Advanced Practitioner

Job summary An exciting secondment opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic and self-motivated mental health practitioner to join our dynamic MDT.The Advanced Practitioner role would suit an experienced band 6 looking to step-up and gain valuable leadership / management experience, or a band 7 looking for an opportunity to broaden their CV by working in a more specialised service.The successful applicant will work alongside the LEIS Team Leader, Service Manager and other senior team members to deliver the EI model of care in Lewisham.The role includes management/supervision responsibilities, clinical leadership, care coordinating a small caseload and overseeing the referrals pathway.
Main duties of the job To support the team leader in providing managerial oversight of LEIS.
This includes undertaking the supervision of 4-6 care coordinators, taking a lead in clinical decision making, overseeing aspects of recruitment in the team, and managing the referral pathway in and out of LEIS.To provide care co-ordination and case management to a defined caseload of service users within the framework of the Care Programme Approach (CPA).
The caseload will consist of service users who are experiencing their first episode of psychosis.
The interventions that are provided will focus on engagement, recovery, rehabilitation and integration with the community.
About us LEIS is a multidisciplinary, community based Early Intervention in Psychosis Service working with people between 18 and 65 years of age who are experiencing their first psychotic episode.
LEIS works assertively and intensively with service users and carers to promote engagement with the team and with treatment, and to facilitate social inclusion and recovery.
Job description Job responsibilities Care coordination Assessment: Undertaking complex initial assessments for first episode psychosis - where there is diagnostic uncertainty, mixed presentations, complicated history, dual diagnosis.
Care coordination: To provide care co-ordination and case management to a defined caseload of service users within the framework of the Care Programme Approach (CPA).
The size of the AP caseload will be dependant on the needs of the service, but the approximate maximum for an advanced practitioner is 10.
Key Management Responsibilities Supervision and support:The post-holder will line manage approx.
6 members of staff, which will mainly consist of Care Coordinators.
The post holder will ensure that each member of staff receives regular supervision and appraisal, and are offered essential and developmental training in accordance with their personal development plans and the needs of the service.
The post holder will ensure that they are able to prioritise their tasks so that they can support care coordinators accross the team to meet with high risk and/or complex clients.
Referral pathway: To oversee the referral pathway within LEIS, this includes: helping to ensure that the team consistently meet the Waiting Time Standard, having oversight of referrals coming into the team, and helping to ensure that clients are discharged from the service according to the 3 year maximum period of suppor: It is essential that the post holder develops a robust and competent understanding of the services eligibility criteria and supports clinicians in the service to develop their own understanding of the criteria.
Recruitment: To support the Team Leader in undertaking the full recruitment process when vacancies occur Deputising: To deputise on behalf of the Team Leader when the Team Leader is not present in the team.
This includes undertaking tasks pertinent to the Team Leader role.
Clinical Lead: to act as a clinical lead in the team, both informally when providing guidance to colleagues, and also in Multi-Disciplinary Team meetings when crucial clinical decisions are being made.
Finances: To support the Team Leader to ensure team finances are managed within allocated budget, including recruitment of staff.
Management of Information and Communication: To develop and maintain good communication between the multidisciplinary team and other agencies, in particular those referring to the team such as GPs, other community teams, ward services and home treatment teams.
Ensure that all communication (verbal or written) between the team and other departments or agencies is of a high standard both in its content and presentation.
Management of the Environment: To support the Team Leader to ensure that the Health and Safety at Work Act is adhered to by all staff and that all staff receive any training necessary in order to meet the requirements of the Act.
(eg.
fire safety training, first aid, etc.).
This also includes supporting the Team Leader in ensuring the safety of the working environment.
Personal Development and Responsibilities: To ensure that they are fully aware of current developments and practice in their clinical area.
The post holder will also make effective use of supervision with their line manager on a regular and agreed basis in being aware of the need to reflect on their practice both as clinician and be aware of and adhere to all Trust Policies and act as a role model to other staff and meet the required professional standards for ongoing registration.
Other Duties: To be undertaken as delegated by the Head of Nursing and/or Team leader.
Person Specification Qualifications Essential Relevant professional qualification with up to date registration RMN with NMC registration or Occupational Therapist or Social Worker with HCPC registration.
Desirable Qualification in relevant psycho-social intervention Experience Essential Experience of undertaking a leadership role Experience of working with people experiencing psychosis Experience of working in an Early Intervention or At Risk Mental State Service Experience of care coordination / case management Experience of providing supervision in a clinical setting Desirable Experience of undertaking a service improvement/evaluation project Experience of recruitment and selection of staff Experience of using psycho-social interventions Skills Essential Ability to analyse complex issues/problems, provide guidance and make decisions Skilled in mental health and risk assessments Skilled in crisis management Ability to provide care that is sensitive to the needs of minority groups Excellent verbal and written communication skills Desirable Skilled in the use of psycho-social interventions Knowledge Essential Knowledge of CPA, Community Care Act, Carers Act, Mental Health Act and other relevant legislation as application to practice Specialist knowledge of the Early Intervention Model evidence base Knowledge of race and gender issues as they pertain to people with serious mental health problems