Deputy Ward Manager | Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust

We are excited to announce that we are recruiting a permanent Band 6 Deputy Ward Manager to join the Windsor House team

We are looking for the right candidate to support the ward leadership team, with making positive changes and embedding new ways of working on the ward. You will also be expected to provide clinical oversight of all pathways and help embed both pathways and models into our everyday practice.

Acute mental health care is a fast paced, dynamic environment. This leads to the teams on our wards working closely together and developing strong, supportive bonds. The experience you gain whilst working on our wards is invaluable.

Our qualified Nurses within Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust are supported to provide the highest possible care, with access to training and development, with many being offered the opportunity to support their learning with post registration training opportunities so we welcome all applicants to join the management team.

It`s an exciting time at Mersey Care as we continue to develop the highest quality services, supported by cutting edge innovation and research.

Provide effective leadership via both managerial and clinical supervision & act a a senior nurse role model on the ward to patients and colleagues.

Represent the service at meetings as required, deputising for ward manager when required.

Ensure the effective deployment of staff and other resources to deliver the required service and the agreed standards Participate in the recruitment and selection process in accordance with Trust policy.

Ensure the principles of Clinical Governance are incorporated in service delivery by maintaining a high quality service based on agreed clinical standards.

Ensure that service users are cared for within the confines of their respective Mental Health Act status and adhere to the requirements of the MHA 1983 and the corresponding Code of Practice.

Develop local protocols involving team members to ensure a high standard of service delivery is achieved and maintained.

Mersey Care is one of the largest trusts providing physical health and mental health services in the North West, serving more than 1.4 million people across our region and are also commissioned for services that cover the North West, North Wales and the Midlands.

We offer specialist inpatient and community services that support physical and mental health and specialist inpatient mental health, learning disability, addiction and brain injury services. Mersey Care is one of only three trusts in the UK that offer high secure mental health facilities.

At the heart of all we do is our commitment to 'perfect care' - care that is safe, effective, positively experienced, timely, equitable and efficient. We support our staff to do the best job they can and work alongside service users, their families, and carers to design and develop future services together. We're currently delivering a programme of organisational and service transformation to significantly improve the quality of the services we provide and safely reduce cost as we do so.

Flexible working requests can be considered for all roles

1. To support the Ward Manager in providing clinical advice, expertise and leadership to all ward staff.
2. To take a key role in ensuring Service Users' care plans are developed to meet the assessed needs of the individual under the guidelines of CPA. To monitor the care plans developed for Service Users, where necessary to supervise and train others to carry out and deliver planned care.
3. To ensure a seamless approach by liaising with other professionals as required.
4. To liaise appropriately with family members, carers and significant others with regards to the assessment of Service Users. To refer to the Modern Matron as necessary. To support the Ward Manager in addressing and resolving concerns by Service Users and Carers sensitively and promptly.
5. To assist the Ward Manager monitor and work with the ward team to ensure that Service User risk is assessed and managed appropriately, and that risk management plans are of a high standard.
6. To direct and supervise ward staff, in order to ensure delivery of a high standard of care to Service Users.
7. To assist the Ward Manager in identified clinical audit projects and setting standards for care based on sound research findings. Ensure that the ward team maintains standards. Assist the Modern Matron in the implementation of change arising from new findings.
8. To co-ordinate the systematic monitoring and evaluation of Service Users and ward environment.
9. To use verbal and non-verbal communication skills gained through training and experience to impart sensitive information e.g. diagnosis or symptoms to Service Users and their families. To offer support to other staff to do this.
10. To support the Ward Manager in ensuring that the ward resources are managed appropriately to maximise care and efficient work patterns. This will include tasks such as producing rotas, management of sickness and absence, annual leave and extra resources, keeping the Modern Matron informed at all times.
11. To use skills gained through experience to communicate with members of your team in the implementation of change and in the interest of good, cohesive team working.
12. To check understanding of information where there are often barriers to effective communications due to distress of psychiatric symptoms in Service Users, or where there is resistance in staff. This may include situations where English is not the first language.
13. To use skills gained through experience to give and receive information (adhering to Caldicott guidelines) to other individuals with regards to a Service User's care in reviews and multidisciplinary meetings. These individuals may be external to the Trust.
14. To have an in-depth knowledge of the Mental Health Act 1983. To support staff involved in the application of the Mental Health Act 1983, ensuring that they are aware of and fulfilling their duties. Ensure that Service Users are aware of their rights under the Mental Health Act 1983 and that they are exercised appropriately.
15. To liaise with other professionals offering a service within the ward to ensure a high quality of service delivery.
16. To provide and monitor a range of therapeutic activities for Service Users by appropriate guidance and supervision of the ward team.
17. To ensure that all relevant information with regards to a Service User's care and treatment is documented accurately and legibly into the health record. Supervise and monitor the entries made by junior team members, through performance management and audit.
18. To lead the provision of teaching sessions in order to pass on knowledge and skills.
19. To assist the Ward Manager in the implementation of change or new systems within the area.
20. To use skills gained through experience to assess and monitor the physical/mental health of Service Users, seeking an opinion from other professionals, where appropriate.
21. To use skills gained through training and experience to de-escalate situations where Service Users become physically or verbally aggressive.
22. To use skills gained through experience to deal with team members who become angry, hostile or distressed.
23. To ensure that team members get appropriate support following violent incidents and liaise with the Ward Manager to ensure any identified actions arising from such incidents are implemented
24. To ensure that all incidents or near misses are documented as per Trust policy and that any follow-up action is taken.
25. To lead Service User reviews ensuring that the team has all the relevant information on which to base their clinical decisions.
26. To co-ordinate the team in order to ensure that medical or psychiatric emergencies are acted on promptly and appropriately.
27. To provide nursing reports both in written and verbal formats, as requested e.g. for a Service User Mental Health Act appeal.
28. To support and assist the ward team develop care plans that enable Service Users to reach and maintain their optimum level of health and independence.
29. To ensure the safe administration of medication to Service Users, ensuring that the Nursing and Midwifery Council regulations are followed.
30. To take part in the implementation of the Trust's PDP process for all staff in the ward team.
31. To act as a mentor to junior staff and students.
32. To support the Ward Manager to provide reports and statistical returns to a variety of Trust departments and approved external audit agencies as requested.
33. To assist the Ward Manager tackle any unsatisfactory performance promptly and constructively.
34. To participate in the investigation process regarding the disciplinary procedure and Service User/Care complaints.