Mental Health Nurse

at  East London NHS Foundation Trust

As part of the exciting community mental health transformation program in Central Beds, a new opportunity has arisen for a registered mental health nurse to work in the Leighton-Linslade Health Connections (PCN).
Leighton-Linslade Health Connections PCN comprises of three GP Practices which deliver services to a population of around 51,000 registered patients in the localities of Leighton Buzzard and surrounding villages
This is a fantastic opportunity for a mental health nurse to further develop their career. The candidate will have experience of working in a primary care or community service and be passionate about delivering high quality mental health care in a primary care setting.
The practitioner will be based in Primary Care and will work as part of a team including GP’s, social prescribers, primary care mental health link workers, health coaches, and care coordinators. They will also work closely with the specialist mental health services, social care and the voluntary sector to deliver and facilitate access to services to improve mental well-being.
They will work as part of the multi-agency team to deliver a range of interventions to individuals requiring mental health support and facilitate onward support from partners and specialist services.
As a Primary Care Mental Health Nurse, you will be delivering high quality mental health care in the primary care setting. You will work closely with our new integrated mental health services, primary care and the voluntary care sector to deliver and facilitate access to interventions to improve mental well-being. The Primary Care Mental health offer is an integral part of our multi-agency approach to mental health in Central Beds
You will work and be based at the Health centre and the GP practices of the Leighton – Linslade Health Connections Primary Care Network, which serves the town and neighbouring villages of Leighton Buzzard in Central Beds. Line management, professional supervision and opportunities for training and development will be provided by Bedfordshire mental health and well-being, East London NHS Foundation Trust.
As a registered mental health practitioner from any professional background you will work to bridge the gap between primary and secondary care by delivering a range of interventions to individuals requiring mental health support that currently sit outside of support offered through talking therapies and the core mental health offer.
Our mission is to make a positive difference to people’s lives by improving the quality of life for all we serve. Our values are: We Care, We Respect, We are Inclusive – so we are looking for people who live and breathe these qualities when supporting service users and carers, and in their relationships with colleagues in the Trust and our partner organisations
Service user and carer expectations
The successful candidate will show compassion and empathy for people living with a mental health condition, will be of a kind and approachable nature, and will be able to make service users and carers feel comfortable and at ease. We would like you to have a holistic approach to care and look beyond just a person’s struggles with their mental health to enable you to support them as a whole person, not just a diagnosis.
The successful candidate will show compassion and empathy for people living with a mental health condition, will be of a kind and approachable nature, and will be able to make service users and carers feel comfortable and at ease. We would like you to have a holistic approach to care and look beyond just a person’s struggles with their mental health to enable you to support them as a whole person, not just a diagnosis.
Professional development will be supported as well as access to peer support, coaching and mentoring. The successful candidate will have access to all training and development opportunities offered by the BLMK Primary Care training hub and ELFT.
Work both with individuals that are presenting with a first presentation of mental health need and those with on-going mental health needs that do not require support from the core mental health team, and to carry out annual reviews as needed.
To undertake physical health checks for those hard to reach patients on the SMI register and facilitate follow up support as required.
Work as an autonomous practitioner to deliver a range of mental health interventions with support from the senior mental health practitioner and the wider allied core mental health team as required.
As a member of the multi-disciplinary primary care team, promote awareness and understanding of mental health and well-being and provide support to primary care colleagues in recognising mental health problems and formulation of personalised and holistic support plans.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
Patient Care
To carry out physical health checks (BMI, bloods, ECG etc..) on individuals who are on the SMI register with the surgeries.
To undertake initial assessments of individual’s mental health needs to identify the most appropriate pathway or support plan, and to carry out annual health reviews with the PCN Pharmacists.
To take a biopsychosocial approach to support people towards improving their quality of life
To proactively involve people in their care, and to include them in decision-making processes
To undertake comprehensive assessment of risk and work with individuals to develop risk management plans and initiate support from specialist services where indicated.
Offer a range of brief interventions including psychosocial interventions where appropriate and within competencies.
Facilitate access to support interventions and pathways within statutory and voluntary care sectors
To participate in multi-disciplinary case discussions with the primary care network and the allied core mental health team
To offer time-limited support for individuals that no longer require support from the core mental health team
Support individuals with self-management of their mental well-being and health promotion
To promote and maintain safety, privacy and dignity of all individuals recognising and respecting differences including spiritual and cultural beliefs
Clinical
To participate in regular clinical and professional supervision
To stay apprised of developments in health care to ensure practice is evidence based and reflective of NICE guidance

Administration

• To document all care interactions on the relevant clinical system as per locally agreed arrangements.
• To adhere to locally agreed information governance policies
• To ensure all complaints, serious incidents, safeguarding and other key processes are followed effectively.

Performance and Quality
Participate in quality improvement initiatives
Promote co-production and use service user and carer feedback to inform practice
Participate in trust and local audits to review effectiveness of the service.
Ensure practice and data collection is in line with key performance indicators

Please refer the Job description for details