Advertised role location: Belfast HSCT
Official document: CMHN RMN Final v3 8.11.23 Band 5-6  accelerated  year in nursing (doc)
JOB DESCRIPTION

POST: Community Mental Health Nurse (CMHN)

LOCATION: Community Mental Health Services in the greater Belfast geographic area

BAND: 5/6 Community Mental Health Nurse: Accelerated Year in Nursing Practice

REPORTS TO: Team Leader

RESPONSIBLE TO: Assistant Services Manager

The Accelerated Year in Nursing Practice Programme (AYINPP) is for new registrants or candidates with less than 2 years post registration experience. It aims to accelerate practice development to support the successful applicant to have achieved the competencies for Band 6 CMHN job profile KSF foundation outline.

The expectation is that it is completed in 12 months however, we recognise that time frames can be impacted unexpectedly and therefore an extension to a maximum of a further 12 months can be sought. When all competencies have been successfully met progression to Band 6 will be achieved. It will be the responsibility of the staff member to submit evidence by means of a portfolio to demonstrate achievement of competencies.

As a Band 5 nurse commencing the AYINPP, you will have the opportunity to learn through a supportive and experiential learning process of review of practice in the workplace, facilitated sessions, reflection, peer support and a range of other learning opportunities.

You will be supported and supervised by a Senior Nurse Practitioner to develop your caseload in accordance with your level of experience. You will also receive support from your nursing peers and the broader multi-disciplinary team to build upon your core knowledge.

This support will guide you in making the transition from a Band 5 to a Band 6 CMHN. Opportunities will be provided to develop specific skills and enhance your ability to make decisions and apply these to the care you provide in partnership to service users and their families/carers on a daily basis.
In the event that competencies are not reached within 2 year time frame there may be opportunity to negotiate an alternative Band 5 Nursing Role within the Division.
Job Summary / Main Purpose

The role of the Community Mental Health Nurse (CMHN) is to provide safe effective, compassionate care, in accordance with legal and statutory responsibilities and Trust policies. CMHN’s will normally work as part of a multi-disciplinary team providing assessment, treatment and care for service users with mental ill health.

The BHSCT Mental Health Directorate currently delivers services from two Assessment Centres and through Primary, Recovery and integrated teams, based in North, South, East and West Belfast. CMHNs are highly valued members of staff, who bring a very valuable and unique professional nursing perspective and contribution to these multidisciplinary teams.

Main Duties / Responsibilities

Professional Clinical Practice

To undertake a holistic mental health nursing assessment of individuals’ health and social needs and provide subsequent follow up treatment / care plans which aims to maintain the service user in the community and ensure appropriate other services are engaged in the care package at the relevant time and identify unmet need where appropriate.

Provide nursing care through skilled evidence-based interventions and the utilization of appropriate resources to meet the assessed needs of the service user, undertaking risk assessment and risk management for individual service users / carers; communicating effectively and appropriately sharing information to facilitate the decision making process and case management.

To work as a member of the Multi-disciplinary Team and to contribute to its overall performance and common aims, recognising and respecting the roles and responsibilities of other team members.

To evaluate the effectiveness of the nursing intervention through regular supervision, multi-disciplinary case review and reflective practice.

To adhere to all the regulations in place regarding the custody and administration of all drugs and medicine.

To maintain effective liaison with other agencies and professions contributing to the general provision of Mental Health Services.

To ensure that all records and documentation are completed in accordance with Trust policies and procedures.

To lead in the development of care pathways, and therapeutic approaches for service users with mental health needs within an allocated caseload.

To facilitate innovation and clinical practice which can be disseminated to multi-disciplinary members of Mental Health Teams in support of improved care delivery.

To manage own workload and participate in clinical supervision and appraisal as appropriate.

To provide supervision and support to other staff and ensure that professional Trust standards are adhered to through caseload/workload management and monitoring.

To educate and support families and carers and contribute to the assessment of carers needs.

To liaise and communicate, and where appropriate, co-work with Community and Voluntary Organisations.

To actively engage with the multi-disciplinary team, service users, family, and carers to plan and ensure safe and effective discharge.

To remain on the NMC register, meeting the requirements of Revalidation and to adhere to the NMC Code of Conduct at all times.

To undertake the role of Investigating Officer in line with Trust Adult Safeguarding policy

To Carry out Capacity Assessments under The Capacity Act 2016

Education, Training, Research and Development

1. Have an awareness of research and new evidence findings. Liaise with colleagues on impact of evidence based practice and implementation.

2. To identify own development needs and set personal objectives in line with the Trust Appraisal/Staff Development Review system.

3. To attend relevant statutory, mandatory and professional training as identified in supervision and appraisal.

4. To contribute to the training and supervision of pre and post reg. nurses and any other students from other disciplines. Undertaking relevant training to support pre and post students as required.

5. Contribute to Quality Improvement, Service improvement and development initiatives in the service.

General and Administrative Duties

To provide clear and accurate clinical correspondence to referring agents and relevant others when appropriate.

To manage a defined caseload and the associated workload, participating in identifying and addressing own developmental needs through the supervision process.

Provide nursing care through skilled evidence-based interventions and the utilisation of appropriate resources to meet the assessed needs of the service user, undertaking risk assessment and risk management for individual service users / carers; communicating effectively and appropriately sharing information to facilitate the decision making process and case management.

To participate in the evaluation of services and / or assist the Team Leader in the preparation of any relevant bids for funding for Service development.

To adhere to the provisions contained in the Mental Health (NI) Order 1986, The Mental Capacity Act 2016 and to Trust policies and procedures including Complaints, Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults, Safeguarding Children, Risk Assessment, Health and Safety and Disciplinary and Grievance.

To participate in standard setting and ensure high standards are maintained through the audit process

Work closely with Probation Services, Social Services and Childcare Programme in meeting the requirements of the Children’s Order 1995.

Comply with the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust’s procedure for notification of untoward events, accidents, and malicious or criminal activities. Adhere to the local policy on the use of Board vehicles, use of private car and the reporting of road traffic accidents.

Comply with all relevant DHSS and Trust policies, e.g., Health & Safety, COSHH, Complaints, Protection of Vulnerable Adults, Child Protection.

To input data to the relevant activity data collection system.

General Responsibilities

Employees of the Trust are required to promote and support the mission and vision of the service for which they are responsible and:
At all times provide a caring service and to treat those with whom they come into contact in a courteous and respectful manner.
Promote and support effective team working, fostering a culture of openness and transparency. The post holder will ensure that they take all concerns raised with them seriously and act in accordance with Belfast Trust’s Whistleblowing Policy and their professional code of conduct, where applicable.
Demonstrate their commitment by their regular attendance and the efficient completion of all tasks allocated to them.
Comply with the Trust’s Smoke Free Policy.
Carry out their duties and responsibilities in compliance with the Health and Safety Policies and Statutory Regulations.
Adhere to Equality and Good Relations duties throughout the course of their employment.
Ensure the ongoing confidence of the public in-service provision.
Maintain high standards of personal accountability.
Comply with the HPSS Code of Conduct.

Information Governance  

All employees of Belfast Health & Social Care Trust are legally responsible for all records held, created or used as part of their business within the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, including patient/client, corporate and administrative records whether paper based or electronic and also including e-mails.  All such records are public records and are accessible to the general public, with limited exceptions, under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, the Environment Regulations 2004, the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. Employees are required to be conversant and to comply with the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust policies on Information Governance including for example the ICT Security Policy, Data Protection Policy and Records Management Policy and to seek advice if in doubt.

For further information on how we use your personal data within HR, please refer to the Privacy Notice available on the HUB or Your HR

Environmental Cleaning Strategy

The Trust’s Environmental Cleaning Strategy recognizes the key principle that “Cleanliness matters is everyone’s responsibility, not just the cleaners” Whilst there are staff employed who are responsible for cleaning services, all Trust staff have a responsibility to ensure a clean, comfortable, safe environment for patients, clients, residents, visitors, staff and members of the general public.

Infection Prevention and Control

The Belfast Trust is committed to reducing Healthcare associated infections (HCAIs) and all staff have a part to play in making this happen. Staff must comply with all policies in relation to Infection Prevention and Control and with ongoing reduction strategies. Standard Infection Prevention and Control Precautions must be used at all times to ensure the safety of patients and staff.

This includes:-
Cleaning hands either with soap and water or a hand sanitiser at the appropriate times (WHO ‘5 moments’);
Using the correct ‘7 step’ hand hygiene technique;
Being ‘bare below the elbows’ when in a clinical environment;
Following Trust policies and the Regional Infection Control Manual (found on intranet);
Wearing the correct Personal Protective Equipment (PPE);
Ensuring correct handling and disposal of waste (including sharps)  and laundry;
Ensuring all medical devices (equipment) are decontaminated appropriately
Ensuring compliance with High Impact Interventions.

Personal Public Involvement

Staff members are expected to involve patients, clients, carers and the wider community were relevant, in developing, planning and delivering our services in a meaningful and effective way, as part of the Trust’s ongoing commitment to Personal Public Involvement (PPI).

Please use the link below to access the PPI standards leaflet for further information.

http://www.publichealth.hscni.net/sites/default/files/PPI_leaflet.pdf

Clause: This job description is not meant to be definitive and may be amended to meet the changing needs of the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust.

PERSONNEL SPECIFICATION

JOB TITLE / BAND: Community Mental Health Nurse (CMHN) - Band 5/6 Accelerated Year in Nursing Practice

DEPT / DIRECTORATE: Community Mental Health Services
Directorate: Mental Health, Intellectual Disability & Psychological Services

Notes to applicants:
You must clearly demonstrate on your application form under each question, how you meet the required criteria as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. You should clearly demonstrate this for both the essential and desirable criteria.
Shortlisting will be carried out on the basis of the essential criteria set out below, using the information provided by you on your application form. Please note the Trust reserves the right to use any desirable criteria outlined below at shortlisting. You must clearly demonstrate on your application form how you meet the desirable criteria.
Proof of qualifications and/or professional registration will be required if an offer of employment is made – if you are unable to provide this, the offer may be withdrawn.

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA

The following are ESSENTIAL criteria which will initially be measured at shortlisting stage although may also be further explored during the interview/selection stage.
You should therefore make it clear on your application form whether or not you meet these criteria. Failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. The stage in the process when the criteria will be measured is stated below.

Factor
Criteria

Method of Assessment

Experience
Qualifications
Registration
Registered Mental Health nurse on Part 1 of the live NMC register. Note: those awaiting NMC registration by March 2027 may apply.

Shortlisting by Application Form

Other (e.g. Driving etc.)

Hold a full current driving license and have access to a car. Where disability prohibits driving, this criteria will be waived if the applicant is able to organise suitable alternative arrangements.

Shortlisting by Application Form

Knowledge
Skills
Abilities
Can explain and provide examples of safe, efficient, compassionate and person centred care in a Community Mental Health Setting.
Shortlisting by Application Form

And
Interview

DESIRABLE CRITERIA

Desirable criteria will ONLY be used where it is necessary to introduce additional job related criteria to ensure files are manageable. You should therefore make it clear on your application form how you meet these. Failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted.

Factor
Criteria
Method of Assessment

Experience
Qualifications
Registration

Experience of multi-disciplinary working.

Shortlisting by Application Form

Other
(e.g. Knowledge
Skills
Abilities)
A knowledge of Evidence based practice in relation to all aspects of the assessment and treatment of Mental ill health.
Shortlisting by Application Form

And
Interview

NOTE: Where educational/professional qualifications form part of the criteria you will be required, if shortlisted for interview, to produce original certificates and one photocopy of it issued by the appropriate authority. Only those certificates relevant to the shortlisting criteria should be produced. If educational certificates are not available an original letter and photocopy of same detailing examination results from your school or college will be accepted as an alternative.

If successful you will be required to produce documentary evidence that you are legally entitled to live and work in the United Kingdom. This documentation can be a P45, Payslip, National Insurance Card or a Birth Certificate confirming birth in the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland. Failure to produce evidence will result in a non-appointment.
Where a post involves working in regulated activity with vulnerable groups, post holders will be required to register with the Independent Safeguarding Authority.

HSC Values

Whilst employees will be expected to portray all the values, particular attention is drawn to the following values for this role