This is a new exciting role in supporting the division to offer screening and follow up intervention for service users physical and mental health. The primary goal at present is to ensure all service users with a diagnosed Severe Mental Illness [SMI] have received physical health checks in line with the Lester Tool over the preceding year. The role will seek to develop pathways for service users open to mental health services into appropriate interventions for their physical health in order to both screen and intervene for a high risk cohort. The role is open to registered nurses (mental health or related physical health background) or qualified physician associates. Please see attached two JD's most appropriate to your area of practice.

The posts will be based within the localities of Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon or Wiltshire. The post will require practitioners to be self motivated and access a large geographical area with limited public transport.

The role will include leadership and supporting more junior Physical Health and Wellbeing Workers based within locality teams. This is intended to be primarily clinical supervision and support however, some management may be undertaken in future as required.

The role will receive support from both the division Physical Health Lead, locality teams and in the case of PA a nominated medical practitioner in order to maintain skills.

Main duties of the job

Undertaking and interpreting physical health assessments for service users with Severe Mental Illness [SMI].

Supporting and developing teams to improve physical health outcomes for service users in our care.

Increasing liaison across services to support physical health.

About us

We are AWP (Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust)a diverse organisation with over 5,000 dedicated staff providing inpatient and community-based mental health care.

We provide services from a range of locations to approximately 1.8 million people living in Bath and North East Somerset (B&NES), Bristol, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire, Swindon, across the county of Wiltshire and in parts of Dorset.

Our outstanding people promote mental health and wellbeing. The expertise and resources within AWP are dedicated to a person-centred approach for those who use our services and for all employees. We recognise that happy and fulfilled employees give better care.

At AWP we actively encourage applicants from all backgrounds; we are particularly keen to encourage applications from people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, those with disabilities and from the LGBTQ+ community. We want people to bring their unique blend of experiences, backgrounds, perspectives and knowledge to AWP, as diversity makes us stronger.

Job description Job responsibilities

Clinical Duties

• In case of PA - Practice under the supervision of a Consultant Psychiatrist.
• Conduct psychiatric inpatient assessments including psychiatric history, risk assessment, mental state examination, cognitive assessments and physical examination
• Order and interpret diagnostic tests (including blood tests etc.)
• Treat service users and their family members/ carers using a high degree of empathy and advanced communication.
• Discriminate between normal and abnormal findings to recognise early stages of serious medical, emotional or psychiatric problems in service users.
• Instruct and counsel service users regarding medical and physical health including:
  • Diet and lifestyle advice
  • Disease and disease prevention
  • Treatment
• Refer service users to appropriate community health facilities, agencies and resources (including social prescribing)
• Refer and consult with appropriate specialists (including acute hospital physicians and nurse specialists at other Trusts) with regard to service user health
• Perform diagnostic/therapeutic procedures (subject to training/experience) such as:
  • Venepuncture
  • Perform and interpret ECGs
  • Injections
  • Dental, hearing and sight checks
  • Mental state examination
  • Cognitive assessment
• Available to respond, in a timely manner to requests to assess or review service users physical and/or mental health.
• Liaise with other teams and primary care providers.

General Duties/Responsibilities

• Take part in all of the treatment and preventative healthcare services provided by AWP, as and when requested, and work within the policies and procedures of the organisation.

• Work collaboratively with the team i.e. Psychiatrists, nurses, healthcare assistants, psychologists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists etc. to encourage and ensure good working relationships.
• Record notes about service user contact on RIO and provide advice to staff on further management/investigations/interventions.
• Work to deliver with other members of staff, the national guidelines and objectives set out for mental health services.
• Meet as appropriate with supervising psychiatrists, management team etc. to report on progress and contribute the development of services across the Trust.
• Teaching other staff groups i.e. Nursing staff, medical and student nurses
• Work collaboratively with junior doctors and or specialty doctors.
• Maintain knowledge and proficiency in medical practices through continuing education, staff meetings and workshops
• In the case of PA assist in the development and mentoring of other UK Physicians Associates as the profession progresses.
• To participate in Continued Professional Development.
• To participate in Quality Improvements
• In the case of PA, in conjunction with clinical colleagues, the Physician Associate will participate in all aspects of clinical governance, including undertaking clinical audits, (quality assessment and process improvement) and risk management.
• In the case of PA, actively participate in the required re-validation process of the Physician Associate Managed Voluntary Register (PAMVR).
• To participate in annual job planning

Person Specification Experience and training Essential

• PA, RMN, RGN with experience and CPD related to role
• Experience in physical health.
• Sound working knowledge of SMI

Desirable

• Experience in mental health specialism.

Skills Essential

• Leadership
• Team working
• Clinical skills in MH and PH assessment (LESTER Tool)

Desirable

• Improvement in services and change management

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

342-WTS101-0123