Nicola has developed her knowledge and skills in managing clients with complex care needs and mental health issues and will always remain positive and passionate about the care provided to her clients to ensure their lives are fulfilled and enriched.
District enrolled nurse 1998
General Nurse Level 1 1999
Diploma in Counselling
Advanced Certificate in Positive Support Behaviour 2015
CMI Level 5 in Management 2016
Now with over 35 years’ experience, Nicola began her career working on an acute medical ward at the Manchester Royal Infirmary. She cared for patients with a variety of presentations relating to neurology, gastroenterology cardiology, cancer and acute and chronic liver disease. She was responsible for managing her caseload of patients daily as well as management of the ward environment and support of the nursing team. This role developed Nicola’s skills of assessment planning and implementing care and provided her with a wider knowledge and skill base of a variety of medical conditions.
In 1988, Nicola moved to work in the community as a District Nurse, both inner city and later in a rural community setting. She completed her District Enrolled Nurse qualification and then in 1998 completed her Registered Nurse Conversion course. Nicola was again responsible for a caseload of patients assessing and implementing holistic care to her patients with a variety of conditions. Nicola developed an appreciation of other therapist’s interventions and how to form part of a team supporting clients in the community. During her time in the community, Nicola established an understanding of working with clients in their own homes and supporting individuals adjusting to a range of conditions. This sparked her interest in counselling and she completed her Diploma in Counselling.
After over 10 years in this role and having been promoted to Band 6 Staff Nurse, she decided to move on to develop her skills within postural management and seating as a Medical Representative. Nicola then chose to move to a training and quality role for a large nursing home group. She developed a vast amount of skill and knowledge of the then Social Care Inspectorate, now CQC, and developed training packages to support her homes.
Nicola joined the David Lewis Centre in 2005 as a Clinical Trainer, where her passion and interest in complex care, learning disability, acquired brain injury and epilepsy began. She completed her Diploma in Epilepsy and supported staff teams to develop their knowledge and understanding of the condition along with other neurological conditions.
After leaving the David Lewis Centre, Nicola completed a teaching qualification and ran her own training company delivering a wide variety of health and social care packages to external companies. This period sharpened her appreciation of cost-effective working and of meeting the expectations of different stakeholders.
Nicola then joined the Together Trust where she worked as Lead Nurse, Clinical Services Manager and Safeguarding Lead in a specialist college supporting adults with complex medical physical and psychological needs. She supported students with autism and behavioural difficulties. Her drive and passion were to ensure her students ever changing needs were met and to ensure their goals and aspirations were always at the forefront of their day to maximise their achievement. She enjoyed working closely with families and external stakeholders to ensure outcomes were achieved and her students maintained a happy and fulfilling life. Nicola completed her Certificate in Positive Support Behaviour during her time at the college and was an active member of the behaviour team. Nicola also completed her Level 5 Management qualification.
Nicola is an excellent communicator and has over her many years as a nurse/counsellor developed very positive and effective relationships with her patients, their families and the wider MDT. She has worked with clients with a range of conditions, including neurological and cognitive impairments, as well as mental health conditions and challenging behaviour. She consistently reflects on her practice and considers herself to be a positive role model to others. Her safeguarding knowledge has provided her with excellent attention to detail and her thoroughness to produce care planning and reports of a very high standard. Nicola was also responsible for management of the therapy services ensuring therapeutic interventions were meaningful, time bound and appropriate to the individual.
Her most recent role before becoming a case manager was as Clinical Services Manager included working in a rehabilitation unit for St George Healthcare Group for adults with acquired brain injury, other neurological conditions, such as Huntingdon’s, and mental health issues. Working with this client group furthered her knowledge of brain injury and those with cognitive impairment. She has very good knowledge of the Mental Capacity Act, DoLS (soon to be LPS) and working with individuals sectioned under the Mental Health Act.
Nicola is now using these skills as a case manager providing input to a range of adults with cognitive, physical and psychological difficulties. Her background in complex care nursing and teaching allows her to be fully involved in person-centred care planning and in particular ensuring all support workers are fully trained to work alongside their clients with compassion, knowledge and understanding.
