Job overview

The Home Treatment Teams are multi-disciplinary teams providing safe and effective home-based treatment to those in mental health crisis as an alternative to inpatient care. The teams provide robust assessment, review and intervention based on defined clinical crisis care pathways.

This is a developmental role designed to support the post holder to train as a Nursing Associate via the Nursing Associate Apprenticeship programme. Applicants must meet the apprenticeship funding eligibility criteria, including holding the right to work in the UK for the full programme duration. The post holder must be enrolled on a recognised Nursing Associate programme and is expected to complete it within two years.

The post holder will work towards the competencies of a qualified Band 4 Nursing Associate as outlined in the Trust’s competency framework. Successful completion of the apprenticeship and registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) will lead to progression to a substantive Band 4 Nursing Associate post.

There are multiple posts on offer with one in each of the home treatment teams.

If candidates do not currently have the relevant training/ qualifications, they can apply for the HCSW L3 course facilitated by the Trust. This is a two year course. Staff can enrol on this course at any point, and candidates do not need to wait to be shortlisted or interviewed for the B3 Nursing Associate Apprenticeship post.

Main duties of the job

Whilst undertaking this training, the post holder will work as a member of the team providing home treatment to patients in the acute phase of mental illness and crisis. They will develop skills and knowledge too. They will assist in the delivery of high standards of care to individual patients under the direction of a qualified nurse.

As a member of the Home Treatment Team, you will develop the skills to:

Work as a member of the multi-disciplinary team to provide the best possible treatment options for people in the acute phase of a mental illness.
Provide a wide range of practical and therapeutic support to people in crisis under the direction of qualified staff, generally in the individual’s own home. This could include developing skills in promoting social inclusion for patients under the care of the team, paying attention to identified needs relating to housing, benefits, employment, education, recreation, and relationships, and assisting individuals to improve their coping skills, and access appropriate resources.
Assist in the delivery of high standards of care to individual patients working towards greater autonomy as competencies are achieved.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Management responsibilities

The post holder will be supported to develop the following skills:

Assist in the design and implementation of service development and quality improvement projects within the service as required.
Attend meetings in which service developments are planned and discussed.
Ensure all incidents and complaints are reported to the team manager in accordance with Trust policy.
Manage own workload, prioritising as necessary according to the needs of the service in liaison with the team manager
Participate in the ordering of supplies, equipment, and repairsLeadership
The post holder is accountable to the Home Treatment Team Manager and professionally accountable to the Head of Nursing. They will work towards the leadership competencies required of a Band 4 Nursing Associate.
This is a clinical role, and post holders will be required to work in line with the Healthcare Support Workers Code of Conduct and operate in full accordance with Oxleas’ policies and procedures.
The post holder may, alongside others within the team, provide support to new staff as part of the induction process, students during placements and other non-qualified staff within the team.

Clinical The post holder will:

Contribute to and participate in the assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of care and carry out assigned tasks identified for patients in the crisis care plan in consultation with senior members of the multidisciplinary team.
Carry out home visits, adhering to Trust policies and procedures
Identify and provide the necessary support/advice to patients on practical issues relating to living skills such as nutritional management, self-care, social skills, benefits, housing, education, training, and occupational activities
Implement the principles of “recovery”: encouraging and supporting patients to engage with healthy lifestyles, facilitating psychosocial activities and other activities of their interest.
Participate in social, recreational, therapeutic, and diversional activities with patients and carers
Act on own initiative when delivering care, seeking supervision and guidance as required.
Assist in running therapeutic groups alongside qualified staff when required
Observe, report, and record any changes in the patient’s physical/ mental health and behaviour
Assist colleagues in the assessment of physical health needs and the implementation and evaluation of any ensuing care plans around physical health. To have physical dexterity to be able to competently operate monitoring kit e.g. blood pressure machines, blood glucose monitors etc.
Provide assistance to family and carers in coping with demands placed on them by the patient
Promote patient and (where appropriate) carer involvement in all aspects of care
Monitor that patients are receiving the prescribed medication and liaise with the Key worker if problems occur regarding non-compliance with medication. Responsible for ordering repeat prescriptions.
Respond to the needs of people sensitively and in a non-judgemental way with regard to their age, race, culture, gender, religion, sexuality, and disability
Recognise and value patients as individuals, acknowledging the importance of always maintaining the patient’s respect and dignity and ensure that the care provided respects equality and diversity
Demonstrate an empathic understanding of mental health problems and issues.
Accompany and support patients to appointments and act as an advocate
Demonstrate knowledge of “professional boundaries” and apply this to working with patients, carers, and significant others.
Understand the fundamental importance of relationships to social and psychological well-being.
Respond to the needs of people in an honest, non-judgemental, and open manner, which respects the right of individuals and groups.
Have a knowledge of risk management and utilise tools in accordance with Trust policy
Demonstrate a basic understanding of the causes of aggression, and utilise skills in the prevention, de-escalation and management of violence and aggression.
Adhere to the lone working policy and be responsible for using PeopleSafe.
Have high regard to patient’s safety and safety of others and report immediately any concerns of risk to the members of the team, particularly where children are involved.
To take all possible measures to prevent exploitation – physical, financial, or social of vulnerable patients who are receiving support from the crisis service.
Be aware of and work to the principles of the Mental Health Act (2015) and Mental Capacity Act (2005)
Recognise scope of own abilities and responsibilities and practice within them, referring matters to and seeking advice from senior trained team members as appropriate

Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust

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