Job summary
The post holder will work as a dual diagnosis specialist within one borough where multi professional mental health teams provide assessment and treatment for people (aged 18-65) with an acute psychiatric illness requiring 24 hour hospital care. The post holder will lead on providing expert dual diagnosis knowledge to acute inpatient wards and to key stakeholders involved. There is currently 1 band 7 acute inpatient dual diagnosis practitioner for each directorate - Lambeth, Lewisham, Southwark and Croydon.
Lead development and delivery of dual diagnosis practice within inpatient wards, in line with national best practice guidance, NICE and DoH guidance, and Trust policy, in consultation with senior dual diagnosis colleagues.
Work with ward colleagues of all disciplines to develop their knowledge, skills and confidence in working with people with dual diagnosis so that it is a core aspect of the work of all team members. Promote understanding of the effect that substance use can have on inpatient care/treatment, eg length of stay, risk to physical health, incidence of Absent Without Leave (AWOLs), safeguarding adults, collaborative recovery and support planning during admission and post discharge.
Main duties of the job
Key Responsibilities:
Clinical
- Provide clinical expertise and support in assessment, care/treatment and discharge planning and the evaluation of interventions to people with co-morbid mental health and substance misuse problems.
- Implement systems to ensure that all service users are being assessed for alcohol and drug use as part of a comprehensive assessment and information is recorded using the appropriate tools on EPJS (the Trust electronic data record system) in line with Trust standards
- Promote safe and timely assessment and treatment for service users dependent on alcohol, opioids, benzodiazepines or GBL and prescribing for substance use management that is in line with NICE Guidelines and MPG
- Ensure that all service users with dual diagnosis are offered health education information, information about local substance misuse services and self-help/mutual aid groups to enable them to make informed choices about their ongoing care/treatment
- Support the design and lead the implementation of ward based dual diagnosis educational activities
- Facilitate carers/family members' involvement in assessment and care planning where appropriate and ensure they are offered information about substance misuse support groups.
- Support reviews of any Serious Incident in relation to Dual Diagnosis cases as appropriate
About us
About the team:
There is great eagerness across the service for the benefits that integrated dual diagnosis input provides through rapid access to intervention, consultation, formulation and training. This requires a dynamic and creative but consistent approach to inpatient care.
Our expectation is for an experienced, passionate, and highly skilled practitioner who can work collaboratively with others to deliver high quality evidence-based interventions for service users with substance misuse issues.
The Lewisham inpatient service provides mental health care for all Lewisham residents.
About the role:
This is an exciting opportunity to lead and work within our inpatient services in the Lewisham Directorate, focusing on improving the care and treatment of service users with co-occurring mental health and drugs and/or alcohol problems (Dual Diagnosis).
The post holder will be well supported by an energetic multidisciplinary inpatient team as well as by dual diagnosis colleagues within the Trust. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to work autonomously to provide leadership and expertise regarding dual diagnosis on policy, practice, training and the evaluation and service improvement.
About the location:
You will be based at Ladywell Unit, University Hospital Lewisham, Lewisham High Street, London SE13 6LW
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.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Key Responsibilities:
Clinical
- Provide clinical expertise and support in assessment, care/treatment and discharge planning and the evaluation of interventions to people with co-morbid mental health and substance misuse problems
- Implement systems to ensure that all service users are being assessed for alcohol and drug use as part of a comprehensive assessment and information is recorded using the appropriate tools on EPJS (the Trust electronic data record system) in line with Trust standards
- Promote safe and timely assessment and treatment for service users dependent on alcohol, opioids, benzodiazepines or GBL and prescribing for substance use management that is in line with NICE Guidelines and MPG
- Promote the involvement of all relevant stakeholders in assessment, care and discharge processes by facilitating their participation in all relevant forums (eg ward rounds, CPA meetings)
- Ensure that all service users with dual diagnosis are offered health education information, information about local substance misuse services and self-help/mutual aid groups to enable them to make informed choices about their ongoing care/treatment
- Support the design and lead the implementation of ward based dual diagnosis educational activities
- Lead development of, and support liaison with, local substance misuse services to promote effective joint planning and transfer of care when appropriate
- Facilitate carers/family members involvement in assessment and care planning where appropriate and ensure they are offered information about substance misuse support groups
- Work closely with team based dual diagnosis leads to promote the implementation of best practice standards on each ward.
- Seek regular clinical supervision to ensure own continuous professional development and keeping up to date with any advances in the field
- Support reviews of any Serious Incident in relation to Dual Diagnosis cases as appropriate
Training and Developmental
- Act as a dual diagnosis resource for the Acute Wards, accessing and disseminating up to date information on local/national guidance, research and audit and promoting implementation of same.
- Collaborate with other acute inpatient dual diagnosis practitioners to develop a dual diagnosis competency framework
- Provide supervision and development opportunities for the team based dual diagnosis leads.
- Identify individual and team training needs and design and deliver bespoke dual diagnosis training (ward, unit and/or cross directorate as appropriate).
- Facilitate the availability on of resources to support the delivery of care and treatment to service users with dual diagnosis (e.g. standardised assessment tools, intervention tools, health education information, drug dog ward searches, patient searches and links to external resources.
- Contribute to the delivery of Trust wide dual diagnosis training and provide post-training support and supervision to all health professionals such as nurses, doctors and occupational therapists to embed training into practice.
- Support the wards to deliver on key areas such as CQUINs and other data collection to enhance evidence-based practice.
- Support the wards to supervise effectively other staff in relation to substance misuse issues including known risks, culture and attitude, unconscious bias and recovery planning.
- Work collaboratively with team managers to inform the supervision, appraisal and development of PDPs of team members.
Communication and Liaison
- Communicate regularly with partner agencies involved in the treatment of people with dual diagnosis. This will involve the establishment of relationships with other agencies that provide substance misuse treatment, acute physical health care, housing, education, and employment.
- Maintain regular contact with substance misuse services to promote information sharing and joint care planning and seamless care pathways
- Facilitate integrated working, ensuring good communication and coordination of care so that decisions concerning patients care are jointly made as often as possible.
- Communicate regularly with senior directorate and Trust wide dual diagnosis leads and keep abreast of developments in local substance misuse services
- Attend Local Dual Diagnosis forums / three monthly Dual Diagnosis Leads Development days. Attend police liaison and site management meetings and update and report accordingly.
- Meet with the acute inpatient dual diagnosis practitioners from the other inpatient units and senior dual diagnosis staff in the Trust to share learning and develop innovations.
- Prepare reports/presentations for directorate wide meetings/forums as required.
Monitoring and Evaluation
- Evaluate and report on the dual diagnosis minimum data set established as part of the core acute wards monitoring process.
- Initiate, audit and use findings to inform service developments support implementing recommendations from service Use DATIX effectively and support wards to develop skills in this area to enhance data collection and up to date reporting of incidents relating to substance misuse
- Keep up-to-date with policy and practice developments in substance misuse, mental health and dual diagnosis.
Personal development
- To comply with both Trusts Supervision and Appraisal Policies.
- To identify own training needs in order to update and maintain skills.
- To maintain appropriate documentation to comply with professional registration requirements
- To follow a model of reflective practice, questioning and assessing own performance and reviewing with his/her clinical supervisor or line manager.
- Manage own time independently and effectively.
- Meet regularly with Head of Nursing and Quality for line management and supervision and appraisal development needs.
- Meet regularly with Nurse Consultant for Dual Diagnosis, for clinical support, supervision and up to date involvement in relation to service development.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Key Responsibilities:
Clinical
- Provide clinical expertise and support in assessment, care/treatment and discharge planning and the evaluation of interventions to people with co-morbid mental health and substance misuse problems
- Implement systems to ensure that all service users are being assessed for alcohol and drug use as part of a comprehensive assessment and information is recorded using the appropriate tools on EPJS (the Trust electronic data record system) in line with Trust standards
- Promote safe and timely assessment and treatment for service users dependent on alcohol, opioids, benzodiazepines or GBL and prescribing for substance use management that is in line with NICE Guidelines and MPG
- Promote the involvement of all relevant stakeholders in assessment, care and discharge processes by facilitating their participation in all relevant forums (eg ward rounds, CPA meetings)
- Ensure that all service users with dual diagnosis are offered health education information, information about local substance misuse services and self-help/mutual aid groups to enable them to make informed choices about their ongoing care/treatment
- Support the design and lead the implementation of ward based dual diagnosis educational activities
- Lead development of, and support liaison with, local substance misuse services to promote effective joint planning and transfer of care when appropriate
- Facilitate carers/family members involvement in assessment and care planning where appropriate and ensure they are offered information about substance misuse support groups
- Work closely with team based dual diagnosis leads to promote the implementation of best practice standards on each ward.
- Seek regular clinical supervision to ensure own continuous professional development and keeping up to date with any advances in the field
- Support reviews of any Serious Incident in relation to Dual Diagnosis cases as appropriate
Training and Developmental
- Act as a dual diagnosis resource for the Acute Wards, accessing and disseminating up to date information on local/national guidance, research and audit and promoting implementation of same.
- Collaborate with other acute inpatient dual diagnosis practitioners to develop a dual diagnosis competency framework
- Provide supervision and development opportunities for the team based dual diagnosis leads.
- Identify individual and team training needs and design and deliver bespoke dual diagnosis training (ward, unit and/or cross directorate as appropriate).
- Facilitate the availability on of resources to support the delivery of care and treatment to service users with dual diagnosis (e.g. standardised assessment tools, intervention tools, health education information, drug dog ward searches, patient searches and links to external resources.
- Contribute to the delivery of Trust wide dual diagnosis training and provide post-training support and supervision to all health professionals such as nurses, doctors and occupational therapists to embed training into practice.
- Support the wards to deliver on key areas such as CQUINs and other data collection to enhance evidence-based practice.
- Support the wards to supervise effectively other staff in relation to substance misuse issues including known risks, culture and attitude, unconscious bias and recovery planning.
- Work collaboratively with team managers to inform the supervision, appraisal and development of PDPs of team members.
Communication and Liaison
- Communicate regularly with partner agencies involved in the treatment of people with dual diagnosis. This will involve the establishment of relationships with other agencies that provide substance misuse treatment, acute physical health care, housing, education, and employment.
- Maintain regular contact with substance misuse services to promote information sharing and joint care planning and seamless care pathways
- Facilitate integrated working, ensuring good communication and coordination of care so that decisions concerning patients care are jointly made as often as possible.
- Communicate regularly with senior directorate and Trust wide dual diagnosis leads and keep abreast of developments in local substance misuse services
- Attend Local Dual Diagnosis forums / three monthly Dual Diagnosis Leads Development days. Attend police liaison and site management meetings and update and report accordingly.
- Meet with the acute inpatient dual diagnosis practitioners from the other inpatient units and senior dual diagnosis staff in the Trust to share learning and develop innovations.
- Prepare reports/presentations for directorate wide meetings/forums as required.
Monitoring and Evaluation
- Evaluate and report on the dual diagnosis minimum data set established as part of the core acute wards monitoring process.
- Initiate, audit and use findings to inform service developments support implementing recommendations from service Use DATIX effectively and support wards to develop skills in this area to enhance data collection and up to date reporting of incidents relating to substance misuse
- Keep up-to-date with policy and practice developments in substance misuse, mental health and dual diagnosis.
Personal development
- To comply with both Trusts Supervision and Appraisal Policies.
- To identify own training needs in order to update and maintain skills.
- To maintain appropriate documentation to comply with professional registration requirements
- To follow a model of reflective practice, questioning and assessing own performance and reviewing with his/her clinical supervisor or line manager.
- Manage own time independently and effectively.
- Meet regularly with Head of Nursing and Quality for line management and supervision and appraisal development needs.
- Meet regularly with Nurse Consultant for Dual Diagnosis, for clinical support, supervision and up to date involvement in relation to service development.
Person Specification
Education/Qualification
Essential
- oA qualification in mental health nursing (RMN or part 13 of the NMC register), general nursing (RGN or part 12 or the NMC register), social work, occupational therapy or clinical psychology.
- Professional registration appropriate to own discipline (e.g. NMC, HPC, BPS)
- oEvidence of continuing professional development particularly in relation to the development of knowledge and skills for working with people with dual diagnosis
- Mentorship/ENB998 or other Assessment and/or Teaching in Practice equivalent qualifications
Desirable
- oA qualification in a relevant area of practice eg dual diagnosis, substance misuse, motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioural therapy
- Degree in nursing or relevant profession
- Non-Medical Prescriber
Experience
Essential
- Extensive post qualification experience in relevant field
- Significant experience of working with people with co-morbid mental health and substance misuse problems in a range of clinical settings
- Working in busy challenging clinical setting and prioritising duties to maintain safety
- Effective liaison with a range of professionals and agencies
- Supporting the implementation of clinical practice improvement initiatives
- Delivering team teaching/training
- Helping to develop other colleagues and providing critical and constructive feedback
- Managing a caseload of people with complex needs
Desirable
- Working clinically within a substance misuse team
- Leading audit projects
- Involvement in research
- Delivery of level 2 dual diagnosis training (eg 'pan-London')
- Being involved in audit projects
Knowledge
Essential
- Current mental health, substance misuse and dual diagnosis policy and best practice guidance (eg NICE) and legislation
- Understanding of, and commitment to principles of equal opportunity, fair access and service user empowerment, with an ability to translate principles into practice
- Current issues facing acute wards working with people with a dual diagnosis
- Understanding of the experiences faced by service users with a dual diagnosis and their family/carers
Desirable
- Knowledge of quality standards & policy regarding current Mental Health, Substance Misuse and Dual Diagnosis best practice guidance and legislation recommendations.
Person Specification
Education/Qualification
Essential
- oA qualification in mental health nursing (RMN or part 13 of the NMC register), general nursing (RGN or part 12 or the NMC register), social work, occupational therapy or clinical psychology.
- Professional registration appropriate to own discipline (e.g. NMC, HPC, BPS)
- oEvidence of continuing professional development particularly in relation to the development of knowledge and skills for working with people with dual diagnosis
- Mentorship/ENB998 or other Assessment and/or Teaching in Practice equivalent qualifications
Desirable
- oA qualification in a relevant area of practice eg dual diagnosis, substance misuse, motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioural therapy
- Degree in nursing or relevant profession
- Non-Medical Prescriber
Experience
Essential
- Extensive post qualification experience in relevant field
- Significant experience of working with people with co-morbid mental health and substance misuse problems in a range of clinical settings
- Working in busy challenging clinical setting and prioritising duties to maintain safety
- Effective liaison with a range of professionals and agencies
- Supporting the implementation of clinical practice improvement initiatives
- Delivering team teaching/training
- Helping to develop other colleagues and providing critical and constructive feedback
- Managing a caseload of people with complex needs
Desirable
- Working clinically within a substance misuse team
- Leading audit projects
- Involvement in research
- Delivery of level 2 dual diagnosis training (eg 'pan-London')
- Being involved in audit projects
Knowledge
Essential
- Current mental health, substance misuse and dual diagnosis policy and best practice guidance (eg NICE) and legislation
- Understanding of, and commitment to principles of equal opportunity, fair access and service user empowerment, with an ability to translate principles into practice
- Current issues facing acute wards working with people with a dual diagnosis
- Understanding of the experiences faced by service users with a dual diagnosis and their family/carers
Desirable
- Knowledge of quality standards & policy regarding current Mental Health, Substance Misuse and Dual Diagnosis best practice guidance and legislation recommendations.
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
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).
Employer details
Employer name
South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Ladywell Unit, University Hospital Lewisham, Lewisham High Street, London SE13 6LW
Lewisham
SE13 6LW
Employer's website
https://www.slam.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)
