- Source
- Fountain
Description
About the role
Reporting to the Head of Clinical Services, the Clinical Lead Mental Health Nurse (RMN) has clinical accountability for complex mental health and psychological care service users on their caseload in the community. You will be instrumental in ensuring the safe deployment of appropriate staff to deliver a professional, safe, and person-centred service, adhering to Cera Care's Policy on Patient Safety and Risk Management, with a particular focus on psychological safety.
You will ensure complex mental health Service Users receive evidence-based, recovery-focused care and clinical input where required. This role involves developing and training carers and nurses in mental health principles, complex needs management, and crisis intervention. You will assess the service users' mental health needs, risks (including drug and alcohol misuse, self-harm and suicide), and devise individual, holistic, detailed mental health care and crisis plans that are regularly evaluated.
The (RMN) will contribute to a national on-call rota for advice and colleague cover. Developing strong, collaborative relationships across the multi-disciplinary teams (MDTs), including GPs, psychiatrists, social workers, and local mental health services, is key. You will also work alongside the Head of Clinical Services and Service Director to support in ongoing business development, specifically relating to complex mental health care pathways.
Responsibilities
General Standards
To act in a professional manner and strictly adhere to the NMC Code of Conduct.
To adhere to Cera Care policies and procedures, with a focus on Mental Health Act (1983/2007) principles and safeguarding vulnerable adults in the context of mental illness.
Contribute to external regulatory and compliance inspections.
To adhere to company data protection policy and procedures and GDPR guidelines, paying special attention to the confidentiality of sensitive mental health information.
To report any area of clinical concern, particularly related to deterioration of mental state, crisis, or risk, to the Head of Clinical Services and Service Director and escalate as per company policy.
To report any areas of operational concerns to the Head of Clinical Services and Service Director as per company policy.
Professional Accountability
To maintain their own personal and professional development in accordance with the NMC Code of Conduct and specific mental health nursing competencies.
To support with implementing the Nursing and Care Strategy company-wide, ensuring the integration of mental health best practices and trauma-informed care.
To support the Head of Clinical Services and Service Director in specific national/regional mental health-focused projects.
To keep updated and ensure CPD and revalidation is agreed in the annual appraisal., focusing on areas like psychological therapies, psychopharmacology, or specific complex mental illnesses (e.g., psychosis, complex trauma).
Post holder must be aware of their own individual responsibilities and boundaries as regards to Service user quality, psychological safety, and care experience.
Work within the boundaries of their registration.
Operational Management
Be visible and knowledgeable about the Service Users in the caseload by conducting regular risk assessments, psychological reviews, and proactive home visits.
Supporting individuals, their families and carers when faced with unwelcome news and life-changing diagnosis
Discussing and sharing information with key stakeholders on a client's condition, behaviour, activity and responses
Ensuring the privacy, dignity and safety of individuals is maintained at all times
Recognising issues relating to safeguarding vulnerable children and adults and knowing when to escalate.
Regular face-to-face home visits with Service Users on the caseload to supervise and ensure evidence-based, person-centred mental health care is being delivered by carers.
To be an integral part of the clinical team, attending and contributing to team meetings at pre-arranged locations, which are likely to involve travel and an overnight stay.
To support growth by working alongside the Head of Clinical Services and Service Director in developing complex mental health care packages.
Take an active role in the recruitment and retention of care staff with appropriate mental health awareness and skills for complex mental health clients.
To respond to clinical complaints in conjunction with the manager, relating to quality of psychological care or crisis management, as per company policy and risk management.
Report to the Head of Clinical Services and Service Director any branch issues that may arise on a weekly basis.
Submission of regular clinical mental health reports and updates through to the ICB or LA regarding their packages as per contractual agreements.
Updating the Head of Clinical Services and Service Director of weekly patient trackers, including mental state and risk level changes.
Attend annual appraisal with the Head of Clinical Services.
To participate and have a regular 1:1 with the Head of Clinical Services.
To participate in professional development meetings.
Team Working, Planning and Organising
Work collaboratively with members of the clinical team, operational staff, and branch staff, ensuring effective communication, particularly when handing over risk-related information.
Effectively prioritise own workload, balancing routine care with urgent mental health crisis response.
Gain knowledge of pending Service Users and plan accordingly, focusing on initial mental health risk profiling.
Clinical, Compliance and Organising
Maintain clinical updates and evidence of CPD and revalidation
Ensure that all Service user Safeguarding issues, including those related to self-neglect or mental capacity, are raised in accordance with Cera Care policy.
Work alongside quality teams for auditing and improvement of mental health care quality.
Monitor, review, and update current complex mental health care plans in a timely manner as discussed with all key stakeholders.
In conjunction with the key stakeholders, give advice on quotations for clinically led mental health and psychological healthcare packages.
Ensure that carer clinical supervisions are completed for all staff involved in case-managed clients at regular intervals, including focused discussion on the emotional impact of supporting Service Users with severe mental illness.
Provide specialist mental health advice and support where appropriate to all branch and care staff with regards to complex clients.
Train and assess carers and nurses working within your clinical caseload on topics like de-escalation, motivational interviewing, and understanding complex mental illnesses. Additional training may be required for other areas of the company on an ad hoc basis and must be managed in your clinical training workload.
Attend all mandatory training and updates.
Health and Safety
To be responsible for following company Health and Safety policy., including specific procedures for lone working with potentially aggressive or highly distressed Service Users.
Clinical Governance
Have strong awareness of Clinical Governance and its effect on practice. Actively promote the understanding and awareness of the need for clinical governance in the day to day running of the business, particularly around risk management and crisis planning in mental health care.
Dignity at work
Set a professional example through your own behaviour.
Ensure the Company policy is implemented within the area of responsibility, including using judgment to correct standards of conduct or behaviour which could be construed as harassment and to remind staff of these standards.
Be aware of bullying and harassment in the workplace and act with integrity, following company policy
To promote equal opportunities for all, monitoring own practices and those of the team to ensure actions are taken to re-enforce that discrimination is unacceptable.
Qualifications and Skills
Essential
Registered Mental Health Nurse (RMN) with Active NMC registration.
Minimum of Diploma in Nursing.
Minimum of 5 years’ post-qualification experience in mental health settings (e.g., Crisis Team, Inpatient Unit, Community Mental Health Team, Complex Needs).
Excellent communication and advanced therapeutic skills.
Proven management and leadership experience, particularly in leading clinical supervision or teams.
Effectively manages own workload and is skilled in prioritising mental health risks.
Is a strong team player and collaborative worker across multidisciplinary lines.
Good previous attendance record.
Flexible approach to working hours and practices, including the ability to participate in an out-of-hours advice service.
Must be a car driver with own transport.
Desirable
Teaching and assessing qualifications, particularly related to mental health first aid or suicide prevention.
Recent experience in a community mental health setting.
Post-graduate training in a relevant area (e.g., PBS, NAPPI, CBT, brief solution-focused therapy, complex trauma).
Good IT skills.
Experience with complex dual diagnoses (mental health alongside physical health/substance misuse).
