Deputy Ward Manager

Job overview

We have a great opportunity for you to join our Rehab Pathway.

We have an exciting opportunity for a Band 6 Deputy Ward Manager at Summers View (full-time Permanent).

We are looking to appoint a Band 6 Deputy Ward Manager and if you are an enthusiastic, caring and compassionate registered professional, who is ready for the next stage in their career within a challenging and complex environment then we want to hear from you.

Summersview is a 10-bed mental health rehabilitation unit. The team specialises in supporting people with enduring psychosis through their recovery journey, helping them to reach their optimum & their goals.

The unit has a strong MDT focus consisting of a consultant psychiatrist, RNs, ANP, HCSW’s, Occupational therapist, STR worker & Psychologists.

Candidates should have experience in working with clients with enduring mental health problems.

The successful candidate will be expected to lead the team, working closely with the Ward Manager ensuring there is a clear focus on patient centred quality care.

Candidates will be asked to prepare a 10-minute presentation on: “How would you engage the team to strive for excellence?”

This post will provide an opportunity to work within a Trust that is ambitious to perform well and has been told by the Care Quality Commission that it is the fastest improving Mental Health Trust in the country.

Main duties of the job

The role of the deputy ward manager is to provide support and assistance to the ward manager in ensuring the effective management and running of the service.  This will include having specific responsibilities as delegated by the ward manager and will require the post holder to deputise for the ward manager as and when appropriate/required.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Accountability and responsibility

• To act as a role model & clinical lead influencing and developing all aspects of clinical care within the area and implementing clinical governance plans.
• Co-ordinate care delivery, e.g. allocations of named nurse/name worker/care co-ordinator, ensuring continuity of care across shifts, staffing changes & absences etc.
• To demonstrate the application of appropriate procedures and standards.
• To assist in the general management of the clinical area, this may include specific duties such as responsibilities for completing duty rosters, maintaining staff records or updating supervising systems for monitoring resources (e.g. keys) as agreed with the ward manager.

Clinical

• To ensure that the principles and values of the organisation and of the units operational policy and philosophy are evident in everyday practice.
• To develop a culture in which the individual’s rights of safety privacy and dignity are actively promoted and interactions are conducted with courtesy and respect.
• To establish professional relationships and networks beyond the immediate clinical team, developing and promoting interagency working, contributing to appropriate groups and forums.  To actively seek to promote the clinical service both within the Trust and within the wider setting developing positive public relations and engendering confidence in the service.
• To take an active lead in developing standards of practice, ensuring that systems are in place for setting, communicating, implementing, evaluating and reviewing the same.
• Ensure that where possible activities are evidence based and in keeping with changes in the field of activity.  Take a lead in initiating new ideas and communicating new evidence, ensure that changes in practice are fully implemented and maintained, act as a support and supervise other staff in implementing change.
• Ensure that effective communication systems that promote MDT working and ensure accuracy of communication are in place and adhered to.
• Lead and advise upon clinical nursing issues guiding practice and where necessary challenging inappropriate practice or attitudes.  Represent the views of the nursing team within wider clinical team.
• Provide advise and support to junior staff both on an informal basis and through the roles of mentor, clinical supervisor and preceptor as appropriate.