About this role
Job summary
We are delighted to offer an opportunity for a Band 6 Mental Health Nurse to join our Specialist Mental Health Services for Older People in East Hertfordshire.
As part of a supportive multidisciplinary team, you will provide holistic, person-centred assessment and care for older adults living with functional mental illness, dementia, frailty and complex mental health needs. The role includes mental health and risk assessment, care planning, care coordination, multidisciplinary working and supporting service users and carers through periods of acute or complex mental ill health.
We welcome applicants with experience from across mental health services and value the transferable skills, knowledge and perspectives they can bring to the team. You will need to work confidently and autonomously while contributing positively to collaborative clinical decision-making and effective partnership working.
The post covers both Oxford House in Bishop's Stortford and Rosanne House in Welwyn Garden City, with flexible shift and weekend working required in response to service needs.
You will work alongside Clinical Psychologists, Consultant Psychiatrists, Occupational Therapists, Social Workers and Mental Health Nurses, with access to regular supervision, reflective practice, professional development and training opportunities.
If you are passionate about high-quality care for older adults and want to make a meaningful difference, we would love to hear from you.
Main duties of the job
Band 6 Community Mental Health Nurse within the Crisis Function Team, you will play a key role in providing rapid assessment, intervention and support to older adults experiencing acute mental health crises within the community. You will work autonomously and as part of a multidisciplinary team to deliver high-quality, recovery-focused care.
The post holder will support the deputy Manager in the development andimplementation of a multi-professional Crisis Function Team providing a high-qualityservice to meet the needs of people in acute phases of mental illness, and their carers.To ensure the efficient and effective running of the team, providing Leadership andsupervision within the multi-disciplinary staff group as appropriate.The post holder will undertake urgent assessments of people with mental healthproblems in acute crisis. The service will be available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.The post holder will be responsible for helping to establish and maintain team systemsand processes for effective team working and processes, including outcome measuresand audits under the direction of the Deputy ManagerThis section should also include:All staff should comply with the Trust's Anti-Discriminatory Statement, Open Culture,Employee Charter, Trust Policies and Procedures, Code of Conduct and Equality andDiversity.
About us
Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (HPFT) is an outstanding organisation with ambitions to match. We are one of just five mental health trusts to achieve an overall rating of 'Outstanding' from the Care Quality Commission, and our aim is to be the leading provider of mental health and specialist learning disability services in the country.
Our family of over 3500 members of staff provide health and social care for over 400,000 people with mental ill health, physical ill health and learning disabilities across Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, and Norfolk, delivering these services within the community and several inpatient settings. We also deliver a range of nationally commissioned specialist services including Tier 4 services for children and young people, perinatal services, plus medium and low secure learning disabilities services.
The care we provide makes a fantastic difference to the lives of our service users, their families and carers - everything is underpinned by choice, independence and equality, with our Trust values embedded throughout:
Our Trust values are:
Welcoming. Kind. Positive. Respectful. Professional.
These values are at the core of who we are, everything we do, and how we do it!
Job description Job responsibilities
The post holder will: Be responsible for the full assessment of care needs and risk assessment of service users presenting with a wide variety of clinical conditions. Following thisthe post holder will be responsible for the development, implementation and evaluation of programmes of care, without direct supervision (thoughclinical supervision is implemented as per policy to support you). To be named care coordinator, and act accordingly when applying care. To manage one self in a professional manner, responding to requests, enquiries etc in a timely fashion. To respond to any crisis that a service user may advise of, with the aimof promoting independent living in the community Work with the philosophy to support service users to remain in their own home. Administer and/ or supervise medications as required. To have a soundknowledge of medications and their desired and undesired effects, Be required to provide education, advise and guidance to service users and their carers and families. Provide a range of clinical interventions and treatments appropriate tothe individuals needs. Participate fully in providing quality care in line with local and national guidelines. Act as a role model in providing a service for people with mental health problems. Participate in audit/research projects associated with the service. Be required to challenge practice that compromises or challenges high quality care to older people To advise Team Manager of any resource short falls. To partake in continuing professional development that will also benefit the development and quality of the service. Remain updated with local and national guidelines and policies. Partake in home visits with other professionals such as Consultant Psychiatrist, Specialty Doctors, Social Workers etc Partake in clinical and management supervision
The Band 6 Community Mental Health Nurse will support the delivery of a high-quality Crisis Function Team (CFT) service for older adults experiencing acute mental health difficulties. The post holder will work autonomously and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team to provide rapid assessment, care coordination, risk management and evidence-based interventions to service users and their carers.
Clinical Responsibilities
Undertake comprehensive mental health, risk and needs assessments for individuals presenting in crisis, ensuring timely intervention and formulation of effective care plans. Develop, implement and evaluate person-centred programmes of care for service users with acute and complex mental health needs. Act as Care Coordinator for a defined caseload, ensuring care plans are regularly reviewed and delivered in accordance with identified needs and recovery goals. Provide intensive community-based interventions to support individuals to remain safely in their own homes and avoid unnecessary hospital admissions. Monitor, administer and evaluate prescribed medication in accordance with Trust policies, NMC standards and best practice guidance. Maintain accurate, timely and comprehensive clinical records, care plans and risk assessments using electronic patient record systems. Communication and Partnership Working
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with service users, carers, families, fellow professionals and partner agencies. Liaise effectively with inpatient units, community teams, primary care services, social care and voluntary sector organisations to ensure seamless care pathways. Participate in multidisciplinary meetings, case reviews, safeguarding processes and care planning discussions. Provide specialist advice and guidance regarding the role and interventions of the Crisis Function Team. Risk Management and Clinical Decision Making
Undertake complex risk assessments and implement robust risk management plans to promote safety and positive outcomes. Exercise professional judgement in crisis situations, making autonomous decisions within Trust policies and professional frameworks. Ensure compliance with relevant legislation, including the Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act, safeguarding procedures and Care Programme Approach requirements. Leadership, Supervision and Service Development
Provide clinical leadership and act as a role model within the multidisciplinary team. Support the induction, supervision, development and assessment of junior staff and student nurses. Participate in clinical supervision, appraisal, continuing professional development and reflective practice activities. Contribute to service improvement initiatives, audits, quality assurance activities and implementation of evidence-based practice. Assist in the day-to-day operational functioning of the team, including supporting workload management, rota coordination and service delivery requirements. General Responsibilities
Work flexibly across service locations and community settings to meet service needs. Maintain professional registration and adhere to the NMC Code of Conduct and Trust policies at all times. Participate in data collection, audit and reporting processes to support service performance and governance requirements. Promote recovery-focused, strengths-based and person-centred care that improves outcomes for older adults and their carers. The post holder will be expected to work both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team, demonstrating excellent communication skills, sound clinical judgement and a commitment to delivering compassionate, high-quality mental health care to older adults in the community.
Person Specification
KNOWLEDGE, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE Essential
Registered Mental Health Nurse Mentorship qualification
Desirable
AMHP (or willingness to undertake training)
AREAS OF EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE Essential
Experience of multidisciplinary team working A minimum of two years post registration experience, one of which within older people's mental health services Up to date clinical knowledge. Knowledge of legislation related to mental health and social care (e.g. Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act, National Service Framework, National Dementia Strategy, Care Programme Approach etc
Desirable
Experience of: 1) ward based nursing 2) community based nursing 3) working with enduring mental health clients 4) working with older adults with mental health conditions Experience of managing other staff Supervisor skills.
COMMUNICATION SKILLS Essential
Excellent verbal and written communication skills Ability to feedback to multidisciplinary team. Excellent documentation of duties performed. Organisational skills. Initiative. Care Coordination High degree of literacy. Ability to balance safety/ risk. Good IT skills
Desirable
Experience of using electronic patient notes. Report writing skills
ANALYTICAL SKILLS Essential
Able to manage day to day issues. Be aware of own limitations. Believe in and promote strategy and philosophy of service Good range of information gathering skills. Ability to assess and manage risks
Desirable
Understand the importance of other agencies in making project work Good range of problem solving skills.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details Employer name Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
Address Roseanne House
Parkway
Welwyn Garden City
AL6 6HG
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.hpft.nhs.uk/careers/ (Opens in a new tab)