Deputy Manager - Willows Day Centre

The States of Guernsey are looking for a Deputy Manager who is a Registered Mental Health Nurse to join the Willows Day Centre within Mental Health Services. The Willows is a specialist service maximising wellbeing and opportunities for people living with a diagnosis of dementia and enduring mental illness, whilst ensuring respect, dignity and choice.

The post holder will be a professional experienced in assessing, implementing, and evaluating programmes of care and support for service users living with a diagnosis of dementia and enduring mental illness. The post holder will act up in the absence of the Manager and will be responsible for supervising, supporting, coaching and appraising all junior staff. They will promote the highest standards of individualised care, participating in decision making and implementing care innovations with the senior ward team. The post holder will act as a role model and assessor for students. The post holder will be expected to implement and monitor quality assurance initiatives including development of action plans and measuring outcomes.

• To undertake the assessment of patients/service users with complex needs including individuals with unconfirmed diagnosis.
• To develop, implement and evaluate specialised programmes of care utilising evidence and research.
• To work autonomously, recognising changes in patients'/service users' presentation which require intervention, knowing when to elevate as appropriate.
• To guide, advise and direct other staff in the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of specialised patient/service user care.
• To promote patient/service user involvement in the planning, delivery and evaluation of care, respecting their beliefs and dignity.
• To utilise data and information from a range of sources to identify patient/service user condition to guide decision making.
• Within field of expertise and policy, request specific clinical tests to establish a diagnosis.
• To undertake the role of health promoter and educator for patients/service users and their support networks.
• To ensure that professional standards are upheld by the staff members working within the postholder's sphere of responsibility.
• To report all accidents and incidents as per policy and participate in risk management and Quality and Safety processes e.g. SWARM.
• To be accountable for ensuring that safeguards are in place for patients/service users and escalate any safety, safeguarding or risk concerns following the appropriate processes.

• Build a therapeutic relationship with patients/service users and their support network, communicating in a way that respects their views, language, cultural differences and cognitive function.
• Use a wide range of communication skills that can be adapted to meet the needs of complex and challenging situations.
• Manage conflict between individuals including staff, patients/service users and their support network.
• Establish effective working relations with all members of the multi-disciplinary team and outside agencies, relaying condition-related information in a timely and effective manner.
• Communicate to patients/service users and support networks compassionately, in a confidential and sensitive professional manner.
• Provide clear, concise, and accurate electronic and paper records of the care given in accordance with agreed policy and standards.
• Act as a professional role model for junior staff, promoting high standards of practice and strong professional values.
• Take charge of the department or service as required.
• Co-ordinate nurse-led and multi-agency activities within area of specialist practice.
• Contribute to team success and excellent standards of care by challenging others constructively, upholding HSCs CARE Values.
• Ensure team members are aware of organisational objectives, policies and procedures and implications for their practice.
• Undertake Values Based Appraisals for staff as required and support staff with performance issues, developing action plans to address developmental needs.
• Co-ordinate recruitment of team members and ensure a positive and supportive working environment for all staff.
• Advocate on behalf of patients and service users.
• Take accountability and reflect on own decisions and actions using available support networks.
• Organise own workload and tasks and that of others recognising changing priorities and adjusting plans accordingly.
• Assist with shift planning/work scheduling for the service area ensuring safe levels of care.
• Coordinate and delegate activities to junior colleagues where applicable within agreed systems of working, considering required skill mix and staffing levels in accordance with patient/service user need.
• Contribute to service developments and propose changes to policies and procedures.
• Ensure junior staff members are aware of relevant policies, procedures and guidelines.
• Demonstrate an understanding of and apply the principles of the CARE Values.
• Work collaboratively as part of a multi-disciplinary team with a range of professionals from other service areas who may be partaking in the care of a patient/service user.
• Lead effective team working, communicating with others constructively, enabling colleagues to suggest improvements to care delivery.
• Lead and participate in team meetings.
• Ensure public funds are used responsibly and appropriately.
• Authorise expenditure, e.g. signing timesheets and authorising the use of additional staff.
• Have an awareness of cost implications and assist in managing resources within the service area including equipment and supplies.
• Ensure safe and responsible use of equipment.
• Handle valuables in accordance with agreed policies and procedures.
• Maintain own professional development and revalidation requirements, completing training in accordance with Statutory, Mandatory and Essential to Role Training Policy.
• Participate in supervisory one-to-one meetings and undertake HSC Values Based Appraisals where appropriate, developing plans to meet personal and organisational objectives.
• Continually develop new knowledge and skills, applying them to practice and sharing with colleagues as appropriate.
• Develop programmes of learning to meet the educational needs of staff within the department or service.
• Participate in the induction, orientation and development of new staff, agency workers, students and any voluntary workers.
• Actively contribute to an effective learning environment and supervise and assess pre and post registration students in accordance with University and HSC requirements.
• Use data from clinical incidents to inform audit activity and service development.
• Participate in HSC quality improvement initiatives and audits to improve patient and service user safety and care.
• Keep up to date with evidence-based practice and current trends.
• Understand Key Performance Indicators and trends within own service area and contribute to service development.
• Utilise a variety of data sources to contribute to analysis and investigation of incidents.

• Registered Mental Health Nurse (RMN).
• Substantial experience working with people living with dementia who display challenging behaviours.
• Capability to mentor junior staff, act as an assessor or supervisor to student nurses.

• Evidence of how HSCs CARE Values are applied in practice.
• Evidence of relevant CPD.
• High standard of communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to deal with complex and challenging situations calmly and diplomatically.
• Ability to effectively prioritise own workload and that of others.
• Ability to work autonomously and as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
• Commitment to self-development and the development of others.
• Adaptable and responsive to changing service needs.
• Ability to deal with stress in self and others, recognising when support is required.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and a disclosure submission to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly CRB) is required to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled Worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications.

Applicants must have current UK professional registration.