Main area Charge Nurse [Band 6] Female PICU Grade NHS AfC: Band 6 Contract Permanent Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week (3 shifts week A, 4 shifts week B) Job ref 311-F830-25
Employer Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site Woodbank Female PICU Town Stockport Salary £38,682 - £46,580 per annum Salary period Yearly Closing 16/09/2025 23:59
Charge Nurse - Female Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit
NHS AfC: Band 6
If you are Kind, Fair, Ingenious and Determined then we want you to come and join our#PennineCarePeople
We are excited to offer a fantastic opportunity to join the dynamic and compassionate team at Woodbank Female Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), located at Stepping Hill Hospital.
As thefirst female PICU within Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust, Woodbank Unit provides a unique and vital service with a strong emphasis on delivering high-quality, patient-centered care in a safe, therapeutic, and secure environment.
Our six-bedded unit is dedicated to supporting women experiencing acute mental health crises who require intensive, short-term support. We are seeking passionate, dedicated, and highly motivated individuals who are committed to making a difference in the lives of our service users.
As part of the Woodbank team, you will:
Be a positive role model, embodying the values and philosophy of both the unit and the Trust.
Play a key role in the delivery of compassionate, recovery-focused care.
Work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team that prioritises patient safety, staff wellbeing, and clinical excellence.
This is an exciting opportunity to be involved in a great service with a clear focus on supportingfemale mental health needs through an innovative and holistic model of care.
If you are ready to take on a rewarding challenge in a supportive and forward-thinking environment, we would love to hear from you
Main duties of the job
Provide clinical leadership and supervision to support junior staff and the wider team.
Lead shifts as the Nurse in Charge, ensuring safe and effective running of the ward and clear handovers between staff.
Support and contribute to the development of a positive team culture,
Act as the Named Nurse/Key Worker for a group of service users, taking responsibility for their full care pathway.
Carry out comprehensive assessments, develop and implement person-centred care plans, and regularly review progress.
Work in partnership with service users, families, and carers to co-produce care plans that promote recovery and independence.
Support daily therapeutic activities and routines that contribute to a safe and structured environment.
Use least restrictive practices in line with clinical risk assessments and service user needs.
Manage and de-escalate challenging behaviour
Administer medications safely, including controlled drugs, following Trust protocols and NMC guidance.
Monitor the effects of medication and report any concerns promptly.
Work collaboratively with the wider multidisciplinary team to deliver holistic and coordinated care.
Participate in audits, quality improvement initiatives, and service development projects.
Ensure the ward meets compliance standards and contributes to the ongoing development of the unit’s model of care.
Keep up to date with clinical best practice through ongoing professional development and training.
Working for our organisation
The Woodbank team provides short-term, intensive assessment, treatment, and support for women experiencing acute mental health crisis. Service users admitted to the unit often present with a range of complex and challenging mental health needs, requiring compassionate and expert care within a safe and structured environment.
To promote recovery and wellbeing, we work in a trauma-informed way, guided by a unique model of care that integrates principles from RAID (Reinforce Appropriate, Implode Disruptive), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), and NAPICU (National Association of Psychiatric Intensive Care Units) guidelines. Our approach is focused on delivering high-quality, person-centered care, while always aiming to work in the least restrictive manner possible — prioritising both patient safety and dignity at all times.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Support the induction, mentoring, and clinical supervision of junior staff and student nurses, promoting a culture of learning and development.
Contribute to the ongoing development of the unit’s model of care, supporting implementation of evidence-based practices such as trauma-informed approaches, RAID, DBT, and NAPICU standards.
Lead and participate in multidisciplinary team meetings, ward reviews, and clinical discussions to ensure coordinated and effective care planning.
Support service improvement initiatives and contribute to quality improvement projects, audits, and service evaluations.
Actively promote a positive and recovery-focused ward culture that values dignity, choice, collaboration, and empowerment for all service users.
Contribute to safeguarding processes and ensure any concerns are escalated appropriately and in line with local and national procedures.
Maintain accurate, timely, and comprehensive clinical documentation in line with Trust policy and professional standards.
Participate in clinical risk assessments and contribute to positive risk management plans to support least restrictive care.
Take responsibility for maintaining safe staffing levels by participating in roster planning, coordinating temporary staffing needs, and escalating staffing concerns when necessary.
Person specification
Education/ Qualifications
* Evidence of Continual Professional development
* IT Literate
* Preparation for mentorship
* Training in management of violence and aggression
* Training in psychosocial interventions
* ECDL
Experience
* Experience at Band 5 and evidence of appropriate clinical management experience
* Experience of working in acute / forensic mental health settings.
* Experience of working in a range of mental health settings
Knowledge
* Good understanding of Mental Illness
* Knowledge of treatments and interventions appropriate for individuals with acute mental health needs
* Ability to demonstrate working knowledge of the Mental Health Act and CPA process
* Knowledge of current policy and guidance in relation to the development of PICU / Acute Mental Health Services
* Understanding of confidentiality and data protection issues.
Skills and Abilities
* Good verbal and written communication skills, with emphasis on complex and sensitive information
* Ability to complete the appropriate documentation
* Good social skills and have a positive attitude within the team and when dealing with service users, staff, carers, visitors and the public.
* Ability to physically undertake and participate in PMVA in a clinical setting
Sponsorship - We are an approved sponsoring organisation. Applications will be considered from applicants requiring sponsorship alongside all other applications. Please be aware, not all roles are eligible for sponsorship.You can review the list of eligible role and requirements on the government website.
What happens after your application has been received?
You will be informed about the progress of your application following shortlisting via email. Only applicants who clearly demonstrate the criteria listed in the person specification will be shortlisted for interview. Interview invites will be sent out via email.
What happens if I am offered the position after interview?
The hiring manager will make contact with you to verbally offer you the position. The hiring manager will then inform Recruitment of the decision and provide relevant paperwork. You will be sent a formal conditional offer via email.
What pre-employment checks will I need to complete?
By conducting pre-employment checks, the recruitment team will verify that you meet the pre-conditions of the role you have been offered. Pre-employment checks will be carried out according to NHS Employment Check Standards. The checks are:
* Identity verification
* Right to work check
* Disclosure and barring service (DBS)/Criminal record check (dependent on role)
* Professional registration and/or qualification check
* Occupational health assessment
* Employment history and reference validation
All applicants external to the NHS will be required to providetheir HMRC employment history to cover the most recent three years employment. This information will used to validate employment history andreferences as part of pre-employment checks.
If you are offered a position with us and you require sponsorship to support your right to work, we will review your eligibility in line withgovernment guidance. If the role you have been offered is not eligible for sponsorship, and you are not able to evidence own your right to work, your conditional offer could be withdrawn.
What happens when pre-employment checks are complete?
Recruitment will liaise with you and the hiring manager to arrange a start date for your new position. You will then be booked on to a Trust Welcome Session and be sent your Pennine Care NHS Terms and Conditions.
Other important information
* We are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) and recognise the importance of ensuring our diverse service user population is reflected within our workforce. Unfortunately, we know that, at present, there is underrepresentation of our communities in our workforce. We welcome applications from people from diverse communities to help us grow, learn, be better and consider brilliant innovation diverse people bring.
* If you would like to be considered under the disability confident scheme, you will be guaranteed an interview if you meet the essential criteria on the person specification for the post.
* If you require reasonable adjustments to our recruitment process please phone us on 0161 716 3181 at the earliest opportunity. We will support you to complete your application.
* Unfortunately we are not able to guarantee the transfer of lease cars, or cover the costs of early termination charges.
* We have a strict policy on unsolicited contact from recruitment agencies. Please do not contact our hiring managers directly.
We reserve the right to close a vacancy earlier than the advertised closing date if a sufficient number of applications have been received. To ensure you application is considered, please submit at the earliest opportunity.
Employer certification / accreditation badges
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.
Name Vanessa Moreland Job title Ward Manager Email address vanessa.moreland@nhs.net Telephone number 07745741594
If you have problems applying, contact
Address Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust
225 Old Street
225 Old Street
OL6 7SR
Telephone 01617163181
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