Registered Nurse, Alder Ward PICU

Job summary

Alder Ward - Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit

The Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) is an integral component of the Mental Health Clinical Board in-patient provision for working age adults suffering from severe and enduring Mental Health illnesses (SMI). The ward supports the Crisis Service and the wider hospital, by providing short-term admission and treatment for patients in the most acutely disturbed phase of a serious mental disorder, supporting them in the early stages of their recovery.

"Psychiatric intensive care is for patients who are in an acutely disturbed phase of a serious mental disorder. There is an associated loss of capacity for self-control, with a corresponding increase in risk, which does not allow their safe, therapeutic management and treatment in a less acute or a less secure mental health ward. Care and treatment must be patient centred, multidisciplinary, intensive and have an immediacy of response to critical clinical and risk situations.

Alder ward is a 10 bed Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU). The unit supports individuals in the most acute stages of their illness; this phase is often associated with complex and challenging needs. The aim of the unit is to provide a low stimulus environment which is more beneficial to recovery, and to provide more intensive support and treatment during acute crisis associated with a mental disorder.

Main duties of the job

What we can offer you:

A supernumerary period when you start, to support your transition from student nurse to registered nurse and supporting you to orientate yourself to our services and processes

A named preceptor who will support you during your first 12-18 months as a newly registered nurse

A Welcome Pack and Preceptorship workbook to support your development as a Band 5 nurse

A minimum of 6 study days specifically focussed on mental health

Support from the Practice Development Team to look at future learning opportunities

A dedicated multidisciplinary team that is patient focused and driven to improve the in-patient experience

The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; Welsh and/or English speakers are equally welcome to apply.

About us

Cardiff and Vale University Health Board is one of the largest Integrated Health Boards in the UK, employing over 15,000 staff, providing over 100 specialist services. Working across 6 hospital sites, we have a diverse range of career opportunities to offer. Serving around 500,000 people living in Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan, we are focussed on the health and care needs of our local population whilst working with our partners to develop regional services.

Our mission is "Caring for People, Keeping People Well",and our vision is that every person's chance of leading a healthy life should be equal. As an organisation we are unashamedly ambitious for our population's health, rising to the challenges of today and tomorrow through our 10-year strategy, Shaping our Future Wellbeing. We are contributing to a healthier Wales with great emphasis placed on innovation and improvement, learning from around the world and leading the way in clinical research. Partnership working is strong at Cardiff and Vale, and we work closely with our staff and our community.

Cardiff, the thriving Welsh capital, is a fantastic city to live and work in with an abundance of sports, arts and cultural attractions. Situated to the west of Cardiff, the Vale of Glamorgan offers a combination of beautiful Welsh countryside and a dramatic natural coastline. Whether city life or rural living, Cardiff and the Vale offers the best of both worlds.