Job summary
Community Physical Health Assistant Practitioner /Qualified Nursing Associate. This is an exciting opportunity to join the Early Intervention Team for Psychosis to deliver health assessments for people with a severe mental health problems.
The post is open to qualified Assistant practitioners or Nurse Associates. The post holder will demonstrate excellent clinical and communication skills and be a team player working closely with Primary Care and other services. You will have a clear commitment to person-centred care and will be able to demonstrate this in your work with individuals, families and teams.
The post holder will provide physical health assessments, health promotion advice in line with national guidance and sign post / refer people on to appropriate services/organisations to meet the needs identified through their health assessment. There will also be a requirement of the successful candidate to work with the team in developing and delivering enhanced support to the identified patient group and monitoring the impact of their interventions on patient outcomes.
Nursing Associates applicants will require Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) registration. NMC registration is not required for Assistant Practitioner applicants.
Short listing 11th Sept 2023
Interviews 18th Sept 2023
Main duties of the job
To provide clinical assessment, screening and intervention for the physical health needs of our client group.
To work with the qualified practitioners in meeting the health outcomes of our clients and provide person centered intervention and holistic care.
To liaise and link in with identified GP practices ensuring the patients needs are appropriately identified and met
About us
Mersey Care is one of the largest trusts providing physical health and mental health services in the North West, serving more than 11 million people.
We offer specialist inpatient and community services that support physical and mental health and specialist inpatient mental health, learning disability, addiction and brain injury services. Mersey Care is one of only three trusts in the UK that offer high secure mental health facilities.
At the heart of all we do is our commitment to 'perfect care' - care that is safe, effective, positively experienced, timely, equitable and efficient. We support our staff to do the best job they can and work alongside service users, their families, and carers to design and develop future services together. We're currently delivering a programme of organisational and service transformation to significantly improve the quality of the services we provide and safely reduce cost as we do so.
Job description
Job responsibilities
CLINICAL
- To contribute to the delivery of Physical Health assessment, care Plans and subsequent further health and wellbeing contacts under the supervision of the qualified Nurse
- To be proactive in maximizing health, well being and social inclusion of service users
- To report any concerns or identified physical health issues to the MDT, nurse practitioner and or GP This should include any concerns arising from the service-users environment, physical or mental health.
- To maintain effective communication between the community physical health team, individuals, relatives, carers, community mental health teams and primary care services
- To use a variety of verbal and non-verbal skills to overcome communication barriers presented by service users due to their learning disability and mental health needs.
- As directed by the qualified practitioners, play a specific role in maintaining a safe environment for service users, staff and visitors.
- To carry out specific duties that contribute to the assessment of service users physical health assessment, health interventions and sign posting.
- To carry out, under supervision or direction, activities, which optimize service users level of functioning and develop meaningful activities for individuals and groups.
- To use skills and techniques, gained during mandatory training, to de-escalate situations where service users become physically and verbally aggressive.
PROFESSIONAL1. To participate in the Divisional performance management/supervision framework and work towards meeting identified goals and objectives as agreed in a personal development plan.2. To act, at all times, in accordance with Trust policies and procedures.3. To undertake mandatory training as stipulated by the trust and ensure that all interactions with service users are in line with this e.g. Manual Handling.4. Under the guidance and supervision of a qualified practitioner, to make accurate and appropriate entries into health records.5. To assist the qualified practitioner to prepare reports and protocols.6. To participate in handovers and staff meetings to assist effective two-way communication.7. To seek advice and further training, if appropriate.8. To make the qualified practitioner aware of any incidents arising during own span of duty and carry out any actions arising from this as directed.9. To participate, as directed in the induction of new staff.10. To provide supervision and guidance to support staff.11. To participate in the support, education and training of support staff.12. To provide support to practitioners undertaking NVQs and assess in practice.
Job description
Job responsibilities
CLINICAL
- To contribute to the delivery of Physical Health assessment, care Plans and subsequent further health and wellbeing contacts under the supervision of the qualified Nurse
- To be proactive in maximizing health, well being and social inclusion of service users
- To report any concerns or identified physical health issues to the MDT, nurse practitioner and or GP This should include any concerns arising from the service-users environment, physical or mental health.
- To maintain effective communication between the community physical health team, individuals, relatives, carers, community mental health teams and primary care services
- To use a variety of verbal and non-verbal skills to overcome communication barriers presented by service users due to their learning disability and mental health needs.
- As directed by the qualified practitioners, play a specific role in maintaining a safe environment for service users, staff and visitors.
- To carry out specific duties that contribute to the assessment of service users physical health assessment, health interventions and sign posting.
- To carry out, under supervision or direction, activities, which optimize service users level of functioning and develop meaningful activities for individuals and groups.
- To use skills and techniques, gained during mandatory training, to de-escalate situations where service users become physically and verbally aggressive.
PROFESSIONAL1. To participate in the Divisional performance management/supervision framework and work towards meeting identified goals and objectives as agreed in a personal development plan.2. To act, at all times, in accordance with Trust policies and procedures.3. To undertake mandatory training as stipulated by the trust and ensure that all interactions with service users are in line with this e.g. Manual Handling.4. Under the guidance and supervision of a qualified practitioner, to make accurate and appropriate entries into health records.5. To assist the qualified practitioner to prepare reports and protocols.6. To participate in handovers and staff meetings to assist effective two-way communication.7. To seek advice and further training, if appropriate.8. To make the qualified practitioner aware of any incidents arising during own span of duty and carry out any actions arising from this as directed.9. To participate, as directed in the induction of new staff.10. To provide supervision and guidance to support staff.11. To participate in the support, education and training of support staff.12. To provide support to practitioners undertaking NVQs and assess in practice.
Person Specification
A
Essential
- Assistant Practitioner Foundation Degree
- Experience of working in a LD/mental health setting and supporting individuals who display complex behaviours of concern.
- Experience of working as part of a multidisciplinary team.
- Experience of completing physical health checks and escalation for physical health concerns.
- Sound knowledge of the physical health inequalities experienced by the mental health population
Desirable
- NVQ Level 3 or equivalent
- Venepuncture
- ECG
- Health Promotion
Person Specification
A
Essential
- Assistant Practitioner Foundation Degree
- Experience of working in a LD/mental health setting and supporting individuals who display complex behaviours of concern.
- Experience of working as part of a multidisciplinary team.
- Experience of completing physical health checks and escalation for physical health concerns.
- Sound knowledge of the physical health inequalities experienced by the mental health population
Desirable
- NVQ Level 3 or equivalent
- Venepuncture
- ECG
- Health Promotion
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.
