Job Description

Senior Nurse Practitioner Band 6, Community Learning Disability Team



Are you a Nurse Practitioner with a passion for delivering outstanding care that brings the 6 Cs (care, compassion, commitment, courage, communication and competence) to life? If so, we want to hear from you.



This Band 6 post is a a permanent position within the St Helens and Knowsley Community Learning Disability Team (CLDT). The post holder will work within a well established Intensive Support Function (ISF), to support the continued implementation of the Transforming Care Agenda, with the aim of preventing avoidable hospital admissions, through the provision of intensive community based interventions and a multi-disciplinary, person centred approach.



The post holder will be a key member of the multi-disciplinary learning disability community teams for St Helens and Knowsley, which sits within the Specialist Learning Disability Services division.

The primary responsibilities will include:

The definition, development and delivery of valued and expert specialist health supports which promote the independence, community inclusion and positive reputation of people with learning disabilities and their carers.



Assuming a lead in the continued development of effective clinical services to meet the complex needs of people with either a challenging behaviour or mental health problem through direct and indirect work, training, supervision, co-working and consultation.



Adopting and enabling a person-centred care programme approach across the Directorate ensuring the full participation of all individuals in valued community life experiences. Engaging in collaborative planning and joint working with other agencies involved in the delivery of local comprehensive social support services. To act as Care Co-ordinator under C.P.A. framework.



The post-holder would be expected to work flexibly in varying locations, and at varying times to meet the needs of the service.



Mersey Care is one of the largest trusts providing physical health and mental health services in the North West, serving more than 11 million people.



We offer specialist inpatient and community services that support physical and mental health and specialist inpatient mental health, learning disability, addiction and brain injury services. Mersey Care is one of only three trusts in the UK that offer high secure mental health facilities.



At the heart of all we do is our commitment to 'perfect care' - care that is safe, effective, positively experienced, timely, equitable and efficient. We support our staff to do the best job they can and work alongside service users, their families, and carers to design and develop future services together. We're currently delivering a programme of organisational and service transformation to significantly improve the quality of the services we provide and safely reduce cost as we do so.

Clinical:

To carry a clinical caseload and operate as Care Co-ordinator with individuals who present either with challenging behaviour, mental health problems and/or complex physical health needs



To accept referrals of individuals and their carers as allocated through the initial intake process by the Team Manager.



To undertake a through assessment of new referrals as identified in the intake procedures of the Directorate.



Following assessment to derive a formulation and plan of intervention, negotiating this with the client(s) and colleagues and carers where appropriate, and communicating this to the referrer and other relevant professionals.



To provide a range of appropriate evidence-based interventions based on the assessed need of the referral and result in an effective care programme that can be utilised across the service both in community, acute and residential settings.



To evaluate the outcome of these interventions and ensure that they inform future practice.



To develop complex service specifications and care packages in conjunction with Local Authority/Health Authority Care Managers.



To ensure that any clinical interventions are effectively dovetailed with appropriate social support arrangements.



To undertake on occasions urgent or emergency assessments, including risk

assessments.



To participate in the on-call arrangements of the Directorate as required.



To organise own workload and work schedules.



To carry out other clinical duties as may be agreed with the Team Manager.



To monitor all clinical interventions.



To adhere to Risk Management Procedures as outlined by the trust. procedures and philosophy of care for the clinical area.

Developing Effective Clinical Services:

To provide a specialist clinical advice to colleagues.



To utilise and encourage an eclectic approach to the management of people with complex needs.



To participate in Personal Development Planning Reviews and in service training



To keep up to date with current information and changes in topics relevant to the service.



To be an advisor on clinical support to other health and social care professionals and assist in the identification of staff training needs.



To facilitate the education of clients, relatives and other agencies concerned with provision of learning disability services in the community, through involvement in the Multi-Agency joint Training and Development arrangements



To be involved in the development of training/information resources for staff in the area of Learning Disabilities and mental health difficulties.

Communication/Liaison:

To organise and chair regular staff meetings and other forums as appropriate.



To maintain systematic clinical and professional records as required by the service.



To provide statistical information as required by the Trust



To ensure effective communication between health, social services and voluntary sector, agency staff, co-ordination of other services as appropriate



To participate in relevant clinical, staff and professional meetings, as advised by the Team Manager.



To ensure inter-professional communications by regular liaison, case conferences, clinical reviews as required.



To consult and negotiate with other relevant people, including clients, carers and relatives on the development of clinical interventions.

Professional:

To observe and maintain agreed Trust policies and procedures.



To be aware of the responsibilities under the Health and Safety at Work Policy and to ensure that other staff similarly comply.



To be fully aware of and to assist medical staff in observing and complying with the legal requirements of the Mental Health act 1983 and Mental Health (Patients in the Community) Act 1995.



To inform the Service Manager and/or Team Manager of other matters that might affect policy decision.



To control drugs and equipment in the community according to district policy.



To institute and carry out research projects.



To ensure a high level of ethical conduct in the Learning Disabilities Service.



To undertake any duties as may be delegated by the Team Manager.



To act as supervisor, assessor and mentor to students, nurses and junior staff.



To act as N.V.Q. Assessor where appropriate.



To attend professional meetings when necessary e.g., nurse meetings.



To participate in relevant focus groups.