Nurse Practitioner (Wandsworth HTT)

Job overview

Wandsworth Crisis Resolution and Home Treatment Team is a multidisciplinary, community based mental health team that aims to provide a safe and effective home based assessment and treatment service as an alternative to in-patient admission. We can facilitate early discharge from the ward in the least disruptive and restrictive environment. We work in conjunction with, as well as integrate with other local service elements. The workload is team-based and our team members do not carry a specific caseload themselves, instead they share one as a collective unit.

The team is available to provide care and intervention  7 days a week for people who are experiencing a mental health crisis of extreme nature or degree that would require admission in the absence of the Wandsworth Crisis Resolution and Home Treatment Team. The Service is available to adults both male and female from 18 years old and upwards, with the team seeking to address an array of mental health difficulties and crisis intervention as per the referred client’s needs.

The response will include assessments at A&E, police stations, the 136 suite, MHA’s and home visits. Staff will undertake rapid assessments and then either refer or signpost to other services. Wandsworth Crisis Resolution and Home Treatment Team offer an alternate to acute psychiatric admission and the team acts as ‘Gatekeepers’ to the acute ward and the team works closely with the Trusts in patient’s wards to help action this effectively.

Main duties of the job

We are currently looking for a full time Nurse Practitioner Band 6, who is motivated and committed to a be part of a high quality service working alongside professionals, carers and service users. This person will also need to be committed to a high quality standard for patient care.

The post holder will be based at Harewood House (Springfield Hospital) as home treatment covers the entire borough of Wandsworth. There is an expectation that the post holder is able to work shifts, including night duties.  The candidate will be part of the multi-disciplinary team, working mostly independently. You must be able to have good communication skills, be organised and possess good time management. A car driver/owner is essential. We are committed to continuous professional development and you will receive regular supervisions to adapt to the needs of the service and to work towards PADR indicators. We are committed to delivering exemplary service and have a strong culture of training and education.

Key responsibilities:-

• engaging clients in crisis
• participating in rapid assessments at home and in A & E departments
• co-ordinating effective gate keeping assessments when needed
• providing a range of bio/psycho/social interventions for service users and carers
• planning for a robust, sustainable discharge as well as sufficient aftercare
• involving clients in planning and evaluating care given
• working as part of the team to achieve the best possible care for clients

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The Deputy Nursing Team Leader/Clinical Charge Nurse/Community Psychiatric Nurse/Practice Development Nurse role is suitable for Registered Nurses who have successfully completed preceptorship and have registered as an approved NMC mentor.

The post holder will deliver, or advise on the delivery of, high quality safe nursing care, ensuring consistently high standards of practice and clinical excellence which comply with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) code of professional conduct.

As a Deputy Nursing Team Leader/Clinical Charge Nurse/Community Psychiatric Nurse/Practice Development Nurse you will promote and develop clinical leadership and clinical practice and be a positive role model to junior members of the team through the practice of evidence-based care. You will be expected to support professional development through clinical appraisal and supervision and contribute to the ongoing educational programme for staff, fostering a positive learning environment. Your professional and personal development will include further postgraduate study and you will be encouraged and supported by your line manager to undertake Master’s programmes.