Ward Manager

Job responsibilities

Eating Disorders are extraordinarily complex illnesses that present with abnormalities in physical and psychological functioning. The physical complications have the potential to cause permanent damage and in some cases are life threatening. The causes are complex and multi-factorial, including genetic, neurodevelopmental and environmental influences. They require a comprehensive treatment programme including medical, psychiatric, psychological, social and educational interventions.

Ellern Mede offers two treatment programmes, a Recovery Unit and a High Dependency Unit (HDU). We aim to stabilise patients physical and psychological states as rapidly as possible for transfer to step down service. The HDU admits patients whose illness requires more intense levels of clinical involvement and nursing. The service is able to admit patients requiring treatment under mental health legislation. The aims of the services are to improve the patients health and dependency needs sufficiently for transfer to a regular eating disorder unit or to the community.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

CLINICAL

To work under the direction of the Service Director as an integrated and highly competent member of the nursing team, skilled in a range of clinical and therapeutic interventions with young people with eating disorders (including nasogastric and PEG feeding interventions).

To demonstrate creativity, thoughtfulness, sensitivity and respect to young people and their families at all times and to ensure that the views and opinions of the young people are actively sought and utilised in order to support partnership in the planning and delivery of family centred care.

To act as a role model for expert clinical skills and professionalism to all members of the team at all times.

To participate in family / CPA review meetings and to liaise with families, and local services as appropriate to ensure seamless patient care.

To oversee the delivery of and manage high quality nursing work, reporting to the nurse consultant as appropriate.

To undertake, with supervision, nursing and risk assessments for prospective and current inpatients.

In negotiation with the Service Director, the post holder will be expected to undertake responsibility for a specialist area of interest within the clinical arena which would benefit the clinical service provided, and the development of junior colleagues.

To participate in and supervise the planning, implementation and evaluation of treatment plans to ensure a high level of multidisciplinary care.

To demonstrate highly competent group and individual skills, and to provide a welcoming, safe and friendly environment for all young people and families. To take a lead role in taking responsibility for ensuring the internal and external physical environment is organised and developmentally appropriate.

To provide clinical supervision of therapeutic work to junior colleagues within the nursing team as appropriate.

To participate in the regular reviews and discussions of casework within the multidisciplinary team.

MANAGERIAL AND LEADERSHIP

The Ward Manager will take up a role as a manager, accountable to the Service Director with responsibility for Senior Staff Nurses, Staff Nurses and Health Care Assistants

The post holder is expected to show good use of authority, responsibility, initiative, discretion and delegation in undertaking their management role.

The post holder is expected to exercise excellent professional boundaries in respect to patients, families and colleagues at all times and to help other staff respect appropriate role boundaries.

The post holder is expected to take a lead role in managing a specific area in relation to nursing work. This would be negotiated with the Service Director dependant on the needs of the Service and the personal interest of the post holder.

To participate in developing training and development initiatives in collaboration with the Service Director.

To support the Service Director in maintaining and coordinating the Service's resources in relation to nursing to provide an excellent service to the young people.

To work collaboratively with senior members of the multi disciplinary team in developing the learning culture of the Service.

To participate in all required multidisciplinary team meetings modelling to junior team members at all times appropriate team membership.

Qualifications

Essential

• Registered Nurse Qualification

Desirable

• Related First degree
• ENB 998
• ENB603

Experience

Essential

• Experience within an inpatient Eating Disorders
• CAMHS setting for 2 years
• MDT and group working

Desirable

• CAMHS experience in another setting
• Wide ranging/ Adult mental health experience.
• Current Child Protection Legislation.
• Management of nursing teams

Knowledge

Essential

• Child and Adolescent mental health nursing interventions for young people with eating disorders.
• Psychodynamic principles group / Individual/ family Therapies.
• Child Protection issues.
• Teaching / Supervision.

Desirable

• Basic Research Methodology.
• Management of nursing teams.
• Systemic principles.

Skills

Essential

• Excellent Care Planning skills.
• A range of therapeutic and creative skills appropriate to YP and families with eating disorders.
• Leadership and Motivational skills.
• Managing others Clear, concise and comprehensive reporting (verbal and written).
• Problem Solving and negotiation skills.
• Delegating and Supervisory Skills
• Sound Computer skills

Desirable

• Managing change processes.
• Interviewing skills
• Presentation skills.
• Teaching and training skills

Additional / Personal

Essential

• Motivated and passionate.
• Assertive and Imaginative.
• High level of self awareness. Robustness and recognition of own limitations. Time management. Satisfactory health history.
• DBS clearance.

Desirable

• Humour.
• Flexible.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).