Acting Nurse Manager

Arlington Care Home is seeking an experienced and dedicated Acting Nurse Manager for a 6‑month fixed‑term appointment. The successful candidate will lead and manage daily operations, ensuring exceptional levels of care and building a motivated nursing team.

Professional Responsibilities

• Acts as a member of the management team, ensuring the smooth running of the Care Home.
• Works within the NMC Professional Code of Conduct complying with all legal and statutory requirements outlined.
• Proactively challenges current nursing practice, presenting necessary confirmation and evidence based on research to the Nurse Manager, who will then investigate the matter.
• Adheres to regulations outlined in the ‘Controlled Drugs Act’ and the policy entitled ‘Custody, Storage and Administration of Drugs and Medicines’ and ensures staff compliance.
• Endeavours to establish good working relationships with all doctors, pharmacists, external medical staff, patients’ relatives and friends, religious practitioners and the RQIA Inspection Team.
• Continually updates oneself on current procedures through the use of literature available in the Care Home and attends internal and external courses when requested by Senior Managers.
• Observes confidentiality at all times.
• Remains fully compliant with the Company’s Health and Safety Procedures and ensures standards are maintained by all staff.
• Adheres to the fire and accident prevention policy of the Home and participates in the investigation and prevention of all incidents/accidents in the Home.
• Ensures that all emergencies, untoward incidents and complaints are acted upon and processed per the Care Home’s Policy and Procedures.
• Undertakes duties and responsibilities of a Staff Nurse as and when required, including participation in the on‑call rota on a rotational basis with the Nurse Manager.

Resident Care Responsibilities

• Ensure every service meets or exceeds RQIA standards and client expectations.
• Conduct assessments on potential residents being admitted to the Care Home in line with the Company budget and in conjunction with the Nurse Manager.
• Liaise with Staff Nurses in the admission of residents the named worker, G.P. and relatives in the continuing care of the patients and relevant individuals on patient discharge whilst on duty.
• Ensures that all residents receive the care identified in their care plans and that it is carried out to the highest standard.
• Audits and reviews care files on a bi‑monthly basis, recording the same in conjunction with the Nurse Manager.
• Monitors residents’ diets in association with the Staff Nurse, ensuring nutritional content, presentation and suitability of meals provided.
• Proactively encourages the use of day areas and the development of active rehabilitation and therapy programmes to include training, occupation and recreation of residents.
• Ensures the social and spiritual welfare of each resident by monitoring social needs as outlined in the resident’s care plan, requesting external help from professional services and involving relatives and friends in the interaction of the patient with the environment.
• Liaise with Community Nursing Services to ensure a satisfactory integrated care programme for each resident.
• Takes responsibility for the protection of vulnerable adults and reports to Senior Management where they consider a resident has caused harm or posed a risk of harm to another resident(s).
• Ensures the safekeeping of residents’ belongings and valuables per the Care Home policy.

Audit Responsibilities

• Assesses if procedures relevant to new admissions have been completed and are accurate - risk assessments, care plans, observations, and drug administration.
• Audits and records all medication records alongside the Nurse Manager (including disposal and storage of drugs).
• Oversees that patient weights are carried out and recorded monthly.
• Oversees that emergency equipment has been checked.
• Spot checks on the treatment room and first aid boxes to ensure fully stocked.

Supply Responsibilities

• Ensures that adequate supplies of nursing material are available for use in line with the Company budget and minimising costs where feasible.
• Ensures the economic use of all supplies and equipment.
• Maintaining all these resources in a satisfactory condition and reporting any faults/breakages.
• Ensures any unused equipment is stored away from the resident treatment areas.
• Participates in research and trials of new equipment.

Infection Control Responsibilities

• Ensures adequate infection control measures are in operation within the Care Home and demonstrates compliance with the same.
• Liaises with the Head Housekeeper to ensure cleanliness, tidiness & maintenance in all parts of the Care Home is maintained and to ensure proper disposal of waste.
• Ensures all nursing equipment & areas are kept clean.

Staff Personnel Responsibilities

• Day‑to‑day management of staff, ensuring compliance with Care Home policies and procedures and delivery of exceptional care.
• Participates in the interviewing, orientation, and training of new staff and proactively manages the development of current staff.
• Ensures adequate staffing levels at all times, including managing holidays and weekly rotas in the absence of the Deputy Nurse Manager.
• Conducts quarterly supervision with Staff Nurses/Care Assistants to monitor the quality of care provided and training requirements.
• Conducts return to work and performance reviews as required, including investigation and disciplinary meetings as required.
• Identifies individual staff training needs in respect of all aspects of residents’ care, in particular clinical procedures.
• Alongside Senior Management, conduct staff meetings quarterly as per RQIA guidelines.
• Participates in the development of good interpersonal relationships between all staff members.
• Notifies Senior Management of any sign of ill health or stress in staff members in the Care Home.
• Updates and makes available relevant information and records for inspector visits in conjunction with the Nurse Manager.
• Is fully compliant with the Company’s Equal Opportunities Policy and HR policies.

Administrative Responsibilities

• Observes and reports on residents’ health status and maintains a high standard of record keeping and documentation by complying with the NMC Standards for Record Keeping.
• Updates Care Home policies and procedures as required.
• Ensures the update of the Patient register whilst on duty.
• Ensures untoward events and deceased forms are sent to the RQIA, and a photocopy is retained.
• Ensures complaints are recorded and updated in the relevant book.
• Ensures accidents are recorded and updated in the relevant book.
• Maintains records of all fire drills.
• Organises Christmas and Birthday presents for residents.
• Does not accept gifts from residents or witness a resident’s will.

Requirements

• An Enhanced Access NI Check will be required for this post.
• Registered Nurse with a valid NMC (Nursing and Midwifery Council) PIN.
• Relevant post‑registration qualification or evidence of ongoing professional development.
• Significant experience in a leadership or senior nursing role within a Care Home or similar healthcare setting.
• Demonstrated experience in managing staff and overseeing care delivery.
• Proven ability to handle clinical emergencies and manage challenging situations effectively.
• Strong clinical and decision‑making skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities, with the capacity to engage effectively with residents, families, staff, and external stakeholders.
• Commitment to maintaining high standards of care and ensuring residents’ dignity and privacy.
• Be in good general medical health.
• Have the right to work and live in the UK.

Desirable Criteria

• Relevant and current management qualification.
• Prior or current experience managing a team.
• Experience working with the elderly in a Care Home environment.
• Registered Nurse/Charge Nurse on the NMC register.
• Significant experience in a healthcare setting, with proven experience in management.
• A solid understanding of RQIA standards and regulatory requirements.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Current PDP up to date and willing to undertake additional training as deemed necessary to fulfil the role.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and Care Management Systems.
• Excellent organisational and time‑management skills.
• Experience managing RQIA‑regulated services.
• Knowledge of safeguarding policies and procedures.

Benefits

• Collaborating with an award‑winning team with family values.
• A comprehensive paid induction programme.
• A wide variety of training is provided.
• Career development opportunities.
• Flexibility of shifts.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Discounted rates at Malone Hotel, Belfast.
• Health and well‑being initiatives, including team‑building initiatives.
• Free car parking and uniform.
• Incentives for employee referrals.