Band 6 Decision Unit Triage Nurse

Job overview

We are excited to offer 'Band 6' Registered Mental Health nursing roles in our Decisions Unit, working as the Decisions Unit Triage Nurse. Which is part of our Crisis Hub at the Longley Centre, Northern General Hospital. The Decisions Unit works alongside the Health Based Place of Safety, our 24/7 Crisis Services and the citywide Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP) service, to provide 24/7 effective, safe and high-quality crisis care. The Decisions Unit works closely with our Psychiatric Liaison Service to ensure patients receive the right care, in the right place, at the right time. It offers a safe and therapeutic environment to aid assessment for those whose crisis situation may resolve quickly or for those who need further review of their needs. Innovative approaches to care means that the Decisions Unit will also be providing a triage service for Sheffield Teaching Hospitals, to ensure service users are able to access the care best suited to their needs in a timely manner and providing opportunity for ongoing development of the Decisions Unit Care Team.

A current NMC pin and professional qualification in Mental Health Nursing is essential.

Main duties of the job

To provide triage and assessment for people experiencing mental health crisis who may present in A&E Sheffield Northern General Hospital or to Sheffield's wider network of crisis services.

Responsible for the delivery of effective, safe, high-quality crisis care within the DU / Crisis Hub. This will involve the effective assessment, planning, evaluation and management of crisis care, clinical need and risk.

To work closely with the Psychiatric Liaison Service, the acute mental health inpatient wards and varying community services to support and maintain patient flow throughout the system.

To provide clinical leadership and day to day coordination of clinical practice to support the effective delivery of care within the DU.

To develop strong links and protocols with other services and to assist where appropriate to ensure the smooth and timely transition of patients moving between services.

To provide support and assist the Senior Operational Manager in the ongoing management and development of the DU and the wider crisis hub services.

To work as an effective member of the multi-disciplinary team, maintaining high standards of patient focused care.

To work flexibly to develop team working and to ensure consistent standards of care delivery throughout the wider crisis hub services.

To flexibly work shifts covering a twenty-four-hour period in order to meet service need.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Job purpose

• To value and be responsive to the individual rights, needs and opinions of the people using our services, in the performance of all the activities of the Decision Unit nurse, and the Decision Unit Triage nurse.
• To provide mental health triage and assessment for patients in A&E, and on the D.U, and Health Based Place of Safety, when required.
• To support patients with medication in line with service and trust guidance and policy.
• Be responsible for the ongoing assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of programmes of nursing care to an agreed standard.
• To undertake mental and physical health assessments.
• To participate in monitoring the standard of care delivery by junior staff and the education of colleagues, learners and junior staff.
• To maintain and promote a client centred approach in all aspects of service delivery to older people and their carers
• To provide nursing care for patients and support to services, across the whole of SHSC trust when needed.

General requirements

The Post holder is expected to be familiar with relevant policies and legislation, and to work within this framework. This includes NMC guidelines and trust policies.

It is acknowledged that through supervision and PDR the post holder will construct a personal development plan that will enable them to achieve the following key result areas.

Principal duties

Clinical

• To work across a variety of community settings as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
• Providing a nursing assessment and identification of a referred clients mental health needs including at home/in the person’s own environment.
• Formulating, implementing and evaluating nursing care plans that will reflect the needs of the clients/carers over a 24-hour period.
• Manage own caseload having responsibility for the nursing care of clients until point of discharge. Regularly review and discuss caseload management with their clinical supervisor.
• Administering depot injections to clients and monitoring the effects of prescribed medication.
• Maintain accurate care records about care interventions and treatment offered according to Professional and Trust standards.
• To act as co-ordinator in accordance with the Care Programme Approach.
• Provide comprehensive written mental health specialist nursing reports as required.
• Delivering a range of therapeutic interventions with clients and carers in accordance with evidence based practice and Trust Policies.
• Reacting to and managing a range of complex mental and physical health crises.
• Escorting clients where appropriate to other Health and Social Care settings.
• Offering support and advice to families and carers and providing advocacy to clients and carers where appropriate.
• Identify and manage risks in a variety of settings.

Leadership/ Supervisory

• Managing and maintaining a caseload with appropriate levels of supervision.
• To provide direct supervision to other staff and contribute and assist with PDR system.
• Liaising with, advising and educating a range of other professionals, agencies and bodies involved in the care of older people with mental health needs.
• To act as identified practice supervisor and practice assessor for nursing students on allocated placements. Also to act as a Preceptor to nurses completing their preceptorship.
• Receive clinical supervision from agreed supervisor and manager on a regular, planned basis to ensure effective and safe management.

Service development

• To participate with colleagues in the production of an active learning environment in order to maintain and develop high standards of professional and clinical practice.  Promoting opportunities for self, colleagues and junior staff to access available training/ education.
• Sharing identified skills with colleagues, learners and other staff, participating in formal and informal teaching as appropriate.
• To take responsibility for identifying personal development needs, participating in appraisal and clinical supervision.
• To act as a positive role model.
• Offering education and health promotion to clients and carers.