Clinical Charge Nurse (National Psychosis Unit)

The National Psychosis Unit is looking for a highly skilled and motivated nurse to join our senior nursing team and wider MDT as a Clinical Charge Nurse (Band 6). We are looking for a nurse that is driven to provide and role model high standards of quality of nursing care to patients suffering with complex mental illness, comorbid physical health and psychosocial difficulties. The post holder will need to be equipped with a strong foundation of core nursing skills, an interest in psychosis and physical health , be passionate about service improvement and be able to demonstrate a dynamic and creative approach the role , team working and service delivery.

The Clinical Charge Nurse role is suitable for Registered Nurses who have successfully completed preceptorship and have registered as an approved NMC Practice Assessor .

The post holder will deliver and advise on the delivery of, high quality safe nursing care, ensuring consistently high standards of practice and clinical excellence which comply with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) code of professional conduct.

As a Clinical Charge Nurse, you will promote and develop clinical leadership and clinical practice and be a positive role model to junior members of the team through the practice of evidence-based care and consistently high standards of professionalism.

You will be expected to support professional development through clinical appraisal and supervision and contribute to the ongoing educational programme for staff, fostering a positive learning environment. Your professional and personal development will include further postgraduate study, and you will be encouraged and supported by your line manager to undertake continued professional development.

The National Psychosis Unit is an 18 bedded, mixed gender ward, based at the Bethlem Royal Hospital and is for adults (over the aged of 18). NPU forms part of the National Psychosis Service, which is a clinical-academic tertiary inpatient and outpatient service offering innovative individualised evidence-based care to help those people with complex psychosis, where standard treatment guidelines have proven ineffective or have not been tolerated. The service aims to enhance quality of life through tailored treatments and promotion of recovery thus reducing the need for high intensity placements and the risk of readmission.​

We accept referrals from patients living across the UK and can also accept international patients. The multidisciplinary team of dedicated clinicians offering comprehensive bio-psycho-social reviews alongside innovative, bespoke and varied treatment approaches. Themes include complex co-morbid physical health conditions which directly affect psychiatric treatment options; clozapine re-challenge after a significant adverse reaction; clozapine non-response and specialist psychological interventions for psychosis. ​

With average length of stay being between 6-12 months and with our patients possibly being a long way from home, we aim to make admissions as short as possible and communicate regularly with carers, the referring team and commissioner to plan care and facilitate timely discharge. ​

Clinical

Lead the assessment, admission, care planning, treatment and ongoing management of service users.

Ensure delivery of high-quality, patient-centred care, meeting physical, psychological, social, recreational and spiritual needs.

Coordinate and evaluate care with the multidisciplinary team (MDT), incorporating patient and carer feedback.

Manage patient flow, admissions and discharges, liaising with health and social care professionals and identifying barriers to discharge.

Produce monthly patient progress and treatment reports for Integrated Care Boards.

Undertake clinical observations, physical health assessments and monitoring, escalating concerns appropriately.

Administer and monitor medication, ensuring compliance and management of side effects.

Promote healthy lifestyles and provide health education and advice.

Maintain accurate, timely and legally compliant records, care plans and risk assessments.

Ensure adherence to safeguarding, Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act, Trust policies and professional standards.

Promote recovery-focused practice, dignity, equality, diversity and inclusion.

Support a safe, clean environment and ensure safe management of medicines, equipment and patient property.

Participate in clinical supervision, reflective practice and support junior staff development.

Leadership and Management

Act as a key point of contact for the unit, coordinating activities with the Team Manager and MDT.

Deputise for the Team Manager when required, taking responsibility for the safe and effective operation of the unit.

Support workforce planning, staffing deployment, roster management and escalation of staffing concerns.

Provide leadership and support during challenging situations.

Assist in the investigation of incidents, complaints and performance concerns, ensuring lessons learned are shared.

Promote a culture of openness, accountability, continuous improvement and high standards of documentation.

Communication

Maintain confidentiality and communicate effectively with service users, carers, families, colleagues and partner agencies.

Lead and contribute to team meetings and multidisciplinary discussions.

Ensure complaints and compliments are managed in accordance with Trust policy.

Role model professional communication and uphold Trust values of Kindness, Respect and Togetherness.

Education and Training

Support staff development through supervision, teaching, competency assessments and learning opportunities.

Facilitate induction programmes for new staff and students.

Support preceptorship, revalidation and mandatory training compliance.

Maintain Practice Assessor status and contribute to student nurse education.

Undertake appraisal and personal development reviews for designated staff.

Maintain professional development and NMC revalidation requirements.

Act as a role model and support workforce development initiatives, including apprenticeships and career progression.

Research, Audit and Quality Improvement

Participate in audits, benchmarking activities and quality improvement initiatives.

Monitor standards of care against CQC requirements, Trust objectives and key performance indicators.

Contribute to service development, governance reviews and workforce development initiatives.

Support research activity and disseminate learning, evidence-based practice and audit findings across the team and organisation.

Contribute to continuous improvement and innovation to enhance patient outcomes and service quality.