Job summary
The North London Forensic Service is a NHS tertiary forensic mental health service based at Chase Farm Hospital in the London Borough of Enfield.
We provide care and treatment to people aged over 18 who have a primary diagnosis of mental illness or learning disability and who are liable to be detained under the Mental Health Act (1983). The service supports those whose risk of harm to others or escape from hospital cannot be safely managed in other mental health settings and therefore require care and treatment within a secure mental health service.
The post holder will help deliver dual diagnosis services, ensuring that high quality services are delivered to service users with complex diagnosis. The post holder will work alongside the other members of the Substance Misuse team to offer evidenced based interventions to service users in the in-patient services. The post holder will assist the Substance Misuse Lead to develop and maintain high quality standards of care.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will work alongside the other members of the Substance Misuse team to offer evidenced based interventions to service users in the in-patient services. The post holder will assist the Substance Misuse Lead to develop and maintain high quality standards of care.
The post-holder will be responsible for the assessment, planning and implementation of motivational & relapse prevention based interventions for a small caseload, the post holder will work very closely with their supervisor
The job involves delivering 1:1 and group interventions to service users.
The key skill and requirement for this post is the ability to be able to develop and sustain therapeutic relationships with those with complex presentations such as comorbid mental health and substance misuse issues.
About us
North London NHS Foundation Trust (NLFT) is committed to improving mental health care across North London to deliver excellent services to our local people.Our Five-Year Strategy:
-
We will provide consistently high-quality care closer to home.
-
With our partners in North London and each borough we will ensure equity of outcome for all
-
We will offer great places to work, providing staff with supportive environment to deliver outstanding care.
-
We will be more effective as an organisation by pioneering research, quality improvement and technology.
In order to meet the needs of the Trust you may be required from time to time to work at different locations to your normal place of work. This may mean that you are required to work at any location that fall under Barnet, Camden, Enfield, Haringey or Islington. The Trust reserves the right to require staff to work at such other places or locations as it considers reasonable and necessary on a temporary or permanent basis.
Job description
Job responsibilities
1.1. To support the development and implementation of treatment within the field of dual diagnosis (mental health and substance use/misuse) for service users identified as potentially having a dual diagnosis within NLFS.
1.2. To carry out substance misuse assessments, as appropriate
1.3. To provide one to one sessions with service users, ensuring that care and recovery planning in relation to Substance misuse is conducted on an individual basis according to the specific needs of the service user.
1.4. To communicate highly sensitive information requiring the development of persuasive or re-assurance skills to service users and colleagues.
1.5. To establish, sustain and disengage from therapeutic relationships with individuals.
1.6. To interact and co-operate with service users, relatives, and other professionals within NLFS and any community services as appropriate.
1.7. To have professional responsibility for promoting equality, diversity, and rights.
1.8. To work closely with ward-based nursing teams and multidisciplinary teams to support the implementation of substance misuse care plans
This job description is written as an indication of the nature and scope of duties and responsibilities. Additional competencies may be required to fulfil the needs of specific areas and client groups. It is not intended as a fully descriptive list and does not include specific skills or therapeutic interventions that may be required of the specialist service area. The job- holder will be expected to carry out other duties assigned by the team, which are appropriate to the grade and the training program.
The above indicates the main duties of the post which may be reviewed in the light of the progress of the programme. Any review will be undertaken in conjunction with the jobholder.
Job description
Job responsibilities
1.1. To support the development and implementation of treatment within the field of dual diagnosis (mental health and substance use/misuse) for service users identified as potentially having a dual diagnosis within NLFS.
1.2. To carry out substance misuse assessments, as appropriate
1.3. To provide one to one sessions with service users, ensuring that care and recovery planning in relation to Substance misuse is conducted on an individual basis according to the specific needs of the service user.
1.4. To communicate highly sensitive information requiring the development of persuasive or re-assurance skills to service users and colleagues.
1.5. To establish, sustain and disengage from therapeutic relationships with individuals.
1.6. To interact and co-operate with service users, relatives, and other professionals within NLFS and any community services as appropriate.
1.7. To have professional responsibility for promoting equality, diversity, and rights.
1.8. To work closely with ward-based nursing teams and multidisciplinary teams to support the implementation of substance misuse care plans
This job description is written as an indication of the nature and scope of duties and responsibilities. Additional competencies may be required to fulfil the needs of specific areas and client groups. It is not intended as a fully descriptive list and does not include specific skills or therapeutic interventions that may be required of the specialist service area. The job- holder will be expected to carry out other duties assigned by the team, which are appropriate to the grade and the training program.
The above indicates the main duties of the post which may be reviewed in the light of the progress of the programme. Any review will be undertaken in conjunction with the jobholder.
Person Specification
Education And Qualifications
Essential
- oNVQ Level 3 (or equivalent).
- oTraining in vocational work, career advice or equivalent experience gained through work in the field.
Desirable
- oEvidence of recent study
- oAn awareness of the role of CPD and Reflective practice in effectively working in this setting.
Experience And Knowledge
Essential
- oExperience working with people with mental health problems.
- oAwareness of risk issues with this forensic client group.
Desirable
- oExperience of contributing to multidisciplinary team's risk assessment and discharge planning processes.
- oAwareness of the Mental Health Act and Mental Capacity Act and its significance for service users and impact on clinical practice.
- oknowledge of evidence-based interventions to support people who are recovering from mental illness
- ounderstanding of the care programme approach (CPA)
- oBasic counselling skills
Skills And Abilities
Essential
- oAbility to engage service users in physical and mental health promotion activities. Demonstrates awareness of personal safety in relation to lone working
- oAble to work sensitively and compassionately with service users who are often scared of moving
- oAble to help service users work through fears in a way that fosters independence.
Personal Qualities
Essential
- oA keenness to make a positive contribution to improving the quality of life for people with mental health problems.
- oAbility to acknowledge diversity and promote anti- discriminatory practice/equal opportunities
- oAn ability to act calmly in emergencies and to respond in a professional manner to stressful and challenging behaviour
- oEmpathy, compassion, and patience
- oReliable, trustworthy, and enthusiastic
- oA caring, responsible and opositive approach
Desirable
- oAbility to inspire others
Other Requirements
Essential
- oEffective IT skills able to use Word, case note software etc.
- oAbility to work independently.
- oWillingness to learn
- oGood general health record
Desirable
- o Car driver/ability to travel to different sites
Person Specification
Education And Qualifications
Essential
- oNVQ Level 3 (or equivalent).
- oTraining in vocational work, career advice or equivalent experience gained through work in the field.
Desirable
- oEvidence of recent study
- oAn awareness of the role of CPD and Reflective practice in effectively working in this setting.
Experience And Knowledge
Essential
- oExperience working with people with mental health problems.
- oAwareness of risk issues with this forensic client group.
Desirable
- oExperience of contributing to multidisciplinary team's risk assessment and discharge planning processes.
- oAwareness of the Mental Health Act and Mental Capacity Act and its significance for service users and impact on clinical practice.
- oknowledge of evidence-based interventions to support people who are recovering from mental illness
- ounderstanding of the care programme approach (CPA)
- oBasic counselling skills
Skills And Abilities
Essential
- oAbility to engage service users in physical and mental health promotion activities. Demonstrates awareness of personal safety in relation to lone working
- oAble to work sensitively and compassionately with service users who are often scared of moving
- oAble to help service users work through fears in a way that fosters independence.
Personal Qualities
Essential
- oA keenness to make a positive contribution to improving the quality of life for people with mental health problems.
- oAbility to acknowledge diversity and promote anti- discriminatory practice/equal opportunities
- oAn ability to act calmly in emergencies and to respond in a professional manner to stressful and challenging behaviour
- oEmpathy, compassion, and patience
- oReliable, trustworthy, and enthusiastic
- oA caring, responsible and opositive approach
Desirable
- oAbility to inspire others
Other Requirements
Essential
- oEffective IT skills able to use Word, case note software etc.
- oAbility to work independently.
- oWillingness to learn
- oGood general health record
Desirable
- o Car driver/ability to travel to different sites
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).
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).
