Deputy Ward Manager

Job Summary

The States of Guernsey are looking to appoint a Deputy Ward Manager (Older Adult Inpatient Mental Health) to join the team in Adult Community Services. The Deputy Ward manager will support the Ward Manager in providing senior leadership to the team. They will deputise for the Ward Manager as required, and take a lead role in service management and delivery acting as a role model in establishing standards for professional practice within the Ward team.

Main duties of the job

The Deputy Ward Manager in conjunction with other members of the multi-disciplinary team, will be responsible for the delivery of high quality mental health care to service users. The Deputy Ward Manager will demonstrate knowledge and competence in working with older service users who have dementia and associated challenging behaviour. The Deputy Ward Manager will be competent and empathic when working with service users who have mental health problems and will coordinate the clinical management of service users. They will also mentor and supervise junior staff and students who are on placement. The post holder will be guided by established policies, procedures and NMC guidelines.

Job Description

Job responsibilities

Communication

To communicate clearly with all members of the multi professional team, demonstrating sensitivity to cultural and language differences. Communicate effectively across a wide variety of settings, using tact and diplomacy in response to situations that may be complex and sensitive and may have resulted from conflict. Providing advice and use initiative and follow organisational procedures in routine and crisis situations. To ensure written communication complies with organisational and professional standards. To represent the ward at meetings/events as requested by the Ward Manager.

Clinical Responsibilities:

Support and assist the Ward Manager to provide continuing responsibility for the ward. Support and assist the Ward Manager to monitor performance and manage the nursing staff in areas of responsibility, ensuring all employment records are locally maintained and current in the absence of the Ward Manager. Support the Ward Manager in achieving set key performance indicators for the ward/unit. Support and assist the Ward Manager to ensure that all staff update mandatory training and appraisals are completed in a timely manner. Deputise for the Ward Manager at meetings and forums when required. Assist the Ward Manager in assuring and monitoring the quality of care delivery meets the needs of the individual service users and carers. Undertake the assessment of patients/clients with complex care needs including individuals with undifferentiated and undiagnosed conditions. Develop, implement and evaluate programmes of care to meet these needs. Guide, advise and direct other staff in the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of patient/client care. Initiate risk assessment processes to determine risks to the health and wellbeing of patients/clients with complex care needs, taking relevant action to minimise these risks. Lead a team of staff in emergency and other acute situations, ensuring that the patients/clients needs are met and that significant others are supported. Utilise information and data from a range of sources to identify patient problems and guide decision-making processes. Within field of expertise, and organisational policy, request specific clinical tests to establish a diagnosis. Promote service user involvement in the planning, delivery and evaluation of care, respecting their wishes, beliefs and dignity. Independently liaise and communicate effectively with all members of the multidisciplinary team and other agencies involved in the care of the patient/client. Challenge others when the rights of patients may be disregarded. Responsible for the delivery of patient centred care and is able to articulate its benefits. Ensure delivery of key performance indicators which set benchmark for quality standards and improvements. Take a lead role in the continuing monitoring of standards and the quality of care including documentation in healthcare records. Work collaboratively with the customer care team and patient forums to investigate and resolve patient concerns/complaints, developing action plans within specified timeframes.

Training and Education

Support the Ward Manager and practice development lead in the development of annual education and training plans for staff. Support the Ward Manager by informing curriculum development of Higher Education Curriculum CPD development in line with service developments. Take a lead in the promotion of the health and well-being of clients/patients and their significant others, ensuring that health promotion is incorporated in the planning and delivery of care. Act as a supervisor to staff working within the area. Act as a mentor/preceptor/supervisor to students and other learners. Promote an environment that is conducive to quality learning and assessment. Develop programmes of learning to meet the educational needs of all staff working within the care setting. Maintain own continuing professional development needs. The post holder should be willing to work towards achieving graduate status. Develop and maintain competence in the additional skills related to the needs of the clients and patients. Undertake in-house annual mandatory training in Manual Handling, Basic Life Support, Fire Safety and AED training.

Leadership/Teamwork

Support the Ward Manager to maintain 24hr continuing responsibility for professional policy and procedural practice to ensure the continuance of best practice. With the Ward Manager monitor agreed quality improvement metrics (KPIs) to enable reporting to lead nurse/service managers. Support the Ward Manager with the recruitment and retention of team members. Co-ordinate a team of staff, ensuring that clear systems of communication are developed within the team and any work-related issues raised by the team are addressed and clear feedback is provided. Ensure team members are aware of organisational objectives, policies and procedures and the implications they have for their practice. Undertake the professional development review process with the Ward Manager. Support staff with performance issues developing action plans to address developmental needs. Act as a professional role model for junior staff, promoting high standards of practice and strong professional values. Assist the Ward Manager with shift planning for the practice area. Lead and develop of facilitative reflective supervision and management of clinical nursing practice within area of responsibility to ensure safe and effective holistic evidence based care. Conduct management of short and long term sickness in the absence of the Ward.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Registered nurse
• Evidence of CPD at Diploma level
• Practice assessor/supervisor
• Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement or equivalent (D32/33, NVQ A1)
• Diploma in a related field

Experience

Essential

• Proven ability to contribute to the development of specialist protocols and practice changes arising from audits and adhere to all HSC policies and procedures.
• Ability to communicate complex and highly sensitive information to patients and relatives using empathy and reassurance, gain co-operation where required and overcome barriers to understanding.
• Demonstrates ability to influence and negotiate with others.
• Ability to work on own initiative.
• Demonstrate an awareness of clinical governance and risk management and how this affects their role and the department.
• Ability to assess, plan, implement and evaluate specialist care delivered to patients/clients and give relevant advice/information to patients and relatives.
• Ability to make judgements related to unwell patients that involve complex facts or situations, analysing what is needed and comparing a range of options.
• Ability to prioritise own workload and that of others.
• Ability to decide how best to achieve expected results, whilst acting within clearly defined policies/procedures and codes of conduct.
• Able to work under pressure.
• IT Skills.
• Ability to communicate articulately (written, verbal and non-verbal).
• Proven organisational skills.
• Ability to relate to and motivate others.