Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Significant knowledge, awareness and understanding of Mental Health Law, including legislation of relevance to the community sector including the Community Care Act (2015) treatment legislation, the Mental Capacity Act (2005) and Community Treatment Orders (CTO).

To be personally responsible and professionally accountable for a caseload as part of the community team and lead and manage the work of others as required.

Co-ordinating care, communicating with other professionals involved in the care and ensuring regular reviews are held as required. This will include communication with other teams for example in-patient services through attendance at ward meetings and with interface services e.g. Addictions service and CAMHS services where appropriate.

Independently carrying out assessment, care planning and care coordination with excellent interpersonal skills, ability to listen to others’ views, respect and value individuals from a diverse range of backgrounds.

Leading meetings with community team members on a regular basis to discuss report and evaluate client care. Ensuring a flexible approach in care provision with focus on choice and social inclusion opportunities.

Recognising and addressing concerns about the physical health needs of service users with long term conditions (e.g. diabetes, asthma etc.); escalating these concerns as necessary to senior members of the multi-disciplinary team.

Promoting Recovery

Encouraging and empowering service users to have an optimum level of responsibility for their individual programme of care and with their consent, where appropriate, seeking the cooperation of friends, relatives and carers – following ‘recovery’ principles and approaches.

Supporting service users to adopt recovery strategies that promote their wellbeing, healthy lifestyle, independence and self-care.

Risk Assessment and Risk Management 

Reporting any incident or Serious Untoward Incidents that may take place in a community setting and provide reports and accurate records relating to the incident.

Working safely to ensure safe custody of medicines, sharps, and clinical equipment in a community setting; and reporting of all incidents following Trust Policy.

Recognising and responding appropriately to “self-harm and suicide prevention” regarding the risks in community settings, in line with Trust policies and training guidelines. (4) Understanding and working within the boundaries of the Lone Working Policy and awareness of Personal Safety in a community setting, including clear and updated communication with colleagues.

Responding to urgent situations, emergencies or crises using protocols specific to the local community setting.

Safeguarding and Duty of Candour 

Understanding and implementing safeguarding procedures in a community setting; recognise, report and investigate safeguarding issues and raise safeguarding alerts if you suspect that a service user and/or carer has been exposed to harm or abuse.

Understanding and implementing of Duty of Candour with regard to the particular issues in a community setting.

Infection control 

Understanding and implementing infection control measures in a community setting.

Medication Management (for nurses) 

Administering and monitoring the side effects of medication according to NMC professional standards.

Having significant knowledge of medication used in a community setting and side effects.

Giving medication including IMI to the right patient, right medication, right dose, right route, and right time and giving the right education to patients. Ordering and appropriate storage of medication in a community setting.

Administration and Leadership 

Ensuring that electronic patient’s records are complete. Writing reports and letters in a community setting.

Engaging in practice reflection through clinical supervision and reflective practice groups and contributing to the delivery of clinical supervision to junior staff.

Demonstrate leadership skills within the clinical context of the community, showing awareness of the challenges facing staff working in a community setting and supporting junior staff as appropriate.

To work cohesively as part of the wider community team in managing the larger caseload by supporting on Duty and contributing positively in team meetings.