Job/Role Summary

• Day-to-day management of a 43-bed assessment and treatment facility for persons with a learning disability
• Coordination and provision of nursing services team to the above mentioned unit.
• Source of expert advice to hospital staff
• Develop and co-ordinate the Learning Disability Quality Improvement and Clinical and Social Care Governance programme
• Promotion of effective team working
• Responsible for the development of professional policies and procedures and standards to ensure the delivery of a quality service
• Participate in policy/strategic discussions within Foyle Health

 

Specific qualifications and experience required

• Registered Learning Disability Nurse
• 2 years experience post-registration at band 6 or above in the previous 5 years

 

Career Milestones

I trained a number of years ago in an environment that emphasised order and structure. I then spent a few years in a staff nurse's post developing my knowledge, skills and competencies within the specialty of Learning Disability. After a number of years working at staff nurse level, I completed a Community Nursing Course in Learning Disability and quickly gained a post working in the community with Learning Disabled clients. During my experience in the community I had a lot of positive learning experiences which added to my knowledge and skills. I completed the Certificate in Health Service Management during my time in the community and used this new knowledge base to develop the skills I had in my role as a community nurse. The lone, autonomous nature of the role shaped me into the person that I am today, one who is independent and has the ability to make decisions effectively.

 

What attracted you to this job?

• The opportunity to enhance my career
• Promotion to a higher grade
• First steps into nursing management
• Opportunity to move into a different area to the one I was working in providing me with new challenges
• New personal and professional development opportunities

 

Enjoyable aspects of the job/role

• Working with people from all walks of life
• Working with a team of multi-professional staff and the challenge that brings
• Working with persons with a Learning Disability and their families

 

Important success factors

• Working within a good team which is multi-disciplinary in nature
• Enjoying what I do and being committed to it - having a positive attitude and facing each challenge as it arises
• Excellent support staff in the administration and clerical team who have a sound working knowledge of the area of Learning Disability

 

Advice for those considering the type of job/role?

Be prepared that you will have to work more than your contracted hours within any given week, taking paper work home with you often. Be aware that you will have to make often uncomfortable decisions which have an effect on others. If this is an area you find difficult then perhaps management is not for you. Be prepared to hold others to account but you must be held to account also. Take an interest in the future delivery of care within your specialty and keep up to date with the latest strategies that will shape this. Be committed to striving towards a better service for your clients.

 

Key skills that can be gained within this job/role?

• I gained the confidence to depend on my own judgement
• Skills in delegation
• Acceptance of relevant responsibility
• Leadership - particularly through major changes in a new facility
• Negotiation
• Motivation
• Public speaking
• Budget management
• Skills in recruitment and retention of staff
• Decision making