Clinical Practitioner

Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Mental Health NHS Trust provides local, regional and national award-winning healthcare services. We have more than 3.300 staff working out of 20 main sites serving a population of 1.2 million people.  We provide community health services and mental health services for young people, adults and older people. Our North London Forensic Service treats and cares for people in the criminal justice system who have mental health conditions. We also provide one of the largest eating disorders services in England, as well as drug and alcohol services. 

We are an organisation that is passionate about equality, diversity and inclusion; one that prides itself in developing the leadership capabilities of its employees, looking after their health and wellbeing, creating safe spaces for staff to speak up and providing opportunities to mentor and be mentored.  Our employees are the reason for delivering Good CQC ratings, excellent outcomes and outstanding patient experiences, so it is our aim to create a happy and healthy working environment where you can thrive and succeed.  

Job overview

As this is a development post, band 5-6,  it is expected that the appointed person will meet the competencies and successfully complete the development programme, for a band 6 senior practitioner role, within 18 months in post. The post holder will have a development plan to support them, including in-house training, monthly supervision, and mentoring.

The role includes working within a MDT to provide a high level of cognitive assessment for people referred to the service, support to family carers, caseload management and group work.

Main duties of the job

Key Responsibilities

 Assist the memory service clinical team to carry out specialist cognitive assessments for patents referred to the service.

Conduct triage phone calls to people newly referred to the service – gaining an update on their concerns,  risk assessment, explaining the process of assessment and arranging the appointment for initial assessment.

Work with the group coordinators to co-facilitate therapeutic groups at the EMS including cognitive stimulation therapy ( CST)

Provide patients and their carer/s with a service that is culturally sensitive and gives due consideration to individual needs.

To contribute to aspects of continuous improvement initiatives including audits, quality assurance and satisfaction surveys.     

The post holder will adhere to Trust policies, Data Protection and Health and Safety.

Working for our organisation

The partnership between Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Mental Health NHS Trust (BEH) and Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust (C&I) is going from strength to strength since it was originally established in 2021 forming the North London Mental Health Partnership.

Why choose to join the Partnership?

• We believe that by working together, our two Trusts can achieve more for the residents of North Central London and our patients than we can by working apart.
• Deliver the best care using the most up-to-date practice in supporting those with mental health illnesses.
• Transforming and creating a positive environment for our service users, staff and visitors.
• Creating and working together to become a great place to work for all our staff.
• We offer flexible working, a wide range of health and wellbeing initiatives, NHS Pension and so much more.
• Generous Annual Leave Allowance
• NHS Discounts in a large variety of retail stores and services.
• We have excellent internal staff network support groups.

The postholder will need to be comfortable working in an environment of complex matrix management arrangements and will at all times behave and align with our Trusts’ values and cultural pillars.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title

Clinical Practitioner

Band

5 - 6  Development post

Hours Of Work

37.5 hours per week

Location (BEH, C&I, Both)

Chase Farm Hospital, Barnet, Enfield & Haringey Mental Health NHS Trust

Specialty/Department

Enfield Memory Service

Accountable To

Team Leader

Responsible To

Service Manager

Job summary

The Enfield Memory Service (EMS) provides specialist assessment, treatment and support to people, over the age of 65, who are referred by their GPs, and experiencing memory problems.

The service consists of a Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) and provides comprehensive assessment, and a range of interventions post diagnostically depending on the outcome of assessment and diagnosis. These include; pharmacological interventions as per NICE guidelines, psycho-educational group work including cognitive stimulation therapy (CST), Admiral Nurse input and support and Memory Navigation from Age UK.  EMS works closely with families and carers to offer information and support, including post diagnostic carers groups.

The catchment area is ethnically diverse.  The post holder will therefore be required to work with interpreters and have skills in working across cultures. 

The EMS operates Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 4.30pm and is accredited with the Royal College of Psychiatrist’s Memory Services National Accreditation Programme ( MSNAP)

The service is clinic based, however, on occasions the clinical team are required to assess people, referred to the service, in their home environment.

This is a development post with the expectation that the appointed person will meet the criteria for a band 6 senior practitioner role, within 18 months in post. The post holder will have a development plan to support them, including in-house training, monthly supervision and mentoring.

 Key Responsibilities  

Assist the memory service clinical team to carry out specialist cognitive assessments for patents referred to the service.

Conduct triage phone calls to people newly referred to the service – gaining an update on their concerns,  risk assessment, explaining the process of assessment and arranging the appointment for initial assessment.

Work with the group coordinators to co-facilitate therapeutic groups at the EMS including cognitive stimulation therapy ( CST)

Provide patients and their carer/s with a service that is culturally sensitive and gives due consideration to individual needs.

To contribute to aspects of continuous improvement initiatives including audits, quality assurance and satisfaction surveys.     

The post holder will adhere to Trust policies, Data Protection and Health and Safety.

Relationships/Communication

The post holder is expected to establish and maintain positive interpersonal relationships with other staff members characterised by trust, mutual respect, and open, honest communication.

Internal Relationships

Colleagues and co-workers within he Enfield Memory Service

Colleagues in the wider Older People’s Community Mental Health Service’s

Senior Managers

External Relationships

Age UK Enfield

Enfield Adult Social Care

Responsibility for Human Resources

Support senior colleagues in the orientation and induction of new staff and students on placement.

Support senior colleagues in providing student supervision, support and training. 

Responsibility for Administration 

Assist and contribute to local initiatives on clinical governance & clinical improvement groups

Maintain a safe environment within the service and report any problems to the team leader/senior person in charge

Report incidents and near misses on Ulysses

Take an active role in seeking patient and carer feedback and submitting information as required by the Trust

Ensure compliance with Trust requirements for Data Protection

Responsibility for IT and Digital Systems/Services

The post holder will adhere to Trust policies and protocols regarding Data Protection

Clinical Responsibilities

Assist the memory service clinical team to carry out specialist assessments for patients referred to the service, feeding back to the reviewing consultant.

Develop competency using a variety of cognitive assessment tools, including the ACE 111 and RUDAS

The post holder will be competent  in risk assessment & risk management and escalate concerns to team leader/senior colleagues/consultant as appropriate

To be responsible for raising urgent clinical concerns with the team leader/senior colleagues/consultant and referring to other services as appropriate.

The post holder will develop competency to actively manage an allocated caseload of patients and ensuring a patient centred approach to care and treatment

To complete triage phone calls to people newly referred to the service – ensuring risk assessment is completed, and team leader and consultant updated with any concerns.

Demonstrate a high level of interpersonal skills, communicating sensitively with patients and their families.

The post holder will interpret the significance of clinical observations, act upon them, make decisions and/or escalate appropriately. Training  in physical health monitoring will be provided.

To develop an understanding of the legal and ethical issues in caring for people with dementia and other mental health issues.

Demonstrate knowledge of the Mental Capacity Act and develop competency in assessing mental capacity.

To determine priorities and plan patient care accordingly, based on assessment of risk, informing the memory service Team Leader & consultant when changes in circumstances may affect standards of care.

To meet the physical, psychological, social and cultural needs of the individual and their family while attending the memory service.

The post holder will recognise the needs of the family/carers, ensuring their involvement in care where appropriate and with patient consent, whilst offering support and education with empathy.

To ensure that due regard is given to the customs, values and spiritual beliefs of patients.

To liaise with other professionals and partner organisations, as required, to facilitate the smooth progression of care and after-care of patients and their carers.

Assist in the education of patients and their carers, where appropriate, supporting them to have a greater understanding of their health condition and working towards developing coping strategies and promoting choice and hopefulness.

Highlight health promotion when working with patients and their families and liaise with the team to ensure a good display of materials to increase awareness of health-related issues and sources of support

The post-holder must be aware of, and work in line with, the Trust’s Safeguarding Adults and Children procedures - recognising and identifying when there are safeguarding concerns and initiate actions to safeguard vulnerable adults and children, making referrals to relevant agencies including local MASH

To maintain patient confidentiality, as per Trust policy and Information Governance

To develop a working knowledge of medications used in the treatment of dementia and mental health and, following training, be able to provide basic advice regarding medication as requested by patients/ carers or seek advise from a doctor, senior nursing colleague as appropriate.

To develop knowledge and understanding of the research projects available to patients/families attending the service and promote research initiatives as appropriate and agreed by the service

Policy/Service Development

To be aware of and practice professional accountability with due regard to the relevant professional body

To maintain and update professional registration, in line with the  requirements of the relevant professional body -  NMC ( nursing) HCPC ( OT’s)

To adhere to all Trust policies, procedural guidelines and current legislation.

To contribute to service development initiatives as required by the team.

Training & Development

All staff are required to be appraised by their line managers at least once a year at a personal development review meeting where progress made over the last year is discussed and agreed. Focus on the following year’s departmental and personal objectives will be identified, discussed and agreed. Where necessary, help and support will be provided and development opportunities agreed in line with service provision and the knowledge and skills competency framework. 

To undertake and develop appropriate knowledge & skills of practice to broaden professional scope, and complete the development program necessary to progress to band 6 senior practitioner role within 18 months in post

To attend and participate in staff development & team days.

To be compliant with all mandatory training relevant to role.

To actively contribute to regular supervision of own practice and demonstrate skills in reflective practice

To maintain and improve own professional, clinical and managerial knowledge and skills by promoting self-development via in-service training, and other training programs as agreed with the team leader.

To participate in appraisal and individual performance reviews in accordance with the Trust Policy and maintaining own personal records of professional development.

To develop knowledge and understanding of the research projects available to patients/families  attending the service and promote research initiatives as appropriate.

General

All staff are responsible for the continual compliance with CQC standards and outcomes.

The post-holder must be aware of, and work in line with, the Trust’s Safeguarding Adults and Children procedures.

Person specification Qualifications/ Registrations Essential criteria

• Professional registration RMN or RGN or Occupational Therapist & registered with the relevant professional body - NMC for nursing HCPC for Occupational Therapists
• Evidence of on-going CPD

Desirable criteria

• Dual qualified RMN/RGN - if registered nurse
• Evidence of further study in the field of dementia care & or older people’s health

Skills/ Abilities Essential criteria

• Ability to work independently and manage time effectively
• Ability to be person centred when working with service users and their families.ication and interpersonal skills
• Skills in clinical risk assessment & risk management

Desirable criteria

• Skills in facilitating/co-facilitating therapeutic groups

Experience/ Knowledge Essential criteria

• Experience of carrying out clinical assessments
• Knowledge and experience of clinical risk assessment and risk management
• Awareness and understanding of safeguarding processes and procedures

Desirable criteria

• Knowledge of the Mental Capacity Act and key principles of assessing mental capacity
• Knowledge of medications commonly prescribed for older adults ( medications for both physical and mental health)
• Knowledge & Experience of facilitating/cofacilitating therapeutic group

References will be required to cover your last 3 years of employment/training. One has to be from your current or most recent employer and the others from your previous employer. The references should be from persons with management responsibility or HR.

If you have been unemployed for a period of four years or more, please give the details of your last employer and one character referee of your choice (not members of your family). If more applicable, references will be requested from your teacher or head of faculty. Please ensure you provide full contact details.
Vacancies that are advertised as Fixed Term Contracts will also be available as secondment opportunities for substantive internal staff.

Please be aware that your documents eg. Passport/NI Card, will be electronically scanned using Home Office accredited Verification System.

Due to the high number of applications that are received for some posts, we will close vacancies before the stated closing date once the first 50 applications are received. Therefore, please apply as soon as possible.

All non-medical posts with the Trust are subject to a probationary period of six months, during which time you will be required to demonstrate to the Trust’s satisfaction, your suitability for the position in which you will be employed.

Should you not hear from us within three working weeks of the closing date for this post, then regretfully in this instance, you have not been shortlisted.

By applying for this role, you accept in the event you are successful that your personal data may be transferred from the Trust to another NHS organisation where your employment transfers within the NHS. This is in accordance with the streamlining programme which is aimed at improving efficiencies within the NHS both to make costs savings for NHS organisations but also to save you time when your employment transfers.