Community Learning Disability Nurse
Would you like to work in an organisation that sits in the top 10 best NHS Mental Health, Learning Disability and Community Services Trust to work for. This ranking is based on staff feedback in the 2023 NHS Staff Survey.
Job overview
A rare and exciting opportunity for a band 6 community nurse has arisen within our West Surrey Community team for adults with learning disabilities within Surrey and North East Hampshire. We are seeking an enthusiastic and highly motivated nurse to join our dynamic multi- disciplinary service.
The successful applicant will be joining an innovative team of nurses providing high quality heath interventions as part of the wider forward thinking, diverse multi-disciplinary team, working collaboratively with nurses and other professional clinicians as well as multiple agencies.
You will be able to demonstrate that you are able to apply your nursing skills to a wide range of situations, working with a range of adults with a learning disability living within the community. You will be responsible for managing a caseload across the geographical area of West Surrey and North East Hampshire, working closely with other agencies as well as members of the multi-disciplinary team.
There is an emphasis on the importance of clinical supervision and continued professional development, which we regard as a vital part of the delivery of care. You will be part of an innovative and dynamic team which utilises an evidence-based perspective.Well support and encourage you to develop specialist experience and expertise as appropriate
Main duties of the job
As an individual we will expect you to possess excellent communication skills, enjoy working as part of a team, working closely with colleagues from a range of disciplines, whilst being able to work independently, carry out comprehensive assessments and plan, implement and evaluate delivery of nursing interventions as part of the holistic approach.You will also be able to demonstrate that you are able to apply your nursing skills to a wide range of situations, working with a range of adults with a learning disability living within the community. You will be responsible for managing a caseload across the geographical area of West Surrey and North East Hampshire, working closely with other agencies as well as members of the multi-disciplinary team.
If you are looking for a fulfilling and varied role and you have a genuine desire to develop your career in community learning disability nursing and a commitment to providing high quality, evidence based interventions, then we want to hear from you!
Working for our organisation
Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust is the leading provider of health and social care services for people of all ages with mental ill-health and learning disabilities in Surrey and North East Hampshire.
We actively seek to engage people who use our services and our communities in improving the mental wellbeing of the local population. We work closely with other NHS and voluntary sector organisations who provide services and support people who use services and carers.
Surrey is a beautiful county lying just 30 minutes away from Central London and from the South Coast.
Our historic market towns and bustling districts are enveloped in wonderful countryside, and our excellent road and rail networks bring the rest of the country within easy reach.
For international travel, both Gatwick and Heathrow airports are nearby.
Please note that we reserve the right to close posts as soon as sufficient applications are received.
We look forward to receiving your application!
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
To provide supervision and contribute to the Individual Performance Review/Appraisal of Band 5 nurses and support workers.
To ensure that the healthcare needs of people with learning disabilities are communicated to team manager / professional lead / care practitioner. To positively contribute to divisional developments in relation to nursing practice.
To advocate and represent the service.
To contribute to the development and implementation of appropriate policies, protocols and care pathways.
Assist in appropriate staff recruitment and induction and contribute to the wider strategic plans regarding nurse recruitment.
To contribute to initiatives to ensure that the needs of people with protected characteristics are addressed within local services and future developments.
To demonstrate expertise and specialist nursing skills in areas associated with learning disability such as crisis intervention, alternative communication, the assessment and management of people with additional mental health needs, epilepsy, medication management, challenging behaviour and other conditions.
To actively involve people in developing and agreeing their own care plan, to act as an advocate and ensure that there is proper regard for their dignity, choice, self-esteem, racial, cultural, sexual and religious needs and preferences.
To carry out comprehensive assessments, plan implement and evaluate delivery of nursing interventions as part of a holistic approach working in a variety of settings.
To practice within the Positive Behaviour Support framework.
To undertake comprehensive risk assessments and develop effective risk management plans.
To act in a Care Co-ordinator role for people with learning disabilities on Care Programme Approach (CPA) as appropriate to Trust policy.
To work in partnership with acute and primary care services and other healthcare providers.To establish and maintain effective relationships with colleagues, other agencies, people who use services and their families.
To be professionally and legally responsible and accountable for all aspects of clinical work and care. To maintain high standards of care in all areas of practice in accordance with the NMC Code of Conduct, professional guidelines and Trust Policies and Procedures.To act within the Mental Health Act and Mental Capacity Act (2005).
To be aware of and implement Safeguarding Adult and Child Protection Policies, Procedures and legislation. To carry out professional responsibilities under the Mental Health Act 1983 and other relevant legislation.
To act as practice assessor/teacher in teaching, facilitating and supporting pre registration students and junior personnel and to participate in the audit of educational placements. To participate in new staff induction.
To research national best practice and enable services to benchmark practice against nationally recognised standards - in partnership with people with learning disabilities.
To participate in conducting clinical audit and research, maintaining current knowledge of research findings and development within the learning disability field.
To participate in quality assurance activities as required.
To develop, implement and monitor interventions driven by government initiatives e.g. Transforming Care, LD Mortality review to promote positive health gains for clients.
Develop and provide a range of specialist teaching/training packages which can be delivered to a range of multi-disciplinary audiences.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria- RNLD Nursing Degree/Diploma
- Nursing Mentorship/or Teaching and Assessing in Clinical Practice qualification
Experience
Essential criteria- 1 year minimum relevant post qualification clinical experience
- Experience of Multi Disciplinary working
- Experience of carrying out comprehensive nursing assessments and interventions
- Interest / Skill in a specialist area
- Experience of contributing to service development
- Experience of supervising junior staff
- Experience of developing/delivering specialist teaching/training packages
Skills
Essential criteria- Valid UK Driving license and access to a car for work purposes
Please note that you are not restricted from applying for this role if you do not identify with these characteristics and all applicants will be considered fairly against the job description.
As a flexible working and friendly organisation, we want to ensure that you can work in a way that is best for us, our patients, and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement whether that’s job share, part time or any other flexible working patterns.
Gender Pay Gap Action
Women in our Trust are under-represented in some senior grades. We are therefore encouraging women to apply for posts at 8A and above.