Lead Nurse for Learning Disabilities and Autism

EAST LANCASHIRE HOSPITALS NHS TRUST; Lancashire; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare provider is seeking a Clinical Lead for Learning Disability and Autism Care in the UK. The role involves providing clinical leadership, enhancing care quality for individuals with disabilities, and leading on evidence-based practices. Suitable candidates should have relevant qualifications, experience in clinical practice, and a proven track record in leadership. The position offers a rewarding opportunity to make a significant impact in the field and requires ongoing professional development.

Qualifications

• Registered Nurse (RMN/RGN/RNLD), AHP and/or Registered Social Worker with relevant experience.
• Evidence of continued professional development relevant to role.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert professional leadership in learning disability and autism care.
• Lead quality improvements and evidence-based practices.
• Act as a resource and provide expert clinical opinions.

Skills

Clinical judgement

Critical analysis

Advanced decision-making

Leadership

Communication

Education

Degree level qualification relevant to role

Postgraduate leadership qualification

Job description

Provide expert professional, clinical leadership and advice ensuring the needs of people with a learning disability and or autism, their families and carers are met by exercising and demonstrating high levels of clinical judgement, critical analysis and advanced decision‑making skills. Provide and utilise advance comprehensive assessment, care planning and psycho‑social interventions to enhance the quality of life of those with a learning disability and or autism and their carers/families. Provide visible, strategic leadership on the delivery and evaluation of evidence‑based learning disability and or autism care, lead and inspire system changes to improve standards for people with a learning disability and or autism and their carers/families through supervision, evidence‑based practice, clinical audit, research and education. Lead on the delivery and evaluation of workforce development requirements to support delivery of improved clinical skills, through investment of knowledge, skills and competencies to support families/carers. Develop and monitor evaluation of key performance and quality indicators, to increase evidence of impact relating to learning disabilities and autism care, which includes the experience of people with a learning disability and or autism and their family/carer experience. Be an expert resource and role model in influencing and leading on professional practice developments to improve clinical standards and care for people with learning disability and or autism and their carers/ families. Demonstrate high standards of care and provide clinical leadership to support the provision of high‑quality care of patients with a learning disability and or autism in clinical areas, including the most complex cases, using a range of psychosocial interventions and emotional support to promote health and wellbeing for people with a learning disability and or autism and their carers/families.

To lead on quality improvements in the field of learning disability and or autism care, including the delivery of relationship and family‑centred approaches that support development of professional practice and enhance the experience of people with a learning disability and or autism and their carers/ families. To be an innovator and use evidence‑based practice to achieve continuous improvements in clinical practice. To provide clear leadership for practitioners in the field of learning disability and or autism, particularly around the care of those with complex needs. To ensure effective clinical governance, development of clinical audit and effectiveness tools and lead on audit provision, disseminating results at local/national level as appropriate. Act as a resource, providing expert advice and clinical opinion to colleagues. Work alongside those in advanced clinical practice roles to provide opportunities for development and supervision. Promote and evaluate the use of the learning disability and or autism care bundle across all sites and ensuring a patient‑centred care pathway is implemented. Work closely with the Safeguarding Team to lead/support mental capacity and best interest decision making and safeguarding investigations as required.

Qualifications and Experience

• Registered Nurse (RMN/RGN/RNLD), AHP and/or Registered Social Worker with relevant experience within the field of learning disability and autism
• Degree level qualification relevant to role
• Postgraduate leadership qualification or equivalent experience
• Evidence of continued professional development relevant to role

Desirable Criteria

• Mentorship qualification, significant post‑registration clinical experience of working with people with a learning disability and autism and their carers/supporters in different settings
• Significant experience in a nursing or equivalent leadership role
• Experience of recent involvement in practice/service development.
• Experience of working with groups and individuals in a variety of roles and settings
• Demonstrated experience of working as an autonomous practitioner
• Experience of audit/evaluating clinical practice, expert practitioner and knowledge of learning disability and autism and therapeutic working with families and organisations
• Strategic leadership skills, knowledge and experience
• Be able to make complex advanced decision making in practice
• Ability to prepare and present concise, informative reports. You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

About East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust

Our vision is to be widely recognised for providing safe, personal and effective care. We currently provide high‑quality services and treat over 600,000 people across East Lancashire and the surrounding area. We employ over 9,500 staff, many of whom are internationally renowned and have won awards for their work. The Trust is an equal opportunities employer, committed to improving the working lives of our staff and operates a ‘Zero Tolerance’ policy to aggression, violence, bullying and harassment. In addition, our aim is to help protect children and vulnerable adults by providing a first‑class service to the recruitment of people into positions of trust.

We aim to employ a workforce that reflects the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from everyone irrespective of ethnic origin, gender, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, marital status, disability or social background. We especially welcome applications from members of our black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) communities, as we have identified that ELHT has an under‑representation of BAME employees. Appointments will be made on merit.

Salary and Conditions

• Please note that the salary advertised is for full time hours. If this post is less than 37.5 hours per week, the salary will be pro‑rata. For posts on Agenda for Change pay‑scales, new entrants to the NHS will normally commence on the first pay point of the relevant band.
• This vacancy may close before the closing date if the recruiting manager deems sufficient applications have been received. Therefore it is advised to complete your application as early as possible to avoid disappointment.
• Please ensure you check the email account from which you apply regularly as we will use this to contact you regarding your application.
• Please note that shortlisting is completed anonymously with candidates being assessed against the essential criteria for the post. Therefore only applicants who can clearly demonstrate how they meet our person specification criteria in their application will be short‑listed.

Disclosure and Barring Scheme (DBS)

• If the role you are applying for is identified as either controlled or regulated activity as defined in the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act (2006) any offer of employment is provisional upon a satisfactory DBS check being obtained. The healthcare sector is exempted from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
• In line with other NHS organisations in the North West Region, the Trust is now passing the charge for undertaking a DBS check on to candidates in the event they are successfully appointed into the post for which they have applied. Candidates can choose whether to pay this over 1–3 months as a deduction from the monthly salary. However, if you are applying for a post as a BANK worker, the payment must be made in full at the time of employment checks. By applying for this vacancy you are agreeing to this undertaking in the event you are successfully appointed.
• The cost of an Enhanced Disclosure will be £55.38 and for a Standard Disclosure will be £27.38.