Job overview
We are currently expanding the well-established Countywide Early Intervention in Psychosis Team which provides a focussed and specific community service for the population of Bedfordshire and Luton in response to the needs of individuals and their families experiencing a first episode of psychosis. The team works across CAMH services and Adult Mental Health Services with an age range starting at 14 years. We are therefore looking for a skilled and well-motivated Mental Health Nurse to join the team.
The post holder will be a Registered Mental Health Nurse with a sound background of working in a Community Mental Health setting and Care Coordination within CPA. The post holder will be expected to work flexibly to ensure delivery of full care packages. They will also provide psychosocial interventions and undertake specialist assessments which will require a good understanding of At Risk Mental States and Psychosis. The team therefore strongly supports ongoing professional development and structured Behavioural Family Therapy, CAARMs assessment tool and Psychosocial Intervention training opportunities are available locally and as part of our regional Early Intervention network.
The successful candidate will join a creative and motivated team who continue to make positive differences to families and individuals across the county. We believe that psychosis is treatable and recovery is expected.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will work as an autonomous practitioner holding a caseload as a Care Coordinator within a developing, integrated Early Intervention in Psychosis Team; to work within the principles of the agreed model of care for the service as laid down in the operational policy; to address the needs of individuals and their carers in early stages of psychosis within a recovery based approach. This will involve the assessment planning, implementation and evaluation of the care provided in line with currently identified best practice.
The post holder will need use of a car and have a UK driving license.
Working for our organisation
Our mission is to make a positive difference to people's lives by improving the quality of life for all we serve. Our values are: We Care, We Respect, We are Inclusive – so we are looking for people who live and breathe these qualities when supporting service users and carers, and in their relationships with colleagues in the Trust and our partner organisations.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
You will deliver a socially inclusive service that promotes choice, equality and diversity, giving clear and timely information and knowledge that will facilitate service user and carer empowerment. You will ensure that individuals have a positive experience of our service.
You will deliver a broad range of evidence-based individual and/or family/group interventions using psychological, psychodynamic, behavioral and functional approaches.
You will play a role in the ongoing development of the service model and you will be expected to support and work closely with the Team Manager to facilitate the evolution of the service.
You will work with practitioners from all disciplines from other services e.g. Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) – People of Working Age (POWA) and other agencies - to ensure that care plans for individuals and their carers are coordinated efficiently and effectively. The post holder will understand the importance of nurturing key relationships within the community and within the organisation.
Key responsbilities:
1. Continually delivering and maintaining high standards for a defined caseload as agreed with Line Manager
2. Leadership, supervision and support to junior staff
3. Ensuring national targets and standards are achieved
4. Building trust and developing relationships to ensure service user involvement
5. Demonstrating a professional manner in all work carried out
6. Maintaining accurate and timely records
7. Ensuring equality and diversity values underpin the day-to-day working of the practice area.
8. Continuous professional development
Person specification
Education/ Qualification/ Training
Essential criteria
9. Relevant professional qualification (1st Level nurse in mental health)
10. Registered with a professional clinical body (e.g. NMC)
Desirable criteria
11. Has obtained MSPP qualification or equivalent
12. Evidence of appropriate CPD post-qualification in psychosis / early intervention
13. Evidence of further training, e.g. Bsc Community Nursing or AMHP status Clinical skill based qualification e.g. CBT, Psycho social interventions or nurse prescribing.
Experience
Essential criteria
14. Appropriate post registration experience at qualified practitioner level within Mental Health in the community, including experience of working with first episode psychosis.
15. Experience of ensuring that the values including Care, Compassion, Competence, communication, Courage and Commitment are adhered to daily, and any matters of concern are raised with the relevant Line Manager or through the necessary processes within the Trust.
Desirable criteria
16. Experience of working within an early intervention team
17. Previous experience of working within a CAMHS service
18. Experience in applying psychosocial interventions
19. Experience of providing supervision to Junior staff and or consultation for other professionals
Knowledge and Skills
Essential criteria
20. Understanding of current NHS/Social Care policies/practices relating to Mental Health and Services for people with a Learning Disability
21. An understanding of the principles of early intervention in psychosis
22. Knowledge/ skills of Health promotion and psycho education both in clinical practice and delivering professionally to other agencies
23. Understanding of CPA, Recovery approach and the principles of engagement with the seriously mentally ill.
24. Understanding of research and its application to clinical practice.
25. Demonstrable knowledge and understanding of equality and diversity issues and the ability to integrate into employment policies and practices
26. Excellent communication and listening skills with the ability to tailor the message to a variety of audiences
27. Good Report Writing skills
Desirable criteria
28. Understanding and commitment to the personalization agenda