Job overview
The Clinical Nurse Specialist in Mental Health is now an established position within HLCC. The post-holder is a member of the Psychiatric Liaison Team consisting of a Consultant Liaison Psychiatrist, Lead Nurse in Mental Health, Clinical Nurse Specialists and Administrator. The team works widely across all directorates at RBH and HH. Clinical supervision is provided by the Lead Nurse in Mental Health and/or the Consultant psychiatrist.
The post-holder will work as part of a multidisciplinary team and will deliver comprehensive psychiatric assessment including risk assessment and risk management plans to patients who are referred to the team.
An important part of the post-holder’s responsibilities will include being a source of mental health knowledge and expertise and providing support to staff in their day-to-day management of patients who present with acute mental health problems.
Liaison with health professionals on the Royal Brompton and Harefield sites and with external mental health services will be a key part of the role with the safe discharge or transfer of patients to their local mental health services being paramount.
Main duties of the job
Clinical
Educational
Continuing Professional Development
Service Development
Research, Audit and Evaluation
Working for our organisation
Guy’s & St Thomas NHS Foundation Trust
Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust comprises five of the UK’s best known hospitals – Guy’s, St Thomas’, Evelina London Children’s Hospital, Royal Brompton and Harefield – as well as community services in Lambeth and Southwark, all with a long history of high quality care, clinical excellence, research and innovation.
We are among the UK’s busiest, most successful foundation trusts. We provide specialist care for patients including heart and lung, cancer and renal services as well as a full range of local hospital and community services for people in Lambeth and Southwark.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
1. The post holder will be operationally accountable to the Lead Nurse in Mental Health within HLCC for the RBH and HH sites and the Consultant Liaison Psychiatrist for day-to-day operational and managerial issues.
2. To provide advice, support, and consultation regarding the psychological and mental health management of patients and their carers, to healthcare professionals.
3. The post-holder will prioritise and organise their work effectively and efficiently, including the management of new referrals, an on-going case load and discharges.
4. To contribute as a member of a multi-disciplinary team to the overall mental health, psychological and medical care of patients of RBH and HH.
5. To be able to work confidently in an autonomous role
6. To work collaboratively with all members of multidisciplinary care teams at RBH and HH, providing support and advice where appropriate and attending MDT meetings.
7. To demonstrate excellent communication skills and to be able to promote cohesive relationships, look objectively at problems, and problem solve effectively.
8. To complete comprehensive mental state examinations including risk assessment and risk management plans in collaboration with relevant healthcare professionals.
9. To be responsible for recommending evidence based psychological and psychiatric interventions and planning and reviewing all interventions and care plans.
10. To always involve patients, carers and families in the treatment, management, and the formulation of care plans.
11. To provide mental health care appropriate to the client’s physical health needs and make appropriate referrals when necessary to the patient’s local primary care services and/or psychiatric/psychology services.
12. To ensure that patient safety is always prioritised and that all staff who are responsible for the patient’s care are aware of any significant risks.
13. To advise, explain and alert RBH and HH staff to the need to provide increased levels of observation for patients who have been identified as posing an increased risk to themselves or others.
14. To promote and work within all relevant guidelines for good clinical practice recommended by professional bodies.
15. To foster, create and maintain comprehensive and meaningful networks and relationships with the key people, wards and departments in RBH and HH, ensuring a timely response to the needs of patients with mental health problems in the hospital setting.
16. To be directly accountable for your own professional practice and to operate in line with the professional code of conduct in relation to practice and the delivery of care and treatment.
17. To be responsible for maintaining full registration with the NMC and meeting revalidation requirements. Revalidation sign-off to be through mental health senior nursing staff.
18. To monitor and ensure maintenance of high standards of care including a strong advocacy role for vulnerable patients experiencing mental health problems.
19. To liaise with all appropriate agencies concerning the care and current or future management plans for patients and provide written reports or documentation as requested.
20. To ensure that when detected, safeguarding issues are always raised and communicated to the local leads at RBH and HH.
21. To ensure that the discharge of patients with mental health problems are managed safely and in accordance with local service policies and guidelines.
22. To maintain accurate records of referrals and patient contact activity on electronic patient record systems. This will then be used to monitor activity and performance and the effectiveness of the service.
23. To always maintain accurate, legible, and up to date clinical records ensuring that confidentiality and data protection responsibilities are assured.
Educational Responsibilities
24. To attend mandatory and statutory training as required.
25. To be a source of knowledge and advice for staff at RBH and HH on current mental health legislation (Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act, Deprivation of Liberties, etc) and developments in mental health.
26. To help identify specific mental health related training needs for RBH and HH staff and to develop and deliver training programmes required to meet these needs.
27. To contribute to training workshops for RBH and HH staff on evidence-based interventions for the management of psychiatric emergencies.
28. Any other teaching commitments that may be required or requested by the Lead Nurse or Therapy/Service Leads at RBH and HH.
Continuing Professional Development
29. The post-holder will be expected to undertake an annual appraisal and maintain an up-to-date Personal Development Plan (PDP).
30. The post-holder will be expected to attend regular supervision and be able to critically reflect on their work responsibilities and performance. The postholder may also be expected to provide reflective supervision for other designated staff palliative care.
31. The post-holder will be expected to maintain an expert level of competence by identifying training needs and attending relevant training courses and conferences.
32. The post-holder will be able to apply for all relevant and appropriate training courses with opportunities to apply for funding for relevant courses and conferences through the appropriate channels.
Service Development Responsibilities
33. To work collaboratively in developing and co-ordinating links with other professionals and agencies.
34. To contribute to the future planning and development of the service.
35. To contribute to the development of relevant local policy and practice, and advise on the implementation of national guidance and policy.
Research, Audit and Evaluation Responsibilities
36. The post-holder will be expected to facilitate and take an active part in clinical/service audits within the service.
37. The post-holder will then be expected to implement any findings that will promote best practice and enhance service delivery.
38. The post-holder will be expected to regularly attend Directorate and or divisional clinical governance meetings.
For further details / informal visits contact:
Person specification
Skills
Essential criteria
39. Knowledge and experience of delivering teaching sessions
40. Proven enthusiasm towards teaching\sharing knowledge
41. Able to prioritise and meet deadlines
42. Relevant current clinical experience in the specialism
43. Proven oral and written communication skills
44. Demonstrate the ability to compile complex written information
45. Able to demonstrate a working knowledge in standard setting and quality management
46. Able to manage difficult / complex situations effectively
Desirable criteria
47. previous band 7
Experience
Essential criteria
48. Extensive post registration experience at Senior Staff Nurse level
49. Experience in change management
50. Experience of automous working
Desirable criteria
51. PREVIOUS BAND 7 EXPERIENCE
Qualifications
Essential criteria
52. Registered nurse
53. BSc (Hons) degree or equivalent in mental health nursing
54. Previous experience of providing mental health care in physical healthcare settings
Desirable criteria
55. nmp
Guy’s and St Thomas’ celebrates, respects and values the diversity of its staff and patients. We review our policies, procedures and practices to ensure that all employees, patients and carers are treated equitable according to their needs. We are actively committed to ensuring that no one who applies for a job, works or study’s at the Trust, or accesses our services is discriminated against on the grounds of race, ethnicity, nationality, disability, religion or belief, age, gender identity, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity/paternity, or marital/civil partnership.