Mental Health/Learning Disability Nurse

Location: Exeter, EX1 3RB & Dawlish, EX7 0NR
Salary: £28,407.00 to £34,581.00
Date posted: 20th August 2024
Closing date: 30th September 2024

Our professional responsibility is to reduce the risk of infection to others as far as possible. Getting vaccinated against diseases that can be passed person-to-person in healthcare settings is part of this responsibility. The Trust will provide advice, guidance, and support on vaccinations and access to vaccinations where requested.

Job Description:

• Are you someone looking for a career in one of the UK's most respected mental health and learning disability trusts?
• Would you like to be part of a dedicated team committed to making a difference to people's lives to enjoy a better future?

An exciting opportunity to join the team initially at the Additional Support Unit (ASU) in Exeter for Adults with a Learning Disability and then at the new Regional Learning Disability and Autism Unit in Dawlish from mid 2025 (The Brook).

The job offers a challenging yet rewarding environment with opportunities to consistently learn.

The ASU Ward provides high-quality care and treatment for people who have learning disabilities and complex mental health needs. You will work as part of a multidisciplinary team to support the assessment and treatment of adults with a learning disability on the unit.

We are committed to the ongoing training and development of all our staff and offer a range of opportunities for career progression.

The new regional service based in Dawlish will offer inpatient support to both adults with a learning disability and autistic adults. The building and environment will be state-of-the-art, and the service aims to become a centre of excellence.

Shortlisting will be carried out on a regular basis prior to the close date and interviews will be held at your convenience, so please do not delay in submitting your application.

Main duties of the job

• To assess care needs, develop, implement, and evaluate individual care plans.
• To provide a named practitioner role to people who use our service.
• To promote and improve the quality of service provided.
• To manage the unit in the absence of the Ward Manager / Team Leader.
• To participate in the internal rotation system, including weekend working.

About us

We provide mental health, learning disability, and neurodiversity services, as well as a range of specialist & secure services for the wider southwest 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.

Our values

We not only recruit based on qualifications & experience - we recruit individuals who possess & demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trust's 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 responsibilities

Job Purpose

• To assess care needs, develop, implement, and evaluate individual care plans.
• To provide a named nurse role to people who use our service.
• To promote and improve the quality of service provided.
• To be the nurse in charge of the ward in the absence of Service Manager / senior staff nurse.
• To participate in the internal rotation system, including weekend working and nights.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Unit provides assessment and treatment to people with a Learning Disability and/or autistic people who have a Mental Health condition and/or demonstrate distress through their behaviour.

The role exists to provide the Learning Disability and Autism Inpatient unit with a Registered Nurse who has the professional knowledge and skills to ensure safe and high-quality care. The Registered Nurse will use the framework of Positive Behavioural Support to provide assessment, interventions, and evaluation for health & wellbeing needs.

The Registered Nurse may also be responsible for the leadership and management of the inpatient unit over a span of duty.

The Registered Nurse will assist in the management and clinical supervision of the junior team, including staff well-being, and manage the unit in the absence of the Service Manager and senior staff nurses.

The Registered Nurse will work a 24-hour flexible rota.

Work within NICE and NMC Guidelines and Standards, to be aware of and work within all relevant Trust Policies and Procedures. To work in line with agreed safeguarding protocols at all times. To be a proactive, skilled member of the ward Multi-Disciplinary team.

To demonstrate a working knowledge of the legal requirements of the Mental Health Act 1983 (including 2007 updates), Mental Capacity Act 2005 (to include Deprivation of Liberty safeguards), and Care Act (2014).

Communication & Working Relationships

• Ensure clinical records are accurate, timely, and complete.
• Communicate difficult and sensitive information that some people may find upsetting.
• Communicate clinical information to people who use the service, their families and carers, and other members of the Multi-Disciplinary Team.
• Form positive working relationships with all professionals within the Multi-Disciplinary Team and with wider stakeholders.
• Maintain contact with family and carers. Information gathering and sharing with community staff, social workers, and other relevant stakeholders.
• Accurately record findings of assessments, therapeutic interventions, care plans, risk assessments, and information that meet the needs of the target audience.
• Provide training sessions with new service providers to enhance understanding of the patient and their needs.
• Communicate effectively with patients that have complex communication difficulties and behavioural distress.
• Form and maintain therapeutic relationships with all patients, their families, and carers.
• Ensure all communication meets National and Local Information Governance Guidance and Policies, including Confidentiality Guidance & Policies.

Planning & Organisation

• Ensure all your own Training requirements are up-to-date.
• Check the staff rota ensuring correct skill mix, gender mix, safe numbers on shift, ensuring that all staff on shift work the correct hours and record any variation on staff hours.
• Actively participate in all relevant meetings.
• When requested, organise and invite relevant professionals and others from the patient's circle of support to attend meetings.
• Undertake clinical leadership during a span of duty, allocating duties to other ward staff - organising assessments, therapeutic and clinical activities that adhere to plans of care, risk assessments, local and DPT policies.

Responsibility for Patient/Client Care, Treatment & Therapy

• Carry out pre-admission assessments in a variety of settings.
• Ensure admissions are carried out in line with DPT and local policies and procedures.
• To act as Named Nurse. Undertake assessment of need and risk and develop Positive Behaviour Support Plans, person-centred care plans, and other plans of care to meet health and wellbeing needs and manage the risks.
• Develop, evaluate, and review Positive Behaviour Support Plans, care plans, and risk management plans to ensure plans are safe, effective, and person-centred.
• Involve the patients and, as necessary, families, carers, and other professionals in assessing needs and developing plans.
• Ensure assessments, interventions, and plans are developed with other members of the Multi-Disciplinary Team.
• Ensure assessments and interventions are based on current evidence and good practice.
• Review current and future interventions as part of the multi-disciplinary team.
• Ensure accurate clinical observations are available to other members of the multi-disciplinary team as required.
• To make referrals to other professionals as part of patient assessment, treatment, or therapy.
• Ensure that all care and treatment complies with relevant legislation and upholds the rights of the individual, including the Human Rights Act, Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act, and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards.
• To advise on the promotion of patient health and wellbeing needs (both physical and mental health needs).
• Adjust levels of support to safely and effectively manage risk and deliver high-quality person-centred care to individuals undertaking care, treatment, and activities within and outside the unit.
• Ensure that all Infection Control and cleanliness standards and measures are acted upon in line with National, DPT, and local guidance.
• Administer medication in line with professional standards, DPT Policies, and Standard Operating Procedures and protocols.

Policy, Service, Research & Development Responsibility

• To be aware of national and professional developments.
• To participate in ongoing training and education (including Continuous Professional Development).
• To demonstrate evidence-based practice and participate in research/audit/pilot projects.
• To be aware of current initiatives in inpatient care.
• To promote service changes with a positive professional attitude and fully engage in service changes.
• Act as a Link Practitioner to ensure specific areas of practice adhere to standards of quality and safety.

Responsibility for Finance, Equipment & Other Resources

• To ensure Trust policies and procedures are followed in relation to the handling of monies, property, etc. belonging to people using the service.
• Use Trust resources in a sustainable, cost-effective, and appropriate way.
• Ensure the maintenance and safe use of equipment and the general environment.

Responsibility for Supervision, Leadership & Management

• To demonstrate and develop effective leadership/management skills.
• To provide Supervision and Career Conversations to appropriate/allocated staff.
• To participate in the role of Practice Supervisor / Assessor for students.
• To participate in the role of Preceptor to newly qualified staff (where appropriate).

Information Resources & Administrative Duties

• Ensure that daily administrative tasks are completed, including reporting any repair/maintenance issues.
• Ensure all DPT, local, and national guidance for record keeping, monitoring forms, and checklists are completed during a span of duty.
• To participate in formulating and providing reports for other professionals as required.

Any Other Specific Tasks Required

• Willingness to be added to Unit vehicles insurance to help facilitate Community Leave for patients would be welcomed.
• To contribute to the provision of a safe therapeutic environment for individuals, staff, and visitors to the unit.
• To take on responsibility for duties assigned by Line Manager.
• The post holder should ensure their fitness to undertake the post and demonstrate they have completed the level of general training and personal safety training appropriate to their role and work area, and keep this training up-to-date.
• If the ability to perform Physical Intervention Techniques or Conflict Management is a requirement of the role, the post holder must declare physical fitness to undertake such a role.
• The post holder should act quickly to protect the safety of individuals if they have reason to believe that they or a colleague may not be fit to undertake the duties within their job role.
• Act within competency.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Level 1 Registered Nurse RNLD/RNMH
• Degree / HE Diploma level
• Evidence of taking responsibility for meeting Compulsory and Essential training in previous post.
• Working knowledge of using common computer programmes such as email, internet, word-processing.
• Willingness to undertake further training.
• Completion of Practice Assessor / Supervisor Training.
• Evidence of post-registration training.
• Other recognised managerial qualification.

Experience

• Shift management over a span of duty.
• Assessment, care planning, implementation, and evaluation of nursing care.
• Nursing Care of informal and detained patients.
• Assessing and care planning for individuals who have a learning disability/autistic people who have additional complex communication, health, psycho-social care needs, and behavioural distress.
• Managing incidents - maintaining health, safety & wellbeing of patients, staff, and visitors.
• Receiving and delivering managerial and clinical supervision.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.