Job overview
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a dynamic, ambitious, and motivated CAMH Clinical Nurse Specialist to play a part in the exciting transformation of the West London CAMHS Neuro-developmental Team. The successful applicant will join the Hounslow CAMHS Neuro-developmental Team which is based at Heart of Hounslow Centre for Health, 92 Bath Rd, Hounslow, TW3 3EL.
The Hounslow Neuro-developmental Team is part of the Tier 3 Hounslow CAMH Service, which also includes an adolescent team and child and family team. The Service also links to a comprehensive Tier 2 CAMH Service, CAMHS Crisis Prevention/Care Team (ALLIANCE) and a CAMHS Eating Disorder Service. The Neuro-developmental Team is multi-disciplinary, including psychiatry, nursing, family therapy psychology, psychotherapy, occupational therapy and speech and language therapy. The post holder will be part of a growing team of clinicians with a special interest and expertise in working with children, and young people, who are presenting with complex neurodevelopmental needs.
The Clinical Nurse Specialist will also join a thriving team of supportive, committed and skilled nurses who are dedicated to changing the future outcomes for children and young people who present to mental health services.
Main duties of the job
As a Clinical Nurse Specialist you will work as an autonomous clinician to provide specialist and mental health assessment and intervention for children, young people and families referred to the Service. You will also contribute to the leadership and development of the CAMHS Nursing Team and you will have the opportunity to be involved in service development, audit, research and quality improvement projects.
The Clinical Nurse Specialist’s role will be the assessment, diagnosis and support of children with neuro-developmental conditions (e.g. Autism Spectrum Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Tic disorders) and co-morbid mental health problems. Non-Medical Prescribing responsibilities are also part of this role and training as an Independent Non-Medical Prescriber will be supported, as well as training in standardised assessment tools such ADI-r and ADOS. You will also have the opportunity to work with children and young people with learning disabilities and mental health needs.
The Clinical Nurse Specialist will form part of the CAMHS Nursing Supervision Structure and will offer supervision and line management as appropriate to members of the nursing team. They will also contribute to the delivery of the CAMHS Development Programme and have responsibility for supporting the development of junior staff. The Clinical Nurse Specialist will act as a Supervisor and Practice Assessor for student nurses on specialist placement in CAMHS.
Working for our organisation
West London NHS Trust is one of the most diverse healthcare providers in the UK, delivering a range of mental health and physical healthcare and community services. The Trust runs Broadmoor Hospital, one of three high secure hospitals in the country, with an international reputation.
Our high secure services care for patients from South of England and we provide low and medium secure services across eight London boroughs. The Trust also provides mental and physical healthcare in three London boroughs (Ealing, Hounslow and Hammersmith & Fulham). We employ 4,500 staff, of whom 56% are BME. Our turnover for 2023-24 is £426m.
The Trust is rated as ‘Good’ overall by the Care Quality Commission. Forensic services are rated as ‘Outstanding’.
The Trust is an established partner and contributor in the development of the evolving North West London Integrated Care System and the Integrated Care Board. The Trust leads the NW London Children and Adolescent Mental Health provider collaborative.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The Candidate Pack provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. Please view as attached.
The person specification below is not the full person specification, but outlines the criteria against which your application form will be assessed.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
1. Degree or Diploma in Mental Health Nursing
2. Active Professional registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC)
3. Evidence of accredited courses in child and adolescent mental health practice
4. Mentorship/Teaching & assessing qualification
Desirable criteria
5. CYP IAPT Trainings, e.g. CBT, Systemic Family Therapy, Interpersonal Therapy [IPT], Under 5’s, Parent Training.
6. Other post-graduate qualifications in: CBT, Systemic Foundation Years, EMDR, Mindfulness. NVR
Experience
Essential criteria
7. Significant post registration experience in mental health
8. Extensive experience of assessment and direct work with children and adolescents with emotional, behavioural or mental health difficulties in a Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service who are neurodiverse.
9. Demonstrable experience working with young people with in a community CAMHS setting
10. Experience of providing consultation and liaison support to colleagues, referral agencies and services responsible for the care, support and wellbeing of service users and their families/carers.
11. Experience in assessing and managing high risk behaviours and in developing and implementing risk management plans
12. Experience of management of child protection emergencies
13. Experience of working in a number of ways i.e. assertive outreach, clinic based settings, home, school or other appropriate environments
14. Experience of using therapeutic skills, such as CBT, Solution Focused Therapy, Family Work
Knowledge
Essential criteria
15. Knowledge of legislation relevant to the Children’s Act 2004, Mental Health Act 1983 & Safeguarding Guidelines
16. A sound working knowledge and application of the NMC Code of Practice
17. Knowledge of the legal issues relating to consent and capacity in children and young people.
18. An awareness and understanding of the issues facing, children, adolescents and their families
19. Knowledge of the various assessment tools used in CAMHS