Neurodevelopmental Practitioner

Job description

Job responsibilities

Job Summary

As part of a primary care-based neurodevelopmental conditions service, the postholder will:

be the first point of contact in primary care and offer advice to adults who are managing some challenging symptoms or who may be seeking an assessment for ADHD

undertake needs-led stratification assessments to identify needs, support patients to access appropriate advice, guidance and education relating to ADHD and outline possible intervention and support options

under appropriate supervision, undertake ADHD annual reviews including physical health checks and discussion of ongoing medication issues or concerns with the patient (training will be provided)

complete clinical and appointment-related administration and record keeping

Key Responsibilities

To receive, screen, triage, stratify and stream patient referrals for adult ADHD assessments, or on-going treatment

To conduct face-to-face and occasionally remote appointments.

To undertake comprehensive needs-led stratification assessment in line with relevant guidance, best practice and service model, identifying needs from possible ADHD and other conditions or factors.

To offer a range of evidence-based education, advice and guidance relating to ADHD with patients to help reduce and manage symptoms.

To manage an identified caseload of patients, in conjunction with other professionals, agencies and carers as may be required to support the take up of appropriate education, advice and guidance.

Under appropriate supervision, undertake ADHD annual reviews, to include a physical examination and discussion on symptom management, side effects, supporting non-pharmacological strategies and liaison/ referral to other agencies as appropriate. This may include liaison with the GP and close liaison with other primary care/ social care colleagues for any additional issues.

To ensure a holistic and empathetic approach to appointments and treatment is undertaken, including consideration of physical and mental health needs and signposting to other resources or referring to other services or agencies as required.

To complete clear, accurate and timely records, summarising the results of all appointments and the advice and guidance provided. Make recommendations for ongoing support and clinical or other referral when necessary.

To develop an understanding of a patients journey from the point of referral for an assessment of adult ADHD, including the various treatment options and their management under the specialist primary care service or shared care with the patients practice.

To support effective collaborative working across general practice, the primary care service, and secondary care provision though effective communication with other professionals.

To engage with and use web-based information specific to this patient group, maintaining up to date and accurate resources which can be made available to both colleagues and patients.

To stay up-to-date and engaged with the latest research and developments in ADHD assessment and treatment and mental health.

To function autonomously on a day-to-day basis within the remit agreed in clinical supervision and the ADHD primary care service model.

Plan and coordinate other necessary investigations on behalf of patients, including the physical healthcare needs of service users in the community.

Supplementary duties and responsibilities

To ensure own actions contribute to the maintenance of a quality service provision.

To be responsible for the self-development of skills and competencies through participation in training and development activities and to maintain up to date technical and professional knowledge relevant to the post.

To participate in an annual performance and development review and to undertake any identified training and development related to the post.

To undertake statutory and mandatory training as deemed appropriate by the Practice/ Primary Care Network (PCN).

To adhere to all primary care/ PCN policies and procedures.

Confidentiality

All staff and contractors working for or on behalf of the NHS have both a common law duty and a statutory duty of confidentiality to protect patient (and indeed any personally identifiable) information and only use it for the purposes for which it was intended. The disclosure and use of confidential patient information needs to be both lawful and ethical.

Information Governance

Staff must keep up to date with the requirements of information governance and must follow policies and procedures to ensure that all information is dealt with legally, securely, efficiently and effectively. Staff must appropriately manage the records they create or hold during the course of their employment, making the records available for sharing in and confidentiality policies, procedures and guidelines (e.g. Freedom of Information Act 2000, Caldicott guidelines).

Health & Safety

All staff have a duty to ensure the health and safety of themselves and others whilst at work. Safe working practices and health and safety precautions are a legal requirement. ALL accidents must be reported to your manager and in line with the general philosophy of the Practice/ PCN; you must participate in accident prevention by reporting hazards and following relevant policies and procedures including Moving and Handling guidelines.

Risk Management

You are required to contribute to the control of risk and use the incident reporting system to alert the

Practice/ PCN of incidents or near misses that may compromise the quality of services.

Safeguarding Children and Adults

The Practice/ PCN has a zero-tolerance approach to the abuse of children, young people and vulnerable adults. All staff must ensure they adhere to the Safeguarding Children and Adults Policy and comply with the Local Safeguarding Children and Adult Board procedures. They must be mindful of their responsibility to safeguard children and adults in any activity performed in line with the requirements of statutory guidance and legislation. Staff must keep up to date with safeguarding knowledge and skills by undertaking mandatory safeguarding training as specified in the safeguarding policies, which includes understanding and recognising the signs of abuse and knowing how to raise concerns when those signs of abuse are noticed in a person.

Codes of Conduct and Accountability

You are required to comply with codes of conduct and accountability and any relevant codes of

conduct dependent on profession (i.e. N&M/NHS Managers/Allied Health Profession etc.).

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working directly with individuals with mental health, learning or behavioural needs.
• Experience of coaching, mentoring, or structured support interactions.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain clinical records and work autonomously under supervision.
• Experience of working in a community health, education or third sector organisation.
• Experience of carrying a caseload and care co-ordination

Desirable

• Familiarity with ADHD or neurodevelopmental conditions.
• Use of primary care systems (e.g. EMIS).
• Experience within NHS or PCN context.

Qualifications

Essential

• A degree in Psychology, Health, Social Care or a related field, or demonstrate equivalent experience through formal qualifications (minimum Level 3) and substantial experience in neurodevelopmental conditions, mental health, or primary care settings.
• Evidence of extensive professional development relevant to the role

Desirable

• Professional registration (e.g. NMC, HCPC, BACP) is desirable but not essential.

Knowledge & Skills

Essential

• Ability to work independently within defined policies / procedures, with clinical supervision from the line manager.
• Ability to engage with people with neurodiversity effectively, assessing their needs, assess / understand risk, and designing and delivering appropriate interventions, evaluating their impact to inform future interventions and their personal practise.
• Developed communication and coaching skills to aid understanding, motivating others or negotiating agreement.
• An extensive knowledge and understanding of neurodevelopmental conditions.
• Knowledge of common mental health conditions
• Confidence and credibility to hold challenging discussions with patients.
• Ability to write clear appointment notes, data entry and letters to other clinical settings.
• High level communication skills (written and verbal) including an ability to communicate and work in settings in which the atmosphere may be emotive.
• Problem solving skills and ability to respond to sudden unexpected demands.
• Able to work collaboratively as part of a team.
• Is able to work on own initiative and plan workload effectively responding to changing priorities
• Ability to engage in evidence-based practice, with an understanding of care quality (clinical governance).
• Knowledge of general administrative procedures.
• Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Office software.

Desirable

• Knowledge of admin procedures within a primary care setting.
• Knowledge of current issues in the NHS and wider health and social care sector.

Other

Essential

• A specific interest in working with adult ADHD.
• Ability to work flexibly across the geographical area of the PCN.
• Ability to be flexible with working hours with advance notice given.
• Full clean driving licence and access to a car on a daily baisis for work purposes

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.

Employer details

Employer name

Hall Street Medical Centre

Address

Hall Street Medical Centre

Hall Street

St. Helens

Merseyside

WA10 1DW

Employer's website

https://www.hallstreetmedicalcentre.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)