Clinical Assessor

Job summary

NHS North West London ICB has identified an exciting opportunity for a number of full time permanent CHC Assessor positions within the Continuing Healthcare Team, based across the North West London area undertaking face to face assessments and reviews.

North West London ICB are looking to appoint a Clinical Assessor; the post holder will report to the Senior Clinical Assessor. The post holder is required to have a sound track record of delivering daily operational services ideally from an acute and or community background, additional experience of care homes and domiciliary care would be beneficial to the role.

Main duties of the job

We are looking for innovative, forward thinking, enthusiastic and confident nurses or Allied Health Professionals with experience of working with adults with a wide range of needs to be part of the newly structured team. Previous experience of working in NHS Continuing Healthcare would be an advantage and a level of knowledge of the framework is required.

The post-holder will undertake various functions relating to the National Framework for NHS Continuing Healthcare which will include undertaking health needs assessments, facilitation of multi-disciplinary assessments, reviews and assessment for personal health budgets and support planning.

You will be an excellent communicator with sound interpersonal skills. You will need to have the ability to manage emotive and sensitive issues with tact and diplomacy, work well under pressure, negotiate with confidence, and maintain a high level of productivity. You will become part of a diverse multi-skilled team, who support each other with their own clinical knowledge to ensure the best personalised care for each individual client.

As the successful candidate you will possess a current professional qualification as a registered General Nurse or Allied Health professional.

Job responsibilities

Operational

Support all cases referred to the team for Continuing Care.

Support the eligibility for CHC for clients on their caseload.

Carry out screening assessments for CHC, prior to FNC, within Care Homes.

Support the senior team in the initial determinations and reviews in line with the Funded Nursing Care as per the legislation.

Work in partnership within the multi-professional team, to identify where the healthcare needs are not being met for all clients meeting CHC and FNC criteria.

Prepare reports for Panel. Provide management with data and information when requested.

Support the senior team in determining patient needs as defined in the Guidance for Funded Nursing Care.

Exercise professional judgement in the achievement of a fair determination or assessment of patients' nursing needs.

Record and report written evidence required for establishing the appropriate FNCC band funding for service users in Care Homes.

Interpret and collate information for the writing of comprehensive reports to be understood by both health and social care professionals and the layperson.

Maintain statutory requirements to review FNC determination or as required if the service user's needs change.

Promote a culture that embraces equality and strives continuously to reduce inequality in both access and outcomes for all NW London residents.

Support the senior team in determining patients' eligibility for NHS Continuing Health, Social Care or joint packages of care as defined in the Guidance Framework for Continuing Healthcare.

Exercise professional judgement in the achievement of an assessment of health needs using the care domains.

Support the case management for individuals in receipt of NHS funding where appropriate.

Help identify appropriate care homes and discharge planning for individuals where appropriate.

Assist in the applications for Continuing Health and Social Care Panel in liaison with care managers and other health care professionals.

Ensure all queries from Panels regarding applications are dealt with efficiently.

Ensure effective communication between all concerned parties e.g. families, health professionals and carers.

Work within all statutory and organisational requirements to review patients against the eligibility criteria.

Record and report written evidence as per the guidance.

To participate in peer reviews, implementing change as appropriate and as defined within the FNC/Continuing Health Care Guidance.

Commission packages of care for service users in the community in conjunction with the service user and their family.

Information Management

To maintain a formal record of all cases and ensure that all relevant clinical information is available and updated regularly within the electronic patient records.

Policy and Service Development

The role requires the individual to remain updated with relevant regulations, legislation, and clinical guidelines. This helps ensure the accuracy and consistency of your assessments, eligibility determinations, and decision-making processes. You will be responsible for maintaining a comprehensive understanding of the guidelines and frameworks governing continuing care services.

Ensure Mental Capacity Act is considered and ensure relevant processes are followed e.g. Best Interests, DOLs and provide comprehensive reports and statements where needed in regard to safeguarding and court of protection cases.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

• Experience gained over a number of years in a complex, multi-disciplinary environment.
• Experience of case management with service users who have complex health needs.
• A clear knowledge and understanding of The National Framework for NHS Continuing Health Care and its application in practice.
• An understanding of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and its application.
• An understanding of commissioning for complex health needs in the context of NHS Continuing Healthcare.
• A good level of working knowledge of the relevant legislation and theories underpinning the provision of services to the relevant client group.
• A clear knowledge and understanding of service provision available locally, regionally and nationally for the client group.
• Understanding of relevant current NHS and social care market mechanisms.
• Good working knowledge of adult safeguarding.
• Awareness of Data Protection and confidentiality issues.
• Effective interpersonal and negotiation skills enabling effective communication with clients, other professionals, colleagues, partner agencies, providers and carers.
• Excellent written and verbal communication including providing and receiving complex, sensitive or contentious information.
• Excellent time management skills.
• Ability to prioritise and to work effectively on own initiative.
• Ability to work in hostile environments and deal with conflict on a regular basis.
• Understanding of the commissioning/procurement process for adult continuing health care packages.

Qualifications

Essential

• Relevant degree/professional qualification in Nursing (RGN, RNLD, RMN, Social Worker, AHP).
• Evidence of continuous professional development.
• Educated to degree level or equivalent level of experience of working at a senior level in a specialist area.