Clinical Lead, Nursing

The Clinical Lead post sits on the 20-bed mixed-sex acute ward in the Dova unit at Dane Garth, for Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust. The post holder takes charge of the ward on duty, makes sure delegated nursing care is delivered safely and uses research and audit to improve care. It is a busy acute setting, with staff supervision and ward manager duties such as return-to-work interviews in the ward manager's absence.

Ongoing NMC registration is required.

• Provide clinical leadership and take charge of the ward while on duty
• Make sure delegated nursing care is delivered safely
• Promote the interests of service users
• Plan, implement and evaluate improvements in care using research, audit and enquiry
• Exercise professional accountability across professional boundaries and in unfamiliar situations
• Provide clinical supervision to other staff and take part in regular supervision
• Support staff in assessing, planning and providing care in line with national and local nursing and health and safety policy
• Undertake return-to-work interviews in the ward manager's absence
• Attend operational and governance meetings in the ward manager's absence
• Support the safe staffing model in the ward manager's absence

• Registered Mental Health Nurse qualification
• Postgraduate or specialist qualification, or equivalent level of skills and development
• Evidence of continuing professional development and recent professional or personal development

• Ongoing NMC registration

• Several years' post-graduation experience in mental health nursing
• Supervising and managing staff
• Working as part of a multidisciplinary team
• Assessing, planning, implementing and reviewing care needs
• Mentoring or assessing student staff
• Experience of the Care Programme Approach (CPA)

• Understanding of health and safety policies and procedures
• Knowledge and practice of the Mental Health Act 1983 and Mental Capacity Act 2005
• Understanding of how research has influenced practice
• Effective aggression management, including physical restraint
• Motivating and managing change in self and others
• Developed clinical and managerial skills, with good interpersonal and communication skills

• Support for flexible working, including term time, part time, compressed hours and flexi-time
• Wellbeing resources, tools and support