To provide clear clinical leadership to Staff Nurses and Mental Health Assistants working on the ward. Ensure the continuity of care for service users and full implementation of Trust policies.

To supervise Band 5 staff and below in developing, implementing and assessing individual programmes of care. An integral part of the role is to undertake appraisals, clinical supervision and teaching.

Responsible for specific management duties within the ward, which are commensurate with their grade, you will be expected to provide general management in the absence of the Ward Manager.

Main duties of the job

You will need to be a clinician with a passion for working to get the best out of other staff and leading a team. You will be confident and good at taking the initiative. You will provide reassurance to your team members and be able to provide advice or know where to find it.

You will be someone willing to take on management responsibilities, including deputising for the ward manager at times. This will involve being diplomatic, consistent, professional, responsible and supportive

Deputising for the ward manager at times, staff management including sickness management, supervision and appraisal, supporting preceptorship nurses.

You will be responsible for coordinating shifts, conducting medication rounds and facilitating ward rounds. You will also have a keen interest in supporting junior staff and providing supervision.

All staff are expected to have undertaken training in PMVA (Physical Management of Violence and Aggression), or willing to undertake the training on appointment.

About us

We are AWP (Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust): a diverse organisation with over 5,000 dedicated staff providing inpatient and community-based mental health care.

We provide services from a range of locations to approximately 1.8 million people living in Bath and North East Somerset (B&NES), Bristol, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire, Swindon, across the county of Wiltshire and in parts of Dorset.

Our outstanding people promote mental health and wellbeing. The expertise and resources within AWP are dedicated to a person-centred approach for those who use our services and for all employees. We recognise that happy and fulfilled employees give better care.

At AWP we actively encourage applicants from all backgrounds; we are particularly keen to encourage applications from people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, those with disabilities and from the LGBTQ+ community. We want people to bring their unique blend of experiences, backgrounds, perspectives and knowledge to AWP, as diversity makes us stronger.

Job description Job responsibilities

To carry out clinical practice within the designated clinical areas, ensuring that high quality evidence-based nursing assessment, care planning, interventions and evaluations for patients is provided. This will include:

Undertaking a comprehensive, patient-focused, nursing assessment and prepare care plans in consultation with the service user to provide the best nursing care

Carry out clinical audit to evaluate and improve clinical services in partnership with service users

Ability to administer medicine within relevant Trust and legislative guidance e.g. NMC Standards for Medicines Management 2010, the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, MHA 1983.

Ensure all others apply these, to support safe practice.

Demonstrate a working knowledge of the key elements of relevant mental Health legislation.

Be familiar with the NMC's 'The Code': Standards of Conduct, Performance and Ethics for Nurses and Midwives. Recognise own competencies and to address any limitations to ensure safe practice.

To implement and encourage others to implement research-based practice.

Supervise junior and unqualified staff

Implementation of care and rehabilitation programme

Evaluation of effectiveness of care provided in partnership with users

Ability to undertake risk assessment and develop risk management strategies for Individual service users: ICPA/SAP to people who present with mental health problems.

To use own specialist skills, knowledge and resources to provide mentoring opportunities for staff within designated areas and promote positive attitudes towards mental health. This will include:

Regular provision of advice and mentoring to staff.

Function as a preceptor and mentor to new staff enabling their full integration into the service.

Develop junior staff through teaching or training activities.

Support the provision of an appropriate learning environment for pre- and post-registered students, novice practitioners, and new team members as directed.

To maintain and develop professional knowledge, skills and expertise to ensure that practice reflects best practice, remains evidence based, is current and responsive to meet changing patient and NHS service needs, as outlined in the NHS Plan (2000).

Implement the legal rules, statutory regulations and professional responsibilities relating to practice as outlined in the NMC Code of Professional Practice. Change to: the NMC's 'The Code': Standards of Conduct, Performance and Ethics for Nurses and Midwives

Take responsibility for post-registration education and for continuing professional development as outlined in NMC Standards.

To receive clinical supervision in accordance on a contracted and regular basis from an identified Senior Practitioner, as per trust Clinical Supervision Policy.

To be aware of the need for appropriate management support and supervision from the people manager, and to maintain records of these meetings.

Maintain Health and Safety in accordance with the Health and Safety at Work Act (1974).

Implement Clinical and Personnel Policies and Procedures of AWP Trust.

Maintain up to date knowledge of relevant medicines, related medication management issues and act in accordance with the appropriate NMC standards and Trust policy.

Ensure that others also work within these guidelines.

To make best use of available workforce resources based on agreed staffing models ensuring provision of best care possible. Implement and abide by Trust and Service Policies in regard to the security of the building/clients, to ensure safe practice and protection of clients, staff, visitors and members of the general public

To take part in PEAT and environmental risk assessments as requested so that best use is made of resources.

Undertake appraisals for staff at Band 5 and below to identify training and development needs and to ensure best practice.

Assist in staff disciplinary issues.

Implementation of managerial and clinical supervision to small team of nurses, ensuring best and safest practice is fully undertaken at all times.

Manage temporary staffing resources in line with AWP best practice guidance

Ensure that service provision is both safe and therapeutic within span of knowledge.

Effective organisation of own time, and that of others to ensure safe and efficient running of ward

Utilize electronic rostering systems (Rosterpro)

Participate in education and training opportunities to develop self and others

To take charge of the Unit in the absence of the Ward Manager or Clinical Team Leader

Ensure that all nurses, for whom the post-holder is responsible, abide by all Trust and local policies and procedures, in particular, Health and Safety at Work, Security and Confidentiality to guarantee legal obligations are fulfilled.

To maintain and enforce standards of record keeping and associated administration in accordance with AWP Trust Policy and local joint arrangements, and professional guidelines. This will include:

The upkeep of contemporaneous, chronological and accurate mental health records in accordance with relevant NMC Guidelines and Trust Policy.

To work under the direction of Essence of Care lead.



Contribution to the achievement of Controls Assurance Standards relating to Records Management within their span of control.

Make certain all health record keeping is to current professional and local standards to comply with legal obligations.

Person Specification Relevant inpatient experience Essential

• Registered Mental Health Nurse qualification
• Previous work within an acute inpatient setting
• To be able to dispense medication
• To have knowledge of NMC code of conduct and to work within in
• To have previous supervision experience

Desirable

• Relevant band 5/ 6 experience.
• PMVA
• A keen interest in women specific services

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

342-BR024-0123