Job overview
We are looking for an enthusiastic person who is keen to make improvements in Mental Health services, through initiatives and quality improvement projects. The role will include working with our band 5 nurses, nurse associates, healthcare support workers and medical team to improve the current physical health care in place for patients. In addition to increasing the knowledge and skills of the ward staff.
You would be working to ensure Physical Health checks are being carried out for patients on admission and as routinely as needed. You would then be working on new initiatives and quality improvement projects with guidance from the Ward Manager.
Oak Tree Ward is a 17 bedded Older Adult Mental health ward. We are a service for those mainly over the age of 70 (Although we are an ageless service), those living with cognitive impairment, or those with a high frailty score over 6.
We treat people living with: Anxiety, Alzheimer's, Bi-polar, Depression, Parkinson, Personality disorders, schizophrenia and other mental health illnesses.
The successful applicant would work both day and night shifts on a rota schedule.
Main duties of the job
The successful applicant can expect their role to include the following:
1. Act as the designated lead for physical health on the ward.
2. Ensure patients receive timely and comprehensive physical health assessments, including on admission, during weekly reviews, and prior to discharge.
3. Quality Improvement & Assurance- Lead and support ward-based physical health improvement initiatives.
4. Provide day-to-day guidance to staff on physical health issues and clinical decision-making.
5. Cascade learning from training, incidents, and good practice.
6. Support safe and effective use of tools such as NEWS2, ECGs, blood tests, VTE, and cardiometabolic screening.
Receive a monthly supernumerary day in which will be expected to:
7. Monitor compliance with mandatory physical health checks and escalate deficiencies promptly.Audit documentation, observations, and escalation actions, and support the development of improvement plans. Participate in service level or Trust-wide Physical Health meetings
Physical Health Leads will complete a tailored training package including:
• Physical health assessment skills
• NEWS2 competency training
• Physical health deterioration and escalation
• Phlebotomy (where appropriate)
• ECG recording and interpretation
• Cardiometabolic health training
• Trauma-informed physical healthcare approaches
And bring back this learning to the ward staff.
Working for our organisation
As part of CNWL, you will join an organisation that values innovation, staff wellbeing, professional development and collaborative working. For the last four years the Trust has given all staff their birthday off as an extra day’s leave; a day for you and to do something for you. The Trust respects that not all colleagues celebrate or recognise birthdays as a celebration. If this applies to you, please just take a day for yourself.
We expect you to show COMPASSION, contribute to a caring and kind environment and recognise that what you do and say helps can make the lives of others better
We expect you to RESPECT everyone and acknowledge and welcome people’s differences rather than ignore them or see them as problematic.
We expect you to EMPOWER others and continually try to provide information, resources and support to help others make their own decisions and meet their own needs.
We expect you to work in PARTNERSHIP and behave in a way that shows that you recognise the importance of working collaboratively with all who come into contact with this service.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Patient Safety
Band 6 nurses contribute to the provision of safe and reliable services, by reporting and escalating concerns, completing routine audits.
Complete training on Datix- and review Datix's where required.
Clinical Outcomes
Band 6 nurses often work with people who have complex needs and contribute to the effectiveness of services
Patient Experience
Band 6 nurses contribute to the people using our services feeling respected and empowered to make decisions about their health and wellbeing
Supporting yourself and others
All services and teams in the Trust should be able to demonstrate that they are meeting the Care Quality Commission (CQC) standards of care. Band 6 nurses are expected to be Clinical Leaders and play an active role in ensuring that the team understands the CQC standards and what individual team members do to help achieve those standards.
Vaccination
The successful applicant may have contact with patients or service users. As an NHS Trust we strongly encourage and support vaccination as this remains the best way to protect yourself, your family, your colleagues and of course patients and service users when working on our healthcare settings.
8. Due to the high response levels we receive for some vacancies, we may expire any of them prior to the advertised closing date and advise you to submit your application as soon as possible.
9. Applications from job seekers who require sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. Before submitting your application and to avoid disappointment please check that you are eligible under the
10. Our Agenda for Change employment contracts are subject to a contractual 13 week probationary period.