Clinical Team Leader

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has opened up for you to join our wards at  riverside centre Mental Health Centre. At CNWL, we are committed to working at the highest standards of clinical excellence.

The post holder will take up the responsibility of being the Unit/Site Coordinator at least four times a month. You will provide unit management support and co-ordinate and facilitate patient flow (bed management) out of hours. In addition, the unit co-ordinator will provide senior nursing support, professional leadership and advice to all clinical areas within the unit, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

“Please note that this role requires successful candidates to be able to engage in Therapeutic Management of Violence and Aggression (TMVA) training, including the use of force techniques. This is because of the high-acuity nature of the ward environment and the need to ensure the safety of both patients and staff. The role is conditional upon candidates being able to engage in TMVA training during the course of their employment whilst undertaking this role.

Main duties of the job

• Ensure the safety and wellbeing of service users through effective clinical assessment, risk management, and evidence-based interventions.
• Lead, support, and supervise Band 5 nurses, healthcare support workers, and students, promoting safe practice and professional development.
• Work collaboratively with service users, carers, families, and the multidisciplinary team to promote recovery-focused care and positive patient experience.
• Coordinate daily ward activity including patient flow, bed management, staffing, and allocation of resources to ensure safe and effective service delivery.
• Support the Ward Manager in maintaining clinical governance standards, managing incidents, implementing service improvements, and ensuring compliance with quality and safety requirements.
• Undertake the role of Nurse in Charge and Unit Coordinator when required, providing senior clinical leadership, especially during escalation and out-of-hours periods.
• Promote effective communication across the multidisciplinary team and with external agencies to ensure safe, coordinated care pathways.
• Contribute to staff development through supervision, appraisal, training, and mentorship, supporting a culture of learning, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Demonstrate strong leadership, communication, and organisational skills with a commitment to compassionate, recovery-focused care and a positive team culture.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Band 6 nurses play a key role in delivering safe, reliable, and high-quality care. They are expected to:

• Use sound clinical judgement and effective risk assessment skills to maintain the safety of all service users.
• Safeguard adults and children at risk of abuse by recognising concerns early, escalating appropriately, and seeking support when required.
• Act as patient advocates by escalating safety concerns and ensuring appropriate action is taken to protect service users.
• Demonstrate openness and transparency in their clinical practice and decision-making.
• Supervise, support, and monitor the practice of junior staff and unregistered team members.
• Reflect on practice regularly to identify learning needs and opportunities to improve safety and quality of care.
• Contribute to a culture of continuous improvement within the team and wider service.
• Maintain accurate, timely, and comprehensive clinical documentation in line with professional standards.
• Ensure compliance with mandatory training and professional development requirements.
• Work in line with the Nursing and Midwifery Council Code of Conduct and maintain annual registration, upholding professional accountability at all times.

Clinical Outcomes

Band 6 nurses frequently care for individuals with complex mental health needs and contribute to improved clinical outcomes by:

• Practising autonomously while taking responsibility for both direct patient care and the supervision of others within the team.
• Delivering evidence-based nursing care in line with Trust policies, procedures, and best practice guidelines.
• Actively involving service users and their families in care planning, including a comprehensive assessment of risks and needs.
• Acting as a strong patient advocate within the multidisciplinary team, ensuring care remains responsive and person-centred.
• Supporting team performance and cohesion by: Communicating effectively with all members of the multidisciplinary team Understanding individual roles and contributions within the wider team structure Promoting reflective practice through handovers and team discussions Encouraging learning from incidents, audits, benchmarking, and adverse events to improve care delivery
• Communicating effectively with all members of the multidisciplinary team
• Understanding individual roles and contributions within the wider team structure
• Promoting reflective practice through handovers and team discussions
• Encouraging learning from incidents, audits, benchmarking, and adverse events to improve care delivery
• Contributing to the development of high-performing teams that continuously improve clinical outcomes and service quality.