Community Psychiatric Nurse

Job overview

We are looking for an enthusiastic Community Psychiatric Nurse to work across the Community Behaviour and Communication Support Service (CBACSS) and Behaviour and Communication Support Service (BACSS) in Wandsworth. Applicants need to be professionally qualified and committed to providing responsive and high-quality clinical services to mental health service users and their carers. This role is for a Care Co-ordinator to work with patients with dementia presenting with challenging behaviours living in their own homes or in care homes.

We conduct holistic assessments to understand behaviours as attempts to communicate unmet needs like meaningful activity, privacy, dignity, independence, social engagement, or pain relief. We liaise with residents’ next of kin to understand their personal history and important relationships. Based on our assessments, we help care home staff implement person-centred psychosocial interventions to meet these needs, aiming to reduce challenging behaviours and improve residents' quality of life.

Main duties of the job

The candidate will need relevant experience of working with Older People within a range of settings. Applicants must have a keen interest in all mental health issues affecting Older People and dementia and therefore is required to have up to date knowledge of treatments and protocols, including the Newcastle Model and psychosocial interventions. The post holder will be able to work autonomously, exercise clear and coherent decision-making skills and be able to work flexibly to meet the needs of the wider service.

The role involves working closely alongside the patients and their carers as well as various relevant agencies, including GP’s, acute Hospitals, Social Services and voluntary support services.

As part of the team, you will be expected to participate within the duty system and administer depot injections.

You would be thoroughly inducted in the team and well supported by the BACSS and CBACSS team and the wider OP services.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Working autonomously within the parameters of the role leading and supporting junior staff and wider care team to implement the delivery of quality nursing care, contributing to the physical, psychological, social, recreational and spiritual care in a recovery-focused way through therapeutic engagement and activities, and taking steps to address any issues that arise.

Leading and supporting/teaching junior staff on risk assessment and risk management that involves making decisions based on knowledge of the research evidence, knowledge of the individual service user and their social  context, knowledge of the service user’s own experience and clinical judgment.

Advocating for service users’ needs and rights within Trust policy. Encouraging and empowering service users to have an optimum level of responsibility for their individual programme of care.

Demonstrating an enhanced understanding of Mental Health signs and symptoms and an understanding of how these may present in practice including recognition of impact on patient presentation and behaviour including risk factors. Supporting and teaching junior staff to develop understanding of mental health signs and symptoms and develop appropriate responses to these in practice.

Recognising and responding appropriately to challenging behaviour in line with Trust policies and training. Leading and coordinating junior staff and the wider care team in the management of difficult situations and de-escalation and  developing resilience and strategies to manage, including on leading staff and patient ‘de-briefing’ sessions.

Demonstrating a depth of knowledge and understanding of the fundamentals of the Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act and Deprivation of Liberty and other legislation applicable to the practice area and how they are implemented in practice ensuring adherence to legislation at all times. Teaching junior staff to understand the legal frameworks that support their practice.

Contributing to an effective communication process with appropriate and accurate information to patients, carers, family, friends and colleagues. Engaging and listening carefully and actively, and responding using appropriate  language and accessible communication methods and skills. Developing communication skills to enable and support difficult conversations, acknowledging cultural differences and professional boundaries.