Job summary
We are excited to offer a fantastic opportunity to join the dynamic and compassionate team at Woodbank Female Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), located at Stepping Hill Hospital.
As thefirst female PICU within Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust, Woodbank Unit provides a unique and vital service with a strong emphasis on delivering high-quality, patient-centered care in a safe, therapeutic, and secure environment.
Our six-bedded unit is dedicated to supporting women experiencing acute mental health crises who require intensive, short-term support. We are seeking passionate, dedicated, and highly motivated individuals who are committed to making a difference in the lives of our service users.
As part of the Woodbank team, you will:
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Be a positive role model, embodying the values and philosophy of both the unit and the Trust.
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Play a key role in the delivery of compassionate, recovery-focused care.
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Work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team that prioritises patient safety, staff wellbeing, and clinical excellence.
This is an exciting opportunity to be involved in a great service with a clear focus on supportingfemale mental health needs through an innovative and holistic model of care.
If you are ready to take on a rewarding challenge in a supportive and forward-thinking environment, we would love to hear from you
Main duties of the job
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Provide clinical leadership and supervision to support junior staff and the wider team.
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Lead shifts as the Nurse in Charge, ensuring safe and effective running of the ward and clear handovers between staff.
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Support and contribute to the development of a positive team culture,
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Act as the Named Nurse/Key Worker for a group of service users, taking responsibility for their full care pathway.
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Carry out comprehensive assessments, develop and implement person-centred care plans, and regularly review progress.
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Work in partnership with service users, families, and carers to co-produce care plans that promote recovery and independence.
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Support daily therapeutic activities and routines that contribute to a safe and structured environment.
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Use least restrictive practices in line with clinical risk assessments and service user needs.
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Manage and de-escalate challenging behaviour
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Administer medications safely, including controlled drugs, following Trust protocols and NMC guidance.
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Monitor the effects of medication and report any concerns promptly.
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Work collaboratively with the wider multidisciplinary team to deliver holistic and coordinated care.
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Participate in audits, quality improvement initiatives, and service development projects.
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Ensure the ward meets compliance standards and contributes to the ongoing development of the unit's model of care.
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Keep up to date with clinical best practice through ongoing professional development and training.
About us
The Woodbank team provides short-term, intensive assessment, treatment, and support for women experiencing acute mental health crisis. Service users admitted to the unit often present with a range of complex and challenging mental health needs, requiring compassionate and expert care within a safe and structured environment.
To promote recovery and wellbeing, we work in a trauma-informed way, guided by a unique model of care that integrates principles from RAID (Reinforce Appropriate, Implode Disruptive), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), and NAPICU (National Association of Psychiatric Intensive Care Units) guidelines. Our approach is focused on delivering high-quality, person-centered care, while always aiming to work in the least restrictive manner possible -- prioritising both patient safety and dignity at all times.
Job description
Job responsibilities
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Support the induction, mentoring, and clinical supervision of junior staff and student nurses, promoting a culture of learning and development.
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Contribute to the ongoing development of the units model of care, supporting implementation of evidence-based practices such as trauma-informed approaches, RAID, DBT, and NAPICU standards.
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Lead and participate in multidisciplinary team meetings, ward reviews, and clinical discussions to ensure coordinated and effective care planning.
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Support service improvement initiatives and contribute to quality improvement projects, audits, and service evaluations.
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Actively promote a positive and recovery-focused ward culture that values dignity, choice, collaboration, and empowerment for all service users.
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Contribute to safeguarding processes and ensure any concerns are escalated appropriately and in line with local and national procedures.
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Maintain accurate, timely, and comprehensive clinical documentation in line with Trust policy and professional standards.
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Participate in clinical risk assessments and contribute to positive risk management plans to support least restrictive care.
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Take responsibility for maintaining safe staffing levels by participating in roster planning, coordinating temporary staffing needs, and escalating staffing concerns when necessary.
Job description
Job responsibilities
-
Support the induction, mentoring, and clinical supervision of junior staff and student nurses, promoting a culture of learning and development.
-
Contribute to the ongoing development of the units model of care, supporting implementation of evidence-based practices such as trauma-informed approaches, RAID, DBT, and NAPICU standards.
-
Lead and participate in multidisciplinary team meetings, ward reviews, and clinical discussions to ensure coordinated and effective care planning.
-
Support service improvement initiatives and contribute to quality improvement projects, audits, and service evaluations.
-
Actively promote a positive and recovery-focused ward culture that values dignity, choice, collaboration, and empowerment for all service users.
-
Contribute to safeguarding processes and ensure any concerns are escalated appropriately and in line with local and national procedures.
-
Maintain accurate, timely, and comprehensive clinical documentation in line with Trust policy and professional standards.
-
Participate in clinical risk assessments and contribute to positive risk management plans to support least restrictive care.
-
Take responsibility for maintaining safe staffing levels by participating in roster planning, coordinating temporary staffing needs, and escalating staffing concerns when necessary.
Person Specification
Education/ Qualifications
Essential
- First level registration (RMN)
- Appropriate diploma or post registration equivalent.
- Evidence of Continual Professional development
- IT Literate
- Preparation for mentorship
- Training in management of violence and aggression
Desirable
- Training in psychosocial interventions
- ECDL
Experience
Essential
- Experience at Band 5 and evidence of appropriate clinical management experience
- Experience of working in acute / forensic mental health settings.
Desirable
- Experience of working in a range of mental health settings
Knowledge
Essential
- Good understanding of Mental Illness
- Knowledge of treatments and interventions appropriate for individuals with acute mental health needs
- Ability to demonstrate working knowledge of the Mental Health Act and CPA process
- Knowledge of current policy and guidance in relation to the development of PICU / Acute Mental Health Services
- Understanding of confidentiality and data protection issues.
Skills and Abilities
Essential
- Good verbal and written communication skills, with emphasis on complex and sensitive information
- Ability to complete the appropriate documentation
- Good social skills and have a positive attitude within the team and when dealing with service users, staff, carers, visitors and the public.
- Ability to physically undertake and participate in PMVA in a clinical setting
Person Specification
Education/ Qualifications
Essential
- First level registration (RMN)
- Appropriate diploma or post registration equivalent.
- Evidence of Continual Professional development
- IT Literate
- Preparation for mentorship
- Training in management of violence and aggression
Desirable
- Training in psychosocial interventions
- ECDL
Experience
Essential
- Experience at Band 5 and evidence of appropriate clinical management experience
- Experience of working in acute / forensic mental health settings.
Desirable
- Experience of working in a range of mental health settings
Knowledge
Essential
- Good understanding of Mental Illness
- Knowledge of treatments and interventions appropriate for individuals with acute mental health needs
- Ability to demonstrate working knowledge of the Mental Health Act and CPA process
- Knowledge of current policy and guidance in relation to the development of PICU / Acute Mental Health Services
- Understanding of confidentiality and data protection issues.
Skills and Abilities
Essential
- Good verbal and written communication skills, with emphasis on complex and sensitive information
- Ability to complete the appropriate documentation
- Good social skills and have a positive attitude within the team and when dealing with service users, staff, carers, visitors and the public.
- Ability to physically undertake and participate in PMVA in a clinical setting
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
