Band 5 ECT Practitioner - Devizes

Job overview

An opportunity has arisen within Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust for a band 5 ECT  Practitioner based in Devizes, Wiltshire.

By working in partnership with the ECT Team you will be part of a highly motivated team to continue to deliver an excellent service to patients and carers. You will provide clinical support to the ECT Team, working closely with all team members, sharing skills and information, viewing the clinic as one part of the continuum of care and facilitating opportunities for patients to benefit from, whilst maintaining and improving standards of practice in ECT.

Based at the ECT clinic at Green Lane Hospital the team covers the 3 acute hospitals of Salisbury District Hospital, Royal United Hospital Bath and Great Western Hospital Swindon to provide treatment for those patients requiring ECT who are more complex regarding their physical health needs. When providing treatment to patients in the acute hospital you will work in the main theatres with their team, this means that you will gain a significant amount of knowledge and understanding of aspects of a person’s physical health and the impact this can have on their mental health.

This is a development post. Once started with the Team you will work towards successful completion of ECT specific training; ECT Practitioner Foundation Course, ECT Practitioner Experienced nurses course, AWP PERT training & Anaesthetic Recovery training to gain a B6 position within the team.

Main duties of the job

The post is clinical, but has many different and very interesting aspects to it. An ECT practitioner draws on knowledge learned as an RMN but also has a range of knowledge and skills in physical health care.

Wiltshire ECT team is a high achieving team having received an Excellence rating at ECTAS audits for the last 9 years.  The team regularly drives innovation and change at national level and we are influential in changes in ECT practice by having team members who sit on national boards.

Previous work in an ECT clinic is not required as all training will be given on the job. A good understanding of NEWS is required, knowledge around physical health will be gained in this role.

The base is at Green Lane Hospital, the covering of the clinics in the 3 district general hospitals is shared between team members, so being a car driver is required. Clinics usually start at 8am but occasionally due to delays in the district general hospitals you may be required to work beyond 4pm. The team currently does not provide a service on Bank holidays.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

CLINICAL

• Demonstrate and hold an in-depth knowledge of physiological monitoring practices which encompasses:
• Suitable preparation of the environment.
• In depth understanding of NEWS, and vital signs monitoring.
• Pre-treatment clinical assessments.
• The impact of a person’s physical health on their mental well being.
• Intermediate life support techniques.
• Complete the ECT staff training matrix.
• Form strong positive working relationships across all areas of the service and demonstrate strong empathy with patients and carers.
• An advocate for those patients receiving ECT and ECT treatment in general.
• Communicate fluently and persuasively across a variety of different media. Show strong listening and sensing skills.
• Maintain a disciplined and professional level of performance under sustained or situational pressure.
• Manage patient care to ensure high professional standards.
• Work closely with Consultants, ODP’s and many other health care professionals in the organisation of patient care.
• Use reflective practice to continually develop and improve nursing skills.
• To have in-depth knowledge of legislation in relation to ECT.
• Record and input information that will help maintain effective systems for producing information and statistics to produce reports.
• Co-operate with policies and protocol in line with clinical governance, especially in relation to service accreditation.
• Comply with the Professional Code of Conduct, relevant legislation, procedures and policies.
• Undertake regular review of performance (appraisal) with the line manager to agree personal and service goals.
• Assist in ensuring that ECT treatment is available, and that obstacles (such as broken machines, unavailability of specific specialist equipment) are immediately addressed and a solution found, so that patient care and treatment is not compromised.

GENERAL:

• This job description is not meant to be exhaustive and can be altered in consultation with the post holder.
• Any other duties which may be requested by the ECT Team Manager in order to facilitate the smooth running of the department.
• The Trust is an Equal Opportunities employer.  The post holder is at all times expected to carry out their duties in accordance with the Trust’s Equal Opportunities Policy.
• The Trust operates a no smoking policy.  Staff are not permitted to smoke on Trust premises.
• You are required to take reasonable care of the health and safety of him/herself and other persons who may be affected by his/her acts or omissions at work and to cooperate with Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust to ensure that statutory and departmental safety regulations are adhered to.