Lecturer in Mental Health Nursing

About the University

We have one simple promise – to make a positive impact. Through our ground-breaking research, teaching excellence and commitment to sustainable living, we are changing lives for the better.

The University of Derby is a modern university with a modern outlook. Everything we do is driven by delivering excellence and opportunities for our students, our staff and our region. We have some of the best university facilities in the UK and achieve outstanding results for our teaching and research and have been awarded Gold in the prestigious Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023 – making it one of the top universities in the country recognised for its outstanding student experience and student outcomes.

Financially strong and seriously ambitious we offer our employees an inclusive culture that centres itself around staff wellbeing, where you can be confident you will receive all the help and encouragement you need to build a rewarding career with lots of opportunities to enhance your skills.

About the College/Department

At the heart of shaping future professionals and creative thinkers, the College of Health and Humanities brings together three dynamic and diverse schools: the School of Nursing and Midwifery, the School of Health, Sport and Rehabilitation, and the School of Humanities, Law and Creative Arts.

The School of Nursing and Midwifery prepares the next generation of healthcare professionals through hands-on learning, expert teaching, and strong industry partnerships. It encompasses Adult Nursing, Associate and Enhanced Healthcare Practice, Midwifery, Children's Nursing and Professional Practice, and Mental Health and Learning Disability Nursing.

About the Discipline

At the University of Derby, our discipline of Mental Health and Learning Disability Nursing is committed to developing compassionate, resilient, and skilled professionals who are ready to make a real difference in the lives of individuals and communities. Rooted in the values of dignity, inclusion, and person-centred care, our programmes prepare students to support people with complex mental health needs and learning disabilities across a variety of settings. We focus on evidence-based practice, interdisciplinary learning, and service-user engagement, ensuring graduates are confident and capable in delivering safe, high-quality care.

About the Role

This role offers an exciting opportunity to join our Mental Health Nursing team and contribute to the education and development of the next generation of mental health nurses. You will deliver high-quality, research-informed teaching across our undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, designing inclusive and engaging learning experiences that connect academic learning with contemporary mental health nursing practice.

Responsibilities include:
- Designing and delivering innovative, inclusive teaching, learning and assessment
- Supporting students through academic tutoring, assessment and professional development
- Contributing to curriculum development, programme enhancement and quality assurance
- Working collaboratively with colleagues, practice partners and professional stakeholders
- Engaging in research, scholarship and professional activity that informs teaching and contributes to the wider academic community
- Contributing to programme and module leadership, recruitment and other University activities as appropriate

Principal Accountabilities – Learning/Teaching

- Effectively teach and facilitate learning on a range of subjects/modules within the subject area on undergraduate, postgraduate, professional and post-experience programmes
- Ensure that knowledge from research and scholarly activities informs and enhances learning and teaching
- Ensure that module/programme design and delivery comply with the quality standards and regulations of the University
- Participate effectively in the assessment process, including setting, marking and moderation of student work, providing constructive feedback
- Participate in the continuing review and development of module/programme delivery, incorporating innovative study modes, learning environments and pedagogic practices
- Take on relevant module leader and/or programme leader responsibilities, including associated marketing, recruitment, delivery and ongoing programme development activities

Principal Accountabilities – Research/Scholarship

- Engage in individual research and collaborate both internally and externally on research projects consistent with the College, contributing to the REF
- Sustain and enhance the reputation of the University by publishing in appropriate quality journals and presenting at scholarly activities
- Develop and maintain contacts and relationships with relevant professional, research and industrial organisations
- Contribute to writing bids for externally funded research projects

Other Accountabilities

- Act as a personal tutor and academic assessor, supporting and mentoring students as appropriate
- Provide pastoral care to students, referring when necessary to services that provide further support
- Support marketing and student recruitment activities as required
- Develop external links to support student recruitment, secure student placements, facilitate outreach work, generate income or build relationships for future activities
- Be responsible for administrative duties in areas such as admissions, timetabling, examinations and assessment of progress and student attendance
- Contribute to effective cross College/University working
- Observe and implement University policies and procedures

Person Specification – Essential Criteria

Qualifications:
- Good Honours Degree in relevant subject discipline
- Fellowship of the Advanced HE (HEA) or willingness to work towards
- PhD (or submitted and awaiting examination) or equivalence accepted in a relevant subject area, or willingness to work towards within an agreed timeframe
- Subject specific qualifications/knowledge
- Current registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council as a Mental Health Nurse

Experience:
- Experience or knowledge of quality assurance and validation of HE modules/programmes
- Experience or knowledge of higher education and ability to use a range of delivery techniques to inspire and engage students
- Demonstrable experience of own discipline to enable the development of new knowledge and understanding within the field
- Experience of research/enterprise activity

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities:
- An appropriate level of digital capability and aptitude with practical experience of applications which aid student learning
- Ability to communicate complex and conceptual ideas to a range of groups
- Proficient in using IT to support own work and for technology-enhanced learning/teaching and research activities
- Excellent written and oral communication skills including networking and relationship building skills
- Able to demonstrate both independent self-management and team working
- Able to work with competing priorities and to tight deadlines
- A sound understanding of the current higher education environment and its implications for the student learning experience
- A sound understanding of the employability agenda and its relevance to learners and the curriculum
- A sound understanding of internationalisation and its relevance for learners and the curriculum
- Innovative and creative; committed to continual enhancement and a high quality student experience

Business Requirements:
- Able to take a flexible approach to work
- Travel between sites and occasionally overseas for research or teaching
- Some evening and occasional weekend teaching
- Attendance at Open Days, Graduation events etc.
- A commitment to own professional development

Person Specification – Desirable Criteria

Qualifications:
- Master's degree in relevant subject area
- Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education

Experience:
- Demonstrable experience of delivering excellent and effective learning and teaching identified by peer review at undergraduate and postgraduate levels at a Higher Education provider
- Demonstrable experience of module and/or programme leadership
- Experience of developing innovative module/programme content and delivery methods
- Online and blended learning/teaching experience
- Demonstrable experience of successful curriculum development
- Demonstrable experience of effectively designing and implementing a range of formative and summative assessments
- Developing national and international profile of research and scholarly activity
- Experience of bidding for and obtaining external research funding
- Experience of successfully applying discipline to income generation activities, including consultancy, industry-based applied research and KTPs

Skills:
- Able to identify potential sources of funding
- A sound knowledge of the QAA Quality Code and HEFECE's Operating Model for Quality Assurance

Benefits

- Generous annual leave entitlement of 47 days inclusive of bank holidays and concessionary days (pro rata)
- Teacher's Pension Scheme
- Suite of holistic wellbeing benefits and support including family-friendly policies, generous sick pay provision and comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme
- Access to a variety of staff discounts at high street retailers
- Discounted onsite gym
- Cycle to Work scheme
- A flexible working environment
- A commitment to personal and professional development