Job summary

North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare NHS Trust are looking for a compassionate, enthusiastic and motivated Band 6 Community Mental Health Link Nurse to join our new initiative in working with the Rough Sleepers Cohort within the Community Drug and Alcohol Service ( CDAS ) . The Team will be based at Saltbox in Hanley. The role is 22.5 hours per week, fixed term until end April 2025 and is ideal for those wanting to really make a difference and drive engagement with the Community Mental Health Teams.

The post holder will be working within the CDAS/rough sleeper’s team delivering interventions with those affected by Substance misuse and homelessness. Experience and previous knowledge of substance misuse would be beneficial, but not essential. We will provide training, support and regular 1:1s to ensure you have the tools you need to succeed in this role.

The Trust offers excellent terms and conditions that reflect new and innovative ways of working.

Main duties of the job

To work as an experienced Band 6 nurse to be a core member of the Rough Sleepers Team at CDAS to support clients who are rough sleeping or in temporary housing and to support Restart clients at risk of homelessness. As part of a multi-disciplinary team you will participate in the provision of on-going assessments, care planning, treatment and support of people with drug and alcohol issues, who also experience mental health issues, to promote health, independence and recovery.

To work within the CDAS/Rough Sleeper’s Team delivering interventions with those affected by substance misuse and homelessness. To ensure the mental health nursing needs of the Outreach Rough Sleepers Team caseload of patients are met.

To work peripatetically out in the communities and within partnership hubs. To be based within the CDAS Rough Sleepers Team and the Restart Service with in-reach to various accommodation settings such as hostels, day centres, shared supported housing properties, shelters, emergency accommodation and homeless hotels.

To have specific responsibilities as delegated by the Clinical Lead and to provide support to the Rough Sleepers Team Leader, the Prescriber, and Restart/Saltbox Director of Services, contributing to effective management and running of the service.

About us

Our vision is ‘To be Outstanding in all we do and how we do it.’ Our team prides themselves on compassion, team work and resilience.

Date posted

27 January 2023

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£33,706 to £40,588 a year per annum pro rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

27 months

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

232-SPL-4449952-C

Job locations

Saltbox

Hanley

Stoke-on-Trent

ST1 1DY

Job description

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.

Job description

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.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • oRegistered Mental Health Nurse oWilling to participate in training events oEvidence of CPD

Experience

Essential

  • oHave extensive post registration experience within mental health services with both service users with a functional and organic diagnosis. oHave experience of working in both inpatient and community settings. oExperience in the assessment, planning, implementing and reviewing patient care.
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • oRegistered Mental Health Nurse oWilling to participate in training events oEvidence of CPD

Experience

Essential

  • oHave extensive post registration experience within mental health services with both service users with a functional and organic diagnosis. oHave experience of working in both inpatient and community settings. oExperience in the assessment, planning, implementing and reviewing patient care.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab) .

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab) .

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Additional information

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab) .

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab) .

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).