Detailed job description and main responsibilities

We have an exciting opportunity for a Band 6 Mental Health Nurse to work as an integrated part of the Northamptonshire Countywide Community Eating Disorders Service.  NEDS is a very well-established service, which has evolved over the past 30 years and is a pioneer of community-based approaches to treatment and support. We offer evidence-based treatment for the whole spectrum of Eating Disorders: Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, Binge Eating Disorder and OSFED. A comprehensive range of services is provided, from outpatient individual and group treatment packages for relatively mild-moderate cases of Bulimia Nervosa and Binge-eating disorder, through to intervention and case management of people with severe Anorexia Nervosa. Clinicians in NEDS work with individuals locally in the community and also co-ordinate referrals to Out of Area inpatient admissions to Specialist Eating Disorder Units (SEDU’s), when needed. 

This new opportunity has arisen for a nurse with significant prior experience of working with adult eating disorders (anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder or ARFID (avoidant restrictive food intake disorder)  to join our team and a strong interest/experience  in working with complex presentations including co-morbidities related to autistic spectrum disorder, physical health issues such diabetes and other mental health problems.  We are looking for a confident “team player” who can forge excellent working relationships within and outside the NEDS team and will act as a mentor and supervisor of junior colleagues as required. An interest/experience in service development,  research and evaluation would also be valued.
You will be involved in working within a skilled and creative team of over 30 individuals including  Psychologists,  Consultant Psychiatrist, Arts Therapists, OTs, Dietitians, Nurses,  Peer Support Workers, Healthcare Support Workers and Assistant Psychologists. This post will play a key role in the team in respect of service users’ and carers’ care needs, risk assessment, care planning and in the development and delivery of evidence-based group and individual interventions for people requiring more intensive input to aid their recovery. You will be responsible for overseeing the referral, assessment and treatment of NEDS service users who require intensive input in their recovery journey as an alternative to admission. 

We have strong working links with CMHTs, IAPT, Personality Disorder Service, Complex PTSD service and AAATT (ADHD, Autism and Tourette’s Team). within the Trust and also with the Primary and Acute care sector. We are developing stronger links with third sector and community organisations and co-production with service users and carers is highly valued and central to our delivery.

Exciting new developments include this development of intensive home support and day programme for people with severe eating disorders and early intervention approaches (FREED - https://freedfromed.co.uk/ ).

The Northamptonshire Eating Disorders Service is a county wide service with bases in Northampton (Campbell /Newland House) and Kettering (The Oakwood Centre). The main base for the service is in Northampton, but it is essential that the post holder can drive as the job involves travelling across the county. The EDS normal working hours are Monday to Friday 9-5. However, this post may demand flexible working practices reflecting the needs of clients at any given time.

Co-production and working in partnership with service users, carers, the MDT and external agencies will be a key part of the role.
The post holder will be part of a team who promote, ensure and maintain high standards of care and intervention, within this specialist client group. Direct line management will be provided by the EDS Nursing Lead, and is accountable to the EDS Clinical Lead and Consultant Psychologist, overall.
Whilst you will be responsible for your learning and development, we will support you to set goals and actions to progress your career.