Faculty of Medicine and Health
School of Healthcare
Lecturer/Practitioner (Learning Disability Nursing)
(Maternity Leave Cover)
A secondment opportunity has arisen for a Lecturer Practitioner in Learning Disability Nursing. You will
contribute to undergraduate teaching and assessment within the School of Healthcare, offering a specialist role
in Learning Disability Nursing, and provide clinical liaison at designated placement areas.
Specifically you will teach and assess, relating to your specialist role, for modules: HECS 2121, 2073, 3172,
3173, 2123, 1089. These modules form part of the undergraduate for nurses (adult, mental health, learning
disability or child), which include professional registration.
You will support the School’s vision to deliver a high quality research led, informed and orientated health and
social care education by the integration of research, L&T, practice.
You will work across disciplines and organisations with public and voluntary sectors to deliver excellence in
learning and teaching.
Applications for the above post are invited from currently registered Learning Disability Nurses at grade 6 or
7. You will have a first degree in nursing and or a masters degree in nursing or health related subject and be
registered on the appropriate part of the NMC’s Register (Learning Disability Nursing).
You will be seconded on your existing terms and conditions.
Informal enquiries can be made to Dr Janet Hirst, tel. 0113 343 1281 or e mail j.hirst@leeds.ac.uk
Please apply in writing with a completed application form, CV and supporting statement from your
line manager and return to:
e-mail: a.branson@leeds.ac.uk tel. (+44) (0) 113 343 1173
Amanda Branson, Room 1.22
School of Healthcare
University of Leeds
Baines Wing
Woodhouse Lane
Leeds, LS2 9JT
Application forms can be downloaded from http://www.leeds.ac.uk and click on ‘jobs’
Job ref: 314470
Closing date: 9 December 2010
BACKGROUND
There are three key strategic objectives for the school which drive the purpose of this role:
1.
2.
3.
To integrate Research, Learning and Teaching, Innovation & Knowledge Transfer and Practice
activities within the School and also the wider Faculty
To deliver a high quality, research-orientated interdisciplinary portfolio of health and social care
education
To raise the School’s international profile and standing as an academic centre of excellence, driving
positive change in local, national and international health and social care communities
JOB SUMMARY
In line with the University’s Learning and Teaching strategy you will contribute to undergraduate and
postgraduate teaching, assessment and module management within the School of Healthcare offering a
specialist role in Learning Disability Nursing.
Specifically you will teach and assess, relating to your specialist role, for modules: HECS 2121, 2073, 3172,
3173, 2123, 1089. These modules form part of the undergraduate or postgraduate programmes for nurses
(adult, mental health, learning disability or child), which include professional registration.
You will support the School’s vision to deliver a high quality research led, informed and orientated health
and social care education by the integration of research, L&T, practice.
You will work across disciplines and organisations with public and voluntary sectors to deliver excellence in
learning and teaching.
Main Responsibilities
1) Teaching
 Undertake a research informed teaching load pro rata; including contributing to the development,
delivery of cutting edge learning and teaching content and approaches informed by current and
relevant research, across a range of undergraduate and postgraduate pre-registration programmes;
a range of academic levels and a range of nursing branches, with a focus on Learning Disability
Nursing;
 Engage in initiatives and projects designed to inculcate new styles of deep, effective learning and
enhance the overall pattern of the student learning experience;
 Utilise innovative approaches to teaching and ensuring curricular processes build on best practice
and maintain a strategic fit, including the development of creative strategies e.g. practice focused
teaching of Learning Disability Nursing;
 Participate in the assessment process for students and make effective use of innovative and
technological methods to ensure timely developmental feedback on assessment is a vehicle for
improvement particularly in practice areas;
 Contribute to the recruitment and selection of students;
 Contribute to the review of modules and that quality assurance mechanisms are appropriate
 Provide a range of pastoral, professional and curriculum support mechanisms that meets the needs
of an increasingly diverse student body particularly in the challenging area of Learning Disability
Nursing;
 Incorporate policy/practice developments in the scholarship of teaching to ensure learning and
teaching is clearly linked to wider strategic agenda and targets;
 Contribute to the broad development of the discipline within a multi/interdisciplinary professional
arena;
 Promote opportunities for students to gain international experience and/or perspectives;
 Promote the inclusion of the development of enterprise/employability/entrepreneurial skills in the
curriculum in relation to Learning Disability Nursing;
 Participate in activities and events that foster widening participation by those who can benefit;
 Take part in other teaching activities organised by the School as appropriate.
2) Scholarship
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Transform and apply knowledge acquired from scholarship to teaching
Reflect on practice and the development of own teaching and learning skills
Contribute to research and/or scholarly publications in collaboration with colleagues within the
School.
3) Innovation and Knowledge Transfer (IKT)
 Engage in IKT activities, examples may include:
o the application of research outcomes to benefit society
4) Administration
 Contribute to the administrative process of the School e.g. examinations/assessment, quality
assurance process and general organisation and management of students on programmes;
 Contribute to the organisation and management of the student experience with emphasise on the
Learning Disability Nursing practice areas e.g. student tracking and progression;
 Remain proactive in ones own personal and professional development, and to undertake staff
development opportunities as may be appropriate;
 Undertake the role in accord with the requirements of the University’s Health & Safety Policy. This
may include ensuring that risk assessments in own area are completed, staff are aware of them and
all relevant safety polices and arrangements are adhered to;
 Engage in academic leadership activities commensurate with role and grade.
5) General
 Actively promote the objectives of the TIFES (Towards Investors in People a Framework of
Employment Standards) programme within the School;
 Maintain an awareness and understanding of Health & Safety issues as they relate to the University;
 Undertake any additional activities commensurate with the post-holder’s level of training and
experience and conducive to fulfilment of the job purpose outlined above, as well as similar posts
elsewhere within the University;
 This job description should not be regarded as a definitive list of duties and responsibilities, which
will develop and change over time through natural progression.
6) Key Relationships
 Strong relationships will be formed with the Head of Academic Unit, Institute Director, Directors of
Learning and Teaching and Research and Innovation, Professional Leads, other learning, teaching
and research colleagues within the School and across the Faculty and wider University, as well as
external stakeholders in the health and social care economy.
7) Clinical Practice
 Maintain and develop knowledge, skills and competence in Learning Disability Nursing through
appropriate scholarly and professional activity and ensure knowledge of practice is up to date.
 Link with Learning Disability Nursing clinical areas to participate in the assessment of practice and
undertake regulatory assessments of practice areas;
 Participate in the quality assurance mechanisms of the student learning experience;
 Support students and mentors in Learning Disability Nursing practice learning environments;
 Liaise proactively with NHS partners and other agencies to provide joint working in relation to
Learning Disability Nursing;
 Facilitate effective communication and working relationships within clinical teams supporting
students within Learning Disability Nursing practice learning environments.
Person Specification
Criteria:
Essential
Desirable
Education & Training
A first degree in nursing and or a masters degree in nursing or health
related subject
A registrant on the appropriate part of the NMC’s or Health Professions
Council’s Register or equivalent professional body in other health
related disciplines (Learning Disability Nursing)
Holds a recognised teaching qualification (equivalent to ULTA2) or
willing to undertake)
Specialist Knowledge & Skills

A minimum of 2 years wte relevant experience at senior level in
Learning Disability Nursing in the last 5 years.
Evidence of experience in clinical practice to support teaching activities
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Evidence of developing creative and innovative ways of delivering
research-led learning and teaching including the effective use of new
and creative learning and teaching technologies
Experienced user of online communications including internet, blogs,
wikis and mobile technologies
A commitment to research demonstrated through scholarly excellence
in the field of subject specific area
Relevant Experience
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A willingness and demonstrable ability to teach effectively at and
provide a stimulating environment for learning and teaching
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Experience of undertaking the role of sign-off mentor
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An ability to motivate, inspire and challenge students intellectually, as
evidenced for example in student feedback obtained from teaching.
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Experience in supporting learners using online learning resources
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Ability to contribute to School, Faculty, University and/or external
professional committees at a regional or national level
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Experience of contributing to effective module/programme
management, administration and review

Can demonstrate a clear understanding of the health learning and
teaching agenda at local, regional and national levels.
Success in, and commitment to, working in cross-disciplinary teams and 
environments
Knowledge and understanding of the IKT agenda

IT experience including the use of MS Office, proficient use of the web
and Outlook for diary planning and email
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Evidence of commitment to own personal and professional
development
Proven ability to translate excellence in research and scholarship into
learning opportunities for students.
Experience of leadership in support of excellent and inspirational
learning and teaching in clinical environments.
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Personal Attributes
Excellent communication, presentation and interpersonal skills at
all levels
An ability to manage and respond to results from enhancement
and monitoring activities.
A proven ability to work under pressure effectively, responsibly
and independently and apply sound judgement and decisions to
variety of challenges and situations, taking accountability for own
actions and the consequences
Ability to build, maintain and develop effective working
relationships, being an ambassador for the School, inside and
outside the University
Highly self motivated, able to organise time, workload and
prioritise tasks.
Effective team player

A willingness to share the School’s vision and commitment to
excellence in all aspects of work and output
An appreciation of the policy and strategic issues currently
affecting teaching, research and IKT in higher education
Ability to plan and prioritise teaching and research initiatives in
line with strategic objectives.
Committed to the University values of Academic Excellence,
Community, integrity, inclusiveness and Professionalism1
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Reports to:
Head of Academic Unit
Responsible to:
Institute Director
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Accountable to: Head of School
1
Further information on University Values, please visit the University Strategy web pages on
http://www.leeds.ac.uk/about/strategy/values.htm