Deputy Ward Manager

Job overview

We are seeking to recruit for a Deputy Ward Manager to join  our adult deaf services.  The Deputy Ward Manager role is suitable for Registered Nurses who have successfully completed preceptorship and have registered as an approved NMC mentor. The post holder will deliver, or advise on the delivery of, high quality safe nursing care, ensuring consistently high standards of practice and clinical excellence which comply with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) code of professional conduct.

Bluebell Ward is a Multi-disciplinary team (MDT) which includes a Ward Manager, 2 part time share Consultants, Charge Nurses, Staff Nurses, Nurse Associates, Health Care Assistants. There is also a Speciality Doctor, Junior Doctor, Social worker, Speech and Language Therapist (SALT) Occupational Therapist and an Activity Coordinator.  As all the patients and half the team are deaf, Communication is a big part of this ward, and we work with the ethics of accessibility focused on their communication needs. To enable this, we encourage all staff to have BSL qualifications and we work alongside a team of rotational BSL interpreters that are on shifts from 07:00 to 21:00 7 days a week.

Main duties of the job

As a Deputy Ward Manager you will promote and develop clinical leadership and clinical practice and be a positive role model to junior members of the team through the practice of evidence-based care. You will be expected to support professional development through clinical appraisal and supervision and contribute to the ongoing educational programme for staff, fostering a positive learning environment. Your professional and personal development will include further postgraduate study and you will be encouraged and supported by your line manager to undertake Master’s programmes. As a senior nurse working within the South London Mental Health and Community Partnership you are required to encourage and foster collaborative and cross organisational working.

Agile and flexible working

As one of the few Trusts in London we are proud to offer flexible working as part of our new ways of working, and we are happy to talk flexible working at the interview stage. In this role you will be able to work on a rotational 7 day a week shift basis in the time frames of 4 different shift patterns (Early 07:00 to 13:00, Late 13:00 to 21:00, Long Day 07:00 to 20:30 and Night shifts 20:30 to 07:30). You will also have 6 shift requests a month, giving you the flexibility of shift patterns. The mangers at Bluebell will support you to ensure you get the best of good work life balance where possible.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Working autonomously within the parameters of the role leading and supporting junior staff and wider care team to implement the delivery of quality nursing care, contributing to the physical, psychological, social, recreational and spiritual care in a recovery-focused way through therapeutic engagement and activities, and taking steps to address any issues that arise.

Leading on and undertaking activities to ensure that the fundamentals of care are met - nutrition, hydration, hygiene, comfort, emotional and social support:

Co-ordinating and evaluating collaborative patient centred care; getting feedback and improving plans with the multi-disciplinary team (MDT).

Liaising and working positively with members of the multi- disciplinary team and partner organisations.

Administering, and monitoring the side-effects of, medication; monitoring service user compliance. Safety; safe custody of medicines, sharps, clinical equipment, report all incidents following trust policy.

Leading and supporting/teaching junior staff on risk assessment and risk management that involves making decisions based on knowledge of the research evidence, knowledge of the individual service user and their social context, knowledge of the service user’s own experience and clinical judgment.

Supporting and supervising junior staff to develop the management of care needs through: Initial data collection, Monitoring of individual service user / patient progress, Feedback and discussion

Producing reports and in-care reviews. Devising a plan of care and interventions in partnership with service user, carer and MDT.

Coordinating junior staff and the wider care team in providing hands-on care to service users and evaluating processes of care delivered. This will include: Undertaking 1-1 engagement with service users in an honest, open and non- judgmental way.

Recognising and valuing service users as individuals, acknowledging the importance of maintaining the service user’s respect and dignity at all times and ensure that the care provided respects equality and diversity.

Ensuring the monitoring and recording service user clinical observations are undertaken, such as physical observations and vital signs and treating or escalating as appropriate any signs or symptoms of deterioration or that does not fulfil the personal parameters to the relevant professional for treatment. Promote healthy lifestyles and give health promotion advice and support.