Specialist Nurse ECT Lead

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced and motivated Registered Mental Health Nurse to join our specialist ECT service as Specialist Nurse ECT Lead, Band 7.

This is a part-time specialist leadership role providing clinical and operational oversight of the Trust-wide Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) service.

The ECT Clinic operates on Tuesdays and Fridays, and the post holder will be required to work on these treatment days. Additional contracted hours will normally be worked on another day to undertake the administrative, managerial, educational and service development responsibilities associated with the role.

Flexibility is essential, as the additional working day may vary depending on meetings, training, supervision and other service requirements.

Main duties of the job

• Lead the safe delivery of ECT on treatment days, working closely with the ECT Consultant Psychiatrist, Consultant Anaesthetist and the wider multidisciplinary team.
• Provide clinical and operational leadership for the ECT service.
• Ensure ECT is delivered safely and in accordance with relevant legislation, national guidance and Trust policies.
• Ensure the service meets ECTAS requirements and standards, including supporting and preparing the service for ECTAS peer review every three years.
• Play an active role in clinical audits and Quality Improvement (QI) projects, using learning and outcomes to support the continued development and improvement of the ECT service.
• Provide specialist ECT advice and support to patients, carers and clinical teams.
• Lead and support ECT nursing and recovery staff through line management, clinical supervision, appraisal and professional development.
• Maintain and develop specialist ECT and recovery competencies.
• Provide ECT education and training to staff and students.
• Contribute to clinical governance, research and service development.
• Contribute to the development and review of Trust-wide ECT policies and protocols.
• Monitor service performance and resources and maintain appropriate oversight of the ECT departmental budget.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

ROLE SUMMARY

The post holder will be responsible for clinical and operational management of all pan ECT services.

They are responsible for management of all patients referred in to the Clinic, their safe treatment and recovery in compliance with National and Trust protocols and guidelines.

The facilitation of both line management and clinical supervision and direction of other staff working within the Clinic in conjunction with the Lead ECT Consultant and Anaesthetist.

Providing information and guidance to referring clinical staff, liaison with patients, their N.O.K./others when applicable.

The monitoring and maintaining standards of practice. Enabling escorting clinical staff to be of effective assistance throughout the treatment process.

Maintaining accurate records, statistical information and providing the same to Trust management and statutory agencies as required for audit/other purposes. Collating of relevant performance data to feed into the locality, ensuring transparency, oversight and accountability for care provision and quality. Measuring the service against key performance indicators and formulating actions in response to this to ensure service provision is maintained at a high level.

To provide an educatory facility for other Trust staff as necessary and that this happens on a regular basis.

To ensure the accuracy and quality of mental health clustering activity within the team.

Maintaining financial oversight ensuring service provision remains in line with allocated budget.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Ensuring preparation of the ECT clinic for treatment, checking the safe working of all equipment and maintaining sufficient clinical resources and operational supplies. This includes maintaining the regular calibration of the Thymatron machines by Dantec alongside the yearly calibration checks of all medical equipment by the medical engineers.

Ensuring completion of appropriate, documentation, consent forms and prescription, and ensuring the Mental Health Act and Mental Capacity Acts are adhered to as pertaining to ECT.

Ensure TAC -Temporary Access Cards are signed in and out both on paper documents and on the App for governance purposes.

Ensuring preparation and assessment of patients prior to consent is complete with pre-treatment screening, including, ECG and blood work other monitoring checks, such as physical baseline observations and cognitive assessments that are required.

Lead team meetings prior to each session to ensure that information is passed to all staff in a timely manner, and minutes are taken for reference.

Planning of outpatient / in-patient attendance and following treatment, ensuring documentation and medical follow up or other after care is in place.

Providing patient centred practice, and as far as possible promoting the direct involvement of the patient and if appropriate, or, a significant other/carer in the planned treatment programme. Developing and updating a specific specialised ECT Care Plan for each service user.

Ensure clear, distinct communication to aid the safe and effective working of the NSFT

ECT Team in collaboration with the Anaesthetic Team during the procedure and as otherwise required.

To be competent in the theoretical knowledge and use of the ECT Thymatron Treatment Machine. Develop and maintain the practical skills required to operate the machine in providing correct stimulus to the patient during treatment by assisting the ECT Lead Consultant or nominated Deputy.

Be fully conversant with all local and national policies, protocols, and standards and be involved in regular review through appropriate Trust committees and ECTAS (ECT Accreditation Service).

Taking responsibility for ensuring that practice is informed by relevant local and national developments and is evidence based.

Make use of Audit tools to monitor practice and improve service provision.

To ensure the service provides high quality care to patients throughout their treatment and recovery. To lead on QI projects that directly improve the ECT service

To hold and maintain competency as a Recovery Practitioner assistant and hold as a minimum standard, the Intermediate Life Support qualification.

Provide support and guidance to escorting nurses updating the escort ECT competencies when necessary and provide teaching sessions on these skills.

Participation in local and national ECT forums.

Provide educatory sessions to nursing colleagues and students and/or other disciplines on a regular basis

To advise the Inpatient matron on deficits/difficulties in maintaining staffing levels that are responsive and safe to the clinical need.

To be regularly involved in various research studies

To ensure that staff are engaged in the NMC revalidation process and maintain their registration and associated continued professional development. Promoting development and training opportunities.

Responsible for facilitating line management and clinical supervision for the ECT Staff nurses, including the regular NHSP recovery staff.

To ensure that the ECTAS Dataset records are updated in a timely manner.

To ensure that all service users have Your Data Your Choice forms completed.

In the role of management, the focus will be on operational oversight across various facets of service delivery, ensuring that the team functions efficiently.

Provide regular line management and clinical supervision for staff within the team covering ensuring responsibilities for designated staff are clearly outlined, promoting ongoing professional development. This includes the annual appraisal of staff performance against goals set.

Engaging with required HR processes. This may include performance and/or absence review in line with policy and taking required action to facilitate improvement and maintain safety. It may be that escalation to inpatient matron required and steps taken to cover absence.

Proactively recruiting new talent and fostering the wellbeing and retention of existing staff is crucial.

As the budget holder for the ECT dept. effective budget utilization is imperative.

The role entails the review/development of services and protocols and policies for ECT across the Trust.

Supporting audit systems, refining service-wide policies, and cultivating essential partnerships with stakeholders.

Deputise for the inpatient matron as necessary

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND WIDER OPPORTUNITIES

This role offers excellent opportunities to grow and develop within specialist ECT practice and leadership, with opportunities to become involved in the wider ECT community beyond the Trust.

• Develop specialist ECT knowledge, leadership skills and professional experience.
• Participate in professional ECT networks and forums at regional, national and international level.
• Contribute to discussions, developments and initiatives that help shape the future of ECT practice.
• Participate in ECT conferences, professional events, education and learning opportunities, including those involving ECTAS and NALNECT.
• Share learning, innovation and good practice with colleagues and bring new developments back into the Trust ECT service.
• Develop professional relationships with ECT practitioners and services outside the Trust.

This provides an opportunity for the post holder not only to lead the day-to-day ECT service, but also to develop their professional knowledge and contribute to the continued development and future direction of ECT care.

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.