Community Learning Disabilities Nurse
South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust has a rich history, well-established community links and an international reputation. We provide a full range of local mental health services to the Kingston, Merton, Richmond, Sutton and Wandsworth London boroughs, as well as specialist forensic mental health services, including specialised services such as national deaf adults and CAMHS inpatients and OCD.
We are committed to providing high quality integrated health and social care for local people with mental health problems in South West London and more specialist mental health services for people throughout the UK. The Care Quality Commission already rates our services as ‘good’ however we aim to be ‘outstanding’.
Our Values
We take pride in providing specialist care to our service users where our Trust values; being consistent, compassionate, collaborative, respectful and open is at the heart of everything we do. Our mission is "making life better together".
When you join us, you’ll be part of something special – an innovative and rapidly growing organisation that is helping to redefine the Mental Health, education and social care landscape in the UK.
As a Trust, we are happy to talk flexible working.
Job overview
An exciting opportunity has arisen in Wandsworth Community Learning Disability Team. We are looking to recruit a Band 6 Learning Disabilities Nurse to work within this multidisciplinary service, which provides expert, caring and holistic support to adults with a diagnosed Learning Disability.
You will have post qualifying experience of working as a Learning Disabilities Nurse. You will be able to work autonomously and demonstrate enthusiasm and creativity in your approach to your work. You will be passionate about providing specialist healthcare and support to people with a learning disability, as well as their families and staff teams, to help them live a fulfilling life.
You must be interested in working with external partners to develop supportive networks and have energy, drive and enthusiasm for working in a complex and challenging environment.
Previous applicants need not apply.
Only apply if you have read the person specification and can demonstrate you meet role requirements.
Main duties of the job- To hold a client caseload, as agreed with the Team Leader, and deliver a competent and co-ordinated nursing service in partnership with service users, members of the multidisciplinary Community Learning Disability Team and other agencies.
- To provide advice and expertise in care planning and risk management to other health and social care professionals.
- To provide support, supervision and education to carers and clients with specialist care needs.
- The post holder will have responsibility for the assessment of care needs, risk assessment and the implementation and evaluation of client care for a defined caseload.
- Participate in the teaching and development of colleagues, students and colleagues in other agencies about this specialist area.
Career Progression pathways and development opportunities:
As a valued member of the team, you will access regular supervision, yearly appraisal and have opportunities for continuing professional development through both internal and external training events.
There will be the opportunities to develop your professional skills and participate in aspects of service development.
Working for our organisation
We are Proud to Belong at South West London and St George’s Mental Health NHS Trust.
We have expert services, a rich history and a clear commitment to providing the best quality care for those with mental ill-health. The Care Quality Commission already rates our services as ‘good’ - we aspire to be ‘outstanding’.
This is a great time to join us. We are transforming the way we care for our communities to support our mission of Making Life Better Together. We have built two brand new mental health facilities at Springfield University Hospital, which are amongst the best in the world.More developments are planned across our sites and services.
We are inclusive and diverse and strive to be actively anti racist. We want to attract people from all backgrounds and experiences to enrich the work we do together. We are proud to co-produce and involve our local communities in all that we do.
We offer flexible working, career development and a variety of benefits to enable a positive, welcoming environment in which our people and their careers can thrive.
Come and join our inclusive teams and help our patients on their recovery journey.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities- To act as a lead Health Care Professional to clients allocated at clinical meetings.
- To work within complex care networks including families, community and in-patient services, care homes, day centres and colleges.
- To work flexibly to meet the needs of the clients.
- To lead the development and audit of clinical standards within the nursing service, in relation to best practice.
- To advise on the clinical and resource issues that are required in order to respond to national and local targets.
- To contribute to care planning and risk management for adults with learning disabilities.
- To work within the multi-disciplinary team to carry out assessments and help design interventions for people with learning disabilities.
- To assess, develop and implement specialist programmes of nursing and social care to meet the needs of a diverse range of clients.
- To exercise appropriate professional autonomy when working with clients in the community and to provide advice to non-specialists and other specialists/ professionals within the clinical field.
- To ensure effective interagency working when clients are admitted and discharged from in-patient settings.
- To provide supervision to junior staff within the team.
- To contribute to care planning and risk management for adults with learning disabilities who may also present with physical health needs.
- To provide medication, monitor and administer medications as required.
- Under supervision, to monitor the progress of agreed treatment plans, prescribed medication, and report back on positive and adverse reactions to the prescribing doctor.
- To enter information onto RiO and write complex and sensitive reports reflecting specialist knowledge on a regular basis.
- To collect and compile observations and recordings as required.
- To provide advice, education, support and supervision to carers.
- To provide education across agencies and organisations on specialist area
- To participate in teaching and training as appropriate.
- To implement and contribute to policy and service development as appropriate.
- To work in accordance with the NMC Code of Professional Conduct and act within local protocols and trust policies.
- To offer specialist advice and consultation on client placement issues, including clients placed in and out of borough.
- To advise and educate clients, carers and relatives (as appropriate) on the implementation of care-plans, health promotion and behavioural guidelines.
- To act as a first point of contact regarding assessment for clients and carers who access specialist learning disability services.
Person specification
Experience
Essential criteria- Experience of working with people who have a learning disability.
- Experience of working in a community setting
- Experience of undertaking assessment of the needs of people with learning disabilities and developing a robust care plan to meet needs.
- Experience of teaching and training of staff and/or carers
- Experience of contributing to policy and procedure development and implementation.
- Experience of managing and supervising other staff
- Experience of developing and delivering training packages with other professionals
Education and Qualification
Essential criteria- RNLD (current NMC registration)
- Evidence of continuing professional and personal development
- Mentorship training
- Facilitator’s training
- ENB 998 or equivalent
- Post registration training in Learning Disabilities
Knowledge & Skills
Essential criteria- Knowledge of the predominant health needs of people with learning disabilities
- Knowledge of assessment tools for people with learning disabilities
- Knowledge of the health inequalities experienced by people with learning disabilities and how these can be addressed
- Good organisational ability and time management skills.
- Effective communication skills both written and verbal.
- Skills in assessment, care planning and case management.
- Knowledge of relevant legislation and how they apply to people with learning disabilities.
- Research and audit skills.
- Report writing skills.
We are Members of Stonewall Diversity Champions and Employers Network for Equality and Inclusion.
As part of the Trust's commitment to Equalities and Diversity, the Trust supports the establishment of Staff Networks groups to promote diversity in the workplace:
- BME (Evolve) Staff Network
- Christian Staff Network
- DiverseAbility
- Deaf Staff Network
- Mental Health Staff Forum
- Women's Staff Network
- LGBTQIA+
We are committed to supporting the Armed Forces Community and has signed the Armed Forces Covenant.
We provide reasonable adjustments to the interview process for any candidates with a disability.
Please note:
- That the closing date listed is a guide only and that the vacancy may close earlier should sufficient number of applicants have been received
- That once you have submitted your application you agree to your application being transferred to a 3^rd party e-recruitment system
- That should you not have heard from us within three weeks from the closing date your application has not successful
- That priority consideration for applications may be given to at-risk NHS employees
- That should you be successful and appointed, you authorise South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust to confirm your previous NHS service via an Inter Authority Transfer (IAT) process
- That your employment is offered subject to successful completion of a Probationary Period depending on your Band (except medical roles)
- That we are a smoke-free Trust