Learning Disabilities Specialist Practitioner

Job responsibilities

JOB SUMMARY

The post holder will be part of a cohesive and enthusiastic multi-disciplinary team and work closely with the other parts of the locality health team and In-Patient team where required. You will be involved in providing specialist assessment, support and treatment for individuals receiving intensive support and care, enabling service users to engage in a wide range of individual and group based treatment activities.

The post holder will promote a positive behavioural approach which will be underpinned by professional skills and additional training as required.

The post holder will be part of a well recognised service that places emphasis of staff support and professional development and you will be expected to participate in staff training and supervision.

KEY RESULT AREAS:

Clinical

1. To manage an individual caseload, providing assessments for service users receiving in-patient care and within the community, prioritising clinical needs and providing an effective service.

2. To work with service users to identify goals as part of the overall care plan, using appropriate assessment tools based on current evidence based best practice.

3. To plan and implement a client centred treatment programme on an individual and/or group basis, to achieve therapeutic goals.

4. To monitor, evaluate and modify treatment in order to measure progress and ensure effectiveness of intervention.

5. To demonstrate a broad level of understanding of the effect of disability and provide training and advice on lifestyles changes and adaptations to the clients social and physical environment.

6. To be responsible for providing advice in the multidisciplinary team assessment of service users and carers to ensure that an integrated approach to assessment and treatment is achieved and maintained.

7. To work proactively alongside ward staff, community agencies and voluntary agencies to provide a seamless service for service users.

8. To maintain an effective communication network within the team, and to liaise with other agencies and disciplines from the voluntary and statutory sectors to ensure that service user needs are met.

9. To maintain up to date service user records and activity data in accordance with professional and Trust standards.

10. To provide and contribute to multi-disciplinary team meetings, ward rounds, clinics and case conferences as required.

11. To provide reports (as pre-required) on assessment and treatment by written and verbal reports to Consultants, GP's and other agencies involved, and to ensure that all correspondence relating to caseload is dealt with promptly.

12. To empower families and carers to support individuals with learning disabilities.

13. To involve clients in all aspects of assessment, treatment and evaluation of treatment programmes.

14. To promote the positive health and well being of the individual.

Managerial

1. To manage own caseload and day-to-day activities, managing and responding to patient crisis in a timely manner and as per protocols of the service.

2. To co-ordinate the day-to-day activities of junior staff in the service area.

3. To provide effective guidance and supervision for junior staff.

4. To take responsibility for risk management within the service area.

5. To co-ordinate statistical collections in line with Trust policies.

6. To ensure responsible management of Trust equipment and supplies.

7. To participate in the recruitment, appointment and induction of staff, ensuring that practice in these areas are anti-discriminatory.

Leadership

1. To promote the benefits of the service to the people and organisations affected by it.

2. To work effectively as a team member, sharing skills and knowledge and collaborating with other team members.

3. To act as a role model to all staff, demonstrating and encouraging healthy working relationships.

4. To demonstrate open and honest communication and to seek to develop dialogue in times of difficulty, working towards consensus decisions.

5. To promote awareness of the role of the Intensive Support service within the team, negotiating priorities where appropriate.

6. To participate in development and improvement of the Learning Disability service and develop evidence-based practice in the service.

7. Ensure the Operational Manager/Intensive Support Lead is kept informed of all aspects of the work, especially the development needs of the service.

Policy and Service Development

1. To contribute to the appraisal of Learning Disability services and to identify appropriate developments in the services provided making recommendations to the Intensive Support team Lead/Operational Manager.

2. To contribute to agreed developments in Learning disability service provision.

3. To be responsible for ensuring that the policies and procedures of the relevant Code of Professional Ethics and Professional Conduct and local and national standards of practice are properly implemented.

4. To take a role, in collaboration with other senior staff, in the development of services, including operational planning, and implementation of policy and service development.

5. To be aware of national guidelines and legislation relating to health and social care in your specialist service area.

Training/Education

1. To participate in regular clinical and managerial supervision..

2. To be involved in providing support, guidance and supervision of junior staff within the specialist service, as delegated by the Intensive Support team Lead/Operational Manager.

3. To undertake regular performance review with the Intensive Support team Lead/operational Manager in accordance with the Trust appraisal process.

4. To be directly involved in the clinical training placements for students within Learning Disability disciplines as required within the area of work and as qualifications allow.

5. To contribute to the induction and training of students and other staff from other disciplines.

6. To promote the role of the Intensive Support Team to other professions and trainees from other professions, participating in teaching sessions.

7. To participate in departmental staff meetings, training, appraisal and supervision sessions.

8. To participate in continuing professional development within own specialist area.

Research/Development

1. To demonstrate ongoing personal development through participation in internal and external development opportunities, recording learning outcomes in a portfolio.

2.

3. To apply skills and knowledge in order to establish professional competence and fitness to practise as a qualified health care professional

4. To remain informed of current research, to ensure that own practice is up to date and evidence based.

5. Review and reflect on own practice and performance through effective use of professional and operational supervision and appraisal in line with local guidelines.

6. Monitor standards of clinical practice within the team and advise the Intensive Support team Lead/Operational Manager how to make changes where necessary.

7. To contribute to the Trusts, Directorates and teams clinical governance arrangements and quality agenda.

8. To broaden research and development skills by contributing to evaluation of the Learning Disbility service in the specialist service area by participating in service related evaluation, audit and research projects to promote evidence based practice.

For full job description please see the attached in Supporting Information.

SPECIAL KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS

Essential

• Specialist knowledge and application of assessments and interventions relevant to learning disabilities
• Extensive clinical practice skills including individual and group work
• Understanding of outcome measure
• Detailed knowledge of current legislation/guidance e.g. CPA Care Programme Approach, Risk assessment and management.
• Excellent communication skills
• Able to work as part of a MDT and independently
• Ability to analyse professional and ethical issues
• Supervisory / appraisal skills
• Ability to reflect and critically appraise own performance
• Ability to organise and respond efficiently to complex information
• Computer literacy
• Ability to build effective working relationships
• Detailed knowledge of clinical governance and its application

Desirable

• Knowledge and understanding of cultural and diversity issues for the Learning Disability Community

PHYSICAL ATTRIBUTES

Essential

• Ability to undertake the duties and demands of the post. A satisfactory sickness record over the previous 2 years (subject to the need to act with fairness and equality of opportunity, particularly where the sickness is related to a disability and/or pregnancy).

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

Essential

• Enthusiastic, motivated, professional, resourceful, flexible and adaptable
• Able to self direct and have good time management skills
• Able to use tact/diplomacy and common sense
• Committed to team working and providing the best possible patient care
• Able to adapt to change and lead others as a positive change agent
• Act as a positive role model to other members of the team
• Able to provide leadership to the team and encourage reflection on practice
• Ability to travel around the Trust as appropriate to the role

Qualifications

Essential

• RNLD or BSc/BA, MA Occupational Therapy
• Additional post grad qualification in positive behaviour support at Diploma/Degree level or willingness to undertake this training on appointment
• HCPC State Registration/NMC registration

Desirable

• Evidence of additional academic study at Diploma/Degree level
• Leadership / first line management certificate

Experience

Essential

• Substantial post registration experience working in /learning disabilities
• Experience of working in a multidisciplinary team.
• Supervision of staff and students

Desirable

• Leadership / first line management experience
• Experience of a range of mental health/learning disabilities settings eg; mental health positive behaviour support, Autism

TRAINING

Essential

• Practice placement educators certificate (or to achieve within 12 months)
• Clinical supervisors training (or willingness to complete)
• To be willing to undertake post graduate training to further skills, knowledge and expertise relevant to clinical area

Desirable

• Post graduate training relevant to mental health/learning disabilities.

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.

UK Registration

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