Practice Development Nurse - Child & Adolescent Mental Health Services

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:

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

• The Practice Development Nurse (PDN) will be responsible for developing and enhancing nursing skills and competencies and sharing good practice across nursing services in line with national and local priorities
• The PDN will be responsible for developing innovative clinical and evidence based nursing care in line with agreed priorities and the service developments identified in modernising mental health services, ensuring that nurses of all bands are involved in the process
• The PDN’s input will be critical to the development, implementation and evaluation of clinical guidelines, procedures and policies and the monitoring of clinical standards. They will work closely with the professional nursing advisory group and relevant clinical service managers and ward managers
• The PDN will develop links with other National CAMHS services
• The PDN will support and lead nursing research and dissemination in CAMHS
• The PDN will work with HR/OD manager to ensure that the training and development needs of nursing staff are met within the framework of the joint training plan for CAMHS
• The PDN will support senior managers and the clinical director by contributing to multidisciplinary clinical governance responsibilities

Duration, Location, and Working Pattern:

• Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) is thrilled to announce an exciting opportunity for an experienced senior nurse to join our team as a Band 7 Practice Development Nurse on a 1-year fixed-term basis
• The shift pattern for this post is Monday to Friday, 09:00 to 17:00
• Ward 4
  

Key responsibilities:

• Supporting and leading on the implementation of evidence based nursing care.
• Implementation of clinical aspects of national nursing strategies and locally agreed priorities
• Support the implementation of clinical policy
• Facilitate staff development relative to the individual’s knowledge and skills framework and personal development plan taking cognisance of the organisational policies and learning plans
• The development and implementation of clinical audit tools to monitor standards of practice and service outcomes
• Work collaboratively with the Professional Nurse Lead and Clinical Director to promote high quality care to patients
• Work collaboratively with the Clinical Director and Senior Management to ensure Multidisciplinary clinical governance responsibilities are supported
• Maintain the effective communication systems within and out with immediate areas of responsibility playing a key role within the professional communication structure, sharing good practice and learning from adverse incidents
• Participate in the critical incident review process
• Support the development of staff where capability issues have been identified
• Conduct, participate and promote research and apply research findings to clinical practice
• Work collaboratively with senior members of the nursing teams, in particular band 6 and 7 staff and CANN, across in-patient and community services to foster integration and enhance clinical practice quality
• In liaison with clinical service managers develop and promote a culture of continuous learning among the workforce
• Respond to clinical practice deficits highlighted by patients, relatives and carer’s concerns
• Organise, lead, and participate in professional health care forums
• More responsibilities can be found in the attached job description

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

• First level registered nurse RMN / RNLD with valid NMC registration
• Significant experience at Band 6 or equivalent
• Post‑graduate degree in a relevant area with evidence of post‑basic continuing personal and professional development; working towards Masters level desirable
• Experience working in LD MH/CB services with advanced understanding of children and young people’s learning disability, mental health and developmental needs
• Specialist knowledge and skills in:
  • Mental health issues in learning disability
  • Child and adolescent learning disability issues
  • Child and adolescent mental health issues
• Knowledge and skills in clinical governance
• Experience leading staff as part of a multi‑disciplinary team with demonstrable management or leadership competencies
• Sound analytical and communication skills
• Ability to work beyond the immediate sphere of responsibility
• Ability to function effectively under extreme pressure and meet deadlines
• Sound analytical and critiquing skills; experience of standard setting, audit and research advantageous
• Excellent teaching skills; ability to lead, plan, deliver, and evaluate training sessions
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Advanced clinical skills in assessing, managing and evaluating care and treatment for patients with complex mental health needs
• Advanced working knowledge of LD and child‑related legislative systems
• Experience using digital technology/information systems/email and basic applications
• Ability to form therapeutic professional relationships with others and work as part of a wider team; excellent communication and teamwork
• Working knowledge and demonstrable evidence of the NMC The Code
• Ability to undertake scheduled appointments/visits in varied environments, including driving
• Ability to work independently across complex systems to coordinate care using own initiative without direct supervision

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.

As an NHS Scotland employee, you will be entitled to:

• 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:
Professional Nurse Lead, Lauren MacFarlane, lauren.MacFarlane@nhs.scot, 07815144732

Details on how to contact the Recruitment Service and the Recruitment Process: Information for candidates

This post may close early due 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.  

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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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