Senior Charge Nurse

NHS Scotland; Stratheden; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

NHS Scotland invites applications from suitably experienced RMNs to lead and manage the eight-bed Intensive Psychiatric Care Unit (IPCU) within General Adult Services for up to one year. The post emphasises leadership, clinical expertise, and a commitment to learning and accreditation through the Royal College of Psychiatrists Quality Network.

The role requires a degree-level education or equivalent experience, with opportunities for comprehensive induction, clinical supervision, and

Qualifications

• RMN with experience in acute and intensive psychiatric care.
• Ability to demonstrate effective leadership and sound clinical knowledge.
• Strong communication, problem solving, and flexible working skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the eight-bed Intensive Psychiatric Care Unit (IPCU).
• Support service development and contribute to accreditation objectives.
• Facilitate induction, supervision, and educational development for the team.

Skills

Leadership

Clinical knowledge

Communication skills

Problem solving

Flexibility

Education to degree level

Education

Degree level or equivalent

Job description

Owing to the current post post-holder commencing maternity leave we are delighted to invite applications from suitably experienced RMNs with a passion for acute and intensive psychiatric care to lead and manage our modern, purpose-built, eight-bed Intensive Psychiatric Care Unit (IPCU) within General Adult Services for a period of up to one year. The unit has membership with the National Association of Psychiatric Intensive Care (Napicu) and an active development plan.

Candidates must be able to demonstrate effective leadership skills with sound clinical knowledge and experience of working within adult mental health inpatient services supporting a client group presenting with a broad range of mental health problems and complexity.

Experience of service change and development in addition to management of a staff team will be advantageous. Applicants will need to be self motivated and have highly developed problem solving skills, flexibility and strong communication skills. The applicant will be expected to be educated to degree level or equivalent experience.

You will receive a comprehensive induction package and supportive educational development. We are committed to supporting learners, delivery of clinical supervision and personal development, and embarking on accreditation through the Royal College of Psychiatrists Quality Network for Psychiatric Intensive Care Units.

Fixed Term/Secondment Opportunity – Existing permanent employees must first discuss this opportunity with their substantive line manager. The secondment policy can be found here Hub Blink (joinblink.com). If you do not have approval for a secondment from your current line manager, you will not be able to progress your application for a fixed term post. External applicants, with continuous NHS Service, must also have in place a secondment agreement, from their existing board to apply for this post.

For further information and informal enquiries please contact Gemma Westwood on 01334 696004 or [e-mail]

As from 1/4/26, the Agenda for Change full-time working week will be reducing from 37 to 36 hours per week. Part time hours will be reduced pro-rata. However, there will be a corresponding increase in the hourly rate so that pay will not be affected.

A requirement of this post is to become a member of the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme Prior to appointment.

To work in the United Kingdom, there is a legal requirement for an individual to demonstrate that they have the relevant permission to work in the country. This permission is, without exception, granted by the UK Visa and Immigrations Service.

As part of the pre-employment checks for a preferred candidate, NHS Scotland Boards will check your entitlement to work in the UK. It can be evidenced through a number of routes including specific types of visa as well as EU settled and pre-settled status. To find out more about these routes of permission, please refer to the GOV.UK website here.

It is ESSENTIAL that you have checked that you either already have an appropriate right to work in the UK or that the post would be eligible to be sponsored BEFORE submitting your application form.

We offer flexible working and family-friendly policies and fully support disabled candidates, and candidates with long-term conditions or who are neurodivergent by making reasonable adjustments to our recruitment policy and practices.

NHS Scotland is committed to encouraging equality and diversity among our workforce and eliminating unlawful discrimination. The aim is for our workforce to be truly representative and for each employee to feel respected and able to give their best. To this end, NHS Scotland welcomes applications from all sections of society.