Job summary
An opportunity has become available with the Islington Clozapine clinic .
We are looking to employ a Mental Health Nurse, to work within our clozapine clinic for a 6 month fixed term
The Clozapine Clinic Nurse is responsible for the safe and effective management of patients prescribed clozapine; a medication used to treat treatment-resistant schizophrenia. The role involves monitoring patients for potential side effects, ensuring compliance with clozapine protocols, and providing education and support to patients and their families. The nurse works as part of a multidisciplinary team to deliver high-quality, patient-centred care.
Main duties of the job
- Conduct regular blood tests to monitor neutrophil counts and other relevant parameters as per clozapine protocols.
- Assess and document patients' physical health, including weight, blood pressure, and pulse.
- Monitor for and manage potential side effects of clozapine, such as agranulocytosis, myocarditis, and metabolic syndrome.
- Ensure patients are registered with the clozapine patient monitoring service (e.g., Clozaril Patient Monitoring Service in the UK).
- Oversee the dispensing and administration of clozapine in accordance with legal and clinical guidelines. They would not dispense but issue dispensed meds, dispensation takes place by the pharmacy
- Educate patients on the importance of adherence to clozapine therapy and regular monitoring.
- Provide ongoing support and education to patients and their families about clozapine treatment, including benefits, risks, and side effects.
- Address any concerns or questions patients may have about their treatment.
- Documentation and Reporting
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date patient records, including monitoring results and treatment plans.
- Report any adverse events or significant changes in patient condition to the prescribing psychiatrist or multidisciplinary team.
- Respond, and report incident and
- supervise junior staff
- responsible for day to day running of the clinic
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:
1. We will provide consistently high-quality care closer to home.
2. With our partners in North London and each borough we will ensure equity of outcome for all
3. We will offer great places to work, providing staff with supportive environment to deliver outstanding care.
4. 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
Clinical Duties
1. Patient Monitoring:
- Conduct regular blood tests to monitor neutrophil counts and other relevant parameters as per clozapine protocols.
- Assess and document patients' physical health, including weight, blood pressure, and pulse.
- Monitor for and manage potential side effects of clozapine, such as agranulocytosis, myocarditis, and metabolic syndrome.
2. Medication Management:
- Ensure patients are registered with the clozapine patient monitoring service (e.g., Clozaril Patient Monitoring Service in the UK).
- Oversee the dispensing and administration of clozapine in accordance with legal and clinical guidelines. They would not dispense but issue dispensed meds, dispensation takes place by the pharmacy
- Educate patients on the importance of adherence to clozapine therapy and regular monitoring.
3. Patient Support:
- Provide ongoing support and education to patients and their families about clozapine treatment, including benefits, risks, and side effects.
- Address any concerns or questions patients may have about their treatment.
4. Documentation and Reporting:
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date patient records, including monitoring results and treatment plans.
- Report any adverse events or significant changes in patient condition to the prescribing psychiatrist or multidisciplinary team.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical Duties
1. Patient Monitoring:
- Conduct regular blood tests to monitor neutrophil counts and other relevant parameters as per clozapine protocols.
- Assess and document patients' physical health, including weight, blood pressure, and pulse.
- Monitor for and manage potential side effects of clozapine, such as agranulocytosis, myocarditis, and metabolic syndrome.
2. Medication Management:
- Ensure patients are registered with the clozapine patient monitoring service (e.g., Clozaril Patient Monitoring Service in the UK).
- Oversee the dispensing and administration of clozapine in accordance with legal and clinical guidelines. They would not dispense but issue dispensed meds, dispensation takes place by the pharmacy
- Educate patients on the importance of adherence to clozapine therapy and regular monitoring.
3. Patient Support:
- Provide ongoing support and education to patients and their families about clozapine treatment, including benefits, risks, and side effects.
- Address any concerns or questions patients may have about their treatment.
4. Documentation and Reporting:
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date patient records, including monitoring results and treatment plans.
- Report any adverse events or significant changes in patient condition to the prescribing psychiatrist or multidisciplinary team.
Person Specification
Qualification
Essential
- Registered Mental Health Nurse, Occupational Therapist, Arts Therapist, Psychological Therapist, Social Worker or other allied health professional.
Desirable
- Mentorship or recognised teaching and assessing certificate or willingness to undertake
Knowledge
Essential
- A good knowledge and experience in relation to factors that relate 'personality disorders'/ mental illness together with evidence based best practice.
Desirable
- A clear understanding of the mental health legislation its application and use in practice.
Skills
Essential
- Post qualifying experience of working with people who have a diagnosis of 'Personality Disorder'
Desirable
- A personal resilience, strength and understanding of the impact of working with people who have experienced trauma
Person Specification
Qualification
Essential
- Registered Mental Health Nurse, Occupational Therapist, Arts Therapist, Psychological Therapist, Social Worker or other allied health professional.
Desirable
- Mentorship or recognised teaching and assessing certificate or willingness to undertake
Knowledge
Essential
- A good knowledge and experience in relation to factors that relate 'personality disorders'/ mental illness together with evidence based best practice.
Desirable
- A clear understanding of the mental health legislation its application and use in practice.
Skills
Essential
- Post qualifying experience of working with people who have a diagnosis of 'Personality Disorder'
Desirable
- A personal resilience, strength and understanding of the impact of working with people who have experienced trauma
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).
