Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust

Specialist Paramedic Mental Health

Information:

This job is now closed

Job summary

Yorkshire Ambulance Service (YAS) is expanding its clinical workforce by introducing a newSpecialist Paramedic Mental Health (SPMH) role open to suitably experienced Paramedics.

The MHRVs attend to specific mental health jobs where a double-crewed ambulance and transport to the ED may not be required as there is no physical injury. Patients are transported to safe spaces and put in touch with crisis teams to access support and Mental Health Assessment.

The successful candidates will join the team as a Paramedic in Mental Health and then start their PG Dip at Sheffield Hallam University (SHU). On completion they will become a Specialist Paramedic in Mental Health.

You will rotate between working as a double crew on the Mental Health Response Vehicles (MHRV) and Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) including placements in local mental health crisis teams, safe spaces, primary care and other providers. This is a leadership role that works across the 4 pillars of specialist and advanced practice.

Specialist Paramedic Mental Health (SPMH) are level 7 practitioners and can work to the full scope of practice. Paramedic Mental Health (PMH) is the title used during development and training as the clinician transitions to specialist practice. Paramedic Mental Health is a non-substantive role and clinicians are required to successfully complete the specialist practice pathway.

Main duties of the job

Working with a greater autonomy, the post holder will provide enhanced clinical management and coordinate the care of patients with complex and challenging healthcare needs, responding to patients with acute or critical illness, serious injury or major trauma in emotive and demanding situations or environments. The Specialist Paramedic Mental Health will support patients experiencing mental health crisis when they need a response (either telephone or face to face from the ambulance service).

Utilising their clinical skills and knowledge required of the role, the post holder is responsible for the competent assessment, diagnosis, care, treatment and referral and/or transport of patients and their carers/relatives in emergency or life-threatening situations.

The post holder will be clinically responsible for ensuring their own safe and effective clinical performance, and demonstrate excellence in clinical leadership through role modelling values and professional standards and mentorship in practice.

The post holder will:-

  • undertake responsibilities in the community in the 999 setting, MHRV, emergency care settings, and within MH partner organisations.
  • work flexibly, undertake in agreement with the Line Manager, other work as required which is commensurate with the grade of the post and the skills of the post holder.
  • attend HM courts and Coroner's court when required.

About us

Yorkshire Ambulance Service (YAS) NHS Trust geographically covers nearly 6,000 square miles of varied terrain, from isolated moors and dales to urban areas, coastline and inner cities.We serve a population of over five million people across Yorkshire and the Humber and strive to ensure that patients receive the right response to their care needs as quickly as possible, wherever they live.We employ more than 7,100 staff, who together with over 1,300 volunteers, enable us to provide a vital 24-hour, seven-days-a-week, emergency and healthcare service.Our ambition is to be an employer of choice, and we are continuously working across our partnership to improve our collective offer to staff in areas like health and wellbeing, benefits and flexible working incl. hybrid working.Benefits:o Flexible working including part-time hours, job shares and flexible hours, agile working (role dependant)o 27 days annual leave, increasing to 33 with service.o Sell annual leave scheme.o Contributory Pension.o NHS Discounts including shops, restaurants, gyms etc.o Car lease and other salary sacrifice schemes.o Dedicated employee assistance and counselling service.o Opportunities for research participation, career progression and ongoing development.o Well respected, committed and supported staff networks for our workforce.

Check out our YAS One Team Simulation! https://www.nwyhelearning.nhs.uk/elearning/yorksandhumber/yas/yasoneteam/index.html

Details

Date posted

24 April 2024

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£43,742 a year Starting salary is bottom of Band 7 rising after qualification

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

174-SPMH-230424

Job locations

Springhill HQ

Wakefield

WF2 0XQ


Job description

Job responsibilities

The role is open to fully qualified paramedics with 24 month post qualifying period AND portfolio sign off by the ACL or TL alongside an interest or experience in mental health.

Communication and Relationship Responsibilities

Develop working relationships with colleagues, peers and operational/clinical managers across all directorates and divisions within the Trust as appropriate to undertake the role.

Develop working relationships with external organisations in order to access support for patients and to positively promote the Trust and the role of Paramedics.

Required to communicate effectively with a wide range of people on a day-to-day basis in highly complex, sensitive and difficult matters utilising persuasive, motivational, negotiating, and empathetic and reassurance skills on a frequent basis.

The post holder will be required on a regular basis to communicate with people who may be experiencing significant distress and in situations which are complex, and highly charged.

Analytical and Judgmental Responsibilities

Required to work as a coPMH/SPMH attending emergency incidents and must undertake dynamic risk assessment to ensure the safety of self and others.

Utilise enhanced clinical skills and knowledge in the assessment and management of patients in mental health crisis, or with serious/life-threatening illness, major trauma or requiring resuscitation, supported by Trust Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Patient Group Directions (PGDs) and Clinical Guidelines.

Be able to exercise your own professional judgement whilst acting within the Trusts clinical guidelines.

Planning and Organisational Responsibilities

Manage the care requirements of the situation; assessing and triaging patients and advising and directing the public accordingly.

Acting as a point of contact for the MHRV whilst on shift.

Working in EOC, acting as a central point of clinical support, providing remote clinical advice and decision-support to clinicians across the Trust, in relation to urgent and emergency care; working to defined SOPs and guidelines.

Whilst working on placement in MH trusts to at all times act with in accordance with YAS values and via any honorary contacts in place with the values of partner organisations.Policy and Service Development Responsibilities

Promoting a positive safety culture through contribution to the development of policies, procedures, guidelines and checklists that promote safe systems of work and mitigate risk.

Contribute to the development of evidence-based standard operating procedures, clinical guidelines and care pathways, to improve patient care and patient experience.

Financial, Physical and Information Resource Responsibilities

Undertake vehicle checks to ensure roadworthiness, reporting any defects or damage accordingly.

Drive Trust vehicles in accordance with Trust policy, the standards for emergency ambulance driving guidelines and current legislation.

Ensure vehicles are checked and restocked with equipment according to vehicle inventory, completing relevant documentation.

Correctly manage medicines (including controlled drugs) in line with Trust policies, procedures and guidelines.

Maintain security of all Trust vehicles and premises at all times.

Use all Trust equipment, facilities and premises in a careful and appropriate manner, with due regard for the security of such items and the safety of self and others.

Comply with Health and Safety at Work legislation and the Trusts policies and procedures to maintain a safe working environment, including use of the personal protective equipment where supplied.

Research and Audit Responsibilities

Participate in relevant service evaluation and improvement processes, including clinical audit, as directed.

Positively promoting the service, through reporting and collecting evidence, that highlights the impact of the service on patient outcomes and experience.

Provide support and information to other roles and services about specialist paramedic contribution to patient care.

Undertake project related tasks as directed.

Contributing to development and maintenance of an organisational culture in accordance with YAS values and behaviour framework.

Leadership, Management, Training and Supervision Responsibilities

The post holder will support the development of self and others by;

Providing mentorship and support to any clinician or non clinician as required.

Supporting the delivery of training and development activities across the organisation within their area of expertise and capability.

Proactively taking responsibility for driving personal continuous professional development, including active participation in personal development reviews.

Participating in self-appraisal and contribute to the development of others through clinical supervision, mentorship, peer support and reflective practice.

Demonstrating clinical leadership through role modelling professional behaviours that influence the provision of high clinical standards and promote exemplary behaviours in others.

Providing clinical leadership in the absence of more senior clinicians (Advanced or Consultant Paramedics) on scene, assuming clinical primacy and providing support and direction to other clinicians who are working to provide care to the patient.

Undertaking all mandatory training required for the role.

Undertaking any statutory training, recertification and patient care training as required by their Trust scope of practice and the discrete professional and statutory regulatory bodies.

Developing and maintaining a personal professional portfolio to underpin, and evidence their professional scope of practice and continuing professional development, as required by the Trust and professional regulatory body.

Maintaining fitness to practice in line with the requirements of the professional regulatory body.

Undertaking at least one personal development review per annum.

Patient Care

The post holder will safely and effectively manage patient care, ensuring they;

Provide a Trust-wide specialist source of experience and knowledge around mental health issues and crisis.

Undertake an enhanced assessment of patients with complex health needs, ensuring that care is planned to best meet these needs in the pre-hospital setting.

Consider the assessment and examination findings of other clinicians in order to ensure that the proposed care pathway and / or interventions meet the needs of the patient.

Constructively influence and where necessary, direct the treatment options selected by staff at scene when there is a need to do so.

Through clinical leadership and supervision, empower others to lead the care of patients where appropriate; supporting and mentoring those still developing their clinical skills, knowledge and experience through clinical practice on frontline duties or working in EOC.

Communicate care decisions to other clinicians clearly and concisely, with a well-reasoned, clinically-focused rationale.

Follow a structured process for clinical referral and handover e.g. SBAR / ATMIST, where necessary.

Exercise your own clinical judgement to assess, diagnose, treat, refer and/or discharge patients with undifferentiated injury and/or illness.

Apply enhanced knowledge, make balanced and pragmatic decisions relating to end of life care and futility of resuscitation; placing the patients best interests and wishes at the heart of such decisions.

Operates with an enhanced scope of clinical practice, following national guidance and Trust Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPGs) and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to deliver care urgent and emergency care patients.

Administer medications in line with Trust medicines management policy, JRCALC guidance and Trust Patient Group Directions (PGDs).

Provide specialist clinical advice and decision-support either face-to-face or remotely in EOC, using decision-support tools where relevant and necessary.

Maintain accurate records in accordance with the Trusts record keeping policy and understand information governance responsibilities that are applicable to you in your role.

Assist in patient moving and handling in emergency and non-emergency situations, in line with local policy and statutory guidelines, utilising appropriate equipment.

Deal with patients, relatives and the public in a calm, caring and professional manner, treating them with dignity and respect at all times. This may often be in difficult, hostile or highly emotive situations, whilst considering the patients best interests and Mental Capacity Act.

As part of the interview process, you will be required to complete a competency based interview and a clinical scenario based discussion panel.

Job description

Job responsibilities

The role is open to fully qualified paramedics with 24 month post qualifying period AND portfolio sign off by the ACL or TL alongside an interest or experience in mental health.

Communication and Relationship Responsibilities

Develop working relationships with colleagues, peers and operational/clinical managers across all directorates and divisions within the Trust as appropriate to undertake the role.

Develop working relationships with external organisations in order to access support for patients and to positively promote the Trust and the role of Paramedics.

Required to communicate effectively with a wide range of people on a day-to-day basis in highly complex, sensitive and difficult matters utilising persuasive, motivational, negotiating, and empathetic and reassurance skills on a frequent basis.

The post holder will be required on a regular basis to communicate with people who may be experiencing significant distress and in situations which are complex, and highly charged.

Analytical and Judgmental Responsibilities

Required to work as a coPMH/SPMH attending emergency incidents and must undertake dynamic risk assessment to ensure the safety of self and others.

Utilise enhanced clinical skills and knowledge in the assessment and management of patients in mental health crisis, or with serious/life-threatening illness, major trauma or requiring resuscitation, supported by Trust Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Patient Group Directions (PGDs) and Clinical Guidelines.

Be able to exercise your own professional judgement whilst acting within the Trusts clinical guidelines.

Planning and Organisational Responsibilities

Manage the care requirements of the situation; assessing and triaging patients and advising and directing the public accordingly.

Acting as a point of contact for the MHRV whilst on shift.

Working in EOC, acting as a central point of clinical support, providing remote clinical advice and decision-support to clinicians across the Trust, in relation to urgent and emergency care; working to defined SOPs and guidelines.

Whilst working on placement in MH trusts to at all times act with in accordance with YAS values and via any honorary contacts in place with the values of partner organisations.Policy and Service Development Responsibilities

Promoting a positive safety culture through contribution to the development of policies, procedures, guidelines and checklists that promote safe systems of work and mitigate risk.

Contribute to the development of evidence-based standard operating procedures, clinical guidelines and care pathways, to improve patient care and patient experience.

Financial, Physical and Information Resource Responsibilities

Undertake vehicle checks to ensure roadworthiness, reporting any defects or damage accordingly.

Drive Trust vehicles in accordance with Trust policy, the standards for emergency ambulance driving guidelines and current legislation.

Ensure vehicles are checked and restocked with equipment according to vehicle inventory, completing relevant documentation.

Correctly manage medicines (including controlled drugs) in line with Trust policies, procedures and guidelines.

Maintain security of all Trust vehicles and premises at all times.

Use all Trust equipment, facilities and premises in a careful and appropriate manner, with due regard for the security of such items and the safety of self and others.

Comply with Health and Safety at Work legislation and the Trusts policies and procedures to maintain a safe working environment, including use of the personal protective equipment where supplied.

Research and Audit Responsibilities

Participate in relevant service evaluation and improvement processes, including clinical audit, as directed.

Positively promoting the service, through reporting and collecting evidence, that highlights the impact of the service on patient outcomes and experience.

Provide support and information to other roles and services about specialist paramedic contribution to patient care.

Undertake project related tasks as directed.

Contributing to development and maintenance of an organisational culture in accordance with YAS values and behaviour framework.

Leadership, Management, Training and Supervision Responsibilities

The post holder will support the development of self and others by;

Providing mentorship and support to any clinician or non clinician as required.

Supporting the delivery of training and development activities across the organisation within their area of expertise and capability.

Proactively taking responsibility for driving personal continuous professional development, including active participation in personal development reviews.

Participating in self-appraisal and contribute to the development of others through clinical supervision, mentorship, peer support and reflective practice.

Demonstrating clinical leadership through role modelling professional behaviours that influence the provision of high clinical standards and promote exemplary behaviours in others.

Providing clinical leadership in the absence of more senior clinicians (Advanced or Consultant Paramedics) on scene, assuming clinical primacy and providing support and direction to other clinicians who are working to provide care to the patient.

Undertaking all mandatory training required for the role.

Undertaking any statutory training, recertification and patient care training as required by their Trust scope of practice and the discrete professional and statutory regulatory bodies.

Developing and maintaining a personal professional portfolio to underpin, and evidence their professional scope of practice and continuing professional development, as required by the Trust and professional regulatory body.

Maintaining fitness to practice in line with the requirements of the professional regulatory body.

Undertaking at least one personal development review per annum.

Patient Care

The post holder will safely and effectively manage patient care, ensuring they;

Provide a Trust-wide specialist source of experience and knowledge around mental health issues and crisis.

Undertake an enhanced assessment of patients with complex health needs, ensuring that care is planned to best meet these needs in the pre-hospital setting.

Consider the assessment and examination findings of other clinicians in order to ensure that the proposed care pathway and / or interventions meet the needs of the patient.

Constructively influence and where necessary, direct the treatment options selected by staff at scene when there is a need to do so.

Through clinical leadership and supervision, empower others to lead the care of patients where appropriate; supporting and mentoring those still developing their clinical skills, knowledge and experience through clinical practice on frontline duties or working in EOC.

Communicate care decisions to other clinicians clearly and concisely, with a well-reasoned, clinically-focused rationale.

Follow a structured process for clinical referral and handover e.g. SBAR / ATMIST, where necessary.

Exercise your own clinical judgement to assess, diagnose, treat, refer and/or discharge patients with undifferentiated injury and/or illness.

Apply enhanced knowledge, make balanced and pragmatic decisions relating to end of life care and futility of resuscitation; placing the patients best interests and wishes at the heart of such decisions.

Operates with an enhanced scope of clinical practice, following national guidance and Trust Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPGs) and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to deliver care urgent and emergency care patients.

Administer medications in line with Trust medicines management policy, JRCALC guidance and Trust Patient Group Directions (PGDs).

Provide specialist clinical advice and decision-support either face-to-face or remotely in EOC, using decision-support tools where relevant and necessary.

Maintain accurate records in accordance with the Trusts record keeping policy and understand information governance responsibilities that are applicable to you in your role.

Assist in patient moving and handling in emergency and non-emergency situations, in line with local policy and statutory guidelines, utilising appropriate equipment.

Deal with patients, relatives and the public in a calm, caring and professional manner, treating them with dignity and respect at all times. This may often be in difficult, hostile or highly emotive situations, whilst considering the patients best interests and Mental Capacity Act.

As part of the interview process, you will be required to complete a competency based interview and a clinical scenario based discussion panel.

Person Specification

Skills / Competencies

Essential

  • oAbility to apply enhanced patient assessment and clinical reasoning, underpinned by knowledge and experience in order to formulate appropriate plans of care
  • oAbility to safely and effectively use a range of near-patient diagnostic tools, interpret the findings and apply these to the development of the diagnosis and management plan
  • oAble to undertake enhanced interventions in accordance with the Scope of Practice for Specialist Paramedic Mental Health

Qualifications / Knowledge

Essential

  • oRegistered Paramedic that has completed the NQP programme
  • oHolds or willingness to complete a Post Graduate Diploma in Advanced Clinical Practice around Mental Health
  • oSpecialised knowledge, or desire to acquire such knowledge, in mental health.

Desirable

  • oDemonstrates an understanding and application of the principles of Crew Resource Management (CRM) and Human Factors in operational and clinical environments

Experience

Essential

  • oSignificant experience of the emergency care settings
  • oExperience of undertaking clinical supervision and mentorship in practice
  • oDemonstrable portfolio of significant relevant and recent CPD

Other

Essential

  • oAbility to work within a multidisciplinary team
  • oAbility to empathise with and reassure patients and their family members/ friends in crisis situations
  • oCommitted to personal and professional development
Person Specification

Skills / Competencies

Essential

  • oAbility to apply enhanced patient assessment and clinical reasoning, underpinned by knowledge and experience in order to formulate appropriate plans of care
  • oAbility to safely and effectively use a range of near-patient diagnostic tools, interpret the findings and apply these to the development of the diagnosis and management plan
  • oAble to undertake enhanced interventions in accordance with the Scope of Practice for Specialist Paramedic Mental Health

Qualifications / Knowledge

Essential

  • oRegistered Paramedic that has completed the NQP programme
  • oHolds or willingness to complete a Post Graduate Diploma in Advanced Clinical Practice around Mental Health
  • oSpecialised knowledge, or desire to acquire such knowledge, in mental health.

Desirable

  • oDemonstrates an understanding and application of the principles of Crew Resource Management (CRM) and Human Factors in operational and clinical environments

Experience

Essential

  • oSignificant experience of the emergency care settings
  • oExperience of undertaking clinical supervision and mentorship in practice
  • oDemonstrable portfolio of significant relevant and recent CPD

Other

Essential

  • oAbility to work within a multidisciplinary team
  • oAbility to empathise with and reassure patients and their family members/ friends in crisis situations
  • oCommitted to personal and professional development

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

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust

Address

Springhill HQ

Wakefield

WF2 0XQ


Employer's website

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

Employer details

Employer name

Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust

Address

Springhill HQ

Wakefield

WF2 0XQ


Employer's website

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

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Lead Nurse for Urgent Care

Lesley Butterworth

lesley.butterworth@nhs.net

07917266673

Details

Date posted

24 April 2024

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£43,742 a year Starting salary is bottom of Band 7 rising after qualification

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

174-SPMH-230424

Job locations

Springhill HQ

Wakefield

WF2 0XQ


Supporting documents

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