SENIOR CHARGE NURSE; MENTAL HEALTH ADULT IN-PATIENT SERVICES

JOB DESCRIPTION

  1. JOB DETAILS
Job Title: Senior Charge Nurse; Mental Health Adult In-Patient Services
Department: Mental Health & Learning Disability Services
Location: WesternIslesHospital
Job Holder Reference:
No of Job Holders:1
2.JOB PURPOSE
The post holder will have responsibility for the clinical leadership and management of the nursing component of the adult in-patient services over the 24 hour period and will be responsible for the effecting of co-ordination and deployment of resources both in financial and manpower terms allocated to the service and be responsible for supporting functions such as absence management. He/she will support both internal and external communication to the team and also support integration between community services and hospital services, health and social care services.
The post holder will be responsible for leading on profession specific clinical governance activity which will include the setting and monitoring of standards of care and service, responding to complaints, staff support, CPD, clinical supervision, risk management, patient safety and the implementation of policy and clinical guidelines.
Key result areas will be to:
  • Ensure safe and effective clinical practice
  • Lead the team in the provision of high quality care for adults with mental health problems.
  • Enhance the patients experience of care
  • Manage and develop the performance of the team
  • Contribute to the delivery of NHS Western Isles’ objectives
  • To manage, control and review all financial and other resources allocated to thein patient service.
The post holder will be expected to cover in the absence of the Head of Mental Health & Learning Disability Services and act on his/her behalf to ensure the safe and effective delivery of services.
3.ROLE OF DEPARTMENT
The adult mental health in-patient service provides a full range of secondary care, Acute and EMI, services to the population of the Western Isles. Following the implementation of the recommendations contained in the recent “Review of NHS Western Isles Mental Health Services” the in-patient services will support an integrated Community Mental Health Service.
4.ORGANISATION CHART
5. SCOPE AND RANGE
The post holder is the line manager for a team of varying grades, within two wards, operating over the 24 hour span of duties. The post holder will take a lead in ensuring the effective partnership working in all relevant statutory and non-statutory agencies involved in the care of the wards’ patient group. The post holder will be a key driver in taking forward the recommendations relating to in patient facilities contained in the “Review of NHS Western Isles Mental Health Services”.
The post holder has responsibility for:
  • Ensuring that standards of practice are maintained, reviewed and continuously
developed and that staff deliver safe, effective, patient-centred, efficient, timely and equitable care within their scope of practice as part of the multidisciplinary/agency healthcare team
  • In year management and responsibility for the mental health in patient service’s budget by ensuring efficient andeffective use of physical, human and financial resources e.g. the use of bank staff, skill mix, supplies and equipment
  • The professional development and line management of the mental health in patient staffwhich encompasses both registered and support staff
  • Creating an environment in which effective learning can take place
  • Co-ordinating the involvement of the multidisciplinary team within designated areas
The post holder will operate within the SCN framework in providing effective leadership to ensure:
  • Practice is safe and effective,
  • The patient experience is enhanced,
  • The performance of the team is managed and developed
  • The Health Board’s objectives are delivered
The post holder will ensure that the provision and requirements of the Mental Health (care and treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 are maintained and provided for e.g. documentation is completed and stored appropriately and within agreed timescales, the ward milieu and therapeutic approaches are recovery focused, person centred and that services and care provided meet the Milan principles.
6.MAIN DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES
Within the governance frameworks of NHS Western Isles which includes clinical, staffand financial governance, and within the SCN framework the post holder will focus and lead on the followingkey result areas:
6.1TO ENSURE SAFE & EFFECTIVE CLINICAL PRACTICE
6.11Clinical Leadership and Team working
As clinical leader, promote and develop teamwork within a multi-professional environment, demonstrating critical analysis and decision making skills, leading the delivery of a clinically excellent, high quality service influencing and facilitating change within the team, the organization, and where appropriate across agencies e.g. CnES, voluntary sector agencies.
6.12Evidence Based Clinically Effective Practice
Act as a change agent, developing clinically effective and safe practice through the effective
utilisation and integration of evidence; setting, implementing and monitoring evidence
based policies, procedures and protocols. Lead on the development of local protocols, to ensure their applicability to practice.
6.2TO ENHANCE THE PATIENTS EXPEREINCE
6.21Coordination of the Patient Journey
Ensure co-ordination of the patients journey by planning and co-ordinating the
episode of care including the smooth transition to other settings, promoting effective
discharge and communication with interdisciplinary and interagency teams as
required.
6.22 Clinical Expertise
Co-ordinate in patient serviceinterventions, influencing clinical decisions andmonitoring the quality of patient care provided through using expert clinicalknowledge relevant to own field of practice, underpinned by theory and experience
6.23Promote a Culture of Person Centred Care
Within a multidisciplinary team environment, develop a culture of integrated person-centredcare by being highly visible within the hospital, multi-agency environment and community settings communicating regularlywith patients, relatives and/or carers, other agencies (statutory and voluntary) promoting a caring environment where equalityand diversity issues are respected and patients are enabled to be partners in their care
Identify opportunities to develop care and services by ensuring that there are effective
systems in place to ascertain patient and carer experience/feedback (e.g. audit, patient stories, exit questionnaires, adverse events) and ensurecomplaints are managed in line with NHS Western Isles’ policy including the disseminationof learning points and implementation of outcomes.
6.3TO MANAGE & DEVELOP THE PERFORMANCE OF THE TEAM
6.31 Role Model
Act as a role model, creating a supportive ethos to empower staff to contribute to the
delivery of high quality person-centred care. To practice and ensure that the practice of others is in line with the legal and ethical framework set out by the NMC code of Professional Conduct, and mental health related legislation. To practice and to ensure the practice of others is in line with the principles of Patient Focus Public Involvement, Fair for All and the underpinning principles of the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act.
6.32Learning and Development
Ensure and support the learning and development of all staff, creating a learning environmentthat ensures effective learning opportunities for all staff and students, includingappropriate orientation and induction programmes, a range of clinical supportstrategies (mentoring, coaching, clinical supervision and action learning) and planning and ensuring attendance at on going mandatory training andrelevant education/development opportunities
Support the career pathway of individual team members by ensuring all staff have a Knowledge and Skills Framework, Individual Performance Review and Personal Development Plans and that they maintainan up to date knowledge of current clinical and professional issues and legalities
Liaise with Higher Education Institutes and Practice Education Facilitators, to ensure that the quality of practice placement standards are being met and ensuring that the local area is equipped to support students in practice.
Develop and deliver teaching/coaching sessions as required to undergraduate and postgraduate staff within the multidisciplinary/agency team.
6.33Managing the Practice Setting
Manage the practice setting, ensuring effective use of resources and workforceplanning by monitoring workload and, through efficient rostering, maintainappropriate staffing levels taking account of role and competence of staff whendelegating work andmanaging the teambudget
Manage staff within sphere of influence by ensuring compliance by self and others withprofessional standards, legislation, national and organisational policies, leadingrecruitment and selection, attendance management, ensuring grievance anddisciplinary matters within own department are identified, actioned and reported tothe appropriate manager
To undertake performance reviews for all team members on an annual basis ensuring feedback on performance given at regular intervals throughout the year.
To be involved in the recruitment and appointment of staff within the service.
Have responsibility for risk management, complaints handling and health and safety in the workplace.
Have responsibility for ensuring the team complies with CPA, Care management arrangements, and other requirements defined by the Mental Health Act, and that every patient has a named nurse.
6.4TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE DELIVERY OF THE ORGANISATION’S
OBJECTIVES
6.41Networking
Network with peers across professional groups, agencies and communities promoting the exchange ofknowledge, skills and resources, participating where appropriate in NHS Scotland and NHS western Isles initiatives, developments and reviews
6.42Service Development
Work in partnership with a range of clinicians, agencies (statutory and Voluntary) and managers in the planning ordevelopment of own service promoting the active involvement of patients/public
Develop service in line with national standards e.g. crisis standards, and review of local services
6.43Political and Strategic Awareness
Develop and maintain a working knowledge of local, national and professional
strategy and policy, ensuring that NHS Western Isles’ goals are reflected in own personal
objectives and in team plans and demonstrate the ability to contribute topolicy and strategy development at a departmental and organisational level, and whereappropriate, national level.
To formulate and review operational policies for the Adult In Patient services, in conjunction with other key stakeholders.
7.EQUIPMENT & MACHINERY
The post holder is expected to have the knowledge and skills necessary to use all equipment safely in the area, however may not have daily clinical involvement. The post holder will be required to manage the use of the following equipment for the reasons stated and is responsible for ensuring that systems/policies/procedures are communicated to staff to ensure safe use, maintenance and storage of equipment in the area:
  • Moving and Handling equipment to assist patient mobility and promote comfort
  • Medical and Technical equipment to record vital signs, administer treatments and prescribing of medicines as per nurse prescribing regulations
  • Near patient testing to monitor physiological status, venepuncture
  • IT equipment including local and national systems to read, analyse, record and transmit patient and staff information within the boundaries of local and national policies and legislation

8. DECISIONS & JUDGEMENTS
Workload is determined by the needs of the service. Working within existing procedures there is a strong emphasis on the post holder being able to anticipate problems or need and to take steps to resolve them without being asked and without consultation with senior management. The post holder is expected to make autonomous decision on a daily basis regarding patient care, including provision of advice to junior staff and others in the multi-disciplinary team.
The post holder will :
  • Be responsible to the Head of Mental Health & Learning Disability Services in respect of guidance andprofessionalmanagement, work review and formal appraisal of performance.
  • Have continuing responsibility for the setting and monitoring of standards and
the quality of clinical practice. Will be responsible for ensuring outcomes from audit, complaints, QIS standards, adverse events result in service improvement.
  • Be responsible for the ongoing management of the mental health in-patient services.
  • Have responsibility for supporting staff to reflect upon and reviewtheir decisions in relation toassessing, monitoring, evaluating and interpretingpatients’ condition and effectiveness of their programmes of care.
  • Be accountable for decisions relating to the management of physical,human and financial resources in own area including recruitment andworkforce planning.

9. COMMUNICATION & RELATIONSHIPS
  • Continuous responsibility for establishing and monitoring pro-active systems and standards ofcommunication for routine, complex and potentially stressful matters with awide range of health and social care workers, patients, families, other relevantdepartments/agencies using a wide range of media such as telephone, verbaland written communications to overcome any difficulties in communicationwith people involved, identifying and negotiating appropriate actions to reachagreed outcomes, demonstrating sensitivity and empathy when communicatingwith people.
  • Communicate effectively with team on a timely basis ensuring robust systems exist so that staff feel informed.
  • Establish and maintain pro-active relationships based on mutual respect communicatingon a regular basis with the patient/relatives/multi-disciplinary team andexternal agencies in the provision of care and services.
  • To establish an effective team communication plan and systems to ensure that all staff can work and practice in an informed manner.
  • Ensure delivery of NHS Western Isles’ Communication Strategy and Media Policy

.
10.DEMANDS OF THE JOB (Physical, Mental, Emotional)
Physical Skills
  • Minimal handling involved although when restraining an acutely unwell patient protecting self can demand considerable effort.
  • Administer subcutaneous intra muscular injections
Physical Demands
  • May be required to deploy measures of physical restraint in response to acts of violence and aggression
  • Physical manual handling of patient, patient movement with use of mechanical aides
Movement of clinical and non clinical equipment
Mental Demands
  • Administrative duties are frequently interrupted or postponed due to frequent interruptions by patients, relatives and staff and crisis arising in the wards which demand immediate action.
  • Concentration required when checking documentation/patient notes and calculating drug dosages.
  • Ability to analyse and interpret complex clinical situations as they unfold and arrive at well thought out risk assessed decisions in short period of time.
  • Able to understand psychological language and interpret in relation to patient care.
  • Able to hold clinical discussions related to physical, social, and psychological concepts of patient care
  • Able to translate complex psychological concepts into an understandable framework for patients and carers.
Emotional effort
  • Being able to manage interpersonal difficulties arising within a small team of staff balancing the risk of when to intervene and when not to intervene.
  • Being able to cope with traumatic events such as self harm, suicide attempts, violence and aggression with whom there may have been a long standing relationship.
  • Manage oneself emotionally when workload is heavy.
  • Manage boundaries when patient/carer/family breaches them whilst maintaining therapeutic relationships.
  • Ability to contain sensitive and difficult patient issues e.g. childhood sexual abuse.
  • Ability to deal with emotionally charged situations without exacerbating the situation, including highly distressed patients and families, aggression.
  • Ability to recognise limitations when the temptation may be to struggle on, and to request assistance and further supervision where appropriate.
  • Ability to support team members when post holder may also be experiencing difficulties
  • Carrying out performance reviews, disciplinary investigations, reviews of suicide.
Emotional Demands
Examples include communicating with distressed/anxious/worried patients/relatives/staff; caring for and/or communicating badnews to patients/relatives/staff; dealing with challenging behaviours;supporting team members with personal and professional issues; carrying outperformance/investigatory/disciplinary procedures, reviews of suicide all of which must be undertaken within defined timelines and balanced against competing priorities
Working Conditions
Working conditions will be dependant on clinical area, exposure to verbal aggression andpotentially aggressive behaviours .Working with people who have challenging behaviours e.g. difficulties with engagement, unpredictability, aggression (self or others)or acutely mentally unwell who may have difficulties with communication, looking after self care needs or who may be exhibiting suicidal thoughts.
11.MOST CHALLENGING/DIFFICULT PARTS OF THE JOB
  • Effective management and prioritisation of competing demands within an
unpredictable environment
  • Balancing the demands of all stakeholders to provide a safe, effective, efficient,
patient-centred, timely and equitable service
12.ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS AND/OR EXPERIENCE SPECIFIED FOR
THE POST
Essential
  • Current NMC registration, RMN, Educated to degree level or equivalent.
  • Evidence of continual CPD
  • Nurse prescriber, or willingness to undertake course.
  • Ability to undertake venepuncture or willingness to train.
  • Ideally post holder should have extensive post registration
experience and/or demonstrate expert clinical andprofessional practice developed through experience and theoretical knowledge
  • Substantial experience in managing change.
  • Ability to maintain professional and personal credibility across all staff groups
  • Awareness of issues in mental health care both locally and nationally.
  • Sound working knowledge of the Mental Health Act, Clinical Governance and its application
  • Proven ability to teach, supervise junior staff and learners
  • Ability to lead teams, lead practice and continuous professional development,
work effectively as part of a multi-professional / multi- agency team
  • Personal motivation and enthusiasm for the development of nursing, patient
care and the enhancement of the patients experience of care
  • Computer and information literacy
  • Demonstrable ongoing and active CPD
Desirable
  • Experience in managing change. Basic counseling skills. Leadership course eg: RCN

  1. STANDARD ELEMENTS

Confidentiality

This involves taking the necessary precautions when transmitting information only disclosing it to those who have the right and the need to know it.

All personal health information is held under strict legal and ethical obligations of confidentiality. NHS Staff must follow guidance (NHS Code of Practice on Protecting Patient Confidentiality) before disclosing any patient information. All staff must respect confidentiality of all matters that they may learn relating to their employment, other members of staff, patients and their families.

Health and Safety:

Assist in maintaining own and others’ health, safety and security.
This involves:
a)Complying with Board health and safety policies, procedures and participating in madatory training.
b)Maintaining a safe working environment and reporting any issues of concern as appropriate.
NHS Western Isles attaches the greatest importance to the health and safety of its employees. It is the Board policy to do all that is reasonable to prevent personal injury and hazard to health by protecting staff and others including the public from foreseeable hazards compatible with the provision of proper services to patients. The Board expects its entire staff to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their acts or omissions at work. More detailed information is given in departmental safety policies where appropriate.
Ensure own actions support equality, diversity and rights.
This involves:
(a) Acting in ways consistent with the Board’s policies and procedures.
(b) Treating those you come into contact with equitably and with respect.
(c) Recognising the need for aids or adaptations.
JOB DESCRIPTION AGREEMENT
I, (Print Name)…………………………………………………….. confirm that the job description(s) /person specification(s) attached have been discussed with me and are an accurate and up-to-date account of the duties and responsibilities and skills/qualifications required to undertake the post.
Job Holder’s Signature:
Head of Department Signature: / Date
Date


PERSON SPECIFICATION