Yorkshire Ambulance Service (YAS) is expanding its clinical workforce by introducing a newSpecialist Paramedic Mental Health (SPMH) role open to suitably experienced Paramedics.

The post provides an opportunity for motivated Paramedics to be involved in the Trust's new delivery model, rotating between the Mental Health Response Vehicles (MHRV), Emergency Operation Centre (EOC), Integrated Urgent Care (IUC), and wider mental health partners.

The MHRVs attend to specific mental health jobs where a double-crewed ambulance and transport to the ED may not be required as there is no physical injury. Patients are transported to safe spaces and put in touch with crisis teams to access support and Mental Health Assessment.

The SP roles will support EOC (999) and IUC (111) colleagues with mental health jobs to increase the knowledge and expertise available in our contact centres.

Applicants will have experience and post registration qualifications relating to an element of mental health service delivery.

Specialist Paramedic Mental Health (SPMH) are level 7 practitioners and can work to the full scope of practice. Paramedic Mental Health (PMH) is the title used during development and training as the clinician transitions to specialist practice. Paramedic Mental Health is a non-substantive role and clinicians are required to successfully complete the specialist practice pathway.

Main duties of the job

Working with a greater autonomy, the post holder will provide enhanced clinical management and coordinate the care of patients with complex and challenging healthcare needs, responding to patients with acute or critical illness, serious injury or major trauma in emotive and demanding situations or environments. The Specialist Paramedic Mental Health will support patients experiencing mental health crisis when they need a response (either telephone or face to face from the ambulance service).

Utilising their clinical skills and knowledge required of the role, the post holder is responsible for the competent assessment, diagnosis, care, treatment and referral and/or transport of patients and their carers/relatives in emergency or life-threatening situations.

The post holder will be clinically responsible for ensuring their own safe and effective clinical performance, and demonstrate excellence in clinical leadership through role modelling values and professional standards and mentorship in practice.

The post holder will:-

• undertake responsibilities as a lone worker in the community in the 999 setting, MHRV, emergency care settings, and within MH partner organisations.
• work flexibly, undertake in agreement with the Line Manager, other work as required which is commensurate with the grade of the post and the skills of the post holder.
• attend HM courts and Coroner's court when required.

About us

Yorkshire Ambulance Service (YAS) NHS Trust geographically covers nearly 6,000 square miles of varied terrain, from isolated moors and dales to urban areas, coastline and inner cities.We serve a population of over five million people across Yorkshire and the Humber and strive to ensure that patients receive the right response to their care needs as quickly as possible, wherever they live.We employ more than 7,100 staff, who together with over 1,300 volunteers, enable us to provide a vital 24-hour, seven-days-a-week, emergency and healthcare service.Our ambition is to be an employer of choice, and we are continuously working across our partnership to improve our collective offer to staff in areas like health and wellbeing, benefits and flexible working incl. hybrid working.Benefits:o Flexible working including part-time hours, job shares and flexible hours, agile working (role dependant)o 27 days annual leave, increasing to 33 with service.o Sell annual leave scheme.o Contributory Pension.o NHS Discounts including shops, restaurants, gyms etc.o Car lease and other salary sacrifice schemes.o Dedicated employee assistance and counselling service.o Opportunities for research participation, career progression and ongoing development.o Well respected, committed and supported staff networks for our workforce.

Check out our YAS One Team Simulation! https://www.nwyhelearning.nhs.uk/elearning/yorksandhumber/yas/yasoneteam/index.html

Job description

Job responsibilities

The SPMHs will be required to complete a PGDip qualification for the role. The following modules have been identified as a potential structure for the first year of the course. The modules would amount to a PGCert level qualification. These are:

• Mental Health Law and Policy (30 credits at level 7)
• Foundation in Specialist Mental health Practice (15 credits at level 7)
• Values, Ethics and Evidence Informed Practice (15 credits at level 7)

The second-year education will increase the qualification to a PGDip level (120 credits).

These modules are provided by Sheffield Hallam University and are indicative only.

The post title will be Paramedic Mental Health during training, and then Specialist Paramedic Mental Health once training is completed and the individual has passed the CASP process as a level 7 specialist practitioner.

Duties to include:-

• Required to work as a lone responder attending emergency incidents and must undertake dynamic risk assessment to ensure the safety of self and others.
• Utilise enhanced clinical skills and knowledge in the assessment and management of patients in mental health crisis, or with serious/life-threatening illness, major trauma or requiring resuscitation, supported by Trust Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Patient Group Directions (PGDs) and Clinical Guidelines.
• Acting as sole point of contact for the MHRV whilst on shift
• Working in EOC, acting as a central point of clinical support, providing remote clinical advice and decision-support to clinicians across the Trust, in relation to urgent and emergency care working to defined SOPs and guidelines.
• Provide a Trust-wide specialist source of experience and knowledge around mental health issues and crisis.

Interviews w/c 23rd October 2023.

Person Specification

Skills / Competencies

Essential

• oAbility to apply enhanced patient assessment and clinical reasoning, underpinned by knowledge and experience in order to formulate appropriate plans of care
• oAbility to safely and effectively use a range of near-patient diagnostic tools, interpret the findings and apply these to the development of the diagnosis and management plan
• oAble to undertake enhanced interventions in accordance with the Scope of Practice for Specialist Paramedic Mental Health
• oDemonstrates attitudes and behaviour which enhances the experience of the patient
• oWillingness to clinically supervise paramedics and other clinical staff when required
• oConfident to work independently and make decisions

Qualifications / Knowledge

Essential

• oRegistered Paramedic that has completed the NQP programme
• oHolds or willingness to complete a Post Graduate Diploma in Advanced Clinical Practice around Mental Health
• oSuccessful completion of advanced emergency driving training (legacy IHCD D1 and D2 or the level 3 certificate in emergency response ambulance driving and specific training for blue light response on RRVs/Cars
• oWillingness to undertake any statutory training, recertification/revalidation and additional clinical skills courses as required by YAS and the discrete professional and statutory regulatory bodies
• oSpecialised knowledge, or desire to acquire such knowledge, in mental health.

Desirable

• oTeaching and/or mentoring qualification
• oDemonstrates an understanding and application of the principles of Crew Resource Management (CRM) and Human Factors in operational and clinical environments

Experience

Essential

• oSignificant experience of the emergency care settings
• oExperience of undertaking clinical supervision and mentorship in practice
• oDemonstrable portfolio of significant relevant and recent CPD

Desirable

• oExperience of working as a solo responder
• oExperience of working within EOC/Call Centre and/or remote clinical assessment setting

Other

Essential

• oAbility to work within a multidisciplinary team
• oAbility to empathise with and reassure patients and their family members/ friends in crisis situations
• oCommitted to personal and professional development
• oWillingness and ability to travel within geographical area of service

Desirable

• oCommitted to the development of the paramedic profession evidenced by membership of the College of Paramedics

Employer details

Employer name

Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust

Address

Springhill HQ

Wakefield

WF2 0XQ

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

174-SPMH-130923