Charge Nurse – Band 6 - Gosfield Ward | Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

Essex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust; Colchester; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading NHS Trust in Colchester is seeking a Deputy Ward Manager to provide clinical leadership in the mental health unit. Ideal candidates will have nursing qualifications and a commitment to high-quality patient care. This role involves assessing and implementing care plans, supervising nursing teams, and maintaining communication standards. The position supports flexible working and development opportunities within mental health service.

Benefits

Training and development opportunities

NHS discounts for staff

Flexible working arrangements

Qualifications

• Demonstrate a high level of knowledge and philosophy of the 6 C's of care.
• Active participation in the training and education of learners allocated to the Mental Health Service.
• Track record of delivering the highest quality care for patients with acute mental health issues.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for clinical leadership of a team of nurses in an acute setting.
• Assist the Ward Manager in setting and maintaining high standards of care.
• Participate in assessments provided during a 24-hour period.

Skills

Excellent risk assessment skills

Effective communication

Compassion and understanding

High motivation

Education

Nursing qualification

Job description

Overview

Are you an experienced Mental Health Nurse looking for the next step in your career? We have an exciting opportunity for a Deputy Ward Manager who can bring fresh ideas, determination and commitment to join us in taking our service forward in new and innovative ways. The role is based in our Gosfield mental health male acute ward at The Lakes, Colchester.

Responsibilities

• Key responsibilities of the role include: responsible for the clinical leadership of a team of nurses in an acute setting; responsible for the assessment, implementation and evaluation of care plans for individual service users; to assist the Ward Manager in setting and maintaining high standards of care and evaluating quality outcomes; participate in a range of assessments provided during a 24 hour period; to take charge of the unit in the absence of the person with continuing responsibility; to teach and supervise the team, including qualified, non-qualified and learners; maintain good standards of communication, both oral and written, in accordance with NMC guidelines.

• Core Clinical Functions: assist the Team Manager in the day to day operation of the clinical area, and the development of the team; contribute to the development of the service by participating in forums/steering groups/meetings as required; work collaboratively as a Key Worker within the multidisciplinary team, liaising with associated professionals and other agencies, and offering support and guidance to the clinical team as necessary; ensure effective communication with clients, carers, visitors and staff; make effective use of evidence based practice in day to day clinical practice; implement and ensure effective use of the Mental Health Act and Mental Capacity Act where necessary; represent nursing team and provide reports for Manager’s Hearings and Mental Health Act Tribunals; ensure safe standards apply to the administration of medication; ensure adherence to Trust policies and procedures at all times; assist with the development and/or revision of policies and procedures as necessary; undertake other link roles for specified areas including Infection Control, Health and Safety, PALS liaison and Student Placements; take a lead and support colleagues in interventions relating to the management of violence and aggression, including de-escalation techniques and the use of physical intervention (DC&R techniques) as necessary; ability to work flexibly over a 24 hour period to meet the unit’s operational requirements; maintain effective relationships with service users, their relatives, friends and other carers; maintain effective relationships with members of the Trust and other statutory and voluntary organisations.

Qualifications and Skills

• Demonstrate: excellent risk assessment skills; ability to communicate effectively, both written and verbally; compassion, understanding, commitment, enthusiasm, and high motivation; understanding of the Recovery Model approach, considering the needs of families and carers, and being part of an established multidisciplinary team; a high level of knowledge and philosophy of the 6 C’s of care; active participation in the training and education of learners allocated to the Mental Health Service, and to encourage integration between the Ward Team and the Crisis Resolution Home Treatment Team; a track record of delivering the highest quality care for patients with acute mental health issues, with a positive attitude and commitment to maintain EPUT’s customer care.

What we offer

• Training and development opportunities through regular supervision and appraisals
• Season Ticket Loans
• NHS discounts for staff
• Excellent Training facilities and opportunities
• Buying and Selling annual leave scheme
• The opportunity to work bank shifts and expand knowledge and experience in other areas
• Salary Sacrifice schemes including lease cars and Cycle to Work
• Day One Flexible Employer

Flexible Working and Staff Bank

The Trust supports and actively encourages flexible working for all employees. We offer many options and you are encouraged to ask the recruiting manager what is possible for this role. If appointed, you will have the opportunity to apply for a flexible working request from the first day of your employment.

Join our Staff bank.

What is Staff Bank?

Our EPUT NHS staff bank is an entity managed by the trust that hires clinical and non-clinical healthcare professionals to take on shifts at our trust hospitals and community settings. Here at EPUT we maintain our own bank of specialist staff to ensure that we are able to offer safe and effective care at all times. All our permanent staff are automatically enrolled onto the staff bank; this does not mean you have to work any additional shifts, but the option is there if you wish. If you are joining our Trust in a fixed term role, please indicate on your New Starter Paperwork that you wish to join our staff bank.

Role Details

The responsibilities of the role are split between Key and Core Clinical Functions with a selection listed below. Please find full list of responsibilities within the attached Job Description.

Key responsibilities of the role

• Responsible for the clinical leadership of a team of nurses in an acute setting
• Responsible for the assessment, implementation and evaluation of care plans for individual service users
• Assist the Ward Manager in setting and maintaining high standards of care and evaluating quality outcomes
• Participate in a range of assessments provided during a 24 hour period
• To take charge of the unit in the absence of the person with continuing responsibility
• To teach and supervise the team, including qualified, non-qualified and learners
• Maintain good standards of communication, both oral and written, in accordance with NMC guidelines

Core Clinical Functions

• Assist the Team Manager in the day to day operation of the clinical area, and the development of the team
• Contribute to the development of the service by participating in forums/ steering groups/ meetings as required
• Work collaboratively as a Key Worker within the multidisciplinary team, acting as a role model for good practice; liaising with associated professionals and other agencies, and offering support and guidance to the clinical team as necessary
• Ensure effective communication with clients, carers, visitors and staff; make effective use of evidence based practice in day to day clinical practice
• Implement and ensure effective use of the Mental Health Act and Mental Capacity Act where necessary; represent nursing team and provide reports for Manager’s Hearings and Mental Health Act Tribunals
• Ensure safe standards apply to the administration of medication
• Ensure adherence to Trust policies and procedures at all times; assist with the development and/or revision of policies and procedures as necessary
• Undertake other link roles for specified areas as required, including Infection Control, Health and Safety, PALS liaison and Student Placements
• Take a lead and support colleagues in interventions relating to the management of violence and aggression, including de-escalation techniques and the use of physical intervention (DC&R techniques) as necessary
• Ability to work flexibly over a 24 hour period in order to meet the operational requirements of the unit
• Maintain effective relationships with service users, their relatives, friends and other carers
• Maintain effective relationships with members of the Trust and other statutory and voluntary organisations

For more detail on this job role please see attached Job Description or contact our team.

This advert closes on Tuesday 30 Sep 2025