There is an exciting opportunity for a Nurse to join our Specialist Community Health Team
for People with Learning Disabilities in East Devon. The role is for a nurse practitioner,
working alongside and supporting the wider Multi-Disciplinary Team.
We are looking for an
enthusiastic and forward-thinking Learning Disability Nurse to join our team.
In return, we offer a supportive team environment that encourages personal and
professional growth, with opportunities to further develop your knowledge and
skills. Based within a trust which values work-life balance, allowing
flexibility to maintain a fulfilling career while also prioritising your
wellbeing.
The successful applicant would
work collaboratively with other professionals within the MDT to provide
holistic assessment and intervention, underpinned by evidence based practice,
to support people with learning disabilities who are experiencing distress. Excellent
communication skills and a person centred approach to care is central to the
role. A working knowledge of Positive Behaviour Support would be
advantageous. Being a community nursing role, the ability to work autonomously,
alongside strong partnership skills, is required.
Devon Partnership NHS Trust is
looking to become a recognised centre of excellence and expertise, the
successful applicant should hold the Trusts values and have the competencies
and confidence to inspire and involve staff to help reach this target over the
next five years.
Promote
services in line with current local and national policy & guidance for
people with Learning Disabilities, which promotes the rights and inclusion of
this client group.
Undertake
all aspects of practice as an autonomous practitioner and report to the Band 6
accordingly, including professional and legal accountability for own work
within an agreed policy framework.
To
act as a point of contact for family, carers and other professionals during the
service users care pathway.
Facilitate
open and easy access to hospital and other mainstream health services for
people with learning disabilities.
Develop
effective and collaborative working with healthcare and multi-agency
colleagues.
To
assist in identifying and meeting the training needs and providing specialist
and nursing advice when appropriate / required.
We provide mental health, learning disability and neurodiversity services, as well as a range of specialist & secure services for the wider south west region & nationally. We are passionate about promoting good mental health & wellbeing. We strive to use the expertise & resources within our organisation, and through our partnerships, to deliver high quality services that are safe & focused on people's recovery.
We are committed to developing a culture of coproduction, involving patients, families & carers in everything we do
We not only recruit based on qualifications & experience - we recruit individuals who possess & demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. These include such attributes as showing a commitment to quality of care, improving lives of others, giving respect, dignity & compassion. We can bring those values to life in our everyday tasks by giving a smile; making time for people; challenging ourselves & others, & being open to new ideas.
We are committed to being an inclusive employer & applications are encouraged & welcomed from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics as governed by the Equality Act 2010. Part time & flexible working applications will be considered & supported, where possible. We particularly encourage applicants with lived experience of mental health conditions, neurodiversity or learning disabilities. We are a Disability Confident Leader.
Job description
Job responsibilities
As
part of the Specialist Health Community Learning Disability Team, the post
holder will be expected to work across and support all of the nursing functions Continuing
Health Care, Intensive Assessment and Treatment and Primary Care Liaison.
The
post holder will be expected to undertake assessments and formulations, develop
care plans and undertake relevant interventions and evaluate care plans and
interventions accordingly.
The
post holder will work in a person-centred way, working closely with people with
learning disabilities, their families and carers as part of their day to day
work and with wider stakeholders as appropriate.
There is an emphasis to work using a strengths-based
approach across our service, ensuring that people with a learning disability
are supported to have their physical and mental health needs identified and
addressed (avoiding inappropriate admissions to hospital wherever possible and
maximising health outcomes).
Duty and responsibilities
Promote
services in line with current local and national policy & guidance for
people with Learning Disabilities, which promotes the rights and inclusion of
this client group.
Undertake
all aspects of practice as an autonomous practitioner and report to the Band 6
accordingly, including professional and legal accountability for own work
within an agreed policy framework.
To
act as a point of contact for family, carers and other professionals during the
service users care pathway.
Facilitate
open and easy access to hospital and other mainstream health services for
people with learning disabilities.
Develop
effective and collaborative working with healthcare and multi-agency
colleagues.
To
assist in identifying and meeting the training needs and providing specialist
and nursing advice when appropriate / required.
Communication and Working Relationship Skills
Operational
accountability rests with the Senior Operational Manager.
Communicates
sensitive, confidential information concerning patients/clients requiring
empathy, persuasion and reassurance. Some may have special needs.
Making
use of special communication techniques such as total communication.
Form
effective working relationships across health and social care organisations
as required.
To
act with diplomacy making decisions as situations develop, ensuring
appropriate feedback to partner organisations.
To
contribute to the development of relevant accessible information for service
users and their families/carers when required, to support care and treatment.
Analytical
and Judgemental Skills
Undertake
risk assessments and determine the appropriate course of action, which has
taken into consideration a range of possible options. Where necessary, ensure
that consultation with senior colleagues is undertaken.
Use
clinical judgement to consider complex facts or situations, requiring
analysis, interpretation and comparison of a range of options when
determining the type of care required for someone with complex health needs /
behaviours of concern. Undertake
and continuously re-evaluate assessments. Where necessary, ensure that
consultation with senior colleagues is undertaken.
Have
an awareness of your own clinical competencies, knowledge base and
experience, and ensure that you practice within this and seek support as
required.
The
post holder is expected to work within the policy frameworks of both their
employing authority and the authority hosting them (where appropriate). Where
there is a conflict, management guidance should be sought.
Planning
and Organisational Skills
The
post holder is expected to plan and organise their own diary and daily
working schedule. They are responsible for ensuring their own administration
returns such as Data Capture Sheets, travel etc. are completed on time, are
accurate and are submitted through the correct channels.
The
post holder will ensure all Core Mandatory & Statutory Training, as
identified by Devon Partnership NHS Trust is up-to-date.
Plans
provision of care for patients, e.g. clinics, health education, ensuring
reviews are held within the required time frames.
Organise relevant meetings as required e.g. core
group meetings, professional and risk meetings.
Responsible for managing own workload of
non-complex clients, to ensure the needs of the individuals who use our
services are met, taking the wider needs of the team into consideration.
Plan the workload of junior colleagues where
appropriate / required.
Responsibility
for Patient/Client Care, Treatment and Therapy
Assesses, plans, implements and evaluates clinical
care of patients/clients; gives specialist advice to clients/carers.
They are responsible for ensuring accurate
recording of advice and any intervention and the monitoring of any
interventions.
To provide support and advice regarding mental
capacity, consent & best interest to the service user, their family /
carer, and the professionals involved in decision making about their care.
To identify reasonable adjustments with people
with learning disabilities and communicate with relevant service to support
with the implementation of the adjustments as appropriate.
To act as an advocate for people with learning
disabilities when required.
Responsibility
for Policy and Service Development Implementation
Post
holder will follow policies and makes comments on proposals for change.
Assist
areas in recognising potential barriers to access to care and other
communication issues in relation to individuals with learning disabilities,
and provide advice and support as required.
To
promote active participation of service users and their families / carers in
the healthcare process, working within the Public and Patient Involvement
agenda / Trust Together strategy.
To
work in partnership with people with learning disabilities, self-advocacy
groups, PALS and carers groups in the development, implementation and
maintenance of service provision where appropriate.
To
assess the impact of local and national initiatives and provide feedback on Trust
initiatives relating to skills competency of its workforce.
Responsibility for Finance, Equipment and Other Resources
The post
holder has a personal duty of care in relation to equipment and resources.
Responsibility
for Human Resources, e.g. Supervision, Training, HR Advice and Management
It is expected that the post holder will offer
supervision and support to Band 4, Band 3 staff and to student nurses on
placements. The post holder will offer training to non-specialists in their
own area where appropriate.
Responsibility for Information Resources and Administrative
Duties
To utilise
information systems as instructed (including paper based and electronic
system). To gather, record and maintain information on individual clients and
general work activity. To ensure all returns are completed in a timely manner.
To maintain confidentiality of
information regarding patients and relatives at all times.
Ensure
information resources are used to maintain knowledge of Trust, Directorate
and Team priorities and safety initiatives.
Maintain
up to date clinical record in a timely and accurate manner.
Ensure
information is shared with key stakeholders and other agencies in a secure
manner.
Responsibility for Research and Development
Undertake
surveys or audits, as necessary to own work.
Occasional
participation in R&D activity/ clinical trials.
Freedom to Act
Works within
clearly defined occupational policies, work is managed, rather than
supervised.
Works within
codes of practice and professional guidelines.
Any
Other Specific Tasks Required
The ability to access all
areas of Devon in a timely manner is essential. Some out of area work may be
required from time to time.
