Job summary
The Acute Referral Centre (ARC) operates 24hrs a day, 7 days a week. It is the Trusts central point of contact for crisis referrals. All referrals are triaged in ARC to ensure robust gatekeeping. This in addition to key functions being undertaken within the centre including the overall booking process of acute beds, the Central Place of Safety (POS) and the 24hr Crisis Line.
ARC works closely with the borough based Home Treatment Teams, Assessment and Liaison services, community treatment teams, acute trusts and the Police.
Advanced Practitioners working within the Acute Referral Centre undertake triage assessments and when required face to face rapid assessments alongside London Ambulance and the Metropolitan Police. They are able to balance the clinical demands and supervisory responsibilities within the Acute Referral Centre. They form part of a team that manages beds and are expected to follow through the referral to a safe conclusion which means liaising with wards, community services and Home Treatment. They are active members of the bed management coordination function for the Trust and as such get involved with the entire booking process for in-patient admissions. CAT Advanced Practitioners will have primary responsibility for provision of face to face assessment from referral sources but will also be expected to be involved in the work of ARC.
Main duties of the job
About the team:
Based within the ARC (Acute Referral Centre) the C.A.T (Crisis Assessment Team) Team is a Trust wide acute crisis service responsible for the provision of a rapid, expert on scene assessment and management of referrals from Police, L.A.S and Crisis Line with the aim of avoiding detention under section 136 or conveyance to A&E where appropriate. The team has a dedicated police officer working alongside them.
As part of the team you will also be expected to participate in the ARC processes which include triage for access to Acute Pathway services and the Bed Management function.
Following the success of the service we are also looking to expand the team's offer by also piloting additional crisis assessments for service users at their GPs in the Southwark area. This is to try and avoid diversions to Accident and Emergency Departments and support service users more efficiently on scene.
About the role:
This is an exciting and dynamic service to work within and we are seeking a confident Advanced Practicioner that is motivated, keen and flexible with particular skills in crisis work wishing to be part of developing this service.
The ability to drive and work across a shift pattern that includes nights is essential.
About us
Benefits:
We are committed to ensuring our staff get the most out of their benefits package and understand the importance of a healthy work life balance. There is an extensive range of excellent benefits for you and your family. We want you to feel like you are part of a close knit team at SLaM. It's important to us that you valued and appreciated and that are why we have a comprehensive benefits package on offer
Some of our benefits are highlighted here:
- Generous pay, pensions and leave, we offer a comprehensive pay, pensions and leave package which is dependent on the role and length of service.
- Work life balance, flexible working and support a range of flexible options, such as: part-time working and job sharing.
- Career development, There are plenty of opportunities to progress your career and we support your development through a number of programmes such as mentoring, coaching, positive people management, collective leadership and other talent programmes
- Car lease, our staff benefits from competitive deals to lease cars
- Accommodation, our staff benefits from keyworker housing available which is available on selected sites
- NHS discounts, with discounts up to 10% from a variety of well-known retail brands though Health Service Discounts website.
Other benefits include:
- Counselling services
- Wellbeing events
- Long service awards
- Cycle to work scheme
- Season ticket loan
- Childcare vouchers
- Staff restaurants
We look forward to receiving your application.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Detailed Job Description and Responsibilities:
Clinical
- To ensure thorough risk assessment of all service users in line with policy standards
- To ensure that the team triage and evaluate the most effective intervention for referrals which present with mental health diagnoses and any co morbid conditions.
- To be available to advise on the most complex and high risk cases and be available to assess patients face to face where required across all boroughs.
- To enable throughout the acute care pathway by making the right decision about the patient journey including making referring the patient for Home Treatment Assessments as required.
- To operate within the legal requirements of the Mental Health Act and be able to exercise independent judgement in the assessment and diagnosis of mental health conditions. I promise to Be caring, kind and polite Do what I say Im going to do Take the time and listen to you Be honest and direct with you Be prompt and value your time
- To assist the team to effectively prioritise demands on its resources shift by shift, including rapid response to emergencies. This will mean undertaking face to face assessments on behalf of borough teams from time to time.
- Assess and escalate the need to refer service users presenting with complex long term conditions (e.g. diabetes, asthma,) to appropriate secondary and primary care services as recommended by national and local guidance.
- Maintain relevant clinical and pharmaceutical knowledge, critically appraise and apply information in practice
- To ensure the team promotes and delivers evidence based care for service users with mental health conditions
- Participates in planning, development, and implementation of public and community health programmes alongside the Clinical Service Lead.
- To ensure that infection control measures are applied within the teams practice according to local and national policies.
- To ensure safe staffing levels and oversee appropriate lone working practices
Communication
- Communicates the patients health status using appropriate terminology, format, and technology
- Use expert communication skills to provide accurate information to service users and their families and carers in a sensitive and professional manner.
- Use and demonstrate sensitive communication strategies to ensure that service users are fully informed and consent to care/ treatment.
- Act as an advocate for service users.
- Establish effective communication and actively promote health education that may include providing alternative materials to support service users and carers in making decisions regarding their care and treatment
- Liaise and communicate effectively with multidisciplinary and primary care teams across health and social care boundaries, ensuring management of throughput.
- Responsible for the hand over from the referral centre to the ward, HTT etc. ensuring that transition is aided by good documentation.
- Ensure the team communicates effectively as a whole, including use of productive handovers, MDT meetings and team members use of the electronic patient record.
- Maintain accurate and contemporaneous records of health assessment, implementation and evaluation of management and therapeutic interventions.
- Ensure effective liaison with all parts of the service including daily communication with borough Home Treatment Services.
Leadership, Policy and service development
- On a day to day basis acts as the go to senior person on the shift.
- To professionally maintain accurate records and ensure that standards of record keeping are maintained by those supervised by the post holder.
- Ensures that through the supervisory structure high standards are maintained for clinical activity including making sure robust risk assessments are undertaken and documented along with sound care planning.
- To assist in the monitoring of safe practice and take a lead on fact--finding investigations in the team.
- To take a lead on all Safeguarding issues within the team on a shift by shift basis
- Provides the highest standard of professional and expert clinical leadership that influences advanced level of practice in mental health and demonstrates positive role modelling of this role within their profession.
- Support staff development within their clinical and professional competencies.
- Encourage other staff to self-assess their knowledge and skills of mental health practice, and challenge actions that are not in the interest of service users or the public.
- Evaluate and review with the Clinical Service Lead service provision and innovations, and take a lead on clinical audits across the service.
- To contribute to the consultation and engagement of service users in planning and developing services.
- Contribute to the development, implementation and evaluation of evidence based policies, procedures and guidelines relevant to the care of people with mental health conditions.
- Encourage staff members to utilise resources to attain and maintain high levels of care.
- To participate in clinical governance initiatives as agreed by the directorate clinical governance committee
- Promote a culture of learning and continuous service improvement amongst the team.
Professional and Educational
- To work in accordance with the professional Code of Conduct and ensure that standards of practice are upheld
- To receive regular clinical supervision from the Clinical Service Lead
- Maintain and develop own professional knowledge and competence by keeping informed of advances and research pertaining to mental health care.
- To be responsible for the clinical supervision of team colleagues
- Initiate training and assessment of competencies to appropriate members of staff.
- Develop structured programmes of education for staff
Research and service evaluation
- Work effectively with all the Consultant Psychiatrists and the Clinical Service Leads to ensure that the team has sufficiently skilled staff to meet the current or future workforce requirements for the service.
- Will work with the MDT to develop outcome measures that demonstrate improvements in the delivery of healthcare programmes
- Act as a role model in the observance and delivery of equality and diversity in practice
- Initiate and participate in areas of clinical research, audit, benchmarking and trials in order to improve effectiveness of care, and feedback results to the team
Legal and Professional Responsibilities
- Adhere to Trust policies and procedures.
- Maintain a safe environment for all staff and visitors, taking reasonable care to avoid injury. Co-operate with the Trust to meet statutory requirements.
- Provide statements regarding untoward incidents, as requested by line manager.
- Ensure all staff attend Trust mandatory training annually
- Maintain registration and professional competencies and comply with professional Code of Professional Conduct and related documents. Personal Specification: Each requirement will either be identified through the candidates application form (A) or interview (I). Candidates should not be hired unless they have ALL essential requirements. Areas that can be developed through L&D can be deemed desirable.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Detailed Job Description and Responsibilities:
Clinical
- To ensure thorough risk assessment of all service users in line with policy standards
- To ensure that the team triage and evaluate the most effective intervention for referrals which present with mental health diagnoses and any co morbid conditions.
- To be available to advise on the most complex and high risk cases and be available to assess patients face to face where required across all boroughs.
- To enable throughout the acute care pathway by making the right decision about the patient journey including making referring the patient for Home Treatment Assessments as required.
- To operate within the legal requirements of the Mental Health Act and be able to exercise independent judgement in the assessment and diagnosis of mental health conditions. I promise to Be caring, kind and polite Do what I say Im going to do Take the time and listen to you Be honest and direct with you Be prompt and value your time
- To assist the team to effectively prioritise demands on its resources shift by shift, including rapid response to emergencies. This will mean undertaking face to face assessments on behalf of borough teams from time to time.
- Assess and escalate the need to refer service users presenting with complex long term conditions (e.g. diabetes, asthma,) to appropriate secondary and primary care services as recommended by national and local guidance.
- Maintain relevant clinical and pharmaceutical knowledge, critically appraise and apply information in practice
- To ensure the team promotes and delivers evidence based care for service users with mental health conditions
- Participates in planning, development, and implementation of public and community health programmes alongside the Clinical Service Lead.
- To ensure that infection control measures are applied within the teams practice according to local and national policies.
- To ensure safe staffing levels and oversee appropriate lone working practices
Communication
- Communicates the patients health status using appropriate terminology, format, and technology
- Use expert communication skills to provide accurate information to service users and their families and carers in a sensitive and professional manner.
- Use and demonstrate sensitive communication strategies to ensure that service users are fully informed and consent to care/ treatment.
- Act as an advocate for service users.
- Establish effective communication and actively promote health education that may include providing alternative materials to support service users and carers in making decisions regarding their care and treatment
- Liaise and communicate effectively with multidisciplinary and primary care teams across health and social care boundaries, ensuring management of throughput.
- Responsible for the hand over from the referral centre to the ward, HTT etc. ensuring that transition is aided by good documentation.
- Ensure the team communicates effectively as a whole, including use of productive handovers, MDT meetings and team members use of the electronic patient record.
- Maintain accurate and contemporaneous records of health assessment, implementation and evaluation of management and therapeutic interventions.
- Ensure effective liaison with all parts of the service including daily communication with borough Home Treatment Services.
Leadership, Policy and service development
- On a day to day basis acts as the go to senior person on the shift.
- To professionally maintain accurate records and ensure that standards of record keeping are maintained by those supervised by the post holder.
- Ensures that through the supervisory structure high standards are maintained for clinical activity including making sure robust risk assessments are undertaken and documented along with sound care planning.
- To assist in the monitoring of safe practice and take a lead on fact--finding investigations in the team.
- To take a lead on all Safeguarding issues within the team on a shift by shift basis
- Provides the highest standard of professional and expert clinical leadership that influences advanced level of practice in mental health and demonstrates positive role modelling of this role within their profession.
- Support staff development within their clinical and professional competencies.
- Encourage other staff to self-assess their knowledge and skills of mental health practice, and challenge actions that are not in the interest of service users or the public.
- Evaluate and review with the Clinical Service Lead service provision and innovations, and take a lead on clinical audits across the service.
- To contribute to the consultation and engagement of service users in planning and developing services.
- Contribute to the development, implementation and evaluation of evidence based policies, procedures and guidelines relevant to the care of people with mental health conditions.
- Encourage staff members to utilise resources to attain and maintain high levels of care.
- To participate in clinical governance initiatives as agreed by the directorate clinical governance committee
- Promote a culture of learning and continuous service improvement amongst the team.
Professional and Educational
- To work in accordance with the professional Code of Conduct and ensure that standards of practice are upheld
- To receive regular clinical supervision from the Clinical Service Lead
- Maintain and develop own professional knowledge and competence by keeping informed of advances and research pertaining to mental health care.
- To be responsible for the clinical supervision of team colleagues
- Initiate training and assessment of competencies to appropriate members of staff.
- Develop structured programmes of education for staff
Research and service evaluation
- Work effectively with all the Consultant Psychiatrists and the Clinical Service Leads to ensure that the team has sufficiently skilled staff to meet the current or future workforce requirements for the service.
- Will work with the MDT to develop outcome measures that demonstrate improvements in the delivery of healthcare programmes
- Act as a role model in the observance and delivery of equality and diversity in practice
- Initiate and participate in areas of clinical research, audit, benchmarking and trials in order to improve effectiveness of care, and feedback results to the team
Legal and Professional Responsibilities
- Adhere to Trust policies and procedures.
- Maintain a safe environment for all staff and visitors, taking reasonable care to avoid injury. Co-operate with the Trust to meet statutory requirements.
- Provide statements regarding untoward incidents, as requested by line manager.
- Ensure all staff attend Trust mandatory training annually
- Maintain registration and professional competencies and comply with professional Code of Professional Conduct and related documents. Personal Specification: Each requirement will either be identified through the candidates application form (A) or interview (I). Candidates should not be hired unless they have ALL essential requirements. Areas that can be developed through L&D can be deemed desirable.
Person Specification
Education
Essential
- Recognised Professional Qualification in Nursing, Social Work or Occupational Therapy
- Masters Degree or recognisable equivilant experience
- Evidence of continued professional development
Desirable
- Independent Prescribing qualification or willingness to undertake the course
- Post registration qualification in specialty
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- Ability to analyse complex issues/problems, gather information and exercise sound judgement in reaching most appropriate conclusion.
- Strong commitment to improving patient services with a clear focus on achieving performance goals
- Proven ability to effectively manage change
- Good time management skills, with the ability to meet deadlines and work effectively
- Competence in provision of clinical supervision including people management skills
- Advanced Clinical/ mental state examination skills
Desirable
- Proven leadership skills through experience of leading a team
- Teaching within a clinical setting
Experience
Essential
- Substantial relevant post registration experience including assessments of service users in crisis
- Experience of and understanding of current issues in specialty
- Experience and knowledge of quality, standard setting and audit
Desirable
- Comprehensive experience at local leadership level within specialty
- Experience in managing complaints and quality assurance
Other
Essential
- Full valid uk Driving Licence.
Person Specification
Education
Essential
- Recognised Professional Qualification in Nursing, Social Work or Occupational Therapy
- Masters Degree or recognisable equivilant experience
- Evidence of continued professional development
Desirable
- Independent Prescribing qualification or willingness to undertake the course
- Post registration qualification in specialty
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- Ability to analyse complex issues/problems, gather information and exercise sound judgement in reaching most appropriate conclusion.
- Strong commitment to improving patient services with a clear focus on achieving performance goals
- Proven ability to effectively manage change
- Good time management skills, with the ability to meet deadlines and work effectively
- Competence in provision of clinical supervision including people management skills
- Advanced Clinical/ mental state examination skills
Desirable
- Proven leadership skills through experience of leading a team
- Teaching within a clinical setting
Experience
Essential
- Substantial relevant post registration experience including assessments of service users in crisis
- Experience of and understanding of current issues in specialty
- Experience and knowledge of quality, standard setting and audit
Desirable
- Comprehensive experience at local leadership level within specialty
- Experience in managing complaints and quality assurance
Other
Essential
- Full valid uk Driving Licence.
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.
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).
Additional information
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.
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).
