Page 1 of 5

Westgate Healthcare Group Limited

Job Description

POST : Clinical Lead

ACCOUNTABLE TO : Directors of Westgate Healthcare Group Ltd
REPORTS TO : Home Manager / Directors of Westgate Healthcare Group Ltd

AIMS & PURPOSE

The Clinical Lead must take responsibility alongside the Home Manager and Unit Managers for ensuring
high standards of professional practice which meet the physical, emotional, social, intellectual and spiritual
needs of the Service Users, and they should act as a quality assurance champion, working with staff and
Service Users to pioneer best practice and outcomes within the Home.

The focus of the role is to provide leadership on issues relating to clinical excellence, working within the
defined Company policies and procedures. The Clinical Lead should work to ensure that effective nursing
and care services are provided, quality standards are met and maintained, and clinical outcomes are
evidence based, recorded, measured and reflect current trends. The Clinical Lead should develop and
maintain an environment that supports staff in developing clinical skills and capabilities throughout the
service. In this role, the Clinical Lead is expected to work ‘on the floor’ with the staff and lead the nurses and
care staff by example, including mentoring and teaching staff, conducting formal supervisions as required,
auditing and reviewing medication/storage and administration of medication, resident care plans and risk
assessments.

The Clinical Lead should provide a role model for other staff working within the Home, helping to create an
open, positive and inclusive atmosphere. They should demonstrate strong positive ideas about professional
practice and development and promote the rights of the Service Users (particularly privacy, dignity,
independence, choice and self-fulfilment) and protect them from abuse whilst adhering to National Minimum
Standards, CQC guidance, NMC guidelines and all relevant legislative requirements.

In conjunction with the Home Manager and Unit Managers, the Clinical Lead will be expected to liaise with
and build a sound professional working relationship with all other professionals/outside agencies e.g.
Doctors, Social Workers, Registration and Inspection Officers etc who visit the Home. They will also be
expected to communicate effectively with the family and friends of Service Users and liaise with them as
required.

KEY RESPONSIBITIES OF THE POST

Leadership
• Be conversant with the Care Standards Act 2000, Health and Social Care Act 2008, the National
Minimum Standards for Care Homes, CQC guidance and support the Home Manager to ensure that all
the standards are met at all times and that required/suggested changes are implemented, where
appropriate, following an inspection or upon reflective practice
• Support the Home Manager to effectively implement Company and Home policies and procedures and
ensure that these policies and procedures are upheld at all times
• Act as a quality assurance champion, promoting best practice and outcomes in the Home on a daily
basis, and take responsibility for ensuring the collection of the bi-annual quality assurance surveys. Work
with Home Manager to ensure that results of said surveys are reviewed and acted upon where
necessary
• Liaise with the Home Manager and Unit Managers as appropriate to ensure the effective operation of the
Home
• Liaise effectively with staff to ensure the timely and accurate transfer of information within the Home
• Manage own workload, prioritise tasks and maintain professional development
• Work ‘on the floor’ as a nurse to lead by example and monitor staff in the Home on a daily basis,
reporting findings to Home Manager
• Be an ambassador for the Home and the Company at all times by establishing and maintaining good
relationships with all Service Users, relatives, visitors, prospective Service Users, staff, other
professionals and outside agencies
• Promote high standards of record keeping

Clinical Lead Initial here……………… WGH/JD/CL/1

Page 2 of 5

• Attend all relevant meetings and support the Home Manager in resolving issues in the Home, with a
focus on the clinical side
• Work with the Home Manager to promote an atmosphere of co-operation and positivity within the Home,
acting with courtesy and respect at all times with all parties
• Be an effective team leader and role model
• Have a flexible approach to working hours including being ‘on call’ for the Home out of hours when
required
• Work with Home Manager to ensure regular reflective practice takes place with staff to discuss near
misses and lessons learned via staff meetings and supervisions, filing evidence of all such discussions

Care Delivery
• Ensure that Service User’s rights, needs and preferences are respected at all times and in a non-
discriminatory fashion
• Ensure that Service Users are safeguarded from physical, verbal, financial or material, psychological or
sexual abuse, neglect, discriminatory abuse or self-harm, inhuman or degrading treatment, through
deliberate intent, negligence or ignorance, in accordance with written policies
• Act as a role model delivering individualised care in line with care plans ensuring that needs are met
• Have up to date evidence based clinical knowledge in relation to client groups cared for within the Home
• Act as a point of reference for less experienced staff, supporting and developing them to enable a high
standard of care delivery
• Work ‘on the floor’ as a nurse, leading by example and promoting best practice
• Work flexibly to enable 24 hour staffing of the Home
• Assist in the delivery of a planned programme of group and individual activities and encourage and
support Service Users to participate in activities
• Monitor the quality of service delivery and take steps to rectify any problems and report issues to the
Home Manager
• Work with Home Manager to receive Service Users and their relatives in a calm, courteous and re-
assuring manner, and ensure they are kept informed of progress, providing help and support where
required
• Work with nurses to order and maintain an appropriate supply of medication for the Service Users,
ensuring that it is stored, administered and recorded appropriately
• Ensure that Service Users have access to key medical, social and other care workers as required
• Carry out agreed procedures for improvement of the nursing services and the reduction of cross infection
• Assist with the introduction of new procedures for the improvement of care
• Participate in and oversee the reception and discharge of Service Users and in line with this, work with
Home Manager and Administrator to ensure that Service Users are treated with all relevant hospitality
measures upon reception or discharge
• Ensure regular (minimum six monthly) care reviews are carried out on the progress of Service Users
post admission, attending care reviews for high need and complex cases. Ensure information from
relevant agencies is collated and report where necessary any change to nursing care needs to the Home
Manager in a timely manner so any necessary actions, for example renegotiating fee levels or seeking
the rehousing of the Service User to a more appropriate service, can take place such that the quality of
the service provision provided to all Service Users as a whole is maintained

Staff Supervision
• Delegate tasks and monitor performance to ensure a high quality of service delivery
• Work with nurses and managers to ensure staff are inducted appropriately to Westgate’s Policies and
Procedures
• Participate in carrying out staff supervisions and appraisals as required, aimed at highlighting the needs
of Service Users and developing the skills of staff so that they can meet the Service User’s needs. This
applies to all staff, including those of an ancillary nature
• Carry out formal practical observations of staff to ensure that they have the skills to deliver appropriate
care to Service Users
• Work with Home Manager to ensure that staff receive appropriate training and development to enable
them to carry out their role and participate in the teaching and training of other staff members of the
nursing team as required, assessing trainees where required

Record Keeping
• Take responsibility for auditing and reviewing the administration, storage and recording of medication.
Report back to the Home Manager on this

Clinical Lead Initial here……………… WGH/JD/CL/1

Page 3 of 5

• Work with nurses to write and review care plans and carry out risk assessments in partnership with
Service Users, family, friends and other professionals, agreeing risk reduction plans with them and work
to keep all of these documents up to date
• Manage and take part in the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of all care delivered
to Service Users, ensuring that risk assessments and personalised care plans are produced, maintained
and updated monthly
• Take responsibility for auditing resident care plans and report back to the Home Manager
• Keep accurate and legible records of care delivery with each entry signed and dated
• Keep accurate records of medications prescribed, ordered, administered or disposed off with each entry
signed and dated
• Carry out and record assessments pre, during and post admission to the Home
• Record and report any complaints to the Home Manager
• Maintain accurate records of staff supervision and practical observations

Health and Safety

• Safeguard health, safety and welfare of Service Users, visitors and staff
• Raise Health and Safety issues with senior staff as soon as they are identified and ensure accidents and
incidents are reported to the Home Manager
• Work within Health and Safety guidelines
• Develop and follow risk reduction plans
• Monitor Health and Safety within the Home and ensure that safe working practices are being
demonstrated at all times
• Have full knowledge of the fire procedures, fire escapes and a working knowledge of the fire fighting
equipment and manage fire safety within the Home

Infection Control
• Have full knowledge of and take responsibility to ensure adherence to infection control policies and
procedures of the Department of Health and the Company at all times
• Oversee infection prevention and control of infection policies and their implementation
• Assess the impact of all existing and new policies on infections and make recommendations for change
• Assist in producing an annual statement with regard to compliance with good practice on infection
prevention and control and make it available on request

Other Responsibilities
• Be committed to expanding his/her expertise and professional development, including attending all
relevant trainings
• Be fully conversant and maintain his/her competence in accordance with the NMC codes of practice
• Follow Company policies and procedures
• Where Home policy is proved to be ill defined, or is becoming unworkable, ensure that the Home
Manager is informed
• Arrange and attend formal reviews as required
• Regularly attend and participate in staff meetings
• Assist in managing Service User’s finances and handling monies
• Attend training and development sessions as requested by Home Manager
• Generally help the Providers to run an efficient and caring establishment
• Be flexible to carry out any other necessary duties as agreed with the Home Manager/Operations
Manager/Directors

Key Outcome of the Post

• Service Users are safeguarded and receive a high quality of care which meets their individual needs
• Care is delivered in line with the guidance of the Care Quality Commission and Company policies and
procedures
• All records are accurate, legible and up-to-date
• Staff receive adequate induction and supervision
• Staff are motivated, adequately trained for the job, and a positive team spirit is present
• The Home is a safe, healthy and comfortable environment for staff, Service Users and visitors
• Care delivery is research based and responsive to change
• NMC guidelines and code of conduct are adhered to
• The needs of the business are met

Clinical Lead Initial here……………… WGH/JD/CL/1

Page 4 of 5

PERSON SPECIFICATION - REGISTERED GENERAL NURSE / REGISTERED MENTAL NURSE

FACTOR ESSENTIAL DESIRABLE

• Care needs of elderly people • Quality Assurance system
KNOWLEDGE • Care standards & role of CQC • Dementia Care
• SOVA • Knowledge of HR related
• Risk assessments issues
• Health and Safety Act • DOLs
• Rights of individuals
• NMC code of conduct and
guidelines
• Up to date knowledge of
evidence based practice and
development
• Nursing qualification - RMN or • Possession of the ENB 998 or
QUALIFICATIONS RGN or RMN/RGN (hold a valid 730 Courses (Teaching
NMC pin number) Certificates) for mentorship
• Other care qualifications relevant • NVQ Assessor Award
to client group (Dementia for • Food hygiene certificate
RMN) • Advance 1st Aid
• Evidence of periodic training to • Other care qualifications
update knowledge, skills and relevant to client group
competence
• Proven track record of working in • Supervisory role
EXPERIENCE nursing setting • Experience of working with
• Working in a team Service Users with Dementia
• Care planning • Managing conflict
• Risk assessments
• Liaising with other professionals
• Care and compassion • IT skills
SKILLS • Respect and appreciation • Supervisory skills
• Honesty and integrity • Ability to motivate others
• Flexibility in approach and • Assessing nursing care needs
attitude and care planning for elderly
• Good standard of verbal/written people with Dementia
communications • HR skills
• Reliable, punctual and organised • Budgetary control
• Good record keeping • Commitment to research and
• Ability to act as a role model development
• Team player
• Leadership skills
• Assessing nursing care needs
and care planning for elderly
people

Confidentiality: Attention is drawn to the confidential aspects of this Post. Matters of a confidential nature,
including information relating to Service Users or staff must not, under any circumstances, be divulged to any
unauthorised person.

Education: Identify own training needs and participate in training to develop the skills and knowledge to fulfil
the job requirement.

Health & Safety: Take reasonable care of his/her own health and safety and that of the other people who
may be affected by his/her acts or omissions at work and ensure that statutory regulations, policies and
Home safety rules are adhered to.

Clinical Lead Initial here……………… WGH/JD/CL/1

Page 5 of 5

This is an outline of the Post responsibilities and is not intended to be an exhaustive list. The duties
of the Post may be changed from time to time in the light of changes in the Services provided by
Westgate Healthcare, changes in legislation affecting the Company or at the discretion of the
Company Directors.
I acknowledge the receipt of the above job description:

Name: ______________________ Signature: ___________________ Date: ________________

Once signed kindly return to your Home Manager. One copy will be retained in your personnel file
and the other is for your personal reference.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
FOR OFFICE USE ONLY
Director:

Name: ________________________ Signature: ___________________ Date: ________________

Clinical Lead Initial here……………… WGH/JD/CL/1