Job responsibilities
Key Duties/Responsibilities
To act as an experienced clinician, influencing and developing all aspects of clinical care within the CDAS Rough Sleepers Outreach Team and within Restart properties.
To act as named nurse for an identified group of patients within the CDAS Rough Sleepers Team and within Restart who have co-existing mental health and substance misuse and to communicate regularly with the appropriate care co-ordinator responsible for the patients care.
To undertake specialist mental health assessments, to be part of the wider mental health support for rough sleepers and those at risk of homelessness, working closely with the local providers to improve access and engagement with mental health services and substance misuse support.
To act as an advocate for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness, substance misuse and mental ill health, supporting the individuals own choices in regards to their care whilst promoting independence and self-care.
As a nurse based within the Rough Sleepers Team at CDAS and at Restart, you will aim to reduce the burden to emergency and healthcare services and improve the health and wellbeing of individuals and their families.
To engage with individuals to reduce non-fatal overdoses, drug related deaths and suicides
To work in partnership with other community teams/voluntary organisations in order to ensure the seamless delivery of care to the homeless population/those at risk of homelessness, who have co-existing mental health and substance misuse problems; ensuring an excellent clinical service.
To work within a variety of settings including within communities and other accommodation settings, providing support to the rest of the team and to other stakeholders.
To possess prior knowledge and experience of working with people who are homeless, sleeping rough, sofa surfing or in temporary supported accommodation who have co-existing mental health and substance misuse problems.
Experience of working with people with mental ill health who exhibit challenging behaviour, and employing effective de-escalation/conflict resolution skills aimed a supporting behaviour change.
To ensure that the appropriate interventions are planned and delivered according to assessed need.
To promote a positive nurse patient relationship and to engage carers/relatives as appropriate.
To have responsibility for documenting the plans of care and ensuring that the plans remain current and that standards of record keeping are adhered to. To take an active role in auditing and maintaining standards of record keeping for this group of patients.
To have responsibility for seeking support and advice from the Team Leader/Clinical Lead or designated other in respect of issues and difficulties with individual patient care.
To attend regular decision making meetings and MDTs with the Team Leader/Clinical Lead in order to address caseload management issues such as acceptance of assessments, the provision of ongoing care, discharge planning, and face to face contacts.
To administer and manage medicines according to policy and local protocol. To assess patient response and provide advice and education to both patient and carers in respect of prescribed medicines
Take prompt action in changes in condition, liaising with other care givers, members of the multi-disciplinary team and/or other agencies when necessary, reviewing nursing care and communicating any amendments to the care plan.
Develop skills in respect to specific interventions and are appropriate to the clinical area, act as lead in developing nursing practice in relation to this.
Ensure a safe and comprehensive channel of communication that maintains a high standard of professionalism and respects patients dignity and confidentiality.
To establish and maintain robust communication networks with patients, carers and members of the MDT.
To work in partnership with other NHS and local organisations to develop strategic relationships
To ensure that the collection of patient related activity and clinical information takes place as required.
To be responsible for maintaining accurate patient records in accordance with NMC and Trust standards
To have responsibility for delivery of care to the rough sleepers cohort and those at risk of homelessness within the community setting, under direction of the Team Leader/Clinical Lead. Ensuring clinical need and workload is prioritised effectively and that resources are utilised effectively. Reaching decisions in conjunction with the Team Leader/Clinical Lead based upon knowledge of services and client group.
Delivering clinical interventions and discharging patients according to agreed treatment plan and discussing any deviations from this with the Team Leader/Clinical Lead.
To have responsibility for specific management or administrative duties as agreed with the Team Leader/Clinical Lead.
To deputise for the Team Leader/Clinical Lead in chairing relevant meetings and attending meetings as directed on their behalf.
In the absence of the Team Leader/Clinical Lead determine the most effective solutions to problems based upon the resources, relevant guidance, knowledge of the clinical issues and clinical priorities, seeking guidance from senior staff where necessary. Ensure that decisions are communicated within the team and acted upon.
To provide supervision and support to junior staff and report any issues/concerns to the Team Leader/Clinical Lead. In the absence of the Team Leader/Clinical Lead take action on any immediate performance issues and/or report to the Clinical Lead.
Ensure effective and accurate communication both written and verbal. Ensure communication is maintained within the wider team and where necessary with other agencies or individuals.
To take charge of the clinical area in the absence of Team Leader/Clinical Lead. To have responsibility for the management of the clinical area, the prioritisation of tasks and supervision of staff during this time.