Job summary
We are seeking a dedicated and experienced Clinical Lead (Band 6) to join Holford Ward, within our Adult Inpatient Mental Health service.
As a key member of the multi-disciplinary team, you will play a crucial role in delivering high-quality, recovery-focused care while providing clinical leadership and support to the team. You will also deputise for the Ward Manager, ensuring the effective coordination of patient care and adherence to best practices in mental health treatment.
This role offers the opportunity to work in a dynamic, supportive environment where professional growth is encouraged. You will be expected to uphold high standards of clinical governance, contribute to quality assurance initiatives, and maintain compliance with the Essence of Care framework.
This is an exciting opportunity to take on a leadership role within an inpatient mental health setting. If you are a committed and compassionate mental health professional looking to progress in your career, apply today!
Main duties of the job
As a Clinical Lead, you will take on a varied and dynamic role, ensuring the highest standards of patient care and supporting the professional development of staff. You will be responsible for coordinating care, managing risk, and ensuring adherence to governance frameworks. Key duties include:
Clinical Leadership: Provide strong leadership and support to the ward team, working closely with the Ward Manager to ensure smooth day-to-day operations.
Patient Care: Coordinate and deliver high-quality, evidence-based mental health care, ensuring patients receive appropriate support tailored to their individual needs.
Medication Management: Oversee and supervise the administration of prescribed medication in line with Trust policy and national standards.
Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) Involvement: Actively participate in and lead MDT discussions, contributing to patient care planning and risk management.
Staff Development: Act as a mentor and role model, supporting the professional growth of junior staff through training, supervision, and appraisal.
Communication: Ensure effective and compassionate communication with patients, families, and external professionals, promoting a collaborative approach to care.
Quality Improvement: Support the implementation of quality assurance initiatives, ensuring high standards of clinical governance and patient safety.
Risk Management: Complete and review risk assessments, ensuring that all necessary documentation is accurate and up-to-date.
About us
At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:
* Flexible working options to help you balance work and life
* NHS pension scheme for long-term financial security
* Generous annual leave allowance to recharge and relax
* A strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potential
Additionally, you'll gain access to our Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.
We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.
Why Somerset? Somerset offers the perfect blend of idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty, and breathtaking coastlines, with vibrant cities like Bristol, Bath, and Exeter just a short drive away - and only two hours to London.
The region is home to excellent educational facilities, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future.
Somerset truly has it all - the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Clinical Lead will play a pivotal role in ensuring that Holford Ward delivers safe, effective, and patient-centred mental health care. This role requires a dynamic and motivated professional with excellent clinical expertise, leadership capabilities, and a passion for continuous improvement.
Clinical Responsibilities
* Lead the clinical management of patients, ensuring nursing care is of a high standard and aligned with recovery-focused approaches.
* Actively monitor changes in patients' physical and mental health, ensuring appropriate interventions are implemented.
* Oversee the delivery of therapeutic activities and provide emotional support to patients while maintaining professional boundaries.
* Administer and supervise medication management, ensuring compliance with Trust policies and patient safety guidelines.
* Ensure accurate and timely documentation in electronic patient records (e.g., RiO).
Professional & Leadership Responsibilities
* Deputise for the Ward Manager as required, ensuring the smooth running of ward operations.
* Provide clinical supervision and mentorship to junior staff, ensuring they receive the necessary support for professional development.
* Promote adherence to the Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC) Code of Conduct, Trust policies, and relevant mental health legislation.
* Participate in the recruitment, training, and performance management of ward staff.
* Contribute to strategic ward developments, implementing service improvements in line with national and local mental health initiatives.
Governance & Quality Assurance
* Lead on quality improvement projects, ensuring the delivery of high standards of patient care.
* Ensure that clinical and risk assessments are completed, updated, and actioned in accordance with Trust policies.
* Support audits and research initiatives to evaluate and improve clinical practices.
Training & Development
* Support staff in their professional growth by providing training, supervision, and appraisal.
* Maintain personal development through continued education and training, ensuring knowledge remains up-to-date.
* Facilitate teaching and mentoring activities for students and junior staff members.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
* Relevant professional qualification and registration eg RMN
Desirable
* Relevant management and leadership or training qualification
* Evidence of taking lead in projects
* Research
Experience
Essential
* Proven experience of working with the client group in a multi-agency service, presenting complex and sensitive information to others.
* Ability to demonstrate leadership skills and the act up in the absence of the person in charge.
* Evidence of continued professional development and to have undertaken post registration training.
* Experience of managing time and workload of self and others effectively and be able to delegate.
* Good organisational skills and ability to plan timed activity for staff and patients.
Desirable
* Evidence in taking lead in quality improvement projects
* Research
Additional Criteria
Essential
* Able to deliver tasks and demonstrate ability to work effectively as part of a team.
* Have high standards of written and verbal communication skills to assist in information sharing with relatives, carers and other services about complex and sensitive issues.
Desirable
* Able to deliver tasks and demonstrate ability to work effectively as part of a team.
* Have high standards of written and verbal communication skills to assist in information sharing with relatives, carers and other services about complex and sensitive issues.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
Employer details
Employer name
Somerset NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Wellsprings Hospital
Cheddon Road
Taunton
Somerset
TA2 7AU
Employer's website #J-18808-Ljbffr