leadership and management support to the nursing team on Cotehele. We are looking for the right person who can inspire, support and oversee the delivery of the very best care, with an interest in working with over 65s.Though working shift work is a requirement, The Deputy Ward Manager role supplements the management structure of the Ward and provides sound clinical leadership.

We are based at The Glenbourne Unit, an acute mental health inpatient service provided by Livewell Southwest.The ward provides a wide range of support and treatment to those experiencing deteriorating mental health to enable their recovery.

The post holder is responsible for the assessment of care needs and the development, implementation and evaluation of programmes of care. You will be designated to take charge regularly of the ward. In the absence of the Ward Manager you will be responsible for the management of the ward.

The post holder is required to supervise junior staff and be able to teach qualified and unqualified staff, including basic and / or post basic students.

The post holder will at all times work within the spirit of the NMC code of Professional Conduct for trained nurses and local policies.

The Deputy Ward Manager will be expected to be involved in the management and leadership of the ward.

The post holder will be required to act in a consultative role to a variety of agencies.

We are looking for someone who has the commitment to provide a high quality service together with clear clinical leadership and managerial skills, is both organised and has a passion for acute care and improving the patient experience.

This role may not be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route, please refer to the Direct Gov website for more information with regards to eligibility.

Please note that Livewell may close the job advertisement earlier than the specified deadline if a high number of applications are submitted. Therefore, we recommend you submit your application at the earliest opportunity.

All Livewell staff are expected to be able and willing to work across a 7 day service.

About us

Clinical

To be a member of a multi disciplinary team, contributing in all its’ forums, leading meetings and case conferences/ risk management for patients

To be responsible for a designated team in order to ensure standards are maintained

To promote and report adult safeguarding concerns/plans

To function as a member of a multi disciplinary team taking appropriate responsibility for the implementation of decisions made by the team

Participate in the Glenbourne wide response team which responds to any untoward incident and undertake associated training.

To have physical intervention qualification – to respond to physical intervention incidents

To link closely with other wards and services in the delivery of care under Care Programme Approach.

To implement and evaluate core group therapeutic programme on the ward geared to meet individual needs of patients.

To promote collaborative approach to patient care within the team providing support to junior staff.

To assist the Ward Manager in the introduction of an effective care delivery system devised to meet the needs of patients which is evidenced based wherever possible.

To assist the Ward Manager in the identification and maintenance of written standards of care and the use of electronic records

To support the ward manager with responding to any concerns or complaints

To act as clinical role model, demonstrating high standards of nursing practice.

To assist the Ward Manager in the introduction of patients’ involvement in the day to day issues on the ward.

To ensure close links with other Glenbourne wards / departments to identify / resolve clinical issues.

To participate in clinical supervision as supervisor.

To maintain good working relationships with other agencies.

To be responsible for implementing drug administration procedures according to laid down policies.

To maintain confidentiality in respect of the patient / client at all times.

Communicate clearly with patients, their families and all other mental health professional groups.

Actively participate in clinical governance and quality improvement initiatives, eg. clinical audit, clinical team meeting, or clinical policy development.

Play an active role in CPA multi disciplinary reviews and ward rounds, reporting on the nursing assessment of the patients’ progress and participating in further MD care planning.

Ensure that patients are encouraged and supported in their Care Plan and to sign it, and ensuring that they receive a copy of it.

Provide, receive and analysis complex information from a range of sources.

Analysis and make decisions in relation to patient risk.

Managerial

To ensure that staff are support under the sickness and absence policy. Including making referral’s, regular supervision and meetings with the HR department where appropriate

To support the ward manager in having regular staff meetings and ensuring that the patients community meeting are held. This includes ensuring actions are followed up with external stakeholders if appropriate

To uphold the poor performance policy – to provide leadership to staff

To be aware of the Health and Safety at Work Act and the implications of the work environment.

To ensure effective leadership and supervision to the ward nurse team. To provide leadership to a designated patient group.

To participate in the Individual Performance Review as line manager for nurses on the team.

To participate in the Senior Nurse meetings on a regular basis.

To uphold Nursing and the Trust’s Operational Policies and Standards.

To ensure the staff are up to date with their training needs

To be able to action the outcomes of the Personal development plans of staff

Education

To act as mentor / supervisor for learner nurses.

To ensure the provision of a stimulating learning environment for nurses.

To provide teaching programmes for the education and interest of nurses in the team, in conjunction with the University.

To include a health education component to the core group programme for patients on the ward.

To act in a consultative capacity to the Unit and other agencies.

Personal and Professional Development

To participate in Individual Performance Review and the line management process.

To receive supervision regularly for clinical work.

In consultation with Ward Manager to attend meetings, conferences, study days, as appropriate to need.

To keep up to date with issues and developments in nursing, and the wider NHS.

To be responsible for your own clinical supervision needs.

To maintain your professional registration and meet the NMC revalidation requirements

Liaison

To provide relevant and timely information to colleagues and other agencies.

To liaise effectively with other wards / departments in Glenbourne.

To maintain effective links with Community Nurse Teams and all other agencies.

To maintain effective communication with the Acute Trust (Derriford Hospital) and give advice / practical help in difficult situations.

Administration

To maintain up to date accurate clinical records.

To maintain accurate and prompt recording of accident and incident forms.

To support the ward manager and investigate incident forms and complete the feedback sections

Ensure accurate recording of Accident / Incident forms.

To maintain the legal requirements of the Mental Health Act 1983.

To ensure that timely recording and escalation of incidents via SIRI (appendix A)

To ensure effective use of System 1 eCPA in record keeping.

To audit CPA and nursing documentation in liaison with the Ward Manager / Ward Sister / Charge Nurse.

To ensure that referrals to external agencies are in line with meeting the patient’s needs and confidentiality

To ensure that key local and national policies are implemented at a local level giving support where necessary.

To be able to support the application process for specialist placements (IPP panels)

Notes

This Job Description is not exhaustive and may change as the post develops, but such change will not take place without consultation between the potholder and his / her manager.

The postholder is required to conform to Livewell Southwest policies on Health and Safety, Fire procedures and confidentiality and to attend any training sessions as required.

Livewell Southwest has adopted no smoking and no alcohol policies for staff, which applies to all posts. Details of the policy are available on request and will be included in the statement of main terms and conditions of staff appointed.