24 Oct
South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust
Beckenham
Job description
Job overview
Chelsham House is our Acute Dementia Specialist Assessment ward and provides person centred treatment and care to older adults with acute needs associated with their Dementia, through a well-established multidisciplinary team.
Our patients are older adults who have mental health difficulties and / or Dementia and require specialist in-patient care prior to moving back into the community or on to other specialised settings.
Staff in all of our clinical settings, receive specialist training in providing dementia care. Within the dedicated In-patient Dementia Assessment Unit,
patients will receive a higher level of specialist assessment and treatment in line with our behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) clinical care pathway.
This care pathway guides the assessments that we make to identify the needs of the patient
Main duties of the job
About the role :
We are seeking highly motivated and enthusiastic individuals with a genuine interest in working with acute mentally ill elderly clients to complement our highly skilled, professional nursing team in our Acute Dementia Specialist Assessment ward
We give you the opportunity to become a mental health expert and be involved in cutting edge care and support. SLaM excellent learning and development opportunities as well as the chance to be involved in research from the IoPPN.
We want to support you in your career and give you options to progress.
Our preceptorship and mentoring schemes mean you will be partnered with like-minded individuals who will be dedicated to your development.
You must be a qualified RMN, LD Nurse or Acute Nurse in the final year of your RMN / LD / RGN course.
It’s important that you have an understanding of multidisciplinary services and the challenges that older adults face from their mental health problems.
Communication skills must be of the highest standard, you will be expected to engage with very vulnerable adults and their families.
You must show that you are caring and compassionate as well as a desire to uphold the dignity of the Patient you support.
Working for our organisation
You will be based at Bethlem Royal Hospital, Monks Orchard Road, Beckenham, Kent, BR3 3BX. Bethlem Royal Hospital is based in over 200 acres of green space in the London Borough of Bromley, South East London.
There is substantial parking at Bethlem Royal Hospital,
however the site does get busy at peak times but there are nearby train and bus services available for travel to the Hospital and an inter-hospital bus that runs between the Maudsley Hospital and Bethlem Royal Hospital throughout the day.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Clinical Skills
Working autonomously within the parameters of the role leading on
implementing the delivery of quality nursing care, contributing to the
physical, psychological, social, recreational and spiritual care in a recovery -focused way through therapeutic engagement and activities, and taking steps to address any issues that arise.
Leading on and undertaking activities to ensure that the fundamentals of care are met - nutrition, hydration, hygiene, comfort, emotional and social support.
Knowledge and Frameworks
Demonstrating an enhanced understanding of Mental Health signs and symptoms and an understanding of how these may present in practice
including recognition of impact on patient presentation and behaviour
including risk factors. Supporting junior staff to develop understanding of
mental health signs and symptoms and develop appropriate responses to
these in practice.
Recognizing and responding appropriately to challenging behaviour in line with Trust policies and training. Supporting junior staff in managing difficult situations and de-escalation and developing resilience and strategies to manage.
Communication
Contributing to an effective communication process with appropriate and accurate information to patients, carers, family, friends and colleagues.
Engaging and listening carefully and actively, and responding using appropriate language and accessible communication methods and skills.
Developing communication skills to enable and support difficult
conversations, acknowledging cultural differences and professional
boundaries.
The detailed Job Description is attached to this advert
Person specification
Education and Qualification
Essential criteria
Registered Adult Nurse and / or Registered Mental Health Nurse and / or Registered Learning Disabilities Nurse
Desirable criteria
Mentorship qualification
Experience and Knowledge
Essential criteria
- Experience of research-based / reflective practice, e.g. understanding and ability to use supervision to reflect on skills,
attitude and knowledge and develop these by using evidence based practice.
- Knowledge of relevant Professional and Clinical legislation
Desirable criteria
- Experience of shift co-ordination.
- Experience of supervising and mentoring junior staff and students.
Skills and Abilities
Essential criteria
- Able to provide quality care that is responsive to service user’s needs, without close supervision.
- Resilient : able to cope with difficult interpersonal situations.
- Approachable.
- Self-aware, self-confident and intrinsically motivated to do a good job and to motivate others.
- Forms very effective working relationships with colleagues.
- Advocates for all individuals, particularly those with protected characteristics; promotes equality and diversity.
Desirable criteria
- IT skills
- Skilled in supervision of others, and in providing critical and constructive feedback
Other requirements
Essential criteria
- Empathy for service users including individuals who have experienced mental health problems.
- Loyal and able to advocate for and show pride in the work area and organization and demonstrates values of trust and NHS
- Flexibility to work shift patterns across 24hrs, 7days a week and across all clinical areas within the Trust as required
- Ability to fulfil all the requirements of the role (including physical)
▶️ Registered Mental Health Nurse
🖊️ South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust
📍 Beckenham