Setting: A group of residential and nursing care homes for people with dementia.
Every day you make a difference to people and their families - there is not one moment. I have been blessed with hundreds of moments over the past 30 years but what matters is making people smile!
Jacqui
on what brings joy to the role
Overview of current role
I have professional oversight of the CQC compliance of the homes. On a day-to-day basis this might mean reviewing care plans for newly admitted residents, completing audits or working towards the new CQC assessment framework and quality statement. I also develop our policy documents and manage incidents and error reporting.
I can be very much involved in the operational and clinical activities in the homes, completing observations of care, developing and delivering training such as on the Mental Capacity Act, dementia and first aid training. I line manage the registered managers, complete appraisals and provide the clinical supervision of nurses to support development.
I would describe my role as very much hands on, getting to know the staff and the residents is a really important and rewarding part of my role.
Qualifications and education
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you would need the entry level requirements for a registered nursing degree programme
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registered nurse in mental health
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masters in mental health
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post graduate certificate in advanced dementia care
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family therapy
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motivational interviewing
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cognitive behavioural therapy
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ILM leadership and management course.
Training, knowledge and skills
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a good understanding of the health and care system
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understanding of governance, quality assurance, legislation and regulation
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enderstanding of quality improvement methodology
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experience of compliance
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an appetite for self-learning and reading
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excellent communication skills and a strong ability to be able to relate to people
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an appetite for developing people, teams and best practice
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knowledge and skills developed whilst being a CQC inspector.
How did I get here
I started out wanting to be a Doctor but at 17 I experienced something that changed that and led me to a career in mental health nursing. As a newly qualified Mental Health Nurse I worked in an acute mental health ward in the NHS before moving to a ward for people with an eating disorder and then a role in a hospice.
I then decided to go travelling and volunteer abroad for a period of time. When I returned I moved into a community based role working with people with different mental illness including in drug and alcohol services. Here I was instrumental in setting up assertive outreach teams before moving to a rural role where I set up similar nurse led services.I have also worked in forensics, dual diagnosis teams and adult inpatient areas.
With this experience I decided to go an work at the CQC as an inspector for a local area. Here I really learned about regulation and compliance and developed increasing passion from service improvement and quality outcomes. This prepared me for my current role as the compliance manger of a group or nursing and residential homes.