Job Description

The Mental Health Crisis Assessment Service (MHCAS) is an innovative alternative to A&E for people in mental health crisis. The Service was recognised for Excellence in Mental Health at the UK NHS Parliamentary awards. The service covers the emergency mental health pathway for North Central London, this includes the boroughs of Barnet, Camden, Enfield, Haringey and Islington.



We are looking for support workers with a passion for delivering outstanding patient care. The service provides an initial assessment of mental health needs. From this initial assessment there are a variety of pathways including referral to secondary services, crisis teams, crisis houses admissions, admissions to hospital and referrals to non-statutory services who offer specialists input. The service promotes community health and well-being and social inclusion.



Successful candidates will be expected to work a 7-day rota, as part of a 24/7 service, covering several different sites if needed. This will include night duties and unsocial hours on a long-day shift pattern.



The Clinical Support Worker will be responsible for participating and assisting in the delivery of care for service users in MHCAS. This includes supporting carers, families and other professionals of those being cared for by the team during their assessment processes.



They will be expected to work a 7-day rota, as part of a 24/7 service, covering several different sites if needed. This will include night duties and unsocial hours on a long-day shift pattern.



They will carry out a range of clinical support tasks, including direct patient interactions, risk assessment under supervision from senior staff, and delivering care interventions as identified as part of the service user's care plan. This will include delivery when needed of PMVA (prevention and management of violence and aggression). They will work as part of the multidisciplinary team to provide excellent, compassionate and sensitive care to people and their social network.



The focus of the role will be that of supporting people in acute mental health crisis, supporting carers and families in the same context and providing clinical assistance to registered and medical

staff in order to ensure safe provision of care. The role will also include hands-on duties to ensure the smooth and efficient running of the clinical

environment and practical assistance to individual practitioners and doctors during the assessment including face to face review of service users and close observations.



North London NHS Foundation Trust (NLFT) is committed to improving mental health care across North London to deliver excellent services to our local people.

Our Five-Year Strategy:

1. We will provide consistently high-quality care closer to home.



2. With our partners in North London and each borough we will ensure equity of outcome for all



3. We will offer great places to work, providing staff with supportive environment to deliver outstanding care.



4. We will be more effective as an organisation by pioneering research, quality improvement and technology.



In order to meet the needs of the Trust you may be required from time to time to work at different locations to your normal place of work. This may mean that you are required to work at any location that fall under Barnet, Camden, Enfield, Haringey or Islington.



MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Clinical/Practice

To follow plans of care and undertake a range of allocated duties related to direct or indirect service user support and care.



To care for the service users physical, psychological, social, spiritual, cultural and recreational needs within a defined programme of health care and to ensure that service users are treated with respect and their dignity is always maintained.



To encourage service users to accept an optimum level of responsibility for their individual programme of care and with their consent, where appropriate, seek the co-operation of carers, relatives and friends.



To observe and report any changes in the service user's wellbeing as well as undertake any routine observations that may be required for physical health management.



To maintain timely and accurate service user records under supervision and in line with trust and service line policy and procedure.

To converse with service users and their carers and relatives in a positive and respectful manner, ascertaining their needs and assisting them as appropriate.



To contribute to the assessment of service user's health and social care needs by participating in assessment processes including assisting in initial data collection; monitoring of patient's progress; as well as being able to report back clearly at any team care reviews.



To contribute towards the ongoing quality of service and care and identifies any risk issues in relation to the service users' health and social care. Promptly informing the team or supervisor if there are any