Job summary

Single Point of Access (SPA) is a diverse, supportive team of band 6 (or social work equivalent) nurses. No two days are the same. Every call/conversation is different. Referrals are accepted from age 18 years upwards. SPA is a highly motivated experienced group of practitioners.

SPA completes triages and assessments for referrals into secondary mental health services. Referrals are from professionals and self-referrals. The team carry out telephone triage and telephone or face-to-face assessments. The team works closely with all trust teams across Calderdale, North, and South Kirklees. We are a nurse lead team supported by various consultants. The team has psychology support for referrals and the psychologist carries out monthly reflective practice sessions for the team. The team works from either the team based at Beckside court, trust buildings in Calderdale and Kirklees and from home.

If you are highly motivated, flexible and enjoy new challenges, then this is the team for you.

Main duties of the job

SPA works a 12hour shift pattern over 3 days working Monday Friday 07:45 20:15. You will be carrying out triage or assessments. We use the UK mental health triage tool and triage risk and appropriateness for secondary mental health services. You would be responsible for making decisions on the urgency and risk of a referral being solutions focused and supporting decision with research-based evidence. Triage is completed over the telephone.

Assessments are face-to-face or over the telephone in a trust building or at their home. You should be competent in clinical assessment, and computer literate to complete necessary documentation. We cover the whole of Kirklees and Calderdale, so you need to be able to travel to cover all of this area. You will need to be flexible as situations change on a day to day basis. You will need excellent communication skills both verbal and written as we take referrals from anyone aged 18 years and over and also with professionals making referrals.

All employees of the Trust are strongly encouraged to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to protect patients

About us

We are a specialist NHS Foundation Trust that provides community, mental health and learning disability services for the people of Barnsley, Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield. We also provide low and medium secure services and are the lead for the west Yorkshire secure provider collaborative.

Our mission is to help people reach their potential and live well in their communities, we do this by providing high-quality care in the right place at the right time. We employ staff in both clinical and non-clinical services who work hard to make a difference to the lives of service users, families and carers.

We encourage and welcome applications from all protected characteristic groups, we value diversity and want our workforce to be reflective of our communities.

Being a foundation Trust means were accountable to our members, who can have a say in how were run. Around 14,300 local people (including staff) are members of our Trust.

Join us and you will be one of over 4,500 staff committed to supporting and improving the mental, physical and social needs of the thousands of people we meet and help each year.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all colleagues and volunteers to share this commitment.

We do reserve to right to close vacancy before the advertised closing date if necessary, so please apply as soon as possible.

Job description

Job responsibilities

KEY RESULT AREAS:Professional1. Maintain a continuing knowledge of current good practice and other professional matters.2. Maintain personal NMC registration or equivalent and ensure adherence to statutory codes of practice.3. To undertake screening and initial assessments in a wide variety of settings both independently or within a multi-interdisciplinary framework in respect of service users presenting with mental health issues and/or self harming behaviours.4. Together with the Team Manager have involvement in initiatives related to further development of the single point of access service.5. To be actively involved in the clinical supervision and professional development review process.6. Contribute to the provision of information and involvement in changes to working practices in respect of such information.7. To collate and interpret complex facts in order to promote a range of options for service users at the point of referral and assessment by the single point of access team.8. Provide professional advice to team members and others as appropriate.9. To be involved in clinical team meetings and multi-disciplinary care plan reviews in order to develop and implement individual care pathways.10. Involvement in quality circle groups where appropriate.11. Act as an advisor to outside agencies such as police, probation, housing etc. and provide specialist advice around the single point of access service and mental health issues.12. Ensure that an evidence based practice approach is utilised in order to meet service user and service needs.13. Maintain own personal safety and the safety of others within the acute care settings inclusive of lone working policies and initiatives.14. To participate in the ethos of a family friendly, flexible working environment.15. Where required to participate in the selection and recruitment process.16. Involvement in the induction and orientation of students and new staff members.Management1. Responsible for their own individual day to day performance and that of others within the single point of access service during periods of duty.2. To assist the Team Manager in monitoring and evaluating service provision.3. Exercise positive leadership based upon fair, clear and equitable staff relationships using effective communications.4. Communicate highly sensitive and complex information to referrers, service users, relatives, carers, and fellow professionals in a professional, empathetic and reassuring manner, taking into consideration barriers that may be present.5. Act as the first contact point, demonstrating high degrees of clinical knowledge in relation to management of complex symptoms, medications, side and adverse effects, interactions, self-harm and suicide intent and general mental health issues to offer professional advice and manage risk effectively over the telephone, triggering responses where appropriate.6. To facilitate the gate-keeping, signposting and brokering to appropriate services as required.7. To undertake a range of initial assessments and providing brief intervention as required.8. To be involved in interdisciplinary communications and staff meetings to ensure a clear understanding and the promotion of the single point of access service philosophy.9. Together with the Team Manager, be involved in the planning, development and review of services and policies within the single point of access services and to ensure that such policies, procedures, protocols and guidelines are adhered to.10. Ensuring all staff are aware of customer relation issues and engage where necessary with all service users, carers, relatives and visitors in a professional manner to a high standard.11. Maintain awareness of research and to participate in such activities if required.12. To be involved with the production of statistics as required by the Team Manager.13. Involvement in audit activity where required.14. Be fully conversant with the Mental Health Act 1983 or future amendments and current implementation. To support Mental Health Act assessments and offer alternative options to admission where appropriate.15. To be involved in the clinical supervision and professional development review processes.Development1. To assist the Team Manager to forge links with tutors and staff within universities in order to promote the team as a suitable placement for learners.2. Maintain a suitable learning environment for other staff members both within and outwith the team.3. Involvement in the educational and training requirements for outside agencies such as police, probation etc.4. Maintain a specialist knowledge and expertise in matters pertaining to mental health.5. Maintain continuous professional development as required by the NMC and other regulatory bodies.6. To participate in the appraisal system ensuring the yearly action and development plans are established and reviewed.

For full Job Description please see attached in Supporting DOcuments

Person Specification

Training

Essential

• Crisis Intervention Skills.

Desirable

• PSI.
• Risk Management.
• Brief Focused Therapies.
• Leadership.

Qualifications

Essential

• RMN current registration, Dip. Social Work, OT.

Desirable

• Approved Mental Health Professional
• PSI / Post Graduated Counselling. Post Graduate Counselling.

Experience

Essential

• Significant experience of working with people with complex mental health needs including within the community. Management of resources.
• High degree of experience with service users, relatives, carers and other statutory and non-statutory organisations.
• Current or recent experience in either an acute inpatient or community setting. Involvement with staff supervision and professional development process.

Desirable

• Audit.
• Research awareness/training.
• Managerial awareness/training.

Special Knowledge and Skills

Essential

• High degree of understanding in respect of modern mental health issues and developments.
• Fully conversant with local, national policies, procedures and protocols. Conversant with the MHA, child protection, safeguarding and other related acts. To have been involved in the supervision of others.
• Skilled in therapeutic assessment related to risk and risk management.
• Good written/oral communication skills. Formulation of complex care plans. Multi-disciplinary working, working within a team and ability to work independently.
• Management of junior staff.

Desirable

• Audit.
• Research awareness/training.
• Managerial awareness/training.
• Crisis services experience.
• Brief focuses solution based therapy.

Personal Attributes

Essential

• Fit to perform as outlined in the job description.
• Reliability, enthusiasm, motivation, flexible resourcefulness, adaptable.
• A Current driving licence and access to a car during the working day is essential (reasonable adjustments will be considered for any applicants who are unable to drive due to a disability)
• Autonomy.
• Diplomacy.
• Good team worker.

Desirable

• Leadership skills.

Physical At
Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

C9378-CK1682