Community Mental Health Nurse in Bedford

To be part of a well-established Countywide Early Intervention in Psychosis Team which provides a focused and specific community service for the population of Bedfordshire and Luton in response to the needs of individuals and their families experiencing a first episode of psychosis. The team works across CAMH services and Adult Mental Health Services with an age range starting at 14 years. We have opportunities for a well-motivated Mental Health Nurse to join both our North and South teams. The North post covers Bedford and mid Bedfordshire and the South post covers Luton, Dunstable and south Bedfordshire although some cross county travel will be required. The post is suitable for a newly qualified registered mental health nurse and would also be ideal for nurses that have completed their preceptorship and are looking to develop experience in a community setting.

The post holder will hold a caseload of clients with oversight from an allocated senior mental health practitioner. They will work flexibly to deliver packages of care under CPA and a good knowledge of risk and psychosis will therefore be required. The post holder must hold a valid driving license and have access to a car for business use.

Main duties of the job

• Based in the Early Intervention in psychosis service, the post holder will hold a caseload as a Named/Associate Nurse and work within the principles of the agreed model of care for the service as laid down in the operational policy.
• They will be required to undertake duties as delegated by the team manager or deputy in their absence.
• Continually delivering and maintaining high standards of care.
• Ensuring that the care provided is underpinned by a robust evidence base.
• Leadership and supervision of support staff and monitoring of students.
• Building trust and developing relationships to ensure service user and carer involvement with the care provided.
• Ensuring data quality assurance in line with Trust Policies.
• Ensuring equality and diversity values underpin the day to day work of the post holder and practice area.

About us

Our mission is to make a positive difference to people's lives by improving the quality of life for all we serve. Our values are: We Care, We Respect, We are Inclusive - so we are looking for people who live and breathe these qualities when supporting service users and carers, and in their relationships with colleagues in the Trust and our partner organisations.

Job responsibilities

We offer a nationally recognised Preceptorship programme that is used as an example of regional excellence; with dedicated support to help you consolidate your knowledge and skills during the first six months of qualification and progress your career further. The successful candidate will also be supported to complete core competencies in preparation for a band 6 role. The post holder will have opportunity to be trained in Behavioural Family Therapy, the CAARMs Assessment tool and psychosocial interventions. In addition, the team holds monthly team development days to support continuous professional development.

The successful candidate will join a creative and motivated team who continue to make positive differences to families and individuals across the county. We believe that psychosis is treatable and recovery is expected.

The post holder will need use of a car for business purposes and have a UK driving license.

Person Specification

• Pre-graduate mental health nurse in the final six months of their training or a graduate mental health nurse who is pending their PIN or a Registered Mental Health Nurse.
• Willingness to undertake further training relevant to position.
• Experience of mental health nursing either in inpatient or community setting.
• Knowledge of the Mental Health Act (1983), Mental Capacity Act (2005) & the Care Act (2014).
• Understanding of the principles of the recovery model, DIALOG+ and Care Programme Approach.
• Up to date knowledge of the current approaches to mental health nursing.
• Up to date knowledge of the issues that impact individuals and carers affected by mental health and/or cognitive impairment (where applicable).
• Knowledge and understanding of safeguarding adults and children.
• Understanding of the key themes of clinical governance and evidence based practice.
• Knowledge and understanding of equal opportunities policies and practice and how they affect staff, service users and carers.

Skills

• Good verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to assess, plan, implement and evaluate care using evidence based approaches.
• Ability to prioritise workload.
• Excellent time management skills.
• Ability to work autonomously and independently.
• Ability to be innovative in practice.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team.
• Ability to engage with people with serious mental health problems in a holistic manner.

Other

• Hold a full UK driving license.
• Have access to a car and insured for business use.

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.