Band 7/8 Homeless Health Nurse Maternity Cover

Job responsibilities

To use advanced nursing skills and knowledge to provide autonomous holistic assessment, diagnosis and management of patients experiencing homelessness presenting with acute and chronic conditions and/or injuries.

To produce and implement episodes of care based on best evidence and work within clinical guidelines, using expert judgement to work outside these frameworks when necessary.

To provide advanced nursing care to those within the hostel setting and within the medical centre setting.

To be able to provide care in a flexible manner across different settings, usually within homeless hostels or medical centre but some outreach may be required.

To be able to manage multiple co morbidities and complexity and refer to services appropriately when required eg. MH services, safeguarding, social services, substance misuse, tissue viability and many more.

To request and chair multi-disciplinary meetings when required. Attend and present at others meetings when requested.

Attend and contribute in weekly MDT on site discussing complex case management of patients and planning care.

Work as part of the clinical team at Great Chapel Street running a clinic for hostel based clients.

COMMUNICATION

To use advanced communication skills with a sensitive flexible approach, with the aim of establishing trust and rapport with patients who face multiple barriers accessing health care.

To communicate effectively within the team and with a variety of health and social care professionals and voluntary organisations.

To regularly use interpreting services to ensure effective communication is used with those whose first language is not English.

To be an advocate for our patients that often face barriers and lead the way in supporting others to understand the complex needs of those experiencing homelessness.

To use multiple communication methods adjusting to needs for example Microsoft Teams meetings online.

MANAGEMENT AND LEADERSHIP

Confident to work as an autonomous practitioner and organise own workload efficiently.

Works within own limitations, seeking guidance from colleagues and Lead GPs when required.

To proactively participate in the implementation of project expansion including data collection and service development to continue to meet the needs of the project and the client group.

To proactively develop and maintain close working relationships with other local GP practices, mental health teams, substance misuse services, day centre teams, outreach teams and secondary care services including hospital discharge teams and Inclusion Health Teams.

To participate in, and when appropriate take the lead on, the development, implementation, and evaluation of policies, guidelines and integrated care pathways, and service re-design.

Lead with compassion and kindness and support/mentor colleagues within the project and the medical centre.

PROFESSIONALISM

To be aware of, and act in accordance with, the National Clinical Guidelines and Policies, and The Code Professional standards of practice and behaviour for nurses, midwives and nursing associates

To be aware of and act in accordance with the practices Operational Policies.

To devise a personal development plan during annual appraisals with colleagues and lead GPs.

To attend appropriate education and training programmes in order to develop advanced clinical skills, including non-medical prescribing.

To improve and maintain advanced nursing skills and knowledge by taking up opportunities provided, including study days and supernumerary participation in other organisations.

To participate in regular clinical supervision.

TEACHING AND TRAINING

To assist with planning of homeless health educational material and teaching presentations, and deliver these to other healthcare professionals, nursing or medical students, and social care staff.

To undertake induction, training, mentoring, and support of nursing and medical students on placement with the practice.

To critically evaluate and implement evidence based research findings from diverse sources making informed judgements about their implications for developing or re-designing services and clinical practice.

To collect accurate computerised records and statistical returns about service use and impact.

To participate in data collection for clinical and organisational audit activities related to the service.

OTHER DUTIES

This role is part of a growing team developing some exciting new projects in Westminster homeless services. This means that the role can change and develop alongside the project and the role is one that requires flexibility of skills and knowledge as the projects expand.

Because of the special nature of Homeless Health and its work, the post holder may on occasion be asked to undertake other duties to help maintain the practices high standard of care.

Values

Essential

• Commitment to improving the health of homelessness patients
• Commitment to addressing social exclusion
• Commitment to promoting independence and patient choice
• Understanding of and commitment to equal opportunities in service delivery
• Commitment to evidence-based practice
• Committed to continuing professional development

Skills & Abilities

Essential

• Bio-medical knowledge across a range of acute and long term conditions
• Knowledge of professional Code of Conduct
• Knowledge of Primary Health Care and political influences
• Knowledge of clinical governance and its implications
• Knowledge of adult safeguarding
• Knowledge of resource management
• Evidence of expertise in clinical skills.
• Leadership skills
• Ability to work across organisational boundaries
• Ability to work independently and within teams.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines
• Ability to effectively communicate complex information, verbally and written.
• Effective skills in delegating, negotiating, and teaching.
• Computer skills

Desirable

• Knowledge of audit and research processes

Knowledge

Essential

• Knowledge of Inclusion Health
• Understanding of safeguarding of vulnerable adults and children, principles and procedures
• Understanding of the importance of involving patients as fully as possible in the process of care planning
• Understanding of both patient and personal safety issues on/off site
• Understanding of data protection regulations and the need for patient consent

Desirable

• Can demonstrate an understanding of the health issues associated with chronic homelessness and social exclusion
• Understanding of the Mental Capacity Act and its relevance when working with homeless patients

Experience

Essential

• Experience working with patients in marginalised groups
• Experience of assessing, and providing care to, people with complex needs.
• Experience of working in collaboration across organisational boundaries.
• Experience of change management
• Experience of providing evidence-based care.

Desirable

• Inclusion health experience

Qualifications

Essential

• RGN/RN
• Post- Registration training and education

Desirable

• Relevant first degree or equivalent
• Non-medical Prescribing Course
• Advanced Physical Assessment course or equivalent
• ACP Masters or working towards

Other

Essential

• Able to carry out the duties of the post including:
• Able to negotiate stairs
• Able to travel around the district (car/bike/public transport/foot)
• Ability to adapt to changes within work environment

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.

UK Registration

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