Registered Nurse Learning Disabilities

Job overview

The LYPFT Learning Disability Service provides specialist health services for adults aged 18 and over with a learning disability across planned care services, community settings and the Intensive Support Team. Working with service users, carers, Adult Social Care, third-sector and private providers, the service supports people with highly complex needs including behaviours that challenge, mental health needs, dual diagnosis and complex physical needs.

An opportunity has arisen for a Band 5 Learning Disability Nurse with an interest in working within the Planned Care Service based at St Mary’s Hospital. The service consists of two units: The Complex Health Service (2 Woodland Square) and the Challenging Behaviour Service (3 Woodland Square). The successful candidate will be based on 2 Woodland Square but will be expected, at times, to work across the service.

Main duties of the job

The nurse will demonstrate a strong commitment to improving the health and wellbeing of adults with a learning disability, delivering high quality, evidence-based nursing care. They will undertake comprehensive, person-centred holistic assessments, considering physical and mental health, communication, sensory needs and behaviour. The role also includes providing clinical leadership through supervision and support of junior staff and students, contributing to service development and maintaining high standards of practice. The nurse will promote social inclusion and equitable access to healthcare, contribute to safeguarding and risk management processes, and work in accordance with Trust policies and the NMC Code.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

2 Woodland Square has five beds and provides planned breaks to Service Users who have a Learning Disability and associated complex health requirements. The clinical skills required within the service include enteral feeding, postural management, sensory impairments, unstable epilepsy, degenerative conditions, oxygen and suction therapy, continence care including intermittent catheterisation and ileostomy care to name but a few. Knowledge and experience is desirable but not essential however a strong interest to learn these skills and provide a high standard of care to the service user must be demonstrated.

3 Woodland Square has 4 beds and provides planned breaks to Service Users who have a Learning Disability and behavioural needs that can’t be supported within the social care environment. The service supports the development of behaviour assessments and interventions in conjunction with the wider MDT, can support with medication changes and observations as well as monitoring any physical health requirements. The team support the CLDT and primary health care services to meet the health needs of our service users incorporating all reasonable adjustments.

We strive to provide excellent care for service users and their families. We work in a person centred and inclusive manner, providing comprehensive and effective nursing care to meet the needs of our service users, aiming to reduce the likelihood of hospital admission and home / placement breakdown whilst working closely with community services and external providers.

If you are a band 5 RNLD who has a passion for improving the health and lives of individuals with learning disabilities, and experience of leading and delivering high quality care, we would love to hear from you. We work over a 7 day/24-hour period to include weekends, bank holidays and nights.

Successful applicants will be given a trust and service induction, clinical and managerial supervision as well as an abundance of learning opportunities relevant to the role. A preceptorship programme is available for newly qualified nurses.

For informal visits or any further information, please contact:- Linda Watkinson- Clinical Team Manager- 0113 855009 Senior Nurses – 0113 8555007/9