Community Mental Health Clinical Lead

Job overview

You will have continuing responsibility for proactive assessment, monitoring, and management of patients, and ensuring care is current, evidence-based, and in line with practice standards. You will provide clinical leadership to the team in evaluation and monitoring of the service, and provide specialist assessment as per the service users' and carers’ requirements.

You will lead, with other senior colleagues, the continuing development of a high-quality service that is underpinned by evidence-based practice and care pathways/packages, and NICE and DH guidance; leading on service development and policy in conjunction with the other Advanced Practitioners, senior clinicians, Clinical Manager and Operational Services Manager.

You will work with the Clinical Manager to ensure that the nursing service is contemporary, evidence-based and in line with practice standards, providing day-to-day nursing, clinical leadership, evaluation and monitoring of the service.

You will also have responsibility for the day-to-day supervision and management of lower banded staff within your team as required by your manager; this may include the management of these staff in line with agreed Trust HR processes.

In delivering your duties, you are expected to display behaviours that are aligned with the Trust values and as required in accordance with the NHS Constitution at all times.

Main duties of the job

Please see the attached Job description for full details:

As a senior clinical practitioner, you will provide professional leadership and oversight for the assessment, care planning, treatment and review of individuals with complex mental health needs. You will coordinate and manage high-quality, evidence-based care, acting as a care coordinator where required and ensuring that risk assessments, safeguarding responsibilities and clinical documentation are completed to the highest standards.

The post holder will lead and support multidisciplinary working, providing specialist clinical advice, supervision and mentorship to colleagues, while promoting recovery-focused and person-centred care. You will undertake specialist assessments, contribute to service development, support physical health monitoring, and ensure the safe and effective management of medication in accordance with Trust policies.

Working closely with the Clinical Manager, you will contribute to the operational management of the service, including performance management, workforce planning, quality improvement initiatives, recruitment and staff development. You will help ensure the service achieves key performance indicators, maintains high standards of clinical governance and delivers safe, effective and therapeutic care.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The post holder will provide senior clinical leadership within a multidisciplinary team, ensuring the delivery of safe, effective, recovery-focused and evidence-based mental health services for service users with complex and highly complex needs. They will be responsible for coordinating care, leading clinical decision-making, managing risk, and supporting the development and performance of the service.

Working closely with the Clinical Manager, the post holder will support operational delivery, service development, workforce management and quality improvement initiatives. They will provide expert clinical supervision, advice and support to staff, promote best practice in accordance with NICE guidance and Trust policies, and act as a key liaison between health, social care and partner agencies.

The role requires highly developed clinical, leadership and communication skills, with responsibility for maintaining high standards of patient care, service performance, governance and professional practice.

• Provide expert clinical leadership and specialist advice to the multidisciplinary team.
• Lead the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of care for service users with complex mental health needs.
• Act as Care Coordinator for highly complex cases, ensuring care is delivered in accordance with agreed pathways and standards.
• Undertake comprehensive mental health, risk and nursing assessments and ensure timely review of care plans.
• Lead and participate in formulation, delivery and review of evidence-based interventions aligned to NICE guidance.
• Maintain responsibility for the management of clinical risk, ensuring appropriate assessment, management and escalation of concerns.
• Undertake and oversee safeguarding responsibilities, ensuring adherence to local and national guidance.
• Support service users to develop understanding of their mental and physical health needs, promoting recovery, wellbeing and independence.
• Provide psycho-social interventions, education, practical support and relapse prevention strategies.
• Conduct carers' assessments and ensure carers are appropriately supported and involved in care planning where appropriate.
• Ensure accurate, timely and professional clinical record keeping in accordance with Trust policies and professional standards.
• Oversee the safe management, administration, storage and transportation of medication in line with Trust policies and professional standards.
• Monitor medication effectiveness, side effects and adherence, taking appropriate action where required.
• Provide education to service users, carers and staff regarding medications, treatment options and physical healthcare needs.
• Ensure physical health monitoring is completed and acted upon appropriately.
• Promote parity of esteem between physical and mental health care across the service.
• Provide day-to-day professional supervision, support and leadership to junior staff and students.
• Undertake clinical supervision, mentorship and appraisal responsibilities as required.
• Support workforce development through training, coaching and professional development activities.
• Lead by example in promoting high standards of professional practice and adherence to Trust values.
• Support staff wellbeing and contribute to a positive team culture.
• Participate in recruitment, induction, performance management and capability processes in accordance with Trust policies.
• Manage staffing issues appropriately, including contributing to disciplinary, grievance and investigation processes when required.
• Contribute to the ongoing development and improvement of clinical services.
• Identify opportunities for service enhancement and implement change initiatives in collaboration with colleagues and managers.
• Support the development, implementation and review of operational and clinical policies.
• Lead and participate in audits, service evaluations and quality improvement projects.
• Ensure clinical practice reflects current evidence, national guidance and best practice standards.
• Contribute to local emergency planning, business continuity arrangements and risk management processes.
• Support the Clinical Manager in the day-to-day operational management of the service.
• Assist with workforce planning, resource management and service scheduling.
• Monitor service performance and contribute to achieving Trust, local and national targets and key performance indicators.
• Ensure timely submission of activity data, reports and performance information.
• Participate in performance review meetings and support the effective use of resources.
• Deputise for the Clinical Manager when required.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with primary care, secondary care, social care, voluntary organisations and other partner agencies.
• Participate in and lead multidisciplinary meetings, referrals, reviews, case discussions and handovers as required.
• Work collaboratively with service users, carers and stakeholders to ensure services are responsive, inclusive and person-centred.
• Represent the team and service at internal and external meetings as required.
• Ensure compliance with Trust policies, professional standards, legislation and regulatory requirements.
• Maintain professional registration and fulfil continuing professional development requirements.
• Report, investigate and learn from incidents, complaints and near misses.
• Contribute to clinical governance, risk management and patient safety initiatives.
• Complete all mandatory training and maintain required competencies.
• Participate in on-call arrangements where applicable.
• Undertake autonomous assessment, diagnosis and treatment within scope of practice.
• Prescribe safely and effectively as an Independent Non-Medical Prescriber.
• Monitor treatment outcomes and review prescribing decisions in accordance with professional and organisational standards.

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.