Community Nurse Intensive Support Team

Job responsibilities

Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for full details of responsibilities.

1. The post holder will demonstrate knowledge and understanding of working with Adults with a Learning Disability and be willing to undertake appropriate post registration training.
2. To have an understanding of Health and Social care policy and legislation for the service user group in relation to your professional practice.
3. With the support of the senior nurse prioritise and maintain a personal caseload within the context of the IST.
4. To participate in the assessment, identification, treatment and management of the specialist health and nursing needs of the learning disability population supported by IST.
5. This includes risk assessment, assessment of complex conditions e.g. challenging behaviour including forensic issues, palliative care, mental health, epilepsy etc.
6. To liaise and communicate effectively and sensitively with other professionals in the MDT and external agencies (e.g. Older peoples teams, Mental Health Teams, Drug and Alcohol, Multi Agency public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) and Childrens Services) providing specialist LD advice as necessary.
7. To provide interventions in relation to the implementation and evaluation of specialist programmes of care which support the health care of individuals or groups with Learning disabilities and complex needs
8. To work effectively as part of a multi-disciplinary team and across partner agencies.
9. To have a good understanding of the specific needs of the service user group including at times of crisis. e.g. during placement breakdowns, mental health and physical health relapses and periods of challenging behaviour.
10. To have a working knowledge of the Mental Health Act (1983) and the Mental Capacity Act. To be involved in Mental Capacity Assessments and the writing of Mental Health Act Tribunal reports with support.
11. To work collaboratively with service users, their carers and families as appropriate, to make decisions relevant to the Service Users individual needs.
12. To recognise the impact of a persons communication needs and tailor interaction to meet this need.
13. To have the ability to communicate very sensitive or distressing information to service users and carers as required.
14. To have skills in conflict resolution and positive behaviour approaches.
15. To plan, implement and regularly review integrated individual support plans for each client in conjunction with team members as appropriate.
16. To have knowledge of multidisciplinary working with parents with learning disability.
17. To work in Service Users homes and a variety of community settings where conditions may pose a risk, including lone working.
18. With support to present and organise data/statistics to inform evidence-based practice.
19. Under the supervision of the senior nurse write timely professional reports/ records and action plans in line with professional guidelines that comply with CPFT record keeping policies as appropriate.
20. To take on the role of CPA Co-ordinator planning, chairing, and organising of CPA meetings
21. To provide nursing advice in relation to individual case work to professionals within the IST.
22. To be responsible for effective management of personal resources.
23. To work to reduce health inequalities for people with Learning Disability by working with partners in primary and secondary care.
24. To work to ensure that reasonable adjustments are in place in order to facilitate access to generic health services under guidance of a senior nurse and in cooperation with peers to contribute to the provision of specialist training and education, to professionals, partners and carers across a wide variety of settings.

Service Specific-The post holder will be an autonomous practitioner who will undertake the following duties:

1. To offer specialist support/ interventions to service users with complex needs and/or behaviours that challenge to prevent admission to hospital to out of area placements.
2. To Participate in Care Treatment reviews for Service Users in hospital out of area or locally in assessment and treatment services or for individuals in the community.
3. To regularly monitor and review the service against key performance indicators and support improvements under the direction of the Team manager.
4. To ensure that clinical practice is evidence based and consistent with relevant NICE guidelines and Trust policies and procedures
5. To provide supervision of junior staff and students where appropriate.

Education / Qualifications

Essential

• RNLD / RNMH Registration with Nursing and Midwifery Council

Desirable

• Practice Assessor or Practice Supervisor or a willingness to complete this training
• Clinical Supervision training
• Evidence of continuing professional development

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working with adults with Learning Disability
• Experience of multidisciplinary working
• Experience of partnership working across various statutory and non-statutory teams and agencies
• Experience of conducting clinical assessments including risk assessments

Desirable

• Working in a Community setting
• CPA Care Co-ordinator experience
• Experience of supervising junior staff

Skills & Abilities

Essential

• Demonstrable commitment and enthusiasm for working with those with learning disabilities.
• Able to assess people with complex vulnerabilities
• Able to record information clearly and accurately
• Clear communication skills both written and verbal
• Good team worker with effective interpersonal skills
• Able to work autonomously and have the confidence to make clinical decisions
• Innovative, flexible, and adaptable/ Positive attitude
• Able to maintain professional standards/ Able to manage pressure of working in an intensive environment
• Able to manage conflict and change / Problem solving and reasoning skills
• Self-management / able to manage workload. Able to undertake/seek out supervision as required
• Effective at networking and liaison with and establish close links with range of people and professionals
• Effective at networking and liaison with and establish close links with range of people and professionals
• Evidence of Continuing professional development /Willingness to learn
• Ability to work under pressure and cope with stress

Desirable

• Practice experience in working with service users around adult safeguarding/child protection concerns
• Practice experience of working with mental health and challenging behaviour working individuals who have a forensic background
• Understanding of the principles of Positive Behaviour support

Knowledge & Understanding

Essential

• Working knowledge of the Mental Health Act (1983 / 2007)
• Knowledge of relevant professional Standards
• Working knowledge of Mental Capacity Act (2005) and Children Act (1989)
• Knowledge of the role and purpose of clinical supervision
• Working knowledge and understanding of safeguarding vulnerable
• Solid understanding of risk assessments
• Awareness of current trends legislation and guidance in support for people with learning disabilities and their carers
• Knowledge of the enabling approach to support people to meet their full potential

Desirable

• Understanding of an ability to participate in research and audit

Physical Requirements

Essential

• Computer / IT skills / Routine and regular use of computer
• Post holder must be able to travel to a number of geographical locations therefore must be independently mobile
• The service delivers an 8-8pm service Monday - Friday

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).