Clinical Charge Nurse (Ruskin Unit) | South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust

South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust; Greater London; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading NHS Trust in Greater London is seeking a highly skilled Clinical Charge Nurse to join their senior nursing team. The role involves coordinating patient-centered care, administering medication, and supporting junior staff in a dynamic multi-disciplinary environment. Candidates should possess strong core nursing skills and an interest in mental health, making significant contributions to service improvement and patient wellbeing. This position offers opportunities for professional development and collaboration with healthcare partners.

Qualifications

• Qualified nurse with experience in mental health care.
• Ability to work in multi-disciplinary teams.
• Knowledge of the Mental Health Act and related legislation.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and evaluate patient-centered care with the MDT.
• Administer medication and ensure safe custody.
• Support and teach junior staff on risk management.
• Develop and document care plans reflecting users' needs.
• Maintain accurate and confidential patient information.

Skills

Core nursing skills

Interest in psychosis and physical health

Team working

Service improvement

Education

Registered Nurse qualification

Job description

Ruskin Unit is looking for a highly skilledandmotivatednurse to join oursenior nursing team and wider MDT as a Clinical Charge Nurse (Band 6). We are looking for a nurse that is driven to provide and role modelhighstandardsof qualityofnursingcare to patients suffering with complex mental illness, comorbid physicalhealthand psychosocial difficulties. The post holder will need to be equipped with a strong foundationof core nursing skills, an interest in psychosisand physical health, be passionate about service improvement and be able todemonstratea dynamic and creative approach the role, team working andservice delivery.

Responsibilities

• Co‑ordinating and evaluating collaborative patient‑centred care, getting feedback and improving plans with the multi‑disciplinary team (MDT).
• Liaising and working positively with members of the multi‑disciplinary team and partner organisations.
• Administering medication and monitoring its side‑effects; ensuring safe custody of medicines, sharps, and clinical equipment, and reporting all incidents in line with trust policy.
• Leading and supporting or teaching junior staff on risk assessment, risk management and decision‑making based on research evidence, individual service‑user context, and clinical expertise.
• Undertaking one‑to‑one engagement with service users in an honest, open and non‑judgemental manner; recognising and valuing individuals, maintaining their respect and dignity at all times.
• Developing care plans that reflect service‑user needs, documenting them reliably, and working in partnership with service users, wider MDT, families and carers.
• Ensuring the monitoring and recording of clinical observations (physical observations, vital signs) and treating or escalating any signs of deterioration appropriately.
• Maintaining accurate, secure and confidential personal information for patients, staff and other individuals in compliance with the Data Protection Act, Caldicott principles, and the Freedom of Information Act 2000.
• Adhering to the Smoke Free Policy and all Health & Safety policies, keeping the environment safe for staff, patients and visitors.
• Working autonomously within the role's parameters, leading and supporting junior staff and wider care teams to deliver quality nursing care across physical, psychological, social, recreational, and spiritual domains.
• Providing clear, accessible information about care to patients and their relatives.
• Supporting and supervising junior staff in data collection, monitoring progress, giving feedback, producing reports, and developing care plans.
• Promoting healthy lifestyles and giving health‑promotion advice; encouraging recovery and active engagement in wellbeing.
• Advocating for service‑user rights and needs within the Trust, encouraging autonomy and responsibility for their care programmes.
• Recognising and responding to challenging behaviour in line with Trust policies, de‑escalating situations, and facilitating reflection and resilience training.
• Demonstrating a depth of knowledge of the Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act, Deprivation of Liberty, and other relevant legislation, ensuring legal adherence.
• Communicating effectively with all stakeholders, ensuring accurate verbal and written hand‑over, and documenting relevant information.
• Managing service‑user caseload, delegating tasks appropriately, mitigating risks, and informing relevant healthcare professionals of significant changes.
• Maintaining timely accurate written or electronic records, care plans, and information system progress notes in line with Trust standards.
• Reporting safety or security concerns promptly to maintain the safety of service users, carers, staff and others.
• Supporting audit and compliance activities, leading reflective practice sessions, supervising junior staff, and ensuring mandatory training and CPD.
• Assisting the team manager in staffing, resource deployment, incident investigation, quality improvement, and research activities.
• Collaborating with Higher Education Institutes to align clinical practice with current teaching standards for pre‑registration and post‑registration nursing.
• Continuously developing personal professional standards, undertaking audits, reporting to the Clinical Governance system, and staying current with NMC revalidation requirements.

This advert closes on Wednesday 17 Dec 2025