Job Description

The role will involve doing specialist assessments of patients referred to the eating disorder service. This involves a blended approach of undertaking assessments via Teams or, face to face as indicated. Alongside colleagues in the Adult Community Team you will liaise with referrers and offer advice to primary and secondary services and other external agencies such as Community Mental Health Teams, and Medical and Psychiatric Wards where required. You will also support those new to completing assessments. This is an opportunity for you to further your practice and experience within a specialist setting. You will need to be a motivated, empathic, skilled and dedicated individual who can work well both autonomously and within a team, and possess excellent communication skills. You will be well supported in your role by a friendly, dynamic MDT as well as receive regular line management and clinical supervision both individually as well as team based.



COMMUNITY TEAM OVERVIEW



The Adult Community Team is an integral part of the wider adult eating disorders outpatient service, acting as a front of house for all stakeholders. The team is made up of highly experienced mental health nurses, occupational therapists, dietician, nursing associates, family therapist, specialist practitioners and consultant psychiatrist. The team has various treatment pathways including FREED which is an established early intervention pathway, an intensive community treatment team and an expanding primary care pathway.



SERVICE OVERVIEW

Vincent Square Eating Disorders Service is an all-age service with an adult inpatient ward, day programme, children and young people service and adult outpatient team. It is the specialist service provider for patients living in the boroughs of Westminster, Kensington & Chelsea, Hammersmith & Fulham, Ealing, Hillingdon, Hounslow, Brent and Harrow. In addition, the service accepts national referrals for specialist in-patient and day-patient care.



The service has a main base in South Kensington in Central London as well as a satellite clinic at Roxborough Road (Harrow), alongside our newly opened site near Paddington. The successful candidate's preference for working site will be taken into consideration, and systems are in place to allow flexible working from home for all clinicians which is agreed with your manager and dependent on service need.



To provide specialist eating disorder assessment To provide advice to referring agents on how to access the eating disorders service Participate as an active member of the team, accountable for your practice, and work in partnership with other health care professionals, patients and others in the delivery of care. To offer support and advice on suitable treatments for those seriously ill patients awaiting outpatient/in-patient admission to professional staff and to families and carers. To act as lead professional when appropriate and undertake risk assessments. Liaise closely and effectively with colleagues in primary and secondary healthcare services, families and carers to ensure well-co-ordinated and consistent care for people who are suffering from eating disorders.

The candidate will require a good level of post qualification experience of working with patients with an eating disorder within a ward or community setting. You will need to be a motivated, empathic, skilled and dedicated individual.



You will be well supported in your role by a friendly, dynamic MDT as well as receive regular line management and clinical supervision in various forms. Your primary base will be in vibrant South Kensington in Central London and you will also be required to work at the satellite clinic at Harrow on the Hill, when required.



Vincent Square Eating Disorders Service is the specialist service provider for patients living in the boroughs of Westminster, Kensington & Chelsea, Hammersmith & Fulham, Ealing, Hillingdon, Hounslow, Brent and Harrow. In addition the service accepts national referrals for specialist in-patient and day-patient care.

Flexible Working Policy:

Since Covid-19 we have adjusted our working practices and staff typically work from home up to 1 day per week. We know staff have lives outside of work, and want to promote balance. We take flexible working seriously, allowing staff to pick working hours as long as they fit with Team capacity. You will be given your own remote working system via laptops and phones to support this.



Hear from our staff what it's like working with our CNWL Eating Disorders service, please click on below videos



Video 1 - Click HERE



Video 2- Click HERE



Clinical Responsibilities



To provide specialist eating disorder assessments

To provide advice to referring agents on how to access the eating disorders service To advise other teams about management of eating disorders as part of service users' package of care, when there is other significant psychiatric or medical co-morbidities. Ensure practice is in accordance with your Professional Code of Conduct and Mental Health Legislation, which incorporates and respects differences in respect of gender, sexuality, ethnicity, religion, culture and disability. Participate as an active member of the team, accountable for your practice, and work in partnership with other health care professionals, patients and others in the delivery of care. To offer support and advice on suitable treatments for those seriously ill patients awaiting outpatient/in-patient admission to professional staff and to families and carers. To organize own schedule, maintaining daily contact with the Adult Community Team Lead about any issues as they arise. Always act in a manner as to promote and safeguard the interests and wellbeing of patients, visitors and colleagues. To participate in mandatory staff group.

Generic Responsibilities



To work to the clinical boundaries and model of care of the Eating Disorder Service. To attend regular clinical meetings at the service base and to report back on patient contacts. To develop and maintain professional and positive inter-disciplinary relationships within the clinic, Trust and related services. To act as lead professional when appropriate and undertake risk assessments. To maintain standards of confidentiality at all times. To inform the Adult Community Team Lead and Service Manager of any concerns about the standard of care delivered to patients, to report any incidents, accidents or complaints in accordance with Trust policy, and to assist in any investigation and provide statements as requested by the Manager. To have line management supervision To provide written reports adhering to the Trust guidelines. To be aware of and implement Trust Policies for the delivery of health care, and other matters. To be aware of the requirements of the Mental Health Act 1983 and other relevant legislation, and to act within it. To work with patients and staff according to the principles of equal opportunities.

Communication



Possess excellent communication skills and be able to form a positive, therapeutic relationship with people who are experiencing acute crisis or distress in the context of partnership and trust. To be aware of how your verbal and non-verbal communication can be interpreted by others and ensure a polite approach is maintained at all times. Liaise closely and effectively with colleagues in primary and secondary healthcare services, families and carers to ensure well co-ordinated and consistent care for people who are suffering from eating disorders. Liaise where appropriate with voluntary agencies to help create seamless patient care. Help promote Team cohesiveness, multidisciplinary working and at all times work collaboratively with colleagues in all parts of the Trust to achieve healthy and effective communication. To ensure that information of a confidential nature is not divulged to any unauthorised person and is stored in line with the provisions of the Data Protection Act. Ensure that all documentation is legible and written in accordance with professional guidelines and best practice.

Training



Participate in planning & facilitating induction of new staff to assessment. To identify training and professional needs in supervision and develop an educational and training plan under KSF and appraisal. Ensure that own professional mandatory training is met, so that professional and statutory and legal requirements are fulfilled. To maintain up to date knowledge of evidence-based treatment for eating disorders. To carry out any other duties appropriate to the grade.

Policies and/or Service Development



Use own specialist clinical expertise to contribute to the operational and strategic plans for the

service and assist its development.

Ensure the implementation of professional and Trust wide clinical policies.

Management of Resources



Ensure that agreed Trust policies and procedures are followed. Report any maintenance requirements through the Trust processes. In consultation with senior management and members of the Eating Disorder Service to collect

appropriate qualitative and quantitative data utilising audit tools as necessary.



Personal Development



To keep up to date and participate in training programmes identified in a Personal Development

Plan and KSF framework.

To ensure self-knowledge of changes in health care, in part Clinical Governance, National Service Framework for Mental Health and NICE Guidelines for Eating Disorders (DOH2004). Participate in formal appraisal system in accordance with Trust policy. Participate in special projects, research and surveys related to the clinical area as directed.

RIDER CLAUSE

This is an outline of the postholder's duties and responsibilities. It is not intended as an exhaustive list and may change from time to time in order to meet the changing needs of the Trust and Department.