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- Tasks: Lead nursing teams to deliver high-quality mental health care in a new Adult Acute Care Directorate.
- Company: Devon Partnership NHS Trust provides mental health and specialist services across the south west region.
- Benefits: Flexible working options, commitment to inclusivity, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Join a passionate team dedicated to transforming mental health care and making a real impact.
- Qualifications: Must have a Master's degree and be a registered Mental Health Nurse.
- Other info: Encourages applications from diverse backgrounds, including those with lived experience of mental health conditions.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
Are you an experienced nursing leader passionate about delivering high-quality mental health care? We are seeking a Head of Nursing to join us in the transformation and creation of a new Adult Acute Care Directorate. Working alongside the Service Director and Clinical Director, the Head of Nursing for Adult Mental Health Acute Care is a key leadership role within the Adult Directorate Senior Leadership Team, providing strategic and professional oversight across inpatient wards, including the Place of Safety.
Working closely with the Trust Lead Nursing and Professions Team, this role ensures the highest standards of nursing practice, staff development, and patient care. The Head of Nursing drives quality governance, workforce planning, and clinical service improvements, fostering a culture of compassionate, inclusive leadership. They will champion trauma-informed care, patient and family engagement, and adherence to professional standards, regulatory requirements, ensuring safe, high-quality, and evidence-based care for individuals experiencing acute mental health crises.
Our Adult Acute Care Directorate is a newly established service, and as such, the teams and care pathways are still being defined. Currently, the following services sit within this evolving framework:
- Adult Inpatient Wards
- Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit
- Place of Safety
- Patient Flow Optimisation
Main duties of the job
- Strategic Nursing Leadership: Provides professional leadership to Acute Care Teams, ensuring high-quality, safe, and compassionate care.
- Workforce Development & Retention: Supports the recruitment, training, and development of nursing staff, fostering a culture of continuous professional growth.
- Clinical Excellence & Best Practice: Ensures nursing standards align with evidence-based practices, regulatory requirements, and national healthcare priorities.
- Patient Safety & Quality Assurance: Leads initiatives to maintain high patient safety standards, regulatory requirements, oversee governance structures, and promote continuous service improvements.
- Trauma-Informed & Patient-Centred Care: Champions compassionate, recovery-oriented, and trauma-informed nursing practices that empower patients and families.
- Operational Efficiency & System Leadership: Works collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams to optimize patient flow, discharge planning, and care coordination.
- Nursing Professional Standards & Accountability: Maintains adherence to the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) Code of Practice, promoting professionalism, safety, and trust.
- Inclusive & Compassionate Leadership: Embodies and promotes a workplace culture of respect, diversity, empowerment, and psychological safety for nursing staff.
About us
We provide mental health, learning disability and neurodiversity services, as well as a range of specialist & secure services for the wider south west region & nationally. We are passionate about promoting good mental health & wellbeing. We strive to use the expertise & resources within our organisation, and through our partnerships, to deliver high quality services that are safe & focused on people's recovery. We are committed to developing a culture of coproduction, involving patients, families & carers in everything we do.
Our values
We not only recruit based on qualifications & experience - we recruit individuals who possess & demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trust's core values. These include such attributes as showing a commitment to quality of care, improving lives of others, giving respect, dignity & compassion. We can bring those values to life in our everyday tasks by giving a smile; making time for people; challenging ourselves & others, & being open to new ideas.
We are committed to being an inclusive employer & applications are encouraged & welcomed from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics as governed by the Equality Act 2010. Part-time & flexible working applications will be considered & supported, where possible. We particularly encourage applicants with lived experience of mental health conditions, neurodiversity or learning disabilities. We are a Disability Confident Leader.
Person Specification
Qualifications: Educated to Masters' Degree Level or Equivalent, Registered Nurse - Mental Health.
Please refer to the full Job Description and Person specification attached to this advert which will provide further information on this role.
Head of Nursing (Adult Acute Care) employer: Devon Partnership Nhs Trust
Contact Detail:
Devon Partnership Nhs Trust Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Nursing (Adult Acute Care)
✨Tip Number 1
Network with current and former employees of Devon Partnership NHS Trust. Engaging with them can provide you with insider knowledge about the organisational culture and expectations for the Head of Nursing role, which can be invaluable during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in mental health care, particularly in trauma-informed practices. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will demonstrate your commitment to high-quality patient care and align with the Trust's values.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to showcase your leadership experience in nursing. Think of specific examples where you've successfully led teams or implemented changes that improved patient care, as this will resonate well with the responsibilities outlined in the job description.
✨Tip Number 4
Research the specific challenges facing the Adult Acute Care Directorate. Understanding these issues will allow you to propose thoughtful solutions during your interview, showing that you're proactive and ready to contribute from day one.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Nursing (Adult Acute Care)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your leadership experience in nursing, particularly in mental health care. Emphasise any relevant qualifications, such as your Master's degree and your registration as a Mental Health Nurse.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for high-quality mental health care and your commitment to compassionate leadership. Mention specific examples of how you've driven quality governance and workforce development in previous roles.
Highlight Relevant Experience: When detailing your work history, focus on your achievements in nursing leadership, patient safety initiatives, and trauma-informed care practices. Use metrics where possible to demonstrate the impact of your work.
Showcase Your Values: Align your application with the Trust's core values by demonstrating your commitment to respect, dignity, and compassion in your professional practice. Share anecdotes that reflect these values in action.
How to prepare for a job interview at Devon Partnership Nhs Trust
✨Showcase Your Leadership Experience
As a Head of Nursing, you'll need to demonstrate your leadership skills. Prepare specific examples of how you've led teams, improved patient care, or implemented new practices in previous roles. Highlight your ability to foster a culture of compassion and inclusivity.
✨Understand the Trust's Values
Familiarise yourself with Devon Partnership NHS Trust's core values and mission. Be ready to discuss how your personal values align with theirs, especially regarding quality care, respect, and compassion. This will show your commitment to their ethos.
✨Prepare for Clinical Scenarios
Expect questions related to clinical excellence and best practices. Brush up on trauma-informed care and patient safety standards. Be prepared to discuss how you would handle specific situations that may arise in an acute care setting.
✨Engage with Questions
Interviews are a two-way street. Prepare thoughtful questions about the role, team dynamics, and future developments within the Adult Acute Care Directorate. This shows your genuine interest in the position and helps you assess if it's the right fit for you.
