Charge Nurse

Operational Management 24-Hour Unit Responsibility: Maintain continuous responsibility for the unit(s), managing within allocated resources, and implementing organizational personnel policies. Staffing and Rotas: Plan and coordinate annual leave while maintaining safe staffing levels and skill mix via rota management. Provide effective leadership by setting clear objectives, delegating tasks, and organizing rotas equitably. NMC Code Compliance: Ensure adherence to the NMC Code of Conduct, periodically verifying staff registration status on the live register. Service Development and Evaluation: Participate in the planning, commissioning, review, and evaluation of services provided. Incident and Complaint Management: Ensure reports, statements, and investigations of accidents, incidents, and complaints are conducted, and appropriate authorities are notified. Performance Management: Oversee the performance management of all staff in alignment with organizational policies and procedures. Financial Management Budget Management: Manage a ward budget as agreed with senior management/finance director. Ensure expenditure remains within budget and alert the CSM of any potential overspend issues, agreeing on remedial actions as necessary. Cost Efficiency: Plan rotas cost-effectively, approve agreed expenditure within guidelines, and monitor delegated budgets and expenditure. Contribute to cash-releasing efficiency savings and value-for-money initiatives. Management Relationships Communication: Organize regular team meetings, attend meetings with the CSM, and liaise with other professionals and department heads. Clinical Responsibilities 24-Hour Clinical Oversight: Maintain 24-hour continuous responsibility for the unit(s), ensuring the implementation of prescribed care according to agreed standards. Care Monitoring: Monitor and evaluate care, taking necessary action as needed. Ensure patient confidentiality and staff compliance with this policy. Standards of Care: Formulate, evaluate, and monitor care plans. Provide nursing assessments for referred Service Users to determine the suitability for mental health nursing interventions. Mental Health Act Compliance: Ensure adherence to the Mental Health Act (1983), with regular monitoring of its application. Act as a consultant to nursing staff and other professionals on patient care matters. Challenging Behaviour Management: Exercise professional judgment in determining levels of challenging behavior and implement appropriate nursing interventions. Education/Research Responsibilities Student Training and Supervision: Coordinate and participate in the educational process for nursing students, including in-service training and personal development. Act as a clinical supervisor and mentor for students and staff. Public Relations and Health Promotion: Promote mental health nursing and educate the public on mental health issues. Participate in regular induction training for new staff and provide health promotion advice to Service Users, relatives, and the public. Research Involvement: Engage in research projects in consultation with the CSM, applying research findings to current practice. Personnel/Professional Responsibility Policy Adherence: Ensure all staff adhere to organizational policies and procedures as well as legislative and statutory policies. Clinical Governance Quality Standards: Work with others to set, monitor, and review quality standards. Implement standards within your clinical area, complete clinical audits, and undertake specific clinical governance projects as directed by the CSM. Facilitate user involvement in service delivery and coordinate clinical governance activities within your sphere of influence. Security Safety and Security: Ensure the welfare and safety of staff, Service Users, visitors, and the public by implementing all policies/procedures related to Unit(s) security. Supervise Service Users in accordance with their leave status and investigate breaches of security as required. Performance Appraisal and Review Development Appraisal Participation: Participate in the organizational appraisal system. Staff Leadership and Management Leadership: Provide effective leadership and management to staff, promoting high-performance standards in alignment with organizational objectives and priorities. This includes understanding key priorities, translating them for your team, promoting a positive team ethos, completing annual appraisals, ensuring access to training, and consistent management aligned with HR policies.