Senior Charge Nurse - Inpatient Mental Health Nursing

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) is one of the largest healthcare systems in the United Kingdom, employing approximately 40,000 staff across a wide range of clinical and non clinical professions and roles. We deliver acute hospital, primary, community and mental health services to a population of over 1.15 million people, and to a wider population of 2.2 million when regional and national services are included.

The role: As an integral member of the multi disciplinary team the post holder has 24 hours responsibility for the ward/department including clinical nurse leadership, managing and supporting ongoing nursing team development to fulfil the key functions of the inpatient ward/department. In particular the post holder will be responsible for safe and effective deployment and management of the nursing resource to ensure robust risk assessment / risk management, implementation and evaluation of complex programmes of care using a strength based recovery focused approach that proactively involves the person.

The post holder is required to undertake Nurse Line Management responsibilities of senior nursing staff with overall responsibility for monitoring nursing activity related key performance indicators. Has lead responsibility for profession specific clinical governance activity and monitoring which includes care assurance; standards compliance; professional regulation; responding to complaints; staff governance; Clinical Supervision; Nurse Line Management Supervision; legislative frameworks; national and board policy/ guidelines implementation.

Participating as a key member of the multi disciplinary decision making with regards to clinical and risk assessment / risk management and plans of care. Monitoring nursing clinical activity / workforce issues and ensuring resource efficiency are critical aspects of the role.

Supporting the service manager, contributing to health and social care agenda, leading on professional, practice and service improvements to ensure safe, effective person centred care delivery for the inpatient mental health service.

You need to have a live NMC UK pin in order to be considered for this post.

Duration, Location, and Working Pattern:

• An exciting opportunity has arisen for the role of Senior Charge Nurse for Inverclyde Mental Health Inpatient Services. The post holder will be based in AAU Langhill clinic which is a 20 bedded assessment ward for Adults with mental health conditions
• The shift pattern for this post is five out of seven days
• The post holder will have a combination of clinical and management shifts each week

Key responsibilities:

• Carrying out all relevant forms of nursing care pertinent to the individual needs of people within the defined patient group
• Identifying, coordinating and responding to the health promotion needs of patients focusing on improving the mental well being of patients
• Identifying, coordinating and responding to the health promotion needs of patients focusing on improving the physical health of patients
• Leading the nursing team in the maintenance of robust clinical governance of the ward/department. This typically includes establishing and maintaining: effective communication & effective leadership: policy, procedural and standards compliance; participating in clinical audit/ research activity; application of evidence based practice; supporting a culture of learning and innovation and implementing strategies to maintain safety /minimising risk of untoward clinical incidents
• Leading the nurse team in the maintenance of a safe clinical environment, prevention and control of infection by ensuring compliance with policies, standards and procedures
• Provide regular Nurse Line Management Supervision and regular performance appraisal process (eKSF) including a Professional Development Plan (PDP). Ensuring that systems are in place for regular nurse line management supervision provision with the nursing staff team. Participate in regular Nurse Line Management supervision with lead Nurse/ Service Manage
• Provide regular Clinical Supervision/ reflective practice. Ensure systems are in place ror regular Clinical Supervision provision with the nursing team. Participate in regular Clinical Supervision as a supervisee to ensure safe effective nursing practice
• Provide nurse leadership and undertake management responsibilities/ duties where required and as delegated by the Lead Nurse/ Service Manager
• Ensure rosters are fair, consistent, prepared using existing resources to meet clinical demand in adherence with NHSGGC policy and procedures.
• Undertake hospital/site responsibilities (ie pageholding/ response nurse) including on call when required
• Raising and escalating any cause for concern through established reporting mechanisms that may significantly impede the delivery of safe, effective person centred car
• Undertake investigations and provide formal reports on identified result areas contributing to key performance indicators
• More responsibilities can be found in the job description attached

Knowledge, training, qualifications and/or experience required to do the job:

• Registered Mental Health Nurse - level 1 NMC registration
• Educated to minimum degree level or equivalent
• Completion of an evidence based psychological therapies/ psychological approaches to care programme
• Completion of frontline leadership/ management programme
• Actively working towards or above postgraduate level or equivalent
• Specialist knowledge and application of mental health nursing care including physical healthcare for people with complex/ unstable care needs
• Specialist knowledge and application of risk assessment/ risk management factors impacting on mental health/ mental illness/ wellness and recovery for people with complex/unstable care needs
• Evidence of active and ongoing CPD
• Evidence of Nurse Line Management Supervision/ Clinical Supervision and supervision of senior staff
• Specialist knowledge of rights, values based practice and legislation frameworks
• Post Registration Career Development Framework evidence of pillars of practice at Level 7 Advanced Practice (equivalent):
• Clinical practice - safe effective person centred care
• Facilitation of Learning
• Leadership - applied
• Research and development
• Evidence of using digital technology/ information systems/ email and basic applications
• Experience of working in an inpatient environment
• Demonstrable enhanced communication and interpersonal skills
• Demonstrable lead service improvement and/ or practice development role at local/ service level
• Ability to manage nursing team workload and competing service priorities
• Ability to motivate, support and lead the nursing team
• Ability to role model, influence and share advanced/ specialist knowledge and skills to enable promotion and development of positive therapeutic relationships
• Working knowledge and demonstrable evidence of the NMC Code

What we offer: We offer a wide range of supportive policies designed to enhance your employee journey, including a comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme, Cycle to Work Scheme, bursary scheme and extensive learning and development opportunities.

• A minimum of 27 days annual leave, increasing with length of service, plus public holidays
• Membership of the NHS Pension Scheme, including life insurance benefits
• Salary Sacrifice Car Benefit Scheme
• Development opportunities including study bursaries, e learning and classroom-based courses
• Enhanced pay for working public holidays
• NHS discounts on a wide range of goods and services
• Confidential employee support and assistance, including counselling and psychological therapies

Interested? If you would like to find out more, we would love to hear from you.

For an informal discussion, please contact:
Inpatient Service Manager/ Lead Nurse, Margaret Carswell

Information for candidates

This post may close early to the volume of response. Please submit your application form as soon as possible. Due to the volume of applications that we receive, we will not be able to provide shortlisting feedback.

From 1 April 2026, the Agenda for Change full time working week will reduce from 37 hours to 36 hours. Part time working hours will be reduced on a pro rata basis. A corresponding increase in the hourly rate will apply, ensuring that overall pay remains unchanged.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) recognises the importance of work life balance and is committed to offering a range of flexible working options where service needs allow. For roles where less than full time hours can be accommodated, and where the tenure is listed as various, we encourage applications from individuals seeking flexible working arrangements. Flexible working will be included as a topic for discussion during the recruitment process.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde encourages applications from all sections of the community. We are committed to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion and are proud of the diverse workforce we employ.

By signing the Armed Forces Covenant, NHSGGC has pledged its commitment to being a Forces Friendly Employer. We welcome applications from across the Armed Forces Community and recognise military skills, experience and qualifications throughout the recruitment and selection process.
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