Learning Disabilities Nurse/Practitioner

Job description

Job responsibilities

Job Purpose

The post holder will be responsible for their designated workload within their speciality area with access to the support, advice and management from a senior clinician whilst not directly supervised. In doing so, they will assess, plan, deliver and evaluate patient centred programmes of care ensuring that they practice within their sphere of competence and knowledge. The post holder will work to professional protocols and regulatory body codes, standards and guidance at all times ensuring that their practice is grounded in the best available evidence based theoretical and practical knowledge.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Clinical

1.1. Demonstrates a broad theoretical and practical knowledge of common aetiologies, pathologies, conditions and presentations

1.2. Demonstrates the ability to apply theory to practice at a proficient level when assessing, planning, treating and reviewing using a holistic philosophy

1.3. Highly developed physical skills in order to demonstrate accuracy and dexterity when delivering care and treatments essential to clinical role e.g. preparation of medications, manipulation of equipment

1.4. Makes judgements requiring analysis, interpretation and comparison of options and ensures clinical reasoning is reflected accurately in case records

1.5. Engages and actively involves the individual and, if appropriate, their family/carer, in the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of programmes of treatment and/or care by using person-centred techniques to promote a culture of involvement and empowerment

1.6. Works to standards of proficiency identified by their professional and regulatory bodies performing clinical treatments/procedures to a competent standard

1.7. Prioritises their own workload within agreed objectives deciding when to refer to others as appropriate.

1.8. Approaches each individual with care, compassion and sensitivity ensuring that these values are reflected in the management of any complaints and compliments

1.9. Provides and receives complex, sensitive or contentious information where motivational, persuasive, empathetic, negotiating and reassurance skills are required whilst demonstrating an understanding of barriers to communication.

1.10. To comply with the organisations’ Infection Prevention and Control requirements, including “bare below the elbows” dress code for staff with a direct care delivery role.

2. Leadership

2.1. Ensures that a professional service and image is maintained at all time, thereby acting as a role model to all staff

2.2. Provides a leadership style which is underpinned by strongly held values around equality, diversity and openness; effectively builds and maintains relationships with direct reportee(s) and other key individuals across the organisation.

2.3. Ensures the effective and efficient use of resources within their own sphere of responsibility.

2.4. Demonstrates clinical leadership in everyday practice through identifying creative and innovative solutions, engaging in leadership development appropriate to level and encouraging development as part of the team.

2.5. In the absence of senior clinicians, the post holder will be able to delegate, organise and prioritise to ensure the safe delivery of the service including the management of referrals and discharges utilising locally agreed support mechanisms e.g. on call manager

2.6. Demonstrates resilience when responding to challenge, change and complex or difficult situations

2.7. Inspires others to be positive in their support of continuous improvement.

2.8. Ensures that individual objectives are clearly defined within the wider Directorate framework and in line with Trust’s objectives, using the appraisal process as a vehicle for this.

2.9. Takes responsibility for their own and others’ health and safety in the working environment.

3. Learning and Development

3.1. Undertakes any training required to develop or maintain their proficiency within the clinical area and demonstrates competence within professional body requirements

3.2. Reflects on and evaluates own practice and identifies areas of development by setting appropriate objectives via appraisal and clinical supervision

3.3. Contributes to and undertakes clinical audit

3.4. Assists with research project appropriate to clinical area

3.5. Is committed to delivering and sharing learning opportunities with students, team members and other agencies in order to develop self and others

4. Partnership and Team Working

4.1. Actively works towards developing and maintaining effective clinical and corporate working relationships both within and outside the Trust including other agencies, individuals and Higher Education Institutes

4.2. Explores the potential for collaborative working and takes opportunities to initiate and sustain such relationships.

4.3. Actively contributes to the multi-disciplinary team supporting the patient including communication with external care providers, voluntary support services and other agencies; acting as a credible source of information for other agencies/professionals involved in the care as required

5. Innovation and Quality

5.1. Works with managers and colleagues to continually improve the quality of service delivery within the overall organisational governance frameworks and corporate objectives reflecting the changing needs of the population, local and national initiatives

5.2. Works with managers and colleagues to identify, manage and minimise risks within the overall organisational risk management frameworks. This includes understanding and applying knowledge of clinical role in safeguarding and incident management

5.3. Acts as an advocate for patients and their families/carers recognising the boundaries of their clinical knowledge; liaising and referring on to other services / agencies as required

5.4. Ensures that patient experience is core to all clinical and service development gaining support from the appropriate corporate teams as required

5.5. Actively contributes to the Quality Framework, outcome measures and best practice standards in order to deliver an effective, high quality service

Health and Safety

Responsibilities of ALL staff in relation to Health and Safety:-

• Take reasonable care of your own health and safety

• Take reasonable care not to put other people - fellow employees and members of the public - at risk by what you do or don't do in the course of your work

• Co-operate with Trust, making sure you understand and follow the health and safety policies and procedures

• Attend all required training on Health and Safety related policies and procedure.

• Do not interfere with or misuse anything that has been provided for your health, safety or welfare

• Report and record any injuries, strains or illnesses suffered as a result of doing your job

• Inform your manager if something happens that might affect your ability to work safely such as suffering an injury or a new medical condition.

Additional for those with management responsibilities:

• Identify through documented risk assessment any risks that exists within the department or during the delivery of the service

• Investigate and manage incidents and near misses, ensuring actions are taken to prevent recurrence

• Support the Risk and Safety Team in ensuring suitable and sufficient up to date Health and Safety information and guidance is available to all staff at all levels and disciplines across the organisation.

In addition to these functions the post holder is expected to: In agreement with their line manager carries out such other duties as may be reasonably expected in accordance with the grade of the post.

Person Specification

Skills and Attributes

Essential

• Assessment, planning and evaluation skills in relevant field
• Effective verbal, non-verbal and written communication skills including communicating complex or potentially distressing information to patients / carers
• Positive and flexible attitude to dealing with change;
• willing to change and accept change and to explore new ways of doing things and approaches
• Risk assessment skills
• Reflective practice skills
• Competent IT skills e.g. word processing, email in order to maintain electronic patient records
• Able to research, understand and evaluate evidence in order to contribute to practice development

Desirable

• Experience in research and/or clinical audit
• Analytical and creative problem solving skills
• Workload management including delegation of tasks

Experience

Essential

• Must have experience in working with Learning Disabilities Client Group.
• Experience of working as part of a multidisciplinary team
• Experience of clinical supervision

Desirable

• Working in community or primary care based teams
• Experience of developing, establish and maintain positive relationships with others both internal and external to the organisation and with patients and their carers

Qualifications

Essential

• Professional degree or diploma in relevant field (Learning Disabilities Nurse or Social Worker or Occupational Therapist with relevant LD Experience)
• Appropriate statutory professional body registration eg NMC, SWE, HCPC
• Must be willing to participate in any relevant training identified to develop skills required to carry out duties

Desirable

• Supporting Learning in Practice (SLIP) or equivalent

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust

Address

Kirkstall Health Clinic

15 Morris Lane

Leeds

LS5 3DB

Employer's website

https://www.leedscommunityhealthcare.nhs.uk/join-our-team1/ (Opens in a new tab)