Job summary
We are seeking an experienced and enthusiastic Band 6 Community Psychiatric Nurse to lead our Clozapine and Depot Clinic, also known as the Merton Holistic Wellbeing Hub. The role sits within community services in the borough of Merton for South West London and St Georges NHS Trust, within the Merton Integrated Recovery Hubs.
This is an opportunity for a passionate nurse who is versatile to support patients who are receiving clozapine and intramuscular (depot) medication in the community. If successful you will have overall responsibility in providing this essential clinic to patients within the London Borough of Merton and therefore must be organised, proactive and have excellent communication and documentation skills.
You will need to have experience of providing physical health expertise of monitoring side effects and demonstrating parity of esteem therefore the postholder will be required to have a strong knowledge of physical health monitoring and outcomes. Lastly, The postholder should have a strong knowledge around medicines, in particular antipsychotics, Clozapine and the contraindications with other medicines.
Main duties of the job
Successful applicants will work as part of a Multidisciplinary Team however primarily be supported by Nursing Associates and the Borough Advanced Clinical Practitioner. You will not hold a designated caseload however are responsible for ensuring the patients attending the clinic are risk assessed, receive their medication and any urgent concerns are immediately escalated.
Applicants should have experience working within a mental health setting post qualification; ideally a community mental health team and should have a strong knowledge of antipsychotics and administration in the community. You will need to be flexible energetic have a positive attitude and demonstrate an ability to work autonomously.
You should be able to demonstrate excellent communication and interpersonal skills and an ability to work collaboratively with individuals sometimes adopting a creative / problem solving approach to working practice. You should be committed to MDT working and partnership working, establishing good networks with our Recovery College and a variety of voluntary, statutory and independent agencies.
About us
We are Proud to Belong at South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust.
We have expert services, a rich history and a clear commitment to providing the best quality care for those with mental ill-health. The Care Quality Commission already rates our services as 'good' - we aspire to be 'outstanding'.
This is a great time to join us. We are transforming the way we care for our communities to support our mission of Making Life Better Together. We have built two brand new mental health facilities at Springfield University Hospital, which are amongst the best in the world. More developments are planned across our sites and services.
We are inclusive and diverse and strive to be actively anti racist. We want to attract people from all backgrounds and experiences to enrich the work we do together. We are proud to co-produce and involve our local communities in all that we do.
We offer flexible working, career development and a variety ofbenefits to enable a positive, welcoming environment in which our people and their careers can thrive.
Come and join our inclusive teams and help our patients on their recovery journey.
Job description
Job responsibilities
1. To take blood samples from patients ensuring consent is obtained before undertaking the procedure.
2. Ensure that blood samples are analyzed using the PocHi and where required sent to the laboratory within specified time scales.
3. Managing blood results and take actions needed when results are outside normal parameters, following policy and national guidance.
4. To escalate concerns around service users physical health to the GP, MDT, and onsite pharmacist.
5. To escalate any concerns regarding IT failure and or the running of the clinic.
6. Managing clozapine applications like ZTAS and reporting issues to IT or managers when systems fail.
7. Ensure venipuncture is undertaken safely and in line with Infection Control Procedures.
8. Assess the general wellbeing of patients attending the clinic and discuss any concerns with relevant practitioners including pharmacy.
9. Provide physical and mental health monitoring and interventions in line with NICE guidelines such as ECGs.
10. Maintain regular contact with the pharmacy dept ensuring they are aware of patients who have not attended clinic.
11. Ensure that the clinic is fully stocked with the necessary forms, consumables, sundries and equipment.
12. Take responsibility for checking the cleaning, of all equipment and medications used in the clinic.
13. Ensure all equipment is safe and in working order.
14. Ensure that service users and carers are treated with dignity and respect.
15. To provide teaching and training to student nurses allocated to the Community Team.
16. To respond, sometimes at short notice, to requests to see patients either individually, or jointly with other team members (e.g. when a patient who is unwell or non-compliant with medication).
Job description
Job responsibilities
1. To take blood samples from patients ensuring consent is obtained before undertaking the procedure.
2. Ensure that blood samples are analyzed using the PocHi and where required sent to the laboratory within specified time scales.
3. Managing blood results and take actions needed when results are outside normal parameters, following policy and national guidance.
4. To escalate concerns around service users physical health to the GP, MDT, and onsite pharmacist.
5. To escalate any concerns regarding IT failure and or the running of the clinic.
6. Managing clozapine applications like ZTAS and reporting issues to IT or managers when systems fail.
7. Ensure venipuncture is undertaken safely and in line with Infection Control Procedures.
8. Assess the general wellbeing of patients attending the clinic and discuss any concerns with relevant practitioners including pharmacy.
9. Provide physical and mental health monitoring and interventions in line with NICE guidelines such as ECGs.
10. Maintain regular contact with the pharmacy dept ensuring they are aware of patients who have not attended clinic.
11. Ensure that the clinic is fully stocked with the necessary forms, consumables, sundries and equipment.
12. Take responsibility for checking the cleaning, of all equipment and medications used in the clinic.
13. Ensure all equipment is safe and in working order.
14. Ensure that service users and carers are treated with dignity and respect.
15. To provide teaching and training to student nurses allocated to the Community Team.
16. To respond, sometimes at short notice, to requests to see patients either individually, or jointly with other team members (e.g. when a patient who is unwell or non-compliant with medication).
Person Specification
Training & Qualifications
Essential
- RMN (current NMC registration)
- Evidence of continuing Professional Development
Experience
Essential
- Demonstrated experience of working with people who experience serious ongoing mental health problems
- Experience of working in a multidisciplinary team
- Experience of assessing and managing crisis with those with a severe mental illness.
- oKnowledge and experience of Clozapine, side effects and patient management.
Desirable
- Phlebotomy training
- Previous experience of working with service users on Clozapine
Knowledge & Skills
Essential
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to assess clinical situations quickly and use initiative
- Clinical supervision skills
- Ability to work as an active member of the multidisciplinary team.
- Ability to complete and interpret physical health checks.
Desirable
- Clear understanding of the Mental Health Act, and National Policy
- Report writing skills
Person Specification
Training & Qualifications
Essential
- RMN (current NMC registration)
- Evidence of continuing Professional Development
Experience
Essential
- Demonstrated experience of working with people who experience serious ongoing mental health problems
- Experience of working in a multidisciplinary team
- Experience of assessing and managing crisis with those with a severe mental illness.
- oKnowledge and experience of Clozapine, side effects and patient management.
Desirable
- Phlebotomy training
- Previous experience of working with service users on Clozapine
Knowledge & Skills
Essential
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to assess clinical situations quickly and use initiative
- Clinical supervision skills
- Ability to work as an active member of the multidisciplinary team.
- Ability to complete and interpret physical health checks.
Desirable
- Clear understanding of the Mental Health Act, and National Policy
- Report writing skills
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.
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.
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).
