Job summary
An exciting opportunity for a Mental Health Nurse has arisen to join the Early Intervention in Psychosis service (STEP).
This is a fantastic opportunity to join a well-resourced team consisting of mental health nurses, social workers, psychologist, medics, carers and peer support workers. We work with people to improve their quality of life, which is hugely rewarding.
We are a specialist service for people between the age of 14-65 who are experiencing, or at high risk of developing, their first episode of Psychosis.
You will have the opportunity to work autonomously with the support of a strong team of other health care professionals. The role will involve providing assessments, care coordination, outreach and offering support to family members/carers, through education and liaison for people with first episode psychosis in the locality in order to reduce the duration of untreated psychosis.
We are delighted to have recently received additional investment to improve our services and have also been graded as performing well by the NCAP Early Intervention in Psychosis Spotlight audit, making it a great team to be a part of.
Main duties of the job
1. You'll provide the triage of initial referrals, assessment, outreach, education and liaison for young people and adults with first episode psychosis and work to reduce the duration of untreated psychosis.
2. Deliver individual therapy/support and family interventions as a member of the Family Support Service to individuals and significant others.
3. We are able to offer training within the role such as a 10 day course in Family Intervention in conjunction with Exeter University, as well as regular supervision and support from your manager.
About us
As an organisation, the NHS offers a wide range of benefits including flexible working, fantastic pension contributions, market leading annual leave allowance, career progression and regular conversations, not to mention our Blue Light Card and NHS exclusive benefits of working in Somerset include the idyllic countryside, with our areas of outstanding beauty and stunning coastlines. You will get to enjoy these perks whilst still only being a stone's throw away from bustling city centres like Bristol, Bath and Exeter and only two hours away from are excellent educational facilities in the area and, when compared to other regions, house prices are reasonable. You will to experience the best of both in Somerset, the countryside and the cosmopolitan -- there is truly something for everyone!
Job description
Job responsibilities
For a full list of duties and responsibilities, please refer to the attached Job Description and Person Specification.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
4. RMN, Social Work or Occupational Therapy Qualification
5. Current registration with relevant professional body
6. Evidence of post qualifying professional development in an acute setting.
Desirable
7. Degree/Diploma level qualification in family interventions in psychosis (eg. FIRST Course)/CBT for Psychosis/Psychosocial Interventions
8. Other relevant specialist CPD qualification (eg. Clinical assessment)
Experience
Essential
9. Familiarity with Early Interventions principles and research.
10. Significant post registration experience in multi-disciplinary community mental health services.
11. Experience of managing the physical health of clients including physical observation skills, training in phlebotomy and taking ECGs or willing to undertake training as part of the role.
12. Good knowledge of resources and working practices across health and social care.
13. Ability to be innovative in practice.
14. Experience of managing risk of clients in crisis.
15. Experience of assessment, care-plan, development and evaluation in conjunction with clients and carers.
16. Experience and knowledge of working with people with mental health problems
Desirable
17. Experience of mental health difficulties
Additional Criteria
Essential
18. Evidence of a good standard of literacy/English language skills
19. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills including presentation of cases to multi-disciplinary case conferences.
20. Able to carry out evidence-based interventions.
21. Be a role model to Peer Support workers.
22. Compassionate - Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate effectively with patients, carers and relatives about complex and sensitive issues remaining sensitive and empathetic.
23. Listens to others views respecting and valuing individual patient needs.
24. Professional and patient focussed approach with inspirational skills, acting as a role model to colleagues and junior staff members.
25. Excellent organisational skills, ability to manage own time and plan timed activities for staff and patients.
26. Ability to recognise and manage challenging situations in a calm and professional manner.
27. Ability to lead a team, demonstrating teaching and mentorship skills and work effectively as part of a team.
28. Ability to work autonomously and independently.
29. Experience of carrying out supervision to junior staff, coordinating the care of clients and delegating tasks.
30. Ability to record and retrieve information on charts/paper and electronic patient records
31. High standards of written communication skills with the ability to use email and internet.
32. Ability to work in partnership with other agencies.
33. Willingness to lead groups.
34. Experience of multidisciplinary working in a community setting.
35. Compassionate - Open minded, treats colleagues, patients, carers and relatives with dignity and respect.
36. Intuitive and caring nature.
37. To be able to demonstrate an awareness and responsibility whilst recognising the impact frequent exposure to distressing circumstances has on care and compassion.
38. Flexible and adaptable to meet the needs of the patients.
39. Sympathetic and considerate towards patients, carers and relatives.
40. Ability to inspire hope, support recovery and make a difference.
41. Act in a way that supports equality and diversity.
42. Access to regular transport with appropriate business insurance
Desirable
43. Excellent organisational skills, ability to manage own time and plan timed activities for staff and patients
44. Required to spend a considerable period of a working day in front of a VDU
45. Ability to travel round Trust area to fulfil the requirements of the role