Within South Bedfordshire CMHTs (Dunstable CMHT and Leighton Buzzard CMHT) there is currently a rich mix of skilled and experienced Community Mental Health Nurses. With the current strong multidisciplinary team structure within the CMHTs, the teams would be able to support one newly qualified Band 5 nurse within Dunstable CMHT. The teams have proven to support the ASYE (Approved Social Work Year) Social Workers very well. It is believed that a similar supportive Preceptorship year would provide the opportunity for a Band 5 Registered Mental Health Nurse to work within the CMHT.This will be a developmental post, progressing to band 6 after the successful 12 month period, subject to evidence of competency, extending to 24 months if further time is required.
The nurse would be closely supported by the Band 7 Senior Lead Nurse to complete their Preceptorship year. This support would include supervision twice a month, with close oversight of their reduced caseload. The caseload would be increased in line with their developing competencies up to a maximum of 10 patients whilst employed as Band 5. Opportunities would be given to further develop their skills in the Nursing Process (assessment, care planning, implementation and evaluation). Alongside risk assessment, risk management, adult safeguarding, carer’s intervention, recovery and introduction to psychosocial interventions. The nurse’s competencies would be signed off as they meet the required standards. In addition the nurse would also be allocated a Band 6 onsite mentor to provide additional support with the knowledge and skills required for this post. Some joint working and shadowing will also be arranged with their mentor.
After a period of observation the band 5 would be able to oversee the running of the depot clinic and man the duty desk reporting to the band 7 manager overseeing duty. The team would facilitate joint assessments working towards assessments completed under observation with a view to the nurse completing independent assessment reporting the assessment to the MDT/Deputy. This would be staged over a period of 9-12 months.
Our mission is to make a positive difference to people's lives by improving the quality of life for all we serve. Our values are: We Care, We Respect, We are Inclusive – so we are looking for people who live and breathe these qualities when supporting service users and carers, and in their relationships with colleagues in the Trust and our partner organisations.
File to big to attach so adding Person Specification to this section.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Job Title: CMHN Band 5 Development Post
Locality: Dunstable CMHT
Factors
Essential
Desirable
How
Tested
Educational/ Qualification
• Registered Nurse (Mental Health) or Pre-graduate mental health nurse in the final six months of their training or a graduate mental health nurse who is pending their PIN.
• Willingness to undertake further training relevant to the B5 development programme.
A/I
Experience
• Experience of mental health nursing either in inpatient or community setting.
• Experience of working within a multi-disciplinary environment/community experience.
• Experience of working within an
NHS/Local Authority environment and an understanding of the issues/ policies/ practice within these environments.
A/I
Knowledge
• Knowledge of the Mental Health Act (1983), Mental Capacity At (2005) & the Care Act (2014.
• Understanding of the principles of the recovery model and care Programme Approach
• Up to date knowledge of the current approaches to mental health nursing.
• Up to date knowledge of the issues that impact individuals and carers affected by mental health and / or cognitive impairment (where applicable)
• Knowledge and understanding of safeguarding adults and children.
• Understanding of the key themes of clinical governance and evidence based practice.
• Knowledge and understanding of equal opportunities policies and practice and how they affect staff, service users and carers.
• Human Rights Act 1998.
A/I
Skills
• Good verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to assess, plan, implement and evaluate care using evidence based approaches
• Ability to prioritise workload.
• Excellent time management skills
• Ability to work autonomously and independently.
• Ability to be innovative in practice. Ability to work effectively as part of a team.
• Good IT skills.
• Ability to engage with people with serious mental health problems in a holistically.
Additional
Requirements
• Car driver essential and be able to travel between Trust sites throughout the County
• Full driving licence
• Flexible working according to the needs of the service and to support work/life balance and improving working lives.
This advert closes on Monday 17 Feb 2025