Ward Manager - National Autism Unit

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South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust has a rich history, well-established community links and an international reputation. We deliver specialist services in the London boroughs of Croydon, Lambeth, Lewisham and Southwark, Bexley, Bromley, Greenwich, Wandsworth and Richmond.

We are committed to provide a high quality and specialist care to our service users and we are recognised for our care and treatment we provide. The Care Quality Commission already rates our services as 'good'.

We launched our five-year strategy, Aiming High; Changing Lives in 2021 together with Our Care Improvement System as our quality management system methodology to make a positive impact on patient care, outcomes and staff experience. By joining SLaM, all staff will get the opportunity to be part of this exciting improvement journey supported with learning and development to harness everyone's potential as change makers.

The trust recognises the unique and valuable contribution that people with lived experience of mental illness can bring to a role. We therefore welcome applications from people with lived experience and consider them as an asset to the Trust.

Our Values

We take pride in providing specialist care to our service users where our Trust values and our promise to be caring, kind, polite, prompt, honest, listen and do what I say I'm going to do is at the heart of everything we do. When you join us, you'll be part of something special.

As a Trust we are happy to talk flexible working.

Job overview

The National Autism Unit (NAU) seeks to employ an innovative, proactive and experienced RMN or RNLD nurse as a Ward Manager.

The NAU is a 15-bedded male inpatient service located at the Bethlem Royal Hospital. The unit offers in-depth assessment and evidenced-based treatment to autistic adults with complex needs and comorbid mental health difficulties (such as obsessive compulsive disorder, social anxiety, or psychosis).

You will have opportunity for personal/professional development with the support of an excellent clinical team with a solid track record for offering high quality of care, awarded an Outstanding CQC rating in 2015.

If you are an experienced nurse and have good mental health nursing skills and experience, excellent communication skills and a positive attitude towards team work, then this is the job for you. You will be supported to develop your leadership and managerial skills and have access to regular supervision and assistance to continue your growth as a ward manager.

The team includes highly skilled, multi-professional senior clinicians who are committed to the agenda within the Transforming Care and to ensure that autistic people with mental health illness are appropriately cared for and their carers and family are supported.

Important: This position requires NMC registration. If you are not currently registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), please do not apply.

***PREVIOUS APPLICANTS DO NOT NEED TO APPLY***

Main duties of the job

The post holder will be expected to:-

Have overall management responsibility for the delivery of care within the National Autism Unit in accordance with Trust policies and procedures.

Lead a team of nursing staff in the delivery of high quality evidence-based practice, ensuring that regular supervision and appraisal take place.

Manage administrative and operational resources in a cost-effective manner, evaluating the standard of service delivered.

Co-ordinate multidisciplinary working, maintaining excellent communication and working relationships with all team members, and other services within the Trust, to ensure effective interface and continuity of care between disciplines and services.

Carry out nursing procedures to a standard that ensures safe and effective care, and complies with The Nursing and Midwifery Council's Code of Professional Conduct.

Working for our organisation

South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLaM) provide the widest range of NHS mental health services in the UK as well as substance misuse services. We work closely with the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), King's College London and are part of King's Health Partners Academic Health Sciences Centre. Our scope is unique because it is built on three major foundations: care and treatment, science and research, and training.

SLaM employ around 5000 staff and serve a local population of 1.1 million people. We have more than 230 services including inpatient wards, outpatient and community services. Currently, provide inpatient care for approximately 5,300 people each year and treat more than 45,000 patients in the community in Croydon, Lambeth, Lewisham and Southwark; as well as substance misuse services for residents of Bexley, Bromley and Greenwich.

By coming to work at SLaM, you will gain experience of being part of an organisation with a rich history and international reputation in mental health care. You will have access to professional development and learning opportunities, and have the chance to work alongside people who are world leaders in their field. SLaM delivered more than 14,000 training experiences in 2014; providing an extensive range of learning opportunities for staff at all levels. In addition, our working relationship with King's Health Partners allows those working at the Trust to get involved in academic research.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Ensure that all nursing practice is developed using up to date evidence based practice, ensuring that all nursing staff have the appropriate skill base and supporting mechanisms to access training to work with the service user group.
Oversee a service user's care pathway, utilising available resources and Patient Journey framework and lead the team in its implementation.
Ensure systems are in place to support user and carer-centred involvement in the everyday activities on the ward.
Ensure ward finances are managed within allocated budget, including recruitment of staff.
All absences, bank and agency are managed within budget and Trust guidelines.
Communicate to all staff how they can contribute to the efficient management of financial and material resources.
Set, monitor and evaluate overall standards of care and practice on the ward in liaison with the General Manager, Head of Nursing and Quality, Matron/QSN, and other agencies.
Ensure that all practices and interactions on the unit are based on the preservation and respect of service users' dignity, individual and cultural identity, wishes (whenever possible) and are in accordance with the maintenance of individuals' independence.
Able to provide visible clinical leadership to the team and set standards in line with the Trust & Directorates expectations.
Maintain the efficient use of staffing resources on the ward, ensuring that staffing levels are safe, appropriate and contain the necessary skill mix on each shift, but recognising and supporting Improving Working Lives within the confines of a safe service.
The post-holder will ensure that each member of staff is fully aware of their responsibilities and has a personal development plan which is based on a balance between the needs of the individual and the service.
Manage the overall development of the ward team, encouraging staff to contribute their views and ideas as appropriate.
Develop and maintain procedures which result in good communication between the multidisciplinary team and other agencies.
Arrange and in some instances chair relevant meetings involving other agencies, patients and carers when necessary to facilitate good communication.
The post-holder will lead the team in setting, implementing and monitoring realistic and achievable objectives for the ward team in accordance with the aims and objectives of the service.
Ensure that the ward environment adheres to PLACE standards at all times. This will involve monitoring the services provided by other departments in accordance with the adopted procedures and will involve liaison with the Trust's Facilities Department and other relevant personnel.
Ensure that the Health and Safety at Work Act is adhered to by all staff. The post-holder will have particular responsibility for ensuring that all staff receive any training necessary in order to meet the requirements of the Act. (e.g. fire training, first aid, food hygiene, etc.).
The post-holder will be responsible for taking immediate action to deal with any problem which might affect service user, visitor or staff safety. This will involve liaison with the relevant Health and Safety Co-ordinator.
Be prepared to physically move between sites as needed.
Ensure that they are fully aware of current developments and practice in their clinical area.
Acknowledge their own limitations and discuss/identify their training and development needs with their line manager.
Undertaking site wide co-ordination roles as required, e.g. DSN.
Establishing and building on excellent working relationships between other services within and external to the Directorate.
Ensuring that systems are in place which invite service users and their carers to comment on the quality of services they receive.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria

• Registered Nurse (Mental Health) or RNLD.
• SLTP (de-escalation) training.
• Evidence of continuing professional development.
• Practice supervisor/assessor course.

Desirable criteria

• Further education (Master's level).
• Management course.
• Advanced knowledge in Neurodevelopmental Disorder conditions and services.

Experience

Essential criteria

• Significant experience of managing clinical practice at Band 6 level.
• Experience of implementing and monitoring standards of care, and clinical audits.
• Experience of providing clinical and managerial supervision.

Desirable criteria

• Experience of working with autistic patients and using a variety of models and approaches to care.
• Experience of managing non-clinical staff and other professionals.
• Experience of staff performance management.

Knowledge

Essential criteria

• Specialist clinical knowledge relevant to the service, including evidence-based practice and awareness of national guidance.
• Working knowledge of relevant legislation associated with inpatient mental health care, including MHA, CPA procedures, Human Rights Act, NHS Plan.
• Understanding of the role and function of other organisations providing services to people with mental ill-health.

Desirable criteria

• Knowledge of performance management procedures.

Skills and Abilities

Essential criteria

• Skills in developing and changing clinical practice.
• Ability to analyse complex issues/ problems, gather relevant information and exercise sound judgement in reaching the most appropriate conclusions.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.

Desirable criteria

• Proven ability to maintain a balance between strategic and operational management.
• Ability to support, manage and advise the team through difficult and challenging situations.
• Ability to build and lead effectively, a large multiskilled team.

Other

Essential criteria

• Recognition of own limitations, strengths and weaknesses and an ability to seek advice when necessary.
• Ability to gain easily the trust, confidence and respect of service users, their relatives and staff of a variety of levels and disciplines.
• Essential IT skills (Microsoft 365, Word, Outlook).

Desirable criteria

• Advanced computer skills and use of spread sheets (Excel).

The Trust is committed to providing services which embrace diversity and that promote equality of opportunity. We are a Disability Confident Employer, we welcome applicants from all sections of the community and people of all protected characteristics. We provide reasonable adjustments for candidates with a disability and are committed to treating people fairly with compassion, respect and dignity and in promoting equality and human rights. We aim to put this commitment into practice by:

• Embedding our commitment to tackling inequality, eliminating discrimination and harassment; promoting equality of opportunity and fostering good relations in our everyday practice
• Ensuring that all our services and all staff understand and support our commitment
• We believe that people who use our services, their carers and our staff, should be treated with compassion, respect and dignity

Please note:

• That all applications for this post will need to be made online
• That you read and understand the Job Description and Personal Specification attached to the role. Your Statement in Support should reflect the requirements specified as your application will be judged against these criteria
• That the closing date listed is a guide only and that the vacancy may close earlier should sufficient number of applicants have been received. We advise that you submit your application as early as possible
• That once you have submitted your application you agree to your application being transferred to a 3rd party e-recruitment system. All subsequent information regarding your application will be generated from apps.trac.jobs
• That should you not have heard from us within three weeks from the closing date your application has not successful
• That priority consideration for applications may be given to at-risk NHS employees
• That should you be successful and appointed, you authorise South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust to confirm your previous NHS service via an Inter Authority Transfer (IAT) process
• That we are a smoke-free Trust

SLaM is a Stonewall Diversity Champion , Stonewall is the largest Lesbian, Gay, Bi and Trans (LGBT) rights charity in Europe'

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Documents to download

• Job Description and Person Spec (PDF, 448.6KB)
• SLaM Staff Benefits (PDF, 1.1MB)
• Happy to Talk Flexible Working (PDF, 680.1KB)